comp.sys.palmtops HP100LX Frequently Asked Questions
Richard Cochran
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last-modified: 94/08/20
HP-100LX Frequently Asked Questions list.
If this file is more than a month old, an updated version should be
available via anonymous ftp from eddie.mit.edu. Look for
/pub/hp95lx/hp100lx/100lxfaq.txt
This file is and always will be work in progress. Comments welcome.
Editor: Richard Cochran rcoc...@netcom.com
DISCLAIMER:
This file is the work of unpaid volunteers. It does not represent the
official position of anybody, much less anybody's employer. It is
likely to be filled with errors. Mentioning a product or business
does not constitute any sort of endorsement. If you act on any
information in this file, any damages you suffer are just your tough
luck.
This is not intended as a substitute for the 100LX manual. There are
many more useful tidbits located in the manual than will ever be in
this file, and the manual is likely to be more accurate.
PUBLIC DOMAIN:
This file is in the public domain, which means you can basically do
with it what you wish. If you post or distribute it, the editor
prefers that you keep it unaltered in its entirety. If you make it
available for anonymous FTP, the editor would like to know, so that
you can be informed of updates, and users can be pointed toward their
closest anonymous FTP site. If you extract excerpts from it, the
editor would appreciate a credit to "The Usenet comp.sys.palmtops
HP100LX FAQ".
200LX SPECIAL NEWS BULLETIN:
After many months of leaks, and a week or two of actually selling the
things, on Aug 1, 1994, HP officially announced the HP200LX, the
successor to the 100LX. It appears the 100LX is no longer being
made, although some may remain in dealer stock for awhile. The 200LX
is basically a 100LX with some cosmetic changes and the addition of
Intuit's Pocket Quicken in the ROM. There are other changes, most
minor, but perhaps a few not-so-minor. I've included a section at
the end of this FAQ on the 200LX, but since I don't actually own one,
and I doubt I'll buy one unless I lose my 100LX, it's hard for me to
verify the answers to all possible 200LX questions.
I hereby put out the call for anyone who owns a 200LX and who would
be willing to collaborate on this FAQ. The level of participation
is up to you. You can take over the FAQ completely, you can write
sections of it, or you can simply stand ready to run some tests and
verify answers when I e-mail questions to you. E-mail
rcoc...@netcom.com if interested.
In the meantime, this remains primarily a 100LX FAQ. Even though
most of the 100LX information probably applies to the 200LX, any
200LX info should be regarded with more suspicion than usual.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Special recognitions to Anthony Stieber <ant...@csd4.csd.uwm.edu> for
maintaining the 95LX FAQ and for starting this document. Also
recognition to all the folks who have shared info via
comp.sys.palmtops.
The following people have contributed to this FAQ by e-mailing
information to the editor:
Jim Breen <j...@rdt.monash.edu.au>
Tony Clark <tcl...@wv.mentorg.com>
Andreas Garzotto <garz...@swssai.uu.ch>
Andrew Gryc <an...@hpcvrb.cv.hp.com>
Sheryl Katz <slk...@netcom.com>
Wee-Meng Lee <le...@hpsgm2.sgp.hp.com>
Rob Logan <r...@ct.picker.com>
J. Marot-Lassauzaie <n1ep...@ibmmail.com>
Clark Ochikubo <cgoc...@uci.edu>
Stephen Panarelli <j...@ulinfo.unl.edu>
Stephan Wolfrum <wol...@uran.informatik.uni-bonn.de>
CONTENTS:
This document sort-of flows from the "I wonder if I should buy an
HP100LX?" type questions to the "I've got an HP100LX, now how do I
make it do <xxx>?" type.
Q1: What is the 100LX?
Q2: How big is a 100LX?
Q3: So tiny! Can I touch-type on it? Is the screen too small to read?
Q4: What's the difference between the HP-100LX and HP-95LX?
Q5: Where's the best place to buy a 100LX? A RAM Card?
Q6: Will it run <Random MS-DOS Software Package>?
Q7: Can I run Quicken on it?
Q8: Can it do Windows?
Q9: What software is built into the 100LX ROM?
Q10: Does anybody actually use cc:Mail on the 100LX?
Q11: What is the system manager?
Q12: What programming languages are available?
Q13: What batteries does it use? How long do they last?
Q14: Why won't my NiCad batteries hold a charge anymore?
Q15: What kind of AC adapter does the 100LX use?
Q16: Where can I get a case for a 100LX?
Q17: What is xine?
Q18: What is pushkeys?
Q19: Why is my modem so slow?
Q20: Why don't Intersvr, LapLink, Procomm, etc. work?
Q21: Are there any other special characters I can use in the comments
Q22: What's a good modem?
Q23: Should I get a PCMCIA modem or an external one?
Q24: What's the difference between flash memory and SRAM?
Q25: Will <Random PCMCIA Card> work in a 100LX?
Q26: How can I use a Newton flash card in a 100LX?
Q27: Is the 2MB model worth the extra money over the 1MB Model?
Q28: Does the 2MB RAM HP-100LX have more system memory?
