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Epoc Digest Fri, 02 Jan 2004 Volume 01 : Number 415
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Sent to: 791 subscribers
In today's Epoc Digest 17 messages:
==============================
- Re: Epoc Digest V1 # 414
- Backlight buzzing noise on 5mx
- Re: Epoc Digest V1 # 414
- MnetBook screen problem (or not)
- Re: Epoc Digest V1 # 414
- Re: netBook ID
- Re: Delete email account
- Netbook Freez and Power Transformer
- Re: Dana vs MBook
- Re: Psion Revo 16mb
- Psion Revo 16mb
- Re: Off Topic
- Deleting eMail Accounts - Sink, etc.
- Deleting Email Accounts
- Psion freezing when connected to Internet (esp. Email)
- Dana vs. MBook
- Re: 3-pin mains sockets
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Date: 1 Jan 2004 23:18:08 +0100
From: Mike Isaacs
Subject: Re: Epoc Digest V1 # 414
>Date: 31 Dec 2003 18:55:33 +0100
>From: Jim Watson-Gove
>Subject: Off Topic
>
>An off-topic request for information on HP inkjet printers.
>
>I do volunteer work at an Arts Center - do the email list and maintain >their database. The printer (an ancient HP) stopped feeding paper. I >asked the other members of the board to allow me to take the printer to >the shop. The group consensus was that with the cheap printers >available, it would be better to ask on the list for the donation of a >printer & if none were forthcoming to go ahead and buy a cheap inkjet
>(our job load on the printer is casual printing and not much of it). >
>I'm on my second donated printer. Same problem on these two (won't >feed paper) and the story is the same - "it was working great a year >ago when I upgraded and set this on the shelf."
>
>I'm fairly sure what is happening is that the rubber feed wheels are hardening. >
>Is there some sort of chemical I can spray on the wheels to soften them
>and give the printer added life or should I head out for my local
>Staples for a cheap HP?
>
>jim - port townsend
Re HP printer paper feed problems
My HP 520 printer used to suffer from this slipping feed. I found that
HP had changed the rubber roller composition at one stage, and the
rollers glazed over after a while.
It was obviously serious enough for HP to produce a free "Paper Feed
Cleaning Kit" Part No C4537-80027, which consisted of a spring-loaded
abrasive pad, and a floppy disk which drove the roller continuously
against the abrasive pad for about 10 minutes, This scrubbed the glazed
layer off the rollers, and restored the friction drive.
The abrasive pad was similar to the fibrous green nylon kitchen pan
scrubbers available at hardware stores.
If you can hold a kitchen pad, or some emery paper, against your
printer's rollers whilst they are running, it may remove the smoothness
and restore the paper feed.
HTH
--
Mike Isaacs
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Date: 1 Jan 2004 23:28:27 +0100
From: Stephane Sage
Subject: Backlight buzzing noise on 5mx
Hello All
To: Dion
I have two 5mx and both with "bbn" and greenish screen...The "bbn" reminds me my batteries are bound to die away if I use backlight too much...
Greetings from Grenoble and
"Bonne Annιe" to all of you!
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Date: 2 Jan 2004 00:18:29 +0100
From: Trygve Henriksen
Subject: Re: Epoc Digest V1 # 414
Greetings!
Neil Ogden wrote:
> One other thing which I think may be significant is that in the properties
> box where it lists the com ports, it lists all three com ports twice. I don't
> know when it started listing these twice, but I didn't notice it like this before
> Sunday. Could this be a sign of some sort of com port problem,
> even though I know both com ports are working fine - I've used my digital
> camera on both successfully.
That sounds like the problem, yes.
Try to delete the extras, then check that PsiWin is set to use the correct COM port. In fact, to be completely certain, first set it to another COM port, stop Psiwin, start it again, then back to the original.
----
To Roy:
Why are you deleteing information on the machine if you sold it?
Why not just do a hard reset?
----
Jim Watson-Gove asked:
> An off-topic request for information on HP inkjet printers.
Accessories like printers aren't necessarily OT...
> I do volunteer work at an Arts Center - do the email list and maintain
> their database. The printer (an ancient HP) stopped feeding paper.
> I'm fairly sure what is happening is that the rubber feed wheels are
> hardening.
Quite a common problem with older HP's
(And some not so old, particularly inkjets)
I once learned from a HP tech that diluted vinegar, a teaspoon or so in a glass of water, was just the thing to use on those wheels.
If that isn't enough, rubbing it with fine emerald-paper (or whatever it's called), then applying the vinegar should do the trick.
I've used this trick on HP LJ-II,III,IV, deskjet 850, 970, 1100, 1220 and a host of others...
