VisorCentral.com - Upgrade VDx OS

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- Visor & Deluxe (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=1)
-- Upgrade VDx OS - Hah! (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=12417)

Posted by nurcombe on 03-01-2001 12:49 PM:

quote:
From the Handspring Deluxe FAQ
Q. What about a Flash OS?
A. The Handspring Visor Deluxe supports upgrades to the operating system (OS) via Springboard modules and software patches.

We all know this is never going to happen, Handspring are not going to risk taking sales away from the Platinum by upgrading the VDx OS.

So the question is; is it really worth upgrading from a Dlx to a Platinum?

All I feel I need out of an OS upgrade is 4-bit/16-grey scale support, there is nothing else I am aware of that I am missing.

__________________
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Jim Nurcombe
[email protected]

Posted by Tom LaPrise on 03-01-2001 03:56 PM:

If you use FireViewer, you can see images (and video!) in 16-level greyscale anyway, so that's not an issue.

The only advantage I would see is that the Platinum has a faster processor. You can overclock a Visor/Visor Deluxe if you need speed, though, as long as you don't overdo it.

Personally, I don't think the cost justifies the benefits of upgrading right now.

__________________
"Yeah, he can talk. It's gettin' him to shut up that's the trick!"
-Shrek

Posted by nurcombe on 03-02-2001 10:30 AM:

Yeah, I do use FireViewer to see piccys and video in greyscale, but the most graphics intensive task I do is surfing with PalmScape, and it's beginning to really annoy me that I only see these black & white blobs when the hardware is capable of displaying something better.

__________________
Regards,
Jim Nurcombe
[email protected]

Posted by steelkilt on 03-02-2001 01:31 PM:

maybe not upgrade

Nurcombe,

My impression, after reading several Platinum-complaint threads over on VisorVillage, is that there are issues with some Platinum displays, espec. when viewing at 16-grey. Several people over there have complained about screen flicker and streaking and have returned several units only to get a new unit with same problems.

Posted by MHCohn on 03-02-2001 04:19 PM:

Well, no, it's not worth upgrading to the Platinum, but it IS worth upgrading to the Prism. I bought and tried the Plat for a couple of hours,(mostly because I, too wanted 16 bit gray) but difference was simply not worth it. I was totally non-plused. Then when the $200 rebate at CompUSA came along, I sprung for the Prism. I've had a long history with PDAs starting from the old Sharp Wizards 10 years ago. The experience with the Prism is totally different.

Within the first day I decided that even if I didn't get the rebate I would stick with the Prism despite the cost. If you can possibly afford it, do it.

__________________
-Michael-

Posted by srwdc1 on 03-02-2001 07:15 PM:

Prism for $299?
Where?
Is this the prior discussion about the CompUSA "mistaken" rebate coupon, or another source?
would love to get one.

Posted by MHCohn on 03-02-2001 08:14 PM:

Sorry, yes it was the prior CompUSA thread. BTW, as posted there, I just got an e-mail saying that my request for the rebate is valid and being processed. As soon as it is, they said, a check will be in the mail.

__________________
-Michael-

Posted by srwdc1 on 03-02-2001 09:26 PM:

Oh well, will have to wait for a "real" coupon.

I probably agree-- I like my VDX and would not upgrade right now. But my son just bought his first, and bought a Plat. (see other threads).

For a first-time user, I would probably say the extra $50 is worth it. I would want the extra speed to take advantage of springboards, including books etc that I keep on modules.

Steve

Posted by WorldCTZen on 03-03-2001 01:01 AM:

Hacker upgrade...

After playing with the internals on my VDx, it looks like it ought to be possible to produce an after-market upgrade ot the VDx.. The ROM and CPU are both on the same daughter card.. The easiest possibility should be replacing the ROM with a FlashRom chip.. then install POS 3.5. As for upgrading the cpu.. not nearly conversant enough with potential conflict/wiring/os issues to know where to start on that one, but it seems like it ought to be possible to upgrade the CPU and keep all the rest of the hardware..
Any body brave enough/skilled enough to try something like this out and report on it? I'd be willing to put down $50+ for such an upgraded card, easy.