Q29: How do I upgrade from 1MB to 2MB internal RAM?
Q30: What's some good software?
Q31: Why can't I unzip this file?
Q32: Where should I read and post articles concerning the HP-100LX?
Q33: What's the Palmtop Paper?
Q34: What is 100Buddy?
Q35: What is VR?
Q36: How can I customize the fields in the phone book? (e.g. add an
Q37: How can I transfer data to/from the database manager?
Q38: What's the "disable filer" trick?
Q39: Can I use the 100LX as a remote control for my TV, VCR, stereo?
Q40: Can I use the 100LX as a phone dialer?
Q41: I can't turn it off while it's charging the batteries!
Q42: How do I connect the 100LX to a desktop PC?
Q43: Where can I get just the HP-100LX serial cable without the
Q44: Where do I get an adapter to use HP's serial cable with a modem,
Q45: What software can I use to transfer files if I don't get the
Q46: Intersvr complains about the E: drive when I start it. What can I
Q47: Where can I get a compatible serial port connector?
Q48: How can I connect the 100LX to an Apple MacIntosh?
Q49: How can I use a PCMCIA ethernet adapter?
Q50: Why would I want to use a PCMCIA ethernet adapter anyway?
Q51: How to I prevent the 100LX from powering down while on batteries?
Q52: What are the various ROM revisions?
Q53: How do I determine which ROM version I have?
Q54: What is the Shift Key Bug (HEU)?
Q55: Help! my machine is stuck! what do I do?
Q56: What is the 200LX?
Q57: What has stayed the same between the 100LX and the 200LX?
Q58: What has changed from the 100LX to the 200LX?
Q59: How can I upgrade my 100LX to a 200LX?
Q1: What is the 100LX?
A: Depending on your point of view, it's either an IBM PC-XT stuffed
into a very tiny case with some Personal Information Management (PIM)
software and Lotus 1-2-3 built into ROM, or it's a high-end electronic
organizer that also runs MS-DOS software.
Q2: How big is a 100LX?
A: Approx 16cm x 8.5cm x 2.5cm (6.25" x 3.3" x 1") closed, or about
the size of a checkbook, only thicker. It has a clamshell-style case.
Q3: So tiny! Can I touch-type on it? Is the screen too small to read?
A: Touch typing is quite a trick. The keys are much closer together
than normal adult human fingers. But the keys have a positive click
feel. Some people adapt quite well to them, others despise the
100LX keyboard.
The screen is very sharp and contrasty, but your eyes might not be.
Try before you buy, especially if you have trouble reading fine print
in dim light. The print is quite small in 24x80 mode, but you can use
special key combinations to zoom and pan around, displaying only a
portion of the screen, magnified, on the 100LX physical screen. The
screen is not backlighted, and is easiest to read in bright light.
Q4: What's the difference between the HP-100LX and HP-95LX?
A: The short answer is that the HP-100LX is faster, has better and more
powerful software, much more MS-DOS compatibility (full CGA
compatiblity), fully standard serial port with hardware handshaking,
longer battery life, and has a PCMCIA Release 2.x slot. The
Hewlett-Packard press release for the HP-100LX details many of these
improvements see ftp://csd4.csd.uwm.edu/pub/Portables/HP100LX/100LX.ANN.
Q5: Where's the best place to buy a 100LX? A RAM Card?
A: The answer changes too quickly to put into this FAQ. Netiquette
suggestion: Read the board for a few days. If the question hasn't been
asked recently, call around to your local stores, call the dealers on
hpdealer.txt, and post a note listing the best deal you found, asking
if anyone can beat it. In other words, do a little homework yourself
before asking the net for help. Consider giving your local dealer a
chance to try and match or beat a mail-order price.
See ftp://csd4.csd.uwm.edu/pub/Portables/HP100LX/hpdealer.txt for
a list of dealers.
When pricing memory cards, be aware that some manufacturers package
disk compression software with their cards, and some of these may
advertise a 5MB card with compression software as a "10 MB" card. (or
"10 MB compressed", or "Up to 10MB", etc.) Quoted disk compression
numbers tend to be optimistic, especially if you're storing
executables or compressed files. Be sure you do an "apples to apples"
price comparison between different vendors.
Q6: Will it run <Random MS-DOS Software Package>?
A: The 100LX will run just about anything that will run on an IBM
PC-XT with a CGA monitor. To give you an idea of its compatibility,
here's a partial output listing from MSD.EXE, Microsoft's diagnostic
tool. Note that, although MSD seems to detect a bus mouse, parallel
port, and game adapter, there is no physical hardware for these
devices.
