Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 56

Has there been any thought to a commercial enterprise in the US dedicated to upgrading the internal RAM in Platinum/Prism models to 16MB? Companies in Japan and Singapore are doing this with apparently no adverse effect on their Platinum/Prism Visors (example pic: http://members.nbci.com/docvisor/16.jpg ) and for much less than the cost of the new Hagiwara 16mb Flash Module.

Besides the added flexibility of more memory, it would seem to me that the CF modules (matchbookdrive, innopocket, etc.) would be much more practical if we had additional resources on the Visor's internal memory. Then it would not be so difficult to leave enough free space on the internal memory to match the largest database on the CF module.

Any thoughts?

-Regards

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<i> If it's worth doing, it's got to be done right now.</i>

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Oxford, OH
Posts: 60

This image http://www.russdesign.net/64.jpg would be a little more what I would want... 16 is great, but........

Seriosuly, I would be really interested in knowing how to do this, or finding someone who could do this for me. I wonder though if it would be possible to get more RAM, I know that the processor can handle more... so I guess that the limit is on finding the ram. Imagine that much space.

There has been a problem raised before, about the backup module, which I use all the time. If I use it, I won't need it... the second it is not an option, then I will need it. I wonder if it is possible to have a program tell the module which pieces of info to back up first, and then when it is full, it is full. That way I can back up the CF module software, and then store the rest on the CF... hmmm.... Perhaps someone smarter than I can tell me if that is an option.
-Russ

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 56

More info

A JAPANESE site details swapping the original 8MB RAM chip with a new 1 piece 16MB DRAM HITACHI (#HM5113165LTD6). For those that can read Japanese or can find a web translator, go to:

http://www.geocities.co.jp/SiliconValley/7457/

If 64mb of internal memory is the upper limit, is this a function of the OS or the 33MHz Dragonball?

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Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 384

The limit.

From what I read, the limit to the amount of memory is a consquence of the processor not the OS. I think I read somewhere that the Palm OS can handle 2 gigs, but I think the limit of the 33 MHz is only 16 mb's. That's why the Prism and Platinum can be upgraded, but the deluxe cannot. Anyway, I agree that have 16 mb internally would be great.

By the way, I have contacted Jason Ng in Singapore, and he is currently doing upgrades of the Prism. I'm not sure about the Platinum. But this would involve mailing your visor off to another country. Here's the email I got from him:
------------------------
Sorry for keeping you waiting, I have started providing 16Mb Upgrade for the Prism, the price is $100 and I need 30mins to work on it, please give me a call to arrange a time, thanks.

Regards
Jason Ng
Mobile Phone:9856 7828
Address: Westrade Insurance Office
151 Chin Swee Road
#12-02 Manhattan House
S'pore 169876

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Fat's

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 56

Domestic option would be better

I've traded emails with Jason Ng too a while back. He runs the http://www.palmworkshop.com/ site (although the Platinum/Prism upgrade is not currently listed on the site). My question is, why is there no one with the electrical skills in the US willing to perform this upgrade if it can be done in 30minutes overseas??

Are there any EE's that can address this question? How difficult would it be to perform this upgrade from a technical perspective?

I am somewhat hesitant to ship my Visor off to a overseas "company" that I know little about which operates on a cash-only basis. Also, I can only guess what the Customs issues would be.

There is likely a good deal of profit to me made here. I am guessing the chip only costs about $35-$40. Not to mention there is probably a market for the chips that come out.

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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

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 56

More info...

There is a thread currently discussing the limitations of internal memory here:

http://discussion.visorcentral.com/...?threadid=10572

Here are more sites for Plat/Prism Upgrade:
-Site in HongKong (I think)
http://www.palm-center.com/html/upgrade.htm

-Site in Japan (using web translator-which takes a while):
http://www.teletranslator.com:8090/...p/%7ETG7T-KSWG/
If this link takes too long. It basically says that they use the Hitachi H M5113165 FTD- 6 16mb chip.

I still do not know what the upper limit of internal memory is and how this impacts the 16mb flash springboard. However, with just a 16mb internal upgrade I do not think this would preclude use of the Hagiwara 16mb module as there are threads on the Singapore Palm User's Group talking generally about this.

quote:

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Originally posted by MelHerd
the 16 mb Hagiwara flash module soon to be available in the US?

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