VisorCentral.com - FlashAdapter CF Springboard instructions online!

Pages (10): « 1 2 3 4 5 [6] 7 8 9 10 »
Show 20 posts from this thread on one page

VisorCentral.com (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/index.php)
- Springboard Modules (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=10)
-- FlashAdapter CF Springboard instructions online! (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=8399)

Posted by jmascio on 10-24-2000 02:07 AM:

nice pics...

Mark, thanks alot, i just wanted to make sure it was supposed to look like...

the next thing we have to conquer, after software, is somehow covering the exposed pins when the Module is in the Springboard and the Memory isnt in the socket, short of removing the module itself...

any ideas?

Posted by kenneth_here on 10-24-2000 02:27 AM:

Novice Question

I Just had a novice question about the flash adapter folks are building. Can this adapter be used with a multi-media card (MMC) card or are compact flash cards completely different from MMC cards? Thanks.

Posted by MarkEagle on 10-24-2000 02:36 AM:

Re: nice pics...

quote:
Originally posted by jmascio
somehow covering the exposed pins when the Module is in the Springboard and the Memory isnt in the socket, short of removing the module itself...

That's what the TDS adapter does...

If and when these are made commercially, the developer had better make the CF card sit as far inside as possible AND have it turned around in the right direction (currently, the card gets inserted backwards).

__________________

God bless America, my home sweet home...

Posted by dkessler on 10-24-2000 03:25 AM:

Re: Novice Question

quote:
Originally posted by kenneth_here
I Just had a novice question about the flash adapter folks are building. Can this adapter be used with a multi-media card (MMC) card or are compact flash cards completely different from MMC cards? Thanks.

The FlashAdapter will only work with CompactFlash cards. MMC cards are totally different - both in terms of form factor and interface. To give you an idea of just how different, a CF card uses 48 different signal lines to interface to the host CPU, an MMC uses 3.

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

Posted by afabio on 10-24-2000 04:22 AM:

Is anyone yet working on making a custom PC board for the CF adaptor? This way, there would be no re-work required, and the CF card could be placed as low in the springboard module as possible. I've done this kind of work before, and would be willing to do it here if there is enough interest. The hard part will be getting the boards run. I would probably have to take orders or somthing to that effect to raise the money for the board house to actually create the boards. It wouldn't pay to make one or two of the boards. Most PC board houses have a minimum setup charge, and it would better pay to get 10 or 15 of them made the first time.

-Adam

Posted by brijoco on 10-24-2000 08:39 PM:

Flash EPROM?

Kessler-
We're all waiting (impatiently!) for the first of November for the new software ... speaking of "eagerly anticipating":
I read here, in the description of FABackup/FARestore, where you said "But in a future article, we hope to show you how to add a Flash EPROM to the FlashAdapter Springboard module. Unlike the CF card itself, that Flash chip would be automatically recognized by the Visor and can contain the CFSbLib drivers and these applications, thereby making your FlashAdapter useable by any Visor, any time."
Instant (and infinitely sized) Visor backup, without HotSyncing. You just can't ask for more.
My question: do you have a rough ETA on the THAT little gem?

__________________
 <img src="http://brian.covert.net/pix/sitepix/sig.jpg" border="0">

Posted by dkessler on 10-24-2000 09:03 PM:

Re: Flash EPROM?

quote:
Originally posted by brijoco
Instant (and infinitely sized) Visor backup, without HotSyncing. You just can't ask for more.
My question: do you have a rough ETA on the THAT little gem?

No ETA on that one yet. Right now if I were to call component suppliers and ask for engineering samples of Flash chips they'd probably laugh at me. With the current worldwide shortages, you don't get your hands on those parts unless you commit to purchase them by the thousands (and even then you'll wait a few months). Even if we documented it, very few would be able to take advantage of it.