> I asked the other members of the board to allow me to take the printer
> to the shop. The group consensus was that with the cheap printers
> available, it would be better to ask on the list for the donation of a printer
> & if none were forthcoming to go ahead and buy a cheap inkjet (our job
> load on the printer is casual printing and not much of it).
Is the old printer a Laser?
If so, keep it going!
They're much cheaper to run than inkjets!
Inkjets are cheap, but the ink is expensive...
They're not really suited to 'casual usage' like, either.
We had to set the servers at the office to automatically send a test print every week to inkjets at smaller locations just so that the ink wouldn't dry and clog the nozzles.
And if worst comes to show, STAY AWAY from inkjets that only have one or two ink cartridges. They got a worse printing economy than a five year old kid using oil-colours as finger-paint...
:-)
Trygve
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Date: 2 Jan 2004 00:29:51 +0100
From: Wong Koi Hin
Subject: MnetBook screen problem (or not)
Reply to: Chris Hendley
Dear Chris,
>>P.S. Unlike the Series 7s, it is possible that the Malayabook contains one of Psion's earlier attempts to fix this problem. If that is the case, the speed & severity of the problem MAY be greatly reduced. There are not enough reports to say, except that you can & likely will still get some problems eventually.
In past digests it has been implied or stated that the MnetBook is likely to suffer fromt the screen calibration problem. I own a MnetBook coming to a year, so does an ex-colleague of mine. Neither of us have this problem. During the first few months after I got my Mnetbook, I had on several occasions found the touch-screen not responding, and posted on pdastreet asking for help. Some helpful soul immediately jumped to the conclusion that I was having the dreaded screen problem and proceeded to direct me to the 'solution' Naturally it did not work. I have since isolated the cause (or at least I think I do) which is it was the extreme high humidity in Singapore which was causing the screen to act up. I travel widely and at length and was able to test the MnetBook in several countries, the problem only ever appeared in Singapore. In Singapore once I moved indoors into an air-conditioned environment, the screen responds after a while. Of course the high temperature here could also be a factor, but I have been in hotter places and without ill-effects. The only factor that was unique to Singapore was her humidity level. Unless of course there is something else in the air here... I am no longer bothered by this very occasional problem, as the keyboard works fine, and I have learned all the neceesary shortcuts for my MnetBook. There is very little you cannot do with the keyboard.
In anycase, It might be a good idea for those who own MnetBooks to post of any problems they may have encountered, esp the dreaded screen problem. It may well turn out the MnetBook does not suffer from that particular ailment. At least this should help prospective buyers in their evaluation.
Warm regards,
Koi Hin
*++++++++++&
Date: 2 Jan 2004 00:41:55 +0100
From: J. Hamwee
Subject: Re: Epoc Digest V1 # 414
>> Stephen Jacobson wrote: Does anyone know of a place that I could borrow/rent a psion revo or 5mx machine in order to copy/convert my files?
I am in London and from your email address I assume that you are also in the UK. I have a Revo 16Mb that I shall be glad to lend you.
However, unless some other reader has a better idea, I think that you will probably be better off installing Psiwin on your PC and using it to convert your EPOC Sheet/Word files on the PC to their PC equivalents. I have a spare copy of Psiwin you can have.
I am afraid that you may have a problem to convert Agenda and Phone files. Data files can be saved as comma delimited files.
Regards
Joseph
*++++++++++&
Date: 2 Jan 2004 01:33:10 +0100
From: Wong Koi Hin
Subject: Re: netBook ID
Reply to all asking about Mnetbook IDs
Hello,
my MnetBook version is 1.05 (281) and my MNetBook serial begins with 850. Which means week 50 of 2000, right?
Warm regards,
Koi Hin
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Date: 2 Jan 2004 03:22:23 +0100
From: Jim Watson-Gove
Subject: Re: Delete email account
<<
To ; Roy Maidment
<<The only thing that I don't seem to be able to delete are my Email account settings. Any advice on how I can do this?>>
Re
Gently press the key that reads "Delete"
J.
>>
Roy,
so you don't feel too bad, it's taken me over a year to figure this one out.
For awhile I had both Earthlink and CompuServe installed as ISPs. When it came time to kill the C$erve account, I ttried and tried and couldn't do it.
I kept trying to do it from the menu/Tools/account.
Finally I figured it out (and felt foolish 'cause it's so obvious once you know).
1. Select EMail.
2. The screen will come up with the following on the left"
Local
Inbox
Outbox
Draft
Sent
Compuserve (my ISP)
Earthlink (my SP)
Select Compuserve (in my case) with the curser keys
.
Hit delete key.
