Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 384

This is very confusing...

When I first read this tread, I was like "nah, no way" but apparently more people have opened their visors and found what it appears to be a flash memory chip. Some people have found it and others didn't.

I think I'm like most people who have read this tread. While I'm intrigued, there ain't no may I'm dissecting my Platinum to find out.

I still really, really don't think that the Prism or Platinum has flash memory. That chip that other have found may serve other purposes, maybe something to do with the flash memory module. Are there programs out there that could detect flash rom, like the "JackFlash" program?

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Fat's

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Manchester, England
Posts: 83

I don't think opening it up is that bad =)

Why did u think Handspring included a screwdriver in the stylus for? =) Jus handle it carefully, backup well b4hands, don't be like me get all nervous and get my sweat all over it =P

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Always have my Visor with me...... =)

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 2

Flash OS 1.5

Hi Guys,
I wonder this page will help for those who wish to update their Palm OS.

http://bodotill.suburbia.com.au/osflash/osflash.html

Or maybe anybody that can figure out how this flash library will work with Visor Platinum ?

http://bodotill.suburbia.com.au/flashy/flashy.html

[Edited by khchan on 02-04-2001 at 02:32 PM]

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Alive and well on VisorCentral.com
Posts: 861

I wouldn't upgrade my unit to Palm OS 4.0 just yet

Even if it's FLASH RAM, I still wouldn't get too excited.. Because of some of the unique hardware that separates the Handspring Visor units from the Palm ones, I don't think an un-optimized version (not enhanced for Handspring) version of PALM OS would work, or if it did, you might loose things like access to the USB connector in the Visor, 16 bit display, etc... Case in point, the version of 3.1, and 3.5 that Handspring uses is a custom variation of the OS for Handspring that supports the unique hardware in these devices. Sorry to put a dark cloud on everyone.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Manchester, England
Posts: 83

of course =)

U r absolutly right about not upgrading to OS 4, but who says there won't be a modified Visor OS 4? If this is pretty common for new Visor PL and PRs, I can't imagine why there wouldn't be a company or individual who can, and do get it right for Visors. And if this works, provided the FlashROM can be used for this purpose, I think there would be lots of ppl who will be willing to pay for their Visor's OS to be upgraded. =) I jus wish that it is for sure a FlashROM like Palm machines have....so we can post proud replies in discussions about Palm Vs Visor.... =P

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Always have my Visor with me...... =)

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 42

Many platinums are indeed flashable. I have a friend who is doing it in a palm community group thing. I'll try get more details on this.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: The Matrix
Posts: 718

Visor Prism Flash?

I know Handspring says that none of their devices have Flash ram but after reading this thread I see that some do. Does the Prism have this Flash Ram. And if so why is it there.

I have spent a lot of money on this baby and would appriciate if they would allow us to upgrade to 4.0.
(Only if 4.0 is going to be a worth while upgrade)

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-Mikedemo
It's all about how you spend the money.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 3

I have a Visor Platinum from the first batch
(Order from Handspring on the first day of release)
I got a OKI ROM which from the spec, it said OTP (One Time Programming i guess)
so it's not a FLASH ROM.
I notice the leg of the ROM chip is upper and lower, while the FLASH ROM is left and right.

and I found out that there are only 57K free in that 2MB ROM.

Moreover, even there are OS4, I am not interested.. coz OS3.5 is enough for everyday use already.. and nearly 100% perfect for a Monochrome device

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Deep Space.
Posts: 76

Just checked my new VPt. It's got the Hyundai flash chip too. What does Handspring have to say about this???

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 5

I opened my VP and found a code,

TC58FVB160FT-10

a japanese flash ram chip, too.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: NYC
Posts: 287

I opened My Prism

I opened my Prism to see what kind of chip was on my main board. This is what I got:




I know the picture is not clear but this is what it says:

Hyundai
GM71V565163CLT5
0032 AG2 Korea

Is this Flash or non-Flash Memory? Any body?

Thanks

Al

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It all started way back in February 2000 with a Blue VDX.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 638

OK, I have the same ROM chip as "acajigas", and I can't find any mention of it on the Hyundai site. I'm not sure if I have the good chip or not.