------------------------ Summary Information --------------------------
Computer: Phoenix/Phoenix, 80186
Memory: 636K
Video: CGA, Unknown
Network: No Network
OS Version: MS-DOS 5.00
Mouse: Bus Mouse
Other Adapters: Game Adapter
Disk Drives: A: B: C: D: E: F:
LPT Ports: 1
COM Ports: 1
------------------------------ Computer -------------------------------
Computer Name: Phoenix
BIOS Manufacturer: Phoenix
BIOS Version: Version 1.04 A
ROM BIOS Ver 2.14
BIOS Category: IBM PC/XT
BIOS ID Bytes: FB 00 04
BIOS Date: 08/19/93
Processor: 80186
Math Coprocessor: None
Keyboard: Non-Enhanced
Bus Type: ISA/XT/Classic Bus
DMA Controller: Yes
Cascaded IRQ2: Yes
BIOS Data Segment: None
------------------------------- Video ---------------------------------
Video Adapter Type: CGA
Manufacturer: Unknown
Model:
Display Type: CGA Monitor
Video Mode: 3
Number of Columns: 80
Number of Rows: 25
Video BIOS Version:
Video BIOS Date:
VESA Support Installed: No
Secondary Adapter: Hercules or Compatible
----------------------------- OS Version ------------------------------
Operating System: MS-DOS 5.00
Internal Revision: 00
OEM Serial Number: FFH
User Serial Number: 000000H
OEM Version String:
DOS Located in: ROM
Boot Drive: A:
---------------------------- Disk Drives ------------------------------
Drive Type Free Space Total Size
----- ------------------------------------ ---------- ----------
[editor's note: PCMCIA card data removed]
C: RAM Disk 211K 346K
512 Bytes/Sector
D: RAM Disk 0K 501K
512 Bytes/Sector
[editor's note: D: is the ROM drive, containing built-in software]
----------------------------- COM Ports -------------------------------
COM1: COM2: COM3: COM4:
----- ----- ----- -----
Port Address 03F8H N/A N/A N/A
Baud Rate 57600
Parity None
Data Bits 8
Stop Bits 1
Carrier Detect (CD) Yes
Ring Indicator (RI) No
Data Set Ready (DSR) Yes
Clear To Send (CTS) Yes
UART Chip Used 8250
Q7: Can I run Quicken on it?
A: Yes, users have reported success with DOS-based Quicken through
version 7 (most recent Quicken version available as of this writing).
Recent versions may require more memory than is available under the
system manager, but it's easy enough to exit the system manager and
run Quicken directly from the DOS prompt. The "disable filer" trick
may allow you to squeeze even the latest Quicken in under the system
manager.
Some kind of extra storage (flash or SRAM card) will undoubtedly be
necessary for recent versions of Quicken, especially for the 1MB
100LX.
Q8: Can it do Windows?
A: Sorry, try an Omnibook or another larger laptop. Windows 3.1
requires a 286 or better. Windows 3.0 is barely possible, but the
100LX doesn't really have the speed, processor architecture, display,
or memory to make it a very practical Windows machine.
Q9: What software is built into the 100LX ROM?
A: MS-DOS 5.0, Lotus 1-2-3 release 2.4, an appointment manager
(capable of waking the 100LX up and sounding an alarm or running a
program even when the machine is turned off), a calculator (similar to
HP19B, capable of algebraic or RPN), a text editor, a phone book, a
stopwatch/alarm clock, a world time database, a terminal emulator (but
it's too slow to use above 1200 baud, you'll want a different
communications program for a fast modem), a general purpose database,
a note taker, a file manager, a keyboard macro editor, and cc:Mail.
Note that, although MS-DOS 5.0 is built into ROM, not all of the
external commands (e.g QBASIC.EXE, EDIT.COM, ANSI.SYS) are included.
These may be copied from a PC running MS-DOS 5.0 (Caution: copying
parts of DOS is probably illegal and/or a violation of your license
agreement unless you buy a DOS license for your 100LX).
Q10: Does anybody actually use cc:Mail on the 100LX?
A: Very few have posted to comp.sys.palmtops claiming to use it, though
someone did tell the editor of this FAQ that she has a friend who uses
it (maybe this belongs in alt.folklore.urban?). Seriously, cc:Mail
on the 100LX requires that you have access to a full cc:Mail Post
Office, and those don't seem to be very common, at least among usenet
denizens.
There is no way to use cc:Mail to read/write Unix mail offline,
although someone has posted that he's working on a conversion
program. Keep watching here.
Q11: What is the system manager?
A: It's the core software under which all of the PIM applications run.
It allows multitasking (suspending one application to run another),
keyboard macros, data transfer via a clipboard, and other nifty stuff.
The alarm clock and appointment manager will only wake up if the
system manager is active. Certain 3rd party applications (*.EXM
files) are "System Manager Compliant". Applications which are not
system manager compliant can still be run, either by exiting the
system manager entirely, or by opening up a DOS shell under the system
manager.
Q12: What programming languages are available?
A: Anything that'll run on a PC-XT, including various flavors of C, C++,
Pascal, Basic, etc. QBASIC.EXE is not included, but will run if it's
copied from a MS-DOS 5.0 machine.
There are several ways to write "programs" with software in the 100LX
ROM, depending on your definition of a program. You have the keyboard
macro application, Lotus 1-2-3, the calculator's solver application
(finds roots of equations, among other things), DEBUG.EXE (from DOS),
and the DOS batch file interpreter. The calculator's solver
application can be used with Lotus to "backsolve", that is, adjust the
value of one independent cell of a spreadsheet to produce a desired
result in another, calculated, cell.
