VisorCentral.com - Problems with FlashPlus

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VisorCentral.com (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/index.php)
- Springboard Modules (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=10)
-- Problems with FlashPlus (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=16333)

Posted by GoNoles on 06-24-2001 05:17 PM:

Problems with FlashPlus

I just received a FlashPlus a few days ago and was getting set to try it out ...

I used the Kopsis CD to hotsync ModuleUpdaterApp.prc to my Visor, then plugged in the FlashPlus with a CF card installed. I thought it was odd that CSpotRun and FAFileMover already showed up in the launcher with little squares next to them, but I'd never used a CF adapter before so I proceeded with the instructions to run ModuleUpdaterApp.prc. Well, apparently the software had already been installed onto the Flash adapter and when I ran the program, it partially overwrote the flash memory in the adpater. It only got halfway through and gave me a fatal error and won't access the memory module at all. Anyone have experience on how to clear out the memory from the adapter so I can attempt a clean install?

Posted by Anomaly on 06-25-2001 05:12 PM:

I didn't have your problem when I installed mine, but I understand that contrary to the written info, Innopocket has pre-installed the software on the Flashplus. The documentation needs to be updated or made clearer.

Posted by GoNoles on 06-25-2001 11:23 PM:

You are correct. I spoke with Keith Hudson of Matchbookdrives and he said that Innopocket had preloaded the software without his knowledge. I think he is going to amend his instructions to clarify that.

Still, it shouldn't have given this type of error, I don't think. Keith is replacing the defective unit and hopefully there won't be any problems with the next one.

Here is the response I got from Dave Kopsis:

"The error you are getting indicates a Flash write failure. I suspect
that your adapter has a defective flash chip. It's probably a problem
with the "erase" logic inside the chip (since it programmed
sucessfully once). This is a fairly common failure mode for Flash
chips. Contact Matchbook about getting a replacement."

Posted by bob151 on 07-02-2001 09:48 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by GoNoles
You are correct. I spoke with Keith Hudson of Matchbookdrives and he said that Innopocket had preloaded the software without his knowledge. I think he is going to amend his instructions to clarify that.

Still, it shouldn't have given this type of error, I don't think. Keith is replacing the defective unit and hopefully there won't be any problems with the next one.

Here is the response I got from Dave Kopsis:

"The error you are getting indicates a Flash write failure. I suspect
that your adapter has a defective flash chip. It's probably a problem
with the "erase" logic inside the chip (since it programmed
sucessfully once). This is a fairly common failure mode for Flash
chips. Contact Matchbook about getting a replacement."

I thought Matchbook and Innopocket were two different companies.

Posted by Anomaly on 07-02-2001 09:56 PM:

They are different companies, but Matchbook has become a distributor of the Flashplus. Guess Keith figured it wasn't worth it to try to manufacturer a competing plug n' play CF adapter. So he's selling Innopocket's and still selling the Matchbookdrive for an incredibl price.

Posted by Madkins007 on 07-03-2001 04:30 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by bob151

I thought Matchbook and Innopocket were two different companies.

As I understand it, Kopsis Engineering is the power behind FA Suite of software AND Matchbook. Innopocket used FA for their older CF Adaptors, then seems ot have come up with the FlashPlus bit.

I get the distinct impression from Dave and his websites that the software is the part he is most excited about! (Heck- he even offers plans and parts to make your own Matchbook Drive-like module!)

Posted by BudPritchard on 07-03-2001 04:50 AM:

Additional support

Besides VisorCentral, there is a flashadapter forum on Yahoo groups. This is monitored by Kopsis.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/flashadapter-forum/join

Posted by dkessler on 07-03-2001 02:30 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by Madkins007

As I understand it, Kopsis Engineering is the power behind FA Suite of software AND Matchbook. Innopocket used FA for their older CF Adaptors, then seems ot have come up with the FlashPlus bit.

I get the distinct impression from Dave and his websites that the software is the part he is most excited about! (Heck- he even offers plans and parts to make your own Matchbook Drive-like module!)

Not quite. Innopocket and Matchbook are affiliated with Kopsis only by virtue of the fact that both license our software for use with their adapters. Keith Hudson (one of our earliest "do-it-yourself" customers) is the power behind Matchbook Products. Both companies produce products based on our designs (we also did the logic design for the FlashPlus), but that's about as deep as we want our involvement in the hardware business to get

The hardware biz is a lot more painful and a lot less fun than the software biz and I commend both Matchbook and Innopocket for making a go of it!

As for Matchbook selling both their own and Innopocket's adapters, that's thanks to a deal that Keith Hudson worked out with the folks at Innopocket. Kopsis is not involved in any way.

__________________
<ul><li>Dave Kessler<br>President - Kopsis, Inc.</li></ul>

Posted by Anomaly on 07-03-2001 05:05 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by Madkins007

As I understand it, Kopsis Engineering is the power behind FA Suite of software AND Matchbook. Innopocket used FA for their older CF Adaptors, then seems ot have come up with the FlashPlus bit.

And to clarify something that Dave didn't, the FlashPlus uses FAFileMover also. The main difference with FlashPlus and the earlier Innopocket CF Adapter is that FlashPlus is plug 'n play. It has 1mb of flash memory and holds FAFileMover and FAUtil there so you can use the CF after having a crash/hard reset.

Posted by bookrats on 07-05-2001 05:44 PM:

Use FlashPlus as a Flash Module too?

quote:
Originally posted by Anomaly
The main difference with FlashPlus and the earlier Innopocket CF Adapter is that FlashPlus is plug 'n play. It has 1mb of flash memory and holds FAFileMover and FAUtil there so you can use the CF after having a crash/hard reset.

1MB leaves a lot of unused space, since the FA utilities don't use up much room.

Anyone know if you can (1) store other software in this Flash memory and, if so, (2) run apps from there? (I.e., is it a CF drive and a Flash module, all in one?)

I searched the flashadapter forum on Yahoo, but didn't see any mention of this one way or another.

__________________
Jeff Meyer

"And he died like he lived: with his mouth wide open."

Posted by dkessler on 07-05-2001 07:44 PM:

Re: Use FlashPlus as a Flash Module too?

quote:
Originally posted by bookrats

Anyone know if you can (1) store other software in this Flash memory and, if so, (2) run apps from there? (I.e., is it a CF drive and a Flash module, all in one?)

Theoretically, the answer is "yes" to both questions, however (there's always a however) you would need an application along the lines of Handspring's file mover to get additional apps into the module flash and as far as I know, such an application does not yet exist. Handspring's app doesn't support the type of flash chip used in the FlashPlus.

__________________
<ul><li>Dave Kessler<br>President - Kopsis, Inc.</li></ul>

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