Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 32

I have not brought a Prism yet, still doing research and these forums and reviews are a great help.

I read that the Prism does not have its OS in flash memory, therefore can not be upgraded like other Palm devices. This is one of the major minuses against Handspring.

I read from the Handspring web site that Prism's OS can be upgraded using a module. I get the impression that many people seemed to think that they could run the new PalmOS with the module plugged into the slot.

The Handspring site "The Handspring Visor supports upgrades to the operating system (OS) via Springboard modules and software patches."

Well, I was just thinking that there may be another possibility. I don't know a lot about the PalmOS and the system memory, but I don't think that the OS is permanently burned into the memory board. The OS is still "software" right, just that it cannot be access by users (-for obvious reasons -).

Perhaps a springboard carrying a new OS can access the on-board OS in the Prism and can replace it with the new PalmOS. So... all you have to do is plug the springboard into the slot and push "update" and vola you got an update PalmOS. Take the springboard out, you now have an updated OS and a slot to plug other springboards in.

I don't know if this possible, but it does eliminate the need of flash-memory and provide a way to upgrade with the use of a springboard. That would be pretty clever !!



[Edited by KennethAaron425 on 10-22-2000 at 11:37 PM]

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KAY

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

I'm afraid your idea is not possible....

In order to do that the ROM where the OS is stored in should be EEPROM (Electronicaly Erasable Programmable ROM) and it is not... it is just 'plain' ROM....

I don't know the exact differences between FlashROM and EEPROM but I think they are the same thing, just different names....

one option could be possible, if the rom is EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM) like the ROM of old bios chips (the ones with the sticker on it) those can be erased by removing the sticker and put (IR)light on it, that will format the ROM and you can program it again. However the chance that the ROM on the Visor is EPROM is very slim.....

So the final verdict is, nice try, but no go...

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Do files get embarrassed when they get unzipped?

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Modesto, CA USA
Posts: 599

Don't be too concerned

Palm is now charging, will be soon, for upgrades of the OS 3.5. They are discussing a figure of around $20 but I haven't seen the final figure. The benefits of each OS upgrade have been minimal ever since about version 2.5 and I go back to version 1.0. And in this case, I can say that the $20 would be better spent on somehting other than this upgrade.

If the OS really has tons of features that everyone would want then Handspring will definitely figure out a way to market it to the masses - but less than 5% of the people that had Palms ever updated the software when it was free. This was a determining factor in not using flash proms for the Visor family since they cost more. Why build in a capability that less than 5% of the users were using. This statement is nearly a quote from Jeff Hawkins.

The first Palms had replaceable proms and hence took up more room then they were worth and many users didn't know or damaged the proms when installing.

The difference between 3.3 and 3.5 other than adding color capability can also be easily added by purchasing hacks and other software, at least pretty much.

My guess is the next great OS will be on a totally different chipset and will require and other hardware upgrade which will force the user to purchase a new handheld.

Don't let Flash Prom be that major of an issue. Software upgrades will be made available they will just cause a probably small loss of normal memory (RAM) rather than ROM.

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Moose Man
I may be from the LEFT coast but that's not the correct political view in my mind!