Q13: What batteries does it use? How long do they last?
A: The 100LX uses 2 standard AA cells, either Alkaline or NiCad. It
also uses a miniature lithium "button" battery for memory backup when
the main batteries fail. Battery lifetime varies a lot, based on how
much you use the machine, what kind of PCMCIA card you use, how much
you use the serial and IR ports, how good your batteries are, etc. As
a rough guess, several users have reported needing to recharge their
NiCad's approximately once a week, when running it a few hours a day
with a flash card. Users have reported in excess of a month of
regular usage from fresh lithium AA cells, down to an hour or two with
a power-sucking PCMCIA modem and NiCads. The HP manual claims that
"for typical use without the AC adapter, fresh Alkaline batteries
should last from 2 to 8 weeks. Rechargable batteries ... will get
less life ..." (p A-2).
Although the manual only recommends alkaline or NiCads, users have
reported success with lithium AA cells. Setting the machine up for
alkalines works for lithiums. Others have cautioned that inserting
lithium cells backwards can permanently damage the machine, and the
discharge curve for lithiums is very steep, leaving little time
between the first "low battery" warning and completely dead batteries.
The 100LX can charge installed NiCads by simply plugging in an AC
adapter and selecting the option from the setup application. No
separate charger is needed.
Rechargable alkalines can be used, just like regular alkalines.
However, to charge them, you must take them out of the 100LX and put
them in a charger specially designed for rechargable alkalines.
Q14: Why won't my NiCad batteries hold a charge anymore?
A: You probably use the AC adapter most of the time, and have NiCad
charging enabled. There's plenty of mythology, folklore, and an
occasional fact or two regarding NiCad "memory effect", which won't
be repeated here. Suffice it to say that you can damage NiCad
batteries by repeatedly overcharging them when they're already
charged. The 100LX has two charge rates: for the first 6 hours after
the adapter is plugged in, the batteries charge at a high rate
(100mA), then charging switches to a low-current "trickle charge"
(45mA). Each time you plug in the adapter the cycle repeats. If you
plug the machine in each day at work, and again when you get home,
you can kill the batteries fairly quickly.
Simple way to avoid trouble: if your NiCads have a full charge or
close to it, and you want to use the AC adapter, then disable
charging. A slightly less conservative approach is to use 100buddy
or the shareware batset program to limit the fast charge time to one
minute, since trickle charging isn't likely to damage the batteries
as quickly.
Q15: What kind of AC adapter does the 100LX use?
A: CAUTION: It's different from the 95LX! The 100LX uses 12VDC,
negative tip, up to 750mA, approx 5.5mm OD barrel-type connector.
HP recommends their part no F1011A, which is about the size of a
credit card, except that it's an inch thick, with fold-away AC
prongs. It will take any input voltage from 100 to 240 Volts,
at 50/60 Hz, an advantage for world travellers.
Radio Shack Cat no 273-1652B seems to work, and is probably cheaper.
It's only rated at 500mA, so there may be problems when using with
high-current PCMCIA cards. It appears to work ok with flash cards
while charging NiCad's, though, and current measurements indicate
that the 100LX draws much less than 500mA even when writing to a
flash card, charging NiCads, and using the serial port
simultaneously.
Other compatible adapters are certainly available from various
sources. The 100LX does not include an adapter in the box.
Q16: Where can I get a case for a 100LX?
A: For a cheap padded case, look for one designed for a pocket 35mm
camera, game machine, personal stereo, or calculator. For a fancy
executive-style leather case, see ads in the Palmtop Paper, Edu-Calc,
etc.
Q17: What is xine?
A: It is a built-in file compression program (D:\BIN\XINE.COM). To
use, type "XINE infile outfile". If infile isn't compressed, xine
will compress it to outfile. If infile is compressed, xine will
expand it to outfile. CAUTION: Don't specify infile and outfile
as the same name, or you'll lose your data. Xine is not documented,
although it appears in all versions of the 100LX (including
non-English versions).
Q18: What is pushkeys?
A: Pushkeys is a program to run keyboard macros from a DOS batch file.
It's in D:\BIN, but it has its hidden file bit set, so you must use
"dir /a:h" to see it. Run it once with the /i argument, and it
installs itself as a TSR. Run it again with the name of a .MAC file,
and it run the 10 macros in sequence. Pushkeys is not documented, and
may be missing from some non US-English versions of the 100LX. It does
appear in the European-English 100LX, however. International users
who don't have it built-in may be able to get a copy from the Palmtop
Paper.
Q19: Why is my modem so slow?
A: The System Manager slows down the serial port. The DataComm
application is even slower. Together they are really slow. The
solution is to not use either, although using any other communications
software under the System Manager is better than using DataComm.
MS-Kermit (various version from 60KB to 300KB), Procomm, Telix, and
others are reported to work. See the minimal-software-list for
details.
Interestingly enough, the built-in DataComm application seems to be
reasonably fast when doing file transfer, it's only when used
as a terminal that it becomes painfully slow.