You get the message:
"Delete Account Compuserve? (in my case)
Say yes and it's gone.
jim - port townsend
*++++++++++&
Date: 2 Jan 2004 03:22:27 +0100
From: Jim Watson-Gove
Subject: Netbook Freez and Power Transformer
<<Yes more and more ISP are becoming more and more Epoc unfriendly
You should install the recently released TCPIPupdate ("ethernet version" in your case)>>
Does this apply to 5mx as well or is this netbook only? My wife and I have been having trouble intermittently with email freezing, both on our 5mx's and MBooks (now shelved waiting for US power adapter to arrive from Psion UK).
I have finally located a power transformer that looks like it will work just fine as a US to UK line current converter (or visa versa)
Primary 240 or 460 VAC (selectable by choice of lead I suspect) and secondary of 115 VAC.
Part number:
Stancor PCF-24075
I call the distributor tomorrow and obtain price. Also will ask about taps on the primary. All I will need is an enclosure (hello, Radio Shack), a switch, and hopefully a female UK socket. If I can't find the socket I can bury the power adapter inside (velcro? Superglue?) and wire to the pins. Don't want to do that - rather plug unmodified adapter into the unit. Oh and a power switch and if I get fancy a jeweled power light to tell when it's switched on.
jim - still waiting for US power adapter in port townsend
*++++++++++&
Date: 2 Jan 2004 03:22:31 +0100
From: Jim Watson-Gove
Subject: Re: Dana vs MBook
Melvin,
<<Also, when it comes to the quality of the keyboard, I'm left wondering how old his Dana is.>>
Mine (an 8 meg machine) was purchased about four months or so prior to the release of the new model (16 meg at about $50 less than the earlier purchase price). Mine had to be sent back with a repeating key (three C's for every 'C' selected) and a power problem that was on recall (support for the Dana is superb). Since then I had a key try to pop off. It pushed back on fairly easily.
There were enough complaints about keys coming off that it wouldn't surprise me if the keys were addressed when they built the "new and improved"
Dana.
<<I'm still hemming and hawing about this. I love my Mako and the stability of EPOC. But the color screen is irrelevant for my purposes and I hesitate to tie myself to yet another obsolescing technology.>>
That was the thinking that led me to buying the Dana. The thing that sandbagged me was that _for my use_ the processor just didn't have enough horsepower when the word files exceeded a realistic number. I have 20 word files on my Dana now and 4 on my Treo. Both access the files just fine. I have over 1,500 on my 5mx/Mako/MBook, and accessing is instantaneous (took over a minute on the Dana or the Treo when I had around 500 files loaded).
The thing I would suggest is that you should be looking at your projected use of the machine (the Dana is a great machine) before you decide. If you are heavy into word processing, spreadsheet use or database use, I wouldn't recommend it. If not it's a good choice. The good news is that at the price, if you make a bad choice you can move on.
As much as I love my Psions, I do believe that Palm OS is the PDA operating system that will own the future and I am looking with interest at OS 6 as I hope for continued maintenance support of the Psions. OS6 coupled with a high powered processor and a decent keyboard could provide a great PDA.
One size does not fit all.
jim - port townsend
*++++++++++&
Date: 2 Jan 2004 03:22:36 +0100
From: Jim Watson-Gove
Subject: Re: Psion Revo 16mb
<<
From: Stephen Jacobson
<<Does anyone know how I can convert the back up files on my PC to regular excel or word format so that I can access them?>>
Here's how I "recover" word files from my backup files on my desktop machine via PsiWin.
1. Open My Psion on desk top (you don't have to have the Psion connected)
2. Click on "Cancel" on the connecting box
3. Click on the small >> at the top to the right of Favorites
4. Click on Psion
5. Click on Convert Files
6. Click on square button (unmarked "Browse" ) to the right of box called "From - Filename:"
7. Navigate to folder called EPOC
8. Navigate to desired file
9. Select "To - Filename:"
10. navigate to folder you wish file to appear
11. Click on "Convert Now"
Laborious but it does work - one file at a time.
I don't play transfer games with Sheet but suspect the process is essentially the same.
Good luck.
jim - port townsend
*++++++++++&
Date: 2 Jan 2004 09:28:42 +0100
From: Nicole Carbonara
Subject: Psion Revo 16mb
To: Stephen Jacobson
>> Does anyone know how I can convert the back up files on my PC to >> regular excel or word format so that I can access them <<
PsiWin does this in << Psion / Convert files >>
You can also read all your Psion files on your PC screen using the Epoc emulator downloaded from:
www.psionteklogix.com/teknet/pdk/netpad-pdk/epoc_downloads.htm
>> Does anyone know of a place that I could borrow/rent a psion revo or >> 5mx machine in order to copy/convert my files? <<
Are you in London?
Nicole
*++++++++++&
Date: 2 Jan 2004 10:22:02 +0100
From: Martin Guthrie
Subject: Re: Off Topic
Reply to: Jim Watson-Gove
> ...The printer (an ancient HP) stopped feeding paper...