Right now we're focused on drivers and FAFileMover. Once those release, our efforts will shift to supporting them and developing FAAutoMover. When all that is done, we'll move on to the backup/restore and onboard driver capabilities. We may also have an additional app that we're going to try to squeeze in there, but it's too soon to give any details.

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

Posted by MarkEagle on 10-24-2000 10:56 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by dkessler
We may also have an additional app that we're going to try to squeeze in there, but it's too soon to give any details.

Stop teasing, already!!!

__________________

God bless America, my home sweet home...

Posted by Hoser_back_home on 10-25-2000 05:24 PM:

Re: Re: Flash EPROM?

quote:
Originally posted by dkessler
Even if we documented it, very few would be able to take advantage of it.

how about buying a REALLY cheap old Palm unit off EBay and pulling the Flash chip out of it? it's not mega-cheap but it'd be less than a hundred dollars?

__________________
Ever feel like the train left while you were busy reading the paper?

Stealth-Mod.

Posted by JmE on 10-29-2000 04:26 PM:

Some ideas

Hello VisorCentral,

First off, let me state that I have been a memebr here since I ordered my VxD back in October of last year (has it been that long)... anyway, towards the beginning. I still am taken by the Visor although I no longer own one. I currently run a <gasp> Palm IIIx. I got it off of Value America for $149 (incl. shipping) while waiting for my Visor last year. It's a long story so I won't bore you with it here (and off topic). I had to re-register because I could not rmember my username and password.

On to my idea:

If you look at the CF adaptor pages for the Palm,

http://www.ams-fl.com/axxpac/e_index.html

and if you look at the Springboard CF adaptor, does it appear to you that the SpringBoard port might be a simple adaptation of the IIIx expansion slot? If so, it might be possible to make a SB adaptor for the IIIx. This would add a whole new group of people to increase the market for innovative and cheap SBs, wouldn't it?

Additionally, the AxxPac site also has it's software available for download . (Usage, is of course at your own risk) I would also like to thank DKessler for his innovative solution for the SB to CF adaptor and for sharing the information here.

Lastly, I would like to point to the extra components in the design shown on this site:

http://www.geocities.co.jp/SiliconV...visorcf2_e.html

According to the site, "I am developing Compact Flash adapter and its driver for Handspring Visor. Currently, only wireless communication card sold in Japan works on Visor. This card is named 'P-in Comp@ct', and NTT DoCoMo (Japanese wireless telecommunication company) sells it."

I assume that the author has gotten a CF wireless communication card to work on the visor?? Interesting.

I hope this information sparks some thought for the design and implementation of the CF adaptor. If anyone would like to email me regarding Palm IIIx to SB adaptor development, please feel free to email me.

Cheers!
-JmE-

Posted by argent on 10-29-2000 05:15 PM:

Re: Some ideas

quote:
Originally posted by JmE
if you look at the Springboard CF adaptor, does it appear to you that the SpringBoard port might be a simple adaptation of the IIIx expansion slot?

The SB slot and the III expansion slot are both simply extensions of the DragonBall CPU memory bus.

Also... the AxxPac isn't a CF adaptor, it's a SmartMedia adaptor, and the drivers and interfaces for the two are radically different. I doubt they can share drivers in any way.

quote:
If so, it might be possible to make a SB adaptor for the IIIx.

Also for the IIIe and IIIxe. You would need to write equivalents for Handspring's drivers, and I suspect you'd need to wire in a chip select line so the SB maps into memory in the right place, and you'd end up with a rather hunchbacked handheld... but it might be possible. I suspect it'd cost more to do it than to buy a new Visor.

[Edited by argent on 10-29-2000 at 12:32 PM]

__________________
Rev. Peter da Silva, ULC 
<a href=http://www.taronga.com/~peter/>Ar rug t� barr�g ar do mhact�re inniu?</a>

Posted by JmE on 10-29-2000 05:31 PM:

Re: Re: Some ideas

quote:
Originally posted by argent
The SB slot and the III expansion slot are both simply extensions of the DragonBall CPU memory bus.

