Expansys have netBook Roms in stock?

[wanman]

Not sure if this is the case or not, but it seems....according to their website, that Expansys have some netBook Roms in stock, which will enable you to convert your 7 Series into a netBook.... or 7book as we like to call them.

Definitely worth a look and means you can have the latest netBook OS with full ethernet/wifi connectivity and Opera 5.14 as your default browser.

I upgraded mine and it was well worth the money as my 7book runs very fast and the ethernet connection is so much better in these broadband days. Also, if you install a wifi pcmcia card, you can connect to the web in your favourite coffee house!!

Like I said, not sure if their website is accurate, but if some of you get the chance to upgrade, then well worth it.

Make sure you 7 is out of warranty before doing this, although I have not heard of anyone having major problems whilst changing theirs.

Cheers

Si

http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=S7NBUPG

[netBookBabe]

Hi Si

I phoned Expansys (albeit a few weeks ago) to check on this, since previously they were saying that no further stock of the netBook upgrade was expected.

They confirmed that they did have "a last few" in stock.

Julie

[houndogjess]

I can confirm that expansys have these in stock.

I recieved mine last monday, installation went without a glitch inspite of my dicky expansion slot .

All I can say is " I wish i'd bought one in the first place!!"

I'm not quite sure how this ethernet stuff works perhaps someone could help me out. I usually just use my machine to carry around large .pdf files. I did connect to the internet a few times through my mobile phone but found it tediously slow.

Houndog

[netBookBabe]

Good news, houndog! :)

Julie

[wanman]

Hi Houndogjess,

Glad to hear that your upgrade went well. If you need any help with your ethernet connections, let me know either on here on the eithernet forums or PM me.

Regards

Si

[mauritron]

Originally posted by houndogjess
I usually just use my machine to carry around large .pdf files.
Houndog

Looking for a .pdf reader. Would need to be compatible with both my Series 7 and Netbook.
Can you help with a link as to where I can find one. Thanks. Maurice

[Mobilix]

Sander van der Val has an offering for you:

Pdf/Pdf+ (Free/Shareware) (http://www.mbrainsoftware.com)

Ciao
Mobilix

[mauritron]

Thanks, will look into it.

[bj1]

I was looking at this upgrade, but I am not sure I use my Series 7 enough to justify it. I bought it last year and really only use it when on the move, or in front of the TV to do "pesonal admin" type stuff. I am however endeavouring to use it more since it is so convenient etc etc.

My question is though, how do I know if it has already been done ? All the specs I've seen quote 16Mb memory as standard. When I look on my Series7 under Information - Memory it says total memory 48M, and under Information - Disk it says 46M. Is this standard, or has it been upgraded already ? Is there another way of telling without opening it up ? The 2 external slots are both empty by the way!!

I really appreciate any help,

Thanks,
BJ

[wanman]

This is very strange indeed. Can you do the following:

1) Switch on your 7 - Does it say 7 Series or netBook?
2) Launch Web - Is Opera launched or Psion's own web browser?
3) From system view press shift+ctrl+k and view C: drive. What is the disk type and size? Should be Ram and 16mb
4) Do you have a CF Card inserted? If so, this is your D: Drive and will confirm Memory Disk as it's type. This may explain the 45mb size
5) Open your seven and tilt the screen forward slightly. Under the lower edge of the screen is two covers. Slide these forward gently and you will see to slots. The right hand one, should have (what seems to be) a memory module installed. This is the personality module that you would normally replace to change yours to a netBook. There should be a white sticker on it. What does it say?
6) Check the left hand cover too and see if there is card in there. If so, this could be a memory expansion. 16mb or 32mb (just found out this is possible)
7) Press shift+ctrl+q. On the Machine tab, what is the type and software version? Under the Hardware what is the processor, speed, Rom and Ram sizes?
8) When your 7 is closed you will note a metallic badge on top. Does this say 7 series or netBook?
9) What badge is displayed between the Power and Stylus Release buttons; 7 Series or netBook?

Once we have this info, we should be able to give you an idea of what you have.

Cheers

Si

[netBookBabe]

Originally posted by bj1
The 2 external slots are both empty by the way!!
I was just trying to puzzle this out when Si came in with his checklist, so if you work through that as requested I'm sure we can figure this out. Which are the two "external slots" you refer to?