The 200LX apparently has fixed the slow screen update bug on the
built-in DataComm application.
Q20: Why don't Intersvr, LapLink, Procomm, etc. work?
A: The System Manager slows down the serial port. It can also
interfere with console I/O. If you're having trouble running
something under the System Manager, try exiting completely (Menu-
Application-Terminate all) and run the program from raw DOS.
If the program runs under raw DOS, you can probably get it to run
under the system manager by putting an inverted exclamation point
(keystroke Fn-Filer) into the comments field of the Application
Manager. This effectively disables the System Manager and prevents
switching to another application while the current application is
running.
Q21: Are there any other special characters I can use in the comments
field of the Application Manager?
A: An inverted question mark (keystroke Fn-3) inhibits the "Press any
key to exit from DOS ..." message after finishing the application.
Neither this nor the inverted exclamation mark are documented in the
manual. These two seem to be the only special characters that are
known to the net.wisdom. If anybody has authoritative info here, send
it to the editor.
Q22: What's a good modem?
A: Just about any pocket modem or PCMCIA modem. Specific features such
as size, modulations and protocols supported, cellular phone support,
power drain, and others vary considerably.
See ftp://csd4.csd.uwm.edu/pub/Portables/PCMCIA/pcmcia-devices-list and
ftp://csd4.csd.uwm.edu/pub/Portables/FAQ/pocket-modems-list.
The stock HP cable has a built in null modem so another null modem,
plus a gender changer is usually needed to hook up a modem. Special
serial modem cables are available from EduCALC and elsewhere.
While a pocket modem typically draws power from a battery or from an
AC power supply, a PCMCIA modem draws all power from the palmtop. The
serial port needs considerable power but is normally turned off. Most
PCMCIA modems are designed to work on larger machines with plenty of
battery power so most modems also consume as much or more power than
the HP-100LX. This drain can occur whether the modem is in use or
not, consequently battery life is much shorter, as little as 15
minutes. Use of an AC adapter is usually recommended. A PCMCIA modem
can only transfer data to and from the internal RAM drive of the
machine.
Q23: Should I get a PCMCIA modem or an external one?
A: Advantages to PCMCIA -- Cleaner cable setup, uses same power
supply as HP100, smaller overall package. Advantages to external --
allows use of RAM card and modem simultaneously, doesn't drain HP100
batteries, often cheaper.
Q24: What's the difference between flash memory and SRAM?
A: SRAM is fast, expensive, requires battery back-up, doesn't take
much power to use. Flash memory is cheaper per megabyte, available in
larger sizes, will hold data forever without power, very slow for
writing (on the order of the speed of a floppy disk), requires
significant power for writing, and will eventually wear out when
written to many times (though some flash cards have a lifetime
guarantee, and nobody has yet posted that their flash card wore out).
Both technologies have plenty of satisfied users.
Q25: Will <Random PCMCIA Card> work in a 100LX?
A: Best answer: ask the vendor, and be sure you're allowed to return
it if it doesn't work. Most vendors will know if their cards are
compatible with a machine as common as the 100LX.
Longer answer: The 100LX PCMCIA slot is PCMCIA 2.0 compatible, and
able to accept type II cards. It supplies 5 or 12 volts. It has
trouble with certain cards which attempt to draw high current. Most
modems, SRAM cards, and Sundisk-style flash cards work fine. Most
ethernet adapters and GPS receivers draw too much current to work.
Intel-style flash cards (like the Newton uses) are not supported, but
see next question.
Q26: How can I use a Newton flash card in a 100LX?
A: This is not for the squeamish. HP does not support Intel-style
flash cards on the 100LX, so if you have any problems making it work,
you're pretty much out of luck.
However, some users have reported varying degrees of success with
them. They require that you obtain MS-FLASH.SYS for normal use, and
MEMCARD.EXE is required to format the card. These files are NOT
public domain, and not available at any ftp site. Some people have
reportedly pirated them from an Omnibook (probably illegal).
If anyone knows of an official way of obtaining up-to-date versions
of these files, please tell the editor.
At least one user has reported that there is some incompatibility
between the system manager (or at least the database apps) and
MS-FLASH.SYS, such that the flash card could only be used in raw DOS
mode outside of the system manager. Other users have reported that
continually writing and moving files around on the card slowly
consumes small amounts of disk space, which can only be recovered by
backing the card up, reformatting, and restoring.
Q27: Is the 2MB model worth the extra money over the 1MB Model?
A: The only difference is the extra Megabyte of internal "disk"
storage on the C: drive. It may be cheaper to buy the 1MB model and
invest the difference in a bigger PCMCIA flash or SRAM card. But if
you want to keep the PCMCIA slot open for a PCMCIA modem or other
device, you're stuck with internal storage only, and the extra
megabyte may be worth the money.
Q28: Does the 2MB RAM HP-100LX have more system memory?
A: No, both models HP-100LX are MS-DOS machines which are inherently
limited to only 640KB of system RAM. Although an EMS (not XMS or
himem) driver has been written.
Q29: How do I upgrade from 1MB to 2MB internal RAM?