Just as a suggestion, the people who know for sure if they have FLASH or not, can you post when you got you're VPR's or VPL's? I think that this is going to be helpful in figuring out when handspring started to use the non FLASH rom chips.

BEN

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 4

PRISM HAS FLASH MEMORY

acajigas,

the GM71VSXXXXXXXX Chip that you saw is the DRAM chip.

The flash memory chip is sandwiched between the LCD and the PC board. It should read HY29LVXXXXXX.

You can find out about the Hyundai chips at:
http://www.hei.co.kr/eng/products/frset/pro_set1.html

YES! My Prism has the Hyundai Flash Memory Chip as well.

Is it safe to assume all Visor Prisms have FLASH ROM?

Regarding the OS Update which Handspring posted on their website, does it actually flash the ROM when you install it or does it just exists as another file taking up space in the DRAM?

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VPR LIVES ON!

Registered: May 2000
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1429

The OS update is just a PRC that is lowlevel. As in it's deletable.

I got my new Visor today, and IT seemed to be a Rev. B of the Platinum. The buttuns were softer, the cover was matte on both sides, but most importatnly, OS updayte 1 was burned into ROM. Now I haven't seen anyhting about it, but could it be that people who have OS update 1 preinstaleld have flash RAM? I don't want to void my warrenty so I'm not opening up.. but I'm asking others.

-md

I WROTE SOMETHING!
hmm do oyu think that wil brign my grade back to an A in english?

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 384

Hmm...Let's get organize

Wow, it seem that this Flash ROM issue has taken off. PDAgeek (www.geek.com) and palmstation (www.palmstation.com) have mentioned about the possibility of the Platinums and Prisms having the much desired Flash ROM.

It appears that more and more people who are brave enough to open their visor have discovered that they indeed have the Flash ROM chip , while others did not . Now let's get organize and see if there are trends regarding if the presence of the Flash Chips are related to time and/or place of orgin.

So for all those brave souls who had opened their prism/platinum, please write a post regarding:

1) yes or no in finding the Flash Chip, if yes #'s on chip
2) time of purchase
3) location of purchase
4) serial # of your PDA (if you want to)

If we pool these info. perhaps we could establish a trend.

One possible theory that I could think of is that since most of the other PDA's (Palm/TRGpro) have the flash chip, Handspring may have just ordered the standard board and inadvertently got the flash chip as well (but that does not necessarily mean that the chip is functional).

[Edited by Fat_Man on 02-07-2001 at 12:35 AM]

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Fat's

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 384

Well, in case you're wondering...

I have just purchased a Platinum about 2wks ago. Reading this tread about the possibility that VPL and VPR may have Flash ROM has gotten my interest. Anyway, since I don't want to dissect my Platinum, I decided to download JackFlash and sync it to my VPL. Actually I downloaded the free trial version JackFlashLight from Palmgear.

Well, JackFlash could NOT detect Flash ROM in my Platinum . So this could suggest two things:
1) I don't have flash
2) my Platinum may have the chip, but conventional program like jackflash could not access it.

Personally, I think I'm in the #1 catagory. Anyway, maybe others would like to try this.

__________________
Fat's

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: California
Posts: 4

Someone in Singapore are able to make 8mb ram to 16mb

Hi guys...

I read that someone in Singapore a able to change the chip in the visor plat' or prism' RAM from 8mb to 16mb.

They took out the IC from an EDO Ram and placed it on the visor and it work..

here is the link:

http://www.spug.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=6053

-
Herry

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 3

My Platinum

Purchased on the first day availiable online from Handspring online store.
Visor Platinum
OKI MASK ROM
ship to Canada

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Manchester, England
Posts: 83

Re: Someone in Singapore are able to make 8mb ram to 16mb

quote:

---

Originally posted by htedja
Hi guys...

I read that someone in Singapore a able to change the chip in the visor plat' or prism' RAM from 8mb to 16mb.

They took out the IC from an EDO Ram and placed it on the visor and it work..

here is the link:

http://www.spug.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=6053

-
Herry

---

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Always have my Visor with me...... =)

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 61

Mine has it

I just bought one on tuesday and sure enough it has the Hit chip.