My gut feeling is that you have a Series 7 with the RAM upgrade installed - 16MB original RAM plus 32MB upgrade. If so, the upgrade RAM chip should be under the lefthand cover behind the keyboard, as described by Si.

If your machine had been upgraded with a netBook module (as well as the extra 32MB RAM), I would expect the total memory figure to be reporting as 50MB - i.e. a total of 64MB, less the amount partitioned off by the OS, which is around 14MB.

Julie

[bj1]

Si,

Thanks, and here goes with the replies:

Originally posted by wanman
This is very strange indeed. Can you do the following:

1) Switch on your 7 - Does it say 7 Series or netBook?
When I switch on it goes straight to Documents - but if I look in Information - About Series 7, then it says Psion Series 7.
2) Launch Web - Is Opera launched or Psion's own web browser?
Psion's own browser (with Psion Series 7 rotating at the top).
3) From system view press shift+ctrl+k and view C: drive. What is the disk type and size? Should be Ram and 16mb
Disk - C, Type - RAM, Size - 46M
4) Do you have a CF Card inserted? If so, this is your D: Drive and will confirm Memory Disk as it's type. This may explain the 45mb size
No CF Card inserted. Julie - This is what I meant by the external slots are empty. I assume it goes in the sliding out tray next to the RS232 plug
5) Open your seven and tilt the screen forward slightly. Under the lower edge of the screen is two covers. Slide these forward gently and you will see to slots. The right hand one, should have (what seems to be) a memory module installed. This is the personality module that you would normally replace to change yours to a netBook. There should be a white sticker on it. What does it say?
2031 0051 01 and underneath that it says Version 758 06/09/00
6) Check the left hand cover too and see if there is card in there. If so, this could be a memory expansion. 16mb or 32mb (just found out this is possible)
Yes there is a card there, with 4 chips on it
7) Press shift+ctrl+q. On the Machine tab, what is the type and software version?
Type - Series 7, Software Version - 1.05 (254)
Under the Hardware what is the processor, speed, Rom and Ram sizes?
Processor - SA-1100, Speed - 132.710MHz, ROM - 16M, RAM 48M
8) When your 7 is closed you will note a metallic badge on top. Does this say 7 series or netBook?
ser7ies
9) What badge is displayed between the Power and Stylus Release buttons; 7 Series or netBook?
ser7ies
Once we have this info, we should be able to give you an idea of what you have.

Cheers

Si

I hope that is all OK,

BJ

[netBookBabe]

Hi BJ

From the information you've given, it's clear that what you have is a standard S7 with the extra 32MB memory upgrade, but definitely not with netBook "personality module".

The extra memory you have is very useful, but you still might like to consider the advantages of the netBook upgrade as well.

Julie

[bj1]

Julie,

That's great. Thanks to you and Si for sorting this out.

All the best,
BJ

[wanman]

Hi BJ,

Right I can confirm you definitely have a 7 series. The reason your C: Drive (Ram) is displayed as 48mb is that someone has installed the netBook 32mb ram upgrade module. Initially it was thought (and advertised by Psion), that this would not work on the 7, but recently it has been proved that this will work. The advertised ram upgrade for the 7 was only 16mb's and 32mb's for the netBook. Now we know different and you seem to be lucky here and have a big C: Drive.

I am still a little unsure as to the OS version so to view this, when on the main system screen (viewing the contents of C: Drive), press ctrl+h. You should see the 7 series splash screen. Can you confirm exactly what is written here. I think the release is the key info we need and this will probably confirm either build or release 751, 754 or 756. If you confirm everything, we will have all the info you need.

With regards to the netBook rom, this is a list of some of the features you will get, by upgrading:

1) Upgradeable OS. When installed the netBook personality module does not contain any OS. This has to be instaled by downloading it from PsionTeklogix (we can help you with that) and a CF card 16mb or more. Before you first switch on, after installing the module, you copy the OS image to the CF card and place it in the sliding drawer on the left. When the machine boots up, the OS is installed and there it remains untill you perform a hard reset or loose all power from both main and backup batteries (Backups are crucial !!)
2) The latest OS has Opera 5.14 as it's main browser, so when you click on the web screen button, Opera is launched instead of Psion Web. This enables you to visit secure websites, etc
3) Java capabilities is pre-installed with the OS, rather than a post install .sis file as on the 5mx & 7
4) Ethernet capabilities. With the netBook module and latest OS, you will then be able to connect your netBook to any wired/wireless network. Thiis is very cool and in wireless mode, you will be able to access you email/web, etc sat in front of the tv at full broadband speeds and without wires !!
5) As you have confirmed, you processor is currently running at 132.710MHz. With a netBook personality module installed, your 7Book will run at 191.692MHz and that is a noticable hike in speed and power. All apps will run alot quicker !!
6) c: DRIVE will increase to 50mb. Although the internal memory increases from 48mb to 64mb, the OS takes up 14mb of un-accessible space. (Still better than a poke in the eye !!)

This is all I can think of at the mo, but having upgraded my 7 to a 7Book, I would never go back and glad I upgraded mine. Ok I probably use mine much more than yours and I suppose that is the key. I use mine as a digital organiser aswell as managing my email, money, travelling, diary, contacts and pretty much everything else on here (on a daily basis too). If you are a very occasional user then sticking with a 7 maybe the option, but you have to ask yourself, would you use it more if you had a more powerful 7 with better connectivity and web browser?

If you want any other info then please do ask.

Regards

Si

[bj1]

Si,

It says:

Version 1.05(254) - English (UK) - ASCII (Build 756)


Thanks for all the info on the upgrade. I need to think about it, but really not sure I can justify it at the moment.

Thanks again,

BJ

[wanman]

Fair enough BJ. At least you know what you now have !! lol

The OS build 756 is the latest so there is not much more you can do with your 7, except enjoy the freedom, battery life and stability that you will never get with current technology laptops (Ok perhaps I should work for PT ! hehe).

Good luck with what ever you decide to do.

Regards

Si

[netBookBabe]

Originally posted by bj1
Thanks for all the info on the upgrade. I need to think about it, but really not sure I can justify it at the moment. BJ

I quite understand your point about justification - however, I fear the upgrade modules are very much a time-limited offer, so don't leave it too long if you're tempted.

I'm already regretting not snapping up one of the last new UK netBooks before they disappeared. I couldn't justify the purchase, since I already have one, but I dread to think what I'll do if mine decides to give up the ghost!

Julie

[bish]

Can someone enlighten me as to what is involved in installation of this expansys memory upgrade please?

Thanks

[bj1]

Well, the bad news is that Expansys have one less Netbook ROM in stock, the good news is that mine arrived today !!!

Si, in a previous reply you offered some help in downloading the OS and copying to a CF, changing the module and reloading everything. Please may I take you up on that offer. If you could post instructions here, or point me to where they already are, or PM me, that would be great, and I appreciate your help.


Thanks,
BJ

[netBookBabe]

Originally posted by bish
Can someone enlighten me as to what is involved in installation of this expansys memory upgrade please? bish

What is being discussed in this thread is not a memory upgrade - it's more like a heart transplant! We're talking about replacing the ROM of an S7 with the "personality module" of a netBook, creating what we now call a "7Book".

This allows the machine to use the netBook operating system, which is loaded from CF and runs in RAM, speeding up the machine and bringing other benefits. There is plentiful information regarding the advantages if you browse through the 7Book forum.

As for what is involved in performing the upgrade - the module resides under one of the sliding hatches just behind the keyboard, so the physical fitting of it does not present much of a problem. It just takes a little forward planning - there will be plenty of support available for you here if you decide to go for it. :)

Julie

[bish]

Thanks -

I have completed everything and, as well as expansys being minus another Netbook ROM module, I have performed a heart transplant on my resurrected Series 7 and now own a 7Book!

What can I do with the empty slot under the left cover .. and what can be usefully done with the old heart?

[netBookBabe]

Hi bish

Apologies, my post was obviously somewhat late - didn't realise you had already got the netBook module. Glad to hear the transplant went well!

Errm, what can you do with the left hand slot? 32MB memory upgrade! ;) :D

As for the old heart, not sure there is a great deal you can do with that, unless you come across someone with an ailing S7 in need of a donor!

Julie

[bj1]

Upgraded mine last night, just followed the help me instructions with the OS. Quite easy and straightforward - so I now have a 7book!!

BJ

[donkeyontheedge]

Bish,
I have sent you a private message.

John