Also... the AxxPac isn't a CF adaptor, it's a SmartMedia adaptor, and the drivers and interfaces for the two are radically different. I doubt they can share drivers in any way.

Also for the IIIe and IIIxe. You would need to write equivalents for Handspring's drivers, and I suspect you'd need to wire in a chip select line so the SB maps into memory, and you'd end up with a rather hunchbacked handheld... but it might be possible. I suspect it'd cost more to do it than to buy a new Visor. [/B]

Appologies... I was a bit hurried when I typed the message. I knew there was a reason I did not leave the message last night. The reason escaped me this morning, so I submitted the message. (Re: CF & Smartmedia)

As to the "hunchbacked" Palm... For me, the fun is in the project. After most of them are completed, I usually don't end up using the creation for very long anyway. Besides, I wouldn't mind having a Palm IIIx named Quasimodo

.

-JmE-

__________________
-JmE-

Posted by thatch on 10-29-2000 07:41 PM:

Best Buy selling SanDisk CF-PCMCIA adapter for 12.99

The subject says it all. BestBuy's Website mentions that they sell the SanDisk adapter (noted as being the more difficult one) for 12.99 with free shipping of you order off the website. I haven't schecked into this, just thought I'd mention it for those of us that don't like e-bay.

__________________
Tim
<A HREF="http://vbq1.tripod.com/"></A>

Posted by JmE on 10-29-2000 11:55 PM:

Re: Best Buy selling SanDisk CF-PCMCIA adapter for 12.99

quote:
Originally posted by thatch
The subject says it all. BestBuy's Website mentions that they sell the SanDisk adapter (noted as being the more difficult one) for 12.99 with free shipping of you order off the website. I haven't schecked into this, just thought I'd mention it for those of us that don't like e-bay.

Yep, here is the URL:

http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e...33&scat=537

It is listed for $12.99.

__________________
-JmE-

Posted by MarkEagle on 10-30-2000 12:04 AM:

Onvia.com has the SanDisk CF adapter for $7.56. When I bought mine a couple of weeks ago, it was free shipping as well.

__________________

God bless America, my home sweet home...

Posted by JmE on 10-30-2000 12:30 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by MarkEagle
Onvia.com has the SanDisk CF adapter for $7.56. When I bought mine a couple of weeks ago, it was free shipping as well.

Yep... it is at:

http://www.onvia.com/usa/products/i...dCatalog=193498

It is listed for $7.56.

I guess if you live near a Best Buy, it is a wash.

With that, I am out of here. If anyone wants to email me directly, feel free.

-JmE-

BTW: I may lurk here every week or so...

Posted by brijoco on 10-30-2000 03:11 PM:

CF adapter going mainstream

I heard mention of a CF Adapter Module at a Tokyo Expo, and finally found a reference to it in another forum.
Click here for the image.
Also pictured are:
� 16MB Flash module
� Pedometer module
� AM/FM Radio module

It looks like someone out there is thinking!

__________________
 <img src="http://brian.covert.net/pix/sitepix/sig.jpg" border="0">

Posted by HostileJava on 11-01-2000 03:24 AM:

Well November 1st is here. Any Progress on those drivers?

__________________
http://signature.coola.com/[email protected]

Posted by tyler on 11-01-2000 04:33 AM:

Here's an update from Mr. Kessler:

http://www.egroups.com/message/flashadapter-info/4

tyler

Posted by StiMPy on 11-01-2000 04:19 PM:

Hey all:

Haven't seen the answer anywhere...but does anyone know if the TRGnet software (AutoCF) used for the TRGPro works on a visor with one of these springboard creations?

If so, this would complete a perfect unit.

Thanks in advance,
Mark

All times are GMT. The time now is 03:44 AM.

Pages (10): « 1 2 3 4 5 [6] 7 8 9 10 »
Show 20 posts from this thread on one page