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32 mb Prism?


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Topic: 32 mb Prism?

MelHerd
Member

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 19

Several questions come to mind:

1) What is the limit on internal memory that the Prism could handle? 16 mb?

2) Could a Prism upgraded to 16 megs internally still use the 16 mb Hagiwara flash module soon to be available in the US?

3) Could a Hagiwara flash module be use as a backup module?

I have been thinking about getting a Prism if I could up grade to 16 mg internal and use a 16 mb flash module. Backup could be with a second 16 mb flash module. Thanks.

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GreyWolf

02-07-2001 04:15 AM

tuppy
Member

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 6

32 meg Prism

A less expensive alternative to using a second 16meg module for back-up would be to purchase the CF adaptor and a 16meg rom card. Since one can't use this type of memory for readily accessing information it would be ideal for backing-up the Prism.

Lets hope someone will soon begin upgrading the Prism/Platinum internal memory to 16 megs. 32 megs would be more than sufficient for any power user (especially if you had a CF with additional memory for storage of files not always used).

02-11-2001 04:59 PM

sluggo
Member

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: brooklyn, ny, usa
Posts: 190

quote:
Originally posted by MelHerd
Several questions come to mind:

1) What is the limit on internal memory that the Prism could handle? 16 mb?

2) Could a Prism upgraded to 16 megs internally still use the 16 mb Hagiwara flash module soon to be available in the US?

3) Could a Hagiwara flash module be use as a backup module?

I have been thinking about getting a Prism if I could up grade to 16 mg internal and use a 16 mb flash module. Backup could be with a second 16 mb flash module. Thanks.

1. I believe that the limit is 64MB of internal RAM.

2. I don't see why not.

3. Sure. There's a select all option in file mover.

There are a couple companies in Singapore and Hong Kong that will upgrade your internal ram to 16MB. You will get a limited warranty from them, but it will, of course, void your Handspring warranty.

I have a Prism and have just picked up the 16MB module. It's a great combination. If you really need more storage, you can get the compact flash springboard and a CF card. You won't be able to run anything from the CF card, but you will have more portable storage than you will know what to do with.

02-12-2001 12:38 AM

virg
Member

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 25

Qustion

Hey sluggo,

was wondering...how do you know that 64mb is the max internal ram?

thanks in advance

02-14-2001 09:10 PM

OvaGirl
Member

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 28

I just read about a 16MB upgrade in a Visor over at the Palmgear site.

http://www.palmgear.com/news/showne...amp;resID=12350

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02-15-2001 01:30 AM

Matthew Nichols
Member

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 714

I believe the limit is 32mb of internal RAM and 32mb for the Springboard slot.

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02-15-2001 01:34 AM

ethos
Member

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 106

Prism internal 16mb upgrade

This gentlemen will upgrade the Prisms internal memory to 16mb for $149.
http://www.palmpilotupgrade.com/prices.html

Does anyone now how easy or difficult this upgrade may be?

If it is just a 16mb memory chip that we can purchase is it as simple as removing the 8mb and replacing it with the 16mb? Or is there soldering involved? Anyone know?

02-15-2001 02:57 AM

BEN
Member

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 638

I think that it's a fairly easy process for somebody who has alot of knowledge with soldering small things, but I don't think that it's a kind of thing that a normal person would want to do. I think that the only kind of chip that is needed is a normal 16 mb DRAM ship (not SDRAM), and you can get one of these from computer memory.

BEN

02-15-2001 03:22 AM

ethos
Member

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 106

Oh well I was hoping that there would be no soldering involded. I would not hesitate to swap out a chip if it were just popping out the old and placing the new one. But soldering on my Prism is best left to an expert.

02-15-2001 03:45 AM

xjx
Member

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 114

quote:
Originally posted by Matthew Nichols
I believe the limit is 32mb of internal RAM and 32mb for the Springboard slot.

I agree with you. Although the CPU does support more DRAM (up to 64M), the Visor only uses half the capacity (64M requires two DRAM banks).

02-15-2001 06:35 AM

kam
Member

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Northern Virginia, U.S.A.
Posts: 36

Well why not....

Um, if the internal RAM limit is 32mb, why not cut to the chase and upgrade to 32mb, vs. 16? I'm not knowledgable about this stuff, so please excuse me if this is an ignorant idea.
:-) I would expect a corresponding raise in the price of such an upgrade, but other than that...

02-16-2001 01:00 AM

sluggo
Member

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: brooklyn, ny, usa
Posts: 190

Re: Qustion

quote:
Originally posted by virg
Hey sluggo,

was wondering...how do you know that 64mb is the max internal ram?

thanks in advance

I had read it in another thread on Visorcentral.

02-21-2001 06:19 PM

nightingales
Member

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 54

quote:
Originally posted by ethos
Oh well I was hoping that there would be no soldering involded. I would not hesitate to swap out a chip if it were just popping out the old and placing the new one. But soldering on my Prism is best left to an expert.

The Prism (and most likely all Visors and Palms) does not have sockets for memory chips (space restraints etc). Any upgrade involves soldering and believe me its not the type of soldering you want your friendly neighborhood plumber with his butane soldering gun perform. There's a good chance of killing your handheld in the process. Thats why these guys charge $150 - they figure they will have so and so many losses in the process where they need to spring for a new visor.
I have upgraded chomputers with soldered memory chips in the past (anyone remember ATARI?) but I'm real hesitant to put a soldering iron to my Prism...

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02-21-2001 08:54 PM

RoofusPennymore
Member

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 61

I talked to the guy who is offering the upgrades for $149. He says the max is 16 megs.

02-21-2001 09:05 PM

Winchell
Member

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Baltimore MD, USA
Posts: 717

quote:
Originally posted by nightingales
I have upgraded chomputers with soldered memory chips in the past (anyone remember ATARI?) but I'm real hesitant to put a soldering iron to my Prism...

Yep. I cut my teeth programming an Atari 800 with an entire 32k of RAM.
I read an article once about an EPROM burner for the Atari 800. It plugged into the joystick port. The unfortunate individual had a burner with a short circuit in it.

When the smoke cleared, the Atari didn't work. Opening it revealed that the shorted voltage had gone unbuffered straight to the motherboard. All the IC chips had exploded like popcorn! (well, actually, they just blew off their tops)

SURREAL SAGE SEZ: Meddle not in the affairs of wizards, for *poof*...ribbit.