A: If you live in the U.S., send the machine to Hewlett-Packard. For
a fee they'll swap boards and send it back to you. In other
countries, contact HP to find out the policy. In many countries,
there is no upgrade path.
Q30: What's some good software?
A: See ftp://csd4.csd.uwm.edu/pub/Portables/FAQ/minimal-software. The
HP-100LX is an almost completely compatible MS-DOS machine. Just
about any MS-DOS software will work if it: fits in available drive
space, needs only what MS-DOS system RAM is available, needs only CGA
graphics, and runs in Intel x86 real mode.
Some HP-100LX specific software is at the URLs:
ftp://eddie.mit.edu/distrib/hp95lx/hp100LX
ftp://ftp.cc.monash.edu.au/pub/palmtop
ftp://csd4.csd.uwm.edu/pub/Portables/HP100LX
Q31: Why can't I unzip this file?
A: This isn't really a 100LX question, but it's been asked frequently
enough. PKZIP works the same on the 100LX as on any other MS-DOS
machine. Chances are you don't have your file transfer software set
up in binary mode. If you're absolutely positive that the file was
transferred in binary every step of the way, then maybe you have an
old version of PKZIP. 2.04g is the most recent as of this writing.
Q32: Where should I read and post articles concerning the HP-100LX?
A: The Usenet newsgroup comp.sys.palmtops, the comp.sys.handhelds
group is for calculators. The commercial services include Compuserve
HPHAND, America OnLine PDA section.
Q33: What's the Palmtop Paper?
A: It's a newsletter, published 6 times a year, that covers the HP
100LX and 95LX palmtop computers. It's filled with tricks and tips,
stories of how people use their palmtops, and ads for all kinds of
accessories and software. Contact Thaddeus Computing at P.O. Box
869, Fairfield, IA 52556 (515) 472-6330, FAX:(515) 572-1879
Q34: What is 100Buddy?
A: It's a shareware program available on eddie which lets you do lots
of neat tricks, including make the filer automatically start an
application based on a file's extension (e.g. click a .wk1 file to
start 1-2-3), get a shifted value of a character by simply
double-clicking the character, get battery voltage displayed in a
status bar in the filer screen, reprogram the blue application keys,
add password protection to the 100LX (registered users only), display
the world-time map with nighttime areas shaded (also registered users
only), and lots of other shortcuts and tricks.
Q35: What is VR?
A: Vertical Reader, a shareware program available on eddie for reading
ASCII text files while holding the 100LX with the hinge vertical, like
a book. VR has several attractive fonts available, and allows
searching for regular expressions. This shareware may be registered
by merely sending a postcard to the author, or by donating $10.00 to
Project Gutenberg, an organization which makes public-domain documents
and literature freely available in ASCII text form.
Q36: How can I customize the fields in the phone book? (e.g. add an
e-mail address)
A: Close the phone book, open the database manager, select file/open
and open the phone.pdb file (the file formats are the same for the
database manager and phone book, only the extension is changed). Now
use file/modify database to add/subtract/move fields to your heart's
content, quit the database manager, and use the phone book.
Be aware that certain other software which reads phone book files
expects the fields to be "vanilla", so don't use this trick (or at
least back up your data and test it first) if you plan to transfer
your phone book data to such software. The "Xlate/Merge" feature
of the connectivity pack is one program which wants the files to be
vanilla.
Q37: How can I transfer data to/from the database manager?
A: Read the manual on the smart clip feature, or use the gdbio
software (C source code included) available on eddie to import/export
in comma delimited format.
Q38: What's the "disable filer" trick?
A: As shipped by HP, the application manager always keeps the filer in
memory, consuming approx 58K of RAM. This is so that, if you run out
of disk space while using an application, you can enter filer, delete
some files, and save your work. The "disable filer" trick allows you
to completely terminate the filer, and recover that 58K of RAM. This
is undocumented, unsupported, and nobody at HP has recommended it,
although several users have reported success with it. Nevertheless,
please back up your disk before trying this. To disable the filer, do
the following:
1) Activate the application manager (press {More}).
2) Move the filer to the first position, using F7.
3) Close the application manager.
4) Start DOS (cntl-123), and type the following:
debug c:\_dat\appmgr.dat
e 10a 01
w
q
5) Start the application manager and move the filer back to its
original position, if desired.
Now, you can close the filer by first opening it, highlighting it in
the application manager and pressing F6, or by menu/application/close
all. In order to open the filer again, you'll have to press the filer
key twice. The filer's quit command will behave as before, just
putting the filer to sleep, not recovering the RAM. If the filer is
asleep, the application manager CANNOT close it. The filer must be
open (awake) for the application manager to close it. If the filer
has been completely terminated (not just put to sleep), it will take
two presses of the filer key to open it up again.
Q39: Can I use the 100LX as a remote control for my TV, VCR, stereo?
