- Re:"old" netbook

- Problem with MC218 keys

- RE: Last two questions: keyboard

- Re: Last two questions: Black magic and Word

- Word,

Date: 16 Mar 2006 10:50:06 +0100
From: Ian Chapple
Subject: Re:"old" netbook

Axel,

>>2) I also ordered a second-hand netBook some time ago, but had to send it back, because there were great problems with opening files (Word, Excel, jpeg) I had transferred. Maybe some problem with PsiWin. But I got the impression that the netBook only could handle Word 95, while MC218 also can cope with Word 97. Is this correct, or did I get a very old machine?<<

With the netbook (and 5mx Pro) it's not a question of how old the machine itself is. Just download and install the latest version of the OS and you're up to date...

Cheers, Ian.

Date: 16 Mar 2006 11:11:34 +0100
From: Arabbitte <address truncated>
Subject: Problem with MC218 keys

To: Axel Moberg
Subject: Problem with MC218 keys
>>>>>
1) A question I have asked a couple of times before, but never got a satisfactory answer to. I had three years of faithful service from my second-hand MC218. Then, suddenly, the keys a to g someow got coupled to the numerals 2 to 5. Likewise for 1 and Tab. So when i typed a, out came a2, s gave s3 and so forth. Same result when I pressed 2 or 3. Soft and hard reset didn't help. Someone suggested moisture. Well, I didn't know how to dissassemble it, and I wouldn't dare to. So I took my wife's hair-dryer and gave it a brutal treatment. When it had cooled down, the problem was gone. But only for an hour or two, and then it was back again. I tried to change the keys with KeyB Layout. But the result was only duplication, so that a became aa, s was ss etc. And then I didn't have any numerals any more.
Now I have more or less written it off, but I shall keep it for the scientific calculator and the distance and sunrise utility in Clock. and for some fun.
But it would be interesting to know where the problem lies.
<<<<<

I would say that your choices at the moment are either DIY or send it to the professionals. I'd recommend DIY.

Assuming the MC218 is as similar to the 5/5mx as I think it is ...
Underneath the keys on the MC218 is a rubber sheet with raised, holed, dimples underneath each key. These provide the key "spring". When a key is pressed, a conductive "ring" on the underneath of the dimple is pressed against a circuit board, which for each key position, has a "broken" metallic ring which is joined when contact is made. So to your problem ...

You say you "wouldn't dare to" disassemble it, but it's not that hard; it's actually very easy to remove the keys. More importantly, it is also very easy to replace them! Go on - try it now: Just pull one off, straight up. Be brave! Before you investigate further, you need to know not just HOW to remove/replace the keys, but WHERE to replace them: So take a photo, write them down, or find the original box with a picture. What you need to do, is remove all of the keys and then the rubber sheet. I'm not sure what is wrong with your MC218, but hopefully, it should become obvious when the rubber sheet is removed. Needless to say, take the normal anti-static precautions before taking anything apart.

Let us know how you get on. Unless that is, it all goes horribly wrong and you wreck it ;-)

All the best from Dublin, Ireland
Alan Rabbitte

Date: 16 Mar 2006 15:26:39 +0100
From: Alan Morris <address truncated>
Subject: RE: Last two questions: keyboard

Axel Moberg <address truncated> wrote:-

||> I had three years of
||> faithful service from my second-hand MC218. Then, suddenly, ||> the keys a to g someow got coupled to the numerals 2 to 5. ||> Likewise for 1 and Tab. So when i typed a, out came a2, s ||> gave s3 and so forth. Same result when I pressed 2 or 3.
||> Soft and hard reset didn't help. Someone suggested
||> moisture. Well, I didn't know how to dissassemble it, and I ||> wouldn't dare to. So I took my wife's hair-dryer and gave ||> it a brutal treatment. When it had cooled down........

I don't know for sure Axel, as I'm not an expert on Psion keyboards.  I think that as the k'brd is integrated (not via a comms link like on desktops), then the k'brd will be sensed as a matrix.

Your problem is possibly a shorting of two wires.  Heat causes expansion and could cause the shorting lines to part.

OK you don't want to take it apart, but years ago when my 5's touch screen wires snapped, I took it apart.  I never replaced the broken part and as it was not the screen, was still able to use the 5.  But it was a good excuse to justify to Carol that I needed to buy a 5mx!  If it was a 5mx now, I'd try and repair it.

Alan Morris

Date: 16 Mar 2006 20:41:32 +0100
From: Mike Dyer <address truncated>
Subject: Re: Last two questions: Black magic and Word

Date: 14 Mar 2006 21:11:32 +0100
From: Axel Moberg <address truncated>
Subject: Last two questions: Black magic and Word

What I use now? An old Toshiba Libretto when travelling. Charming.

Axel Moberg

Well I still own a Toshiba Libretto 70ct if you have any questions. Regards,
Mike Dyer
Who doesn't use any symbian but still likes the digest.

Date: 17 Mar 2006 12:49:25 +0100
From: Itamar Engelsman <address truncated>
Subject: Word,

Answer to: Axel Moberg

Re.: Word - Wit all Psions you can only work with WORD properly by converting the files to the EPOC word program and back. Usually I convert my files to .RTF files which are the most correct ones. It of course depends on which version of Psiwin you use which WORD version you can and cannot convert.

Best regards,
Itamar Engelsman
London, UK