Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 38

When I heard about the Dram Problem I was almost sure before I tested my visor that mine would have the problem. And it did, so I looked at my visor really close and found a minor problem with the case. So I decided to ask for a replacement for that problem and didn't mention anything bout mine have the dram problem. Well the first replacement had a problem with the doto button not wanting to work some times. I called them a they issued another replacement and this once had a very weird problem (not going to explain to complicated) I'm not sure if I'm just going to give up or what. But I did notice something, if I looked at the serial number on the back of the replacement units battery door there is a blue dot next to the serial number and there is also a blue dot on the serial number sticker on the outside of the box they shipped the replacement unit in. I'm thinking that those blue dots mean that the unit has been refurbished. Can anyone confirm this? Thanks

Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 97

I received a replacement for my VDX last week and it was marked with a RED dot on the battery cover and also (if you look back there) on the main circuit board where you can see it in the Springboard slot.

I wondered whether that meant that my unit was a refurb but I looked at my original unit (before I stuck it in the box to send back) and it ALSO had a RED dot in both places.

I realize that doesn't answer your question directly but maybe we can get a short survey of "Dot colors" to see what everyone else has.

The RED dot apparently does NOT refer to whether the unit has the DRAM problem or not. Both my original unit WITH the problem and the new unit WITHOUT the problem and with the updated ver. 3.0.1H applications both have the RED dot.

What does everyone else have?

Registered: Apr 2000
Location:
Posts: 266

I have a new unit and my father-in-law has a new unit. Mine doesn't have the DRAM issue and no dots. My father-in-law has not dots and we didn't check the DRAM problem yet.

Ryan

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Beverly, MA
Posts: 125

Hmm. I'm getting curious about my Visor...

Chronology:

June 10 2000: I buy my first Visor Deluxe from Best Buy.

The following week I learn about the DRAM problem, and test my visor for it. It is reported that there may be a possible error. Shortly thereafter, I actually experience the fatal error, confirming the suspicion.

I then call Handspring, and ask them if rather than use the forthcoming OS patch, I could simply return my visor and get a functioning unit. They say that's fine, and they FedEx me a replacement unit.

July 17, 2000: I receive my replacement Visor, and send back the first one (having forgotten to note my serial number or any other distinctive features). I run the Visor Test on the new visor, and it doesn't report any problems.

Anyway, that's where I'm at right now. My Visor has a serial number like this inside the battery door: xxxxx1600yyyy. There is also a small blue dot on the left side of the serial # label. In another topic, there was some speculation that Handspring was taking older units and putting non-defective (newer) DRAM chips in them - perhaps this is the significance of the dot?

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: nowheresburg, PH
Posts: 98

Hmmm.... I don't see any dots at all(battery cover/springboard slot). I checked negative on the memory problem, my OS is just 3.1H before the update(3.1H3 after) and I bought my BVD March this year.

Perze

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 38

I forgot to mention in my first post that my original unit, the one with the dram problem, did not have the blue dot on the serial number sticker only the replacement units did. Indicating to me that they mark the refurbished units with the blue dots so they know that is has been refurbished before. And both of the replacement units did not have the dram problem but they both had some other problem. I was just wondering if someone else got a replacement that had the blue dots on it. So I could see if my theory was correct. Thanks

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

Hey All:

Blue dot means that the Visor is tested and is free of DRAM issue.

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034

quote:

---

Originally posted by linuxppcguy:
{similar experiences to mine snipped}
Anyway, that's where I'm at right now. My Visor has a serial number like this inside the battery door: xxxxx1600yyyy. There is also a small blue dot on the left side of the serial # label. In another topic, there was some speculation that Handspring was taking older units and putting non-defective (newer) DRAM chips in them - perhaps this is the significance of the dot?

---

Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 97

So does anyone else but me have RED dots in their Visor?

Check on the battery cover next to the serial number. Also, check in the Springboard slot (actually ON the main circuit board).

RED somehow doesn't make me feel comfortable or special... =(

Registered: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Posts: 194

what about white?

Registered: May 2000
Location: Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
Posts: 7

I've got no dots, was a new unit to my knowledge and has potential DRAM problem. On the same cryptic note, what's the MT6 in white next to the serial number on the battery lid?

Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 97

Whoops. I meant to mention that the RED dot on the main circuit board (look in the Springboard slot) covered the 4th (and last) Handspringing person.

There are four Handspring logo-man doing flips on a black background. The fourth little guy is marked red.

And I'm sorry, I have a correction. The replacement unit (no DRAM problem) did have the red dot in both places, both in the SB slot and the battery cover.

But my original unit only had it on the SB slot. NOT in the battery cover. It has some kind of smudged "MT" thing... I can't read it. Maybe MT6?

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Washington, DC, USA
Posts: 10

blue dot on battery door cover=refurb, I should know I just got one for a brand new visor I purchased and I am quite upset, the new unit was a graduation gift and the screen was loose, when the unit shook I could feel it moving in the case also the screen was not sensitive at all-they said I had a 50/50 shot at getting a refurb I took my chances and I lost now I am contemplating what to do

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Posts: 247

Yep, mine has a blue dot as well and I'm pretty sure it's a refurb - this was a replacement for my cracked Visor which I accidentally dropped

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 341

'MT12' on my battery door. Recent retail purchase and a build week 24/2000 unit.

Mike ('no dots' :-)