A: The shareware program REMCOM, originally developed for the HP95LX,
works on the 100LX and turns it into a universal learning remote
control, using the infrared port. RC is a similar program which is
also reported to work. There may be other such programs developed for
the 95LX which work on the 100LX. Unfortunately, the 100LX has a
fairly weak IR transmitter (weaker than the 95LX), so the range may
be only a meter or two, less than the typical distance from couch to
TV.
Q40: Can I use the 100LX as a phone dialer?
A: The HP95LX had an D/A converter that could drive the speaker and
produce touch tones fairly easily; sadly, this feature was dropped in
the 100LX.
However, there is a program, called ATDT, which uses some fancy
tricks to get touch tones out of a standard PC-AT. It does work on
the 100LX, and it's available on eddie.mit.edu in the hp95lx/unknown
directory (ATDT01.ZIP). It is not integrated with the phone book
application, it requires the video mode be set up different from
standard (see the readme), and, depending on the phone you use it
with, the 100LX speaker may not produce sufficient volume to reliably
dial.
There is also a program called TT available, with source code, on
eddie.mit.edu. TT comes ready-to-use, but if you have a C compiler
and know how to use it, you can modify TT and integrate it into other
programs. Like ATDT, TT suffers from the limitations of the volume
output from the 100LX speaker, and your success with it depends on
your patience, the sensitivity of your telephone's microphone, and
the placement of the 100LX speaker near the microphone.
Q41: I can't turn it off while it's charging the batteries!
A: That's right. It needs to be awake to monitor and regulate the
charging rate. LCD screens don't suffer "burn-in" from continuous use
(think about LCD watches), so it's really nothing to worry about.
Q42: How do I connect the 100LX to a desktop PC?
A: HP sells the connectivity pack, (HP 1021A) which comes with a
serial cable, (HP F1015A) a package of various adapters for different
serial connections, (HP F1023A) and software for the PC. The PC
software includes versions of the 100LX PIM software (but no Lotus
1-2-3, sorry). The filer applications let you transfer files back and
forth, and the redirector program lets you use one machine's disk
drive from the other machine (but it's slow).
You may also connect the two with a serial cable and use your choice
of DOS connectivity software. The interlnk/intersvr programs that
come with DOS 6 work fine.
Q43: Where can I get just the HP-100LX serial cable without the
Connectivity Kit?
A: EduCALC, etc. HP sells it as part no. F1015A. The same cable is
used for HP's calculators (it comes with an adapter to fit their
serial connector), so check the calculator section of a well-equipped
store if you don't see the cable near the HP100LX display.
Q44: Where do I get an adapter to use HP's serial cable with a modem,
serial printer, Sun workstation, etc.?
A: HP sells a connector/adapter kit (HP F1023A). The HP serial cable
ends in a female DB9 connection with a null modem, so it's ready to
plug directly into the standard DB9 serial connector found on most
desktop PC's. The adapter kit contains four adapters, which make
the COMBINATION of HP serial cable + adapter look like:
0) female DB9 with null modem (stock cable with no adapter)
1) male DB25 with null modem (for serial printer)
2) male DB25 without null modem (for modem or other devices)
3) female DB25 with null modem (for PC with DB25 serial port)
4) male DB9 without null modem (for modem or anything else you'd
plug into your desktop's DB9 port).
Try the serial printer adapter to connect to a Sun workstation.
Similar adapters should be available at any well equipped
computer/electronics store, or you can build your own. The adapter
kit comes with the connectivity pack.
Q45: What software can I use to transfer files if I don't get the
Connectivity Pack?
A: You don't need anything beyond the software in ROM on the 100LX, as
the datacom application supports xmodem, ymodem, zmodem, and kermit.
However, that software has some limitations. Zip (not the data
compression package), MS-Kermit, LapLink, Interlink, and other
software works fine. See the minimal-software-list.
Q46: Intersvr complains about the E: drive when I start it. What can I
do?
A: This is a stacker/interlink incompatibility. You could stop using
stacker, but a less drastic solution is to get a copy of SUBST.EXE
from a PC with MS-DOS 5.0 and include the statement
"SUBST E: A:\somedir" in your AUTOEXEC.BAT. "somedir" refers to any
existing directory on your A: drive.
Q47: Where can I get a compatible serial port connector?
A: EduCALC sells a cable with the appropriate connector at one end and
bare wires at the other. For those who want to make a cable from
scratch a contact and part numbers follow.
Digi-Key Corporation
701 Brooks Ave. South
P.O. Box 677
Thief River Falls, MN 56701-0677
800-344-4539 800-DIGI-KEY
218-681-6674
218-681-3380 fax
$25.00 minimum order or $5.00 handling charge
part# H2004-ND Hirose Electric Co., A3B series 10-pin dual-row, 2mm
connector (HP 100LX)
part# H9999-ND Hirose Electric Co., socket terminals, quantity 100
part# H2013-ND Hirose Electric Co., A4B series 4-pin, single-row, 2mm
connector (HP-48, HP-95LX)
Q48: How can I connect the 100LX to an Apple MacIntosh?
A: HP sells a serial cable to connect the 100LX directly to a Mac;
it's part #F1016A. This handles the physical link, reducing the
problem to "How can I get a Mac to talk to a PC across a serial link?"
