broken screen cable 3c

[Joe Hull]

My 7 year old 3c has just developed a sceen fault. I rely on it so much at work that I bought a new Osaris machine sold by Oregon Instruments for £75 +vat it is supposed to be indentical to the 5mx.

I still have tidal program that only works on the series 3 so I wouldn't mind repairing it.

anyone got any ideas

[diem]

The Oregon Osaris is not identical to the 5mx - the operating system is very similar though (EPOC ER4 as compared to the 5mx' EPOC ER5). I think it is functionally most similar to the Psion 5, rather than 5mx.

As far as getting your series 3 repaired goes, I do not know of a source for the cables to enable you to do it yourself, but POS Ltd (www.posltd.com) have an exceedingly good reputation, assuming you either live in the UK or don't mind sending your 3 there.

[Joe Hull]

Thanks for the reply Diem. Interesting to hear about the Osaris operating system being similar to 5 rather than 5mx.

I Have synchronised it with MS Outlook and it has loaded all my appoitments OK but it does not like loading my DATA database files from my 3c. Is this a common problem or am I doing something wrong.

I was reading a PDA Essentials mag in Smiths on Friday and it mentioned a 3c emulator which I gather can make the series 5 think it is a series 3 for the purposes of using older progs written for 3c. Have I got tthis right or not.

I have an old tidal prog which runs on 3c but not on the series 5.

I would very much like to use it on the Osaris if possible. Anybody out there who can help with this please?
I have contacte POS but they are quite expensive, not really economic to repair at the moment.

Joe Hull

[netBookBabe]

Don't know if this is any help, but here is a tidal program that does run on S5:

http://p.pellot.free.fr/ocean5/ocean5gb.htm#Ocean5%20:%20Tide%20prediction%20for% 20S5

It should run on the Osaris, as will most Epoc S5 software, but the problem is the possible "cropping" of data due to the smaller screen area of the Osaris. As diem quite rightly says, the Osaris is far from "identical" to a 5mx or even an S5.

I think you will have to take the "suck it and see" approach.

Julie

[MikeMcC]

it does not like loading my DATA database files from my 3c. Is this a common problem or am I doing something wrong. The file formats of the 3c and Osaris are not compatible. You may be able to convert the 3c Data files to text format (CSV) with EPOC Connect on the PC and then import them into the Osaris Data application. From the Data app menus, select "File > More > Import text file..."
a 3c emulator which I gather can make the series 5 think it is a series 3 for the purposes of using older progs written for 3c. Have I got this right or not. No, there isn't a Series 3 emulator which runs on the Series 5 to enable you to use 3c programs with an EPOC machine. The Series 3 emulator runs in DOS on a PC.

....but no doubt someone will reply that you can run the XTM DOS emulator on an EPOC machine and then run the Series 3 emulator in the DOS emulator, but I somehow don't think so :)

[Joe Hull]

Thank-you everyone for your replies. I have downloaded the tidal prog and will have a go at using it- thanks Julie.

Um - I am beginning to wonder if I have done the right thing in buying to Osaris. The screen is smaller than the 3c and it is shinier and more difficult to read.

Thanks also Mike McC for the info on data files I will try this.

I am still hoping I can repair the 3c myself without spending a lot of money on it. It still works when the screen is angled but not in it's normal position. Is it not possible to buy a new screen cable and solder in a new one if this is the problem?

I really like this machine and really miss it. Th screen is so easy to read when it's working OK!!

This is a really useful web site. I have not used it before but it just goes to show the power of the net to find out things. There is so much knowledge out there, someone always knows the answer to a problem.

Joe Hull

[makoman50]

i had the ame problem with my 3c and just gave up on it because it was too much hassle and the screen condidition continued to deteriorate. i bought a mako instead. i did look for a replacement screen cable and found that psion plc. wil replace anything that is wrong with your machine for $150 flat rate plus parts.
cheers
makoman

[netBookBabe]

Screen cables for the 3c are available from POS Ltd. See the following thread for more information, especially in regard to whether to attempt to perform this repair oneself:

http://www.pdastreet.com/forums//showthread.php?s=&threadid=5005

Julie

[Joe Hull]

Thanks Makoman and Julie for your replies.

Interesting to see we can get cables form pos ltd. I may order one and take a risk on reparing my self.

I have just bought a s/h 5mx but I want to keep the 3c for a specialist program I have

Joe

:)

[netBookBabe]

Hi Joe

I'm pleased to hear you took the plunge and bought a 5mx. I'm sure you will find it gives you a lot more scope than the Osaris, espcecially in relation to third party software. You'll be spoiled for choice! :)

Julie

[Joe Hull]

Thanks Julie,

Yes I can do everything with the 5mx that I could do with 3c.

I even managed to get my Data files transfered from 3c onto 5mx which I was quite worried about. The only gap now is my tidal programme which ran on my 3c but will not run on 5mx.

I have not had chance to try the new programme mentioned by this forum but will try it when I have time.

I did have a little problem loading a coloured template on Excel sheet which was a mixture of landscape and portrait from my computer at work. It somehow overlapped the pages. I may have to create different files for each page.

I want to be able to fill this in on thr road and download it at the end of the month.

Joe Hull