wanman
08-22-2002, 09:40 AM
Hi all,
Just to get this new 7 forum back on track, I thought I would add an update re the exciting conversation about the possibilities of upgrading your 7 to full netbook status. Not heard about this? Well if you have been stuck in a hole for a week or so Expansys.com are currently (pre)-selling an upgrade chip for £65. This replaces the 7series rom card which can be found at the back of the keyboard under a small flap (the right hand one) which slides out. Go on have a look now.
If you can remember that far back (it feels like only two days ago....oh yeh it was 2 days ago !!) There was a couple of messages from people who had ordered them and were eagerly awaiting for expansys to get them in stock. Hopefully they will not have been too annoyed about their messages being deleted by those nasty people at PDAStreet.com and will let us know how they get on.
In the mean time, I emailed Expansys with a few qestions and this is what they had to say:
1) Who manufactures the Rom card. Is it Psion?
The card is manufactured by Psion.
2) I assume this replaces the current 7series Rom card (in the right hand compartment under the screen)?
Yes it does. The netBook Os would still need to be loaded.
3) I currently have a 16mb DIMM upgrade fitted to my 7. Will this need to be upgraded to the 32mb Netbook Dimm upgrade or will the 16mb car still work?
This I can't answer as we don't sell or have been able to test the 16mb DIMM. It is quite possible that it will work.
(A previous reply on the old board confirmed that the 16mb DIMM would probably not work and you would need to get hold of the 32mb Netbook DIMM if you still want to upgrade. Hopefully Expansys can still get hold of these.)!!
4) I assume that fitting this will void any outstanding warranty on the 7.
I don't see why as you don't need to open the machine to fit the upgrade.
(I am not sure this is entirely true as not all 7 motherboards would be compatible with this upgrade. If you still have warranty left, check with Psion before upgrading)
5) I understand that not all 7 series motherboards will support this upgrade, do you know how to distinguish between the different motherboard types?
This might apply to early releases of the Series 7 that used flash Rom (if memory recalls)
(Not exactly a full and complete answer so be aware that not all motherboards are compatible. If anyone comes up with a definitive answer I will post here)
So that is what Expansys had to say. Psion were not so helpful and did not know anything about the upgrade board let alone whether it would work. Call me cheap but this info came from customer services rather than the £1/min technical helpline.
I have also spoken to Palmtop magazine who are hoping to do a full feature on the upgrade in their next issue. This all depends on Expansys having cards in stock and will issue one for review by them.
Hope the above is of some use. If you need any other info or know anything else about it then post your questions/info here.
Regards
Si
Just to get this new 7 forum back on track, I thought I would add an update re the exciting conversation about the possibilities of upgrading your 7 to full netbook status. Not heard about this? Well if you have been stuck in a hole for a week or so Expansys.com are currently (pre)-selling an upgrade chip for £65. This replaces the 7series rom card which can be found at the back of the keyboard under a small flap (the right hand one) which slides out. Go on have a look now.
If you can remember that far back (it feels like only two days ago....oh yeh it was 2 days ago !!) There was a couple of messages from people who had ordered them and were eagerly awaiting for expansys to get them in stock. Hopefully they will not have been too annoyed about their messages being deleted by those nasty people at PDAStreet.com and will let us know how they get on.
In the mean time, I emailed Expansys with a few qestions and this is what they had to say:
1) Who manufactures the Rom card. Is it Psion?
The card is manufactured by Psion.
2) I assume this replaces the current 7series Rom card (in the right hand compartment under the screen)?
Yes it does. The netBook Os would still need to be loaded.
3) I currently have a 16mb DIMM upgrade fitted to my 7. Will this need to be upgraded to the 32mb Netbook Dimm upgrade or will the 16mb car still work?
This I can't answer as we don't sell or have been able to test the 16mb DIMM. It is quite possible that it will work.
(A previous reply on the old board confirmed that the 16mb DIMM would probably not work and you would need to get hold of the 32mb Netbook DIMM if you still want to upgrade. Hopefully Expansys can still get hold of these.)!!
4) I assume that fitting this will void any outstanding warranty on the 7.
I don't see why as you don't need to open the machine to fit the upgrade.
(I am not sure this is entirely true as not all 7 motherboards would be compatible with this upgrade. If you still have warranty left, check with Psion before upgrading)
5) I understand that not all 7 series motherboards will support this upgrade, do you know how to distinguish between the different motherboard types?
This might apply to early releases of the Series 7 that used flash Rom (if memory recalls)
(Not exactly a full and complete answer so be aware that not all motherboards are compatible. If anyone comes up with a definitive answer I will post here)
So that is what Expansys had to say. Psion were not so helpful and did not know anything about the upgrade board let alone whether it would work. Call me cheap but this info came from customer services rather than the £1/min technical helpline.
I have also spoken to Palmtop magazine who are hoping to do a full feature on the upgrade in their next issue. This all depends on Expansys having cards in stock and will issue one for review by them.
Hope the above is of some use. If you need any other info or know anything else about it then post your questions/info here.
Regards
Si