__________________
"It's hard to find my guiding light with this lantern in the way..." Diogenes

Posted by dalamar70 on 03-30-2001 01:57 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by Tom LaPrise

The only advantage I would see is that the Platinum has a faster processor. You can overclock a Visor/Visor Deluxe if you need speed, though, as long as you don't overdo it.

Just curious if anybody knows whether the Platinum drains batteries faster than the Vdx? Is the 33MHz Dragonball basically an overclocked 16/20MHz part, or does it have a different, possibly more efficient, design?

Posted by Taki on 03-30-2001 04:08 PM:

I heard that you may be able to "trick" VDx to display 16-level gray scale by changing OS version number using a software calledPalmName. Open PalmName and change OS version from 3.1H (or 3.1H3) to 3.3, then do a soft reset. I tried this on a Visor Solo, but I can't really tell if it has really changed to 16 level gray scale because there is not enough memory to install anything with 16 level.

Try this at your own risk, and I can't take any responsibility for any adverse effects...

__________________
Taki
<A HREF="http://www.ad-visor.net/UMSB/"><IMG SRC="http://www.ad-visor.net/image/UMSB.gif"ALT="UMSB"BORDER=0></a>

Posted by na2rboy on 03-30-2001 04:30 PM:

wow

Needless to say, if anyone actually tries Taki's suggestion and it works, let us know. I may, but I have to decide if I can overcome my fear of obliterating all of my data.

Posted by bradhaak on 03-30-2001 05:24 PM:

won't work - the APIs don't exist in 3.1 and changing the version number won't put them there

Posted by MPM on 04-01-2001 11:51 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by dalamar70

Just curious if anybody knows whether the Platinum drains batteries faster than the Vdx? Is the 33MHz Dragonball basically an overclocked 16/20MHz part, or does it have a different, possibly more efficient, design?

Well I don't know if battery life is shorter on the Platinum - I have a Deluxe, but, yes, the Dragonball VZ (in the Platinum) consumes about twice the current of the EZ (in the Deluxe). This is right off of Motorola's datasheets.

And, no, the VZ is not "just" an overclocked 16/20MHz part. While the CPU core is the same, as are most of the on-chip perhipherals, there are many changes and additions in the VZ.

Also, in case anyone was thinking of it - No, there is no way you can just desolder an EZ in the Deluxe and replace it with a VZ to try and "upgrade" a Deluxe to a Platinum. The VZ is a 144 pin part, and the EZ is a 100 pin part. They just are not "pin-for-pin" compatible.

Posted by WorldCTZen on 04-02-2001 04:22 AM:

don't swap the CPU..

My earlier query wasn't aimed at just replacing the cpu, as just as in PC's, you can't fit an Athlon into a super7 socket.. However, as the CPU is on a daughter card, along with the ROM, would it be possible to replace the daughter card for one with an updated CPU/ROM? Is there any physical difference between the daughter card connecter on the VDx and the Platinum?

__________________
"It's hard to find my guiding light with this lantern in the way..." Diogenes

Posted by MPM on 04-02-2001 08:43 PM:

Re: don't swap the CPU..

quote:
Originally posted by WorldCTZen
My earlier query wasn't aimed at just replacing the cpu, as just as in PC's, you can't fit an Athlon into a super7 socket.. However, as the CPU is on a daughter card, along with the ROM, would it be possible to replace the daughter card for one with an updated CPU/ROM? Is there any physical difference between the daughter card connecter on the VDx and the Platinum?

The Dragonball EZ CPU is not on the daughtercard. The parts on the daughter card are the speaker, the RAM, and the ROM. The CPU is on back side of the main card in the Visor Deluxe.

Can't comment on the connector in the Platinum because I don't have one to take apart.

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