Hi Jim,
I've had this problem a couple of times with HP inkjets. They always seem to develop it just past their warrantee period...! ;¬) Initially I tried roughening the rubber 'grippers' that grab the paper (I used sandpaper). This worked to a limited extent - but was a temporary fix as the problem reoccurred.
Then I hit on the solution. I'd always used the cheapest paper I could find at whichever stationery store happened to be most convenient (or ocassionally 'borrowing' a ream of photocopier paper from work!). By chance I discovered that using just slightly heavier paper made all the difference. In Europe, they talk about paper weights - 70g being the lightest general purpose office paper (and hence the cheapest, and hence the type I'd always used). However, switching to 80g or 90g paper means that my 5 year old HP 890C still feeds every page every time. Not sure how they're classified in the US - maybe in ounces? (2.5os, 2.8os, 3.1os, etc.)
This is probably specified in the manual - hence why nobody knows about it! <grin>
Best regards,
Martin Guthrie
www.pscience5.net
www.freepoc.org
*++++++++++&
Date: 2 Jan 2004 11:09:53 +0100
From: Philip S. Adkins Potter
Subject: Deleting eMail Accounts - Sink, etc.
Hi,
Apart from Jack's friendly advice there is this.
Take out *all* the batteries and leave the beast for a couple of hours (if you're selling a CF card too, reformat it for true security). As the C drive is volatile (in RAM) any and all data will disappear. If your eMail files (message store) are on the CF card maybe you should reformat anyway.
If the programs you are supplying are backed up, reinstall them from there unless you have the installation disks for the buyer.
But do beware - though the great majority of people are honest there are some who aren't. Don't help them!
Also, if the buyer is going to use the Psion on the I'Net or for eMail you might download either Sink2 or the TCP/IP patch (I use the patch) and put the SIS file on the machine ready and tell them why it's there.
Happy days,
Phil.
"A fool's paradise
is a wise man's hell.
*++++++++++&
Date: 2 Jan 2004 11:20:37 +0100
From: Roy Maidment
Subject: Deleting Email Accounts
Hello All
Jack wrote: Re Gently press the key that reads "Delete" J.
I never had the folder display options set on, so there was no possibility
to do this! Problem solved, and thanks for the obscure hint.
With the 5mx being posted to its' new owner today, and the reserve price for
the 5 having been met on Ebay, it looks as if I will be Palming soon. Will
let you know the results.
With best regards,
RoyM
*++++++++++&
Date: 2 Jan 2004 15:48:44 +0100
From: David McCorquodale
Subject: Psion freezing when connected to Internet (esp. Email)
Chris
Thank you for your words of advise. Before I wrote to the Digest I thought I'd try re-loading my OS 158 and start from scratch as if it were a new machine. In spite of that, the email program still hung which confuses me as I don't know how a worm could have got back onto the netBook - unless it happened when I synchronized with my PC. Incidentally if it's not too much of a problem, could you tell me what the correct modem and internet settings should be, just in case I've got them wrong.
As an aside, do you have any idea how I can connect my netBook to my iMac. The iMac only has USB connectors and even if it were connected would I be able to down load psion programs from the web and install them onto the Psion. At the moment I don't have MaConnect, do I need it as I have Virtual PC and PsiWin although I've not yet loaded either onto my iMac. is this all a bit of a bridge too far do you think and would I be better off with one of these new netBook Pros?
Yours thoughts and time are very much appreciated.
David McCorquodale
*++++++++++&
Date: 2 Jan 2004 20:04:20 +0100
From: Peter Rand
Subject: Dana vs. MBook
Melvin Woody wrote:
--
Subject: Re: Dana vs. MBook
One of the factors that makes me lean toward the Dana is the size of the two keyboards. Jim wrote back that he prefers the Mbook.
--
If it's any help, I have a Series 7 and a Dana. I'm a pretty fast touch typist, and find the Dana's keyboard marginally better. But Palm OS 4.1 is so slow that when I type a sentence on the Dana, I have to pause and let the computer catch up. Given that, and the fact that the Series 7 screen is much better and the EPOC apps are more sophisticated and reliable than their Palm apps, I use the Series 7 almost exclusively.
Peter
*++++++++++&
Date: 2 Jan 2004 20:10:52 +0100
From: Euan Mee
Subject: Re: 3-pin mains sockets
On 31 Dec 2003, at 0:35, Epoc Digest wrote:
> Can someone in the UK tell me a part description for a > standard UK three pronged, rectangular pin wall socket
www.screwfix.co.uk (perhaps .com will also work)
look in the electrical section for
13A wall socket
Cheers,
Euan
xlucid
this).sf.(antispam.)net
*++++++++++&
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