DataViz (1-800-733-0030) is a company which makes a product called
MacLink Plus/HP Palmtop, which handles file transfers, and converts
the HP100LX application's files (memo, database, phonebook, etc.) to
popular Mac formats (Excel, MacWrite, Word, etc.). One current
shortcoming is that the "Notes" section of the 100LX
Database/Phonebook programs is not supported in the Filemaker
translation. But this is reportedly being worked on.
MacLink Plus works with all the HP Palmtops (95/100/200). It
includes the serial cable. File translations include:
Memo to: MacWrite, MacWrite II, MS Word 4 & 5.x, MS Works, Mac WP
2&3, WriteNow 2, RTF.
Appt book to: Excel 2,3,4, Lotus WKS, MS Works SS 2,3, SYLK, Comma
Separated, Tab Separated, Tab Text
Phone book to: Address Book Plus, Dynodex 2,3, Excel 2,3,4, Filemaker
Pro, Lotus WKS, SYLK, Comma Separated, Tab Separated, Tab Text
Database to: FileMaker Pro, MS Works DB 2,3
Palmtop Lotus to: Excel 2,3,4, Lotus WKS, Ms Works SS 2,3, SYLK,
Comma separateed, Tab Seeparated, Tab Text.
Among other places, it's available directly from DataViz or from
MacWarehouse (1-800-255-6227).
The best answers to generic PC/Mac connectivity are probably found
outside this newsgroup (anyone know where?), but here's a shot at
some alternatives:
Most any terminal program on the 100LX (including the built-in
DataComm) will handle simple file transfers via kermit, xmodem, etc.
MacLink Plus/PC is a commercial package made by DataViz which is
intended for use on any IBM-Compatible, and is reported to work on
the 100LX, and allow easy file transfer. But see above for a
customized HP version that supports the HP apps.
Q49: How can I use a PCMCIA ethernet adapter?
A: Most ethernet adapters draw more power than the palmtop can
provide. The Socket Communications ethernet adapter is reported to
work. The Xircom ethernet adapter is reported to come close to
working, though there are problems getting the supplied drivers
to work on the 100LX.
See ftp://csd4.csd.uwm.edu/pub/Portables/PCMCIA/pcmcia-devices-list for
contact information.
Q50: Why would I want to use a PCMCIA ethernet adapter anyway?
A: Despite the small amount of storage, a palmtop network diagnostic
tool is very useful. See usenet:comp.dcom.lans.ethernet for details.
Q51: How to I prevent the 100LX from powering down while on batteries?
A: There are several utility programs to do this, but the following
procedure will create a short assembler program that should do the
trick. Warning: back up your machine before running this, as a
typing error might wreak all sorts of havoc.
The computer says: You type:
A:\JUNK> debug
- a 100
1970:0100 mov ah,46
1970:0102 mov bx,0000
1970:0105 int 15
1970:0107 int 20
1970:0109
- r cx
CX 0000
: 9
- n timeout.com
- w
Writing 00009 bytes
- quit
A:\JUNK>
Now, you've just created a short program, called timeout.com, that
you can run to inhibit the automatic time-out feature. Re-booting
will restore the default timeout limit, or you can create a
corresponding "timein.com" program, by following the above procedure
except change the second mov statement to "mov bx,08e8", and change
the n statement to "n timein.com". If you're particularly
adventurous, you can play with the hex number after the "mov bx," to
experiment with producing different time limits for the auto
power-down.
Again, back up your machine before running either of these programs,
until you're confident the programs work correctly.
Q52: What are the various ROM revisions?
A: (incomplete list of bugfixes/features, possibly incorrect, need
help here)
1.01a Original version. Some were eproms
1.02a Infected by the HEU bug
1.03a HEU (sHift kEy bUg) fixed, speed up for carry-forward todos.
1.04a Last ROM version prior to 2MB Model. Currently shipping on
many 1MB models. Does not need FS.COM that comes on
the CPACK disk for the redirector.
1.05a Added support for 2MB
1.06a Most current. Some cc:Mail bugs fixed. Found on latest 2MB
units, and on some 1MB models.
At least one user reported a dramatic (2x) speedup in the calendar
app monthly view when updating from 1.02a to 1.04a.
Q53: How do I determine which ROM version I have?
A: Reboot the machine (cntl-alt-del) and watch the screen.
Q54: What is the Shift Key Bug (HEU)?
A: It is a bug that occurs on machines with ROM versions 1.02a or less.
Occasionally, the key that is pressed after the shift key is ignored
and the next key pressed is capitalized. If you try to write "Shift
Key Bug" it becomes "Hift Ey Ug". This problem is intermittent and
not all users observe it.
Q55: Help! my machine is stuck! what do I do?
A: The manual's "Getting Started" chapter contains some suggestions.
Try the following, listed in order from least likely to destoy data
to most likely.
1. Reboot with cntl-alt-del. If the machine starts to boot, but freezes
up during the boot process, you have a problem with something in your
config.sys and/or autoexec.bat. Boot from the D: drive (press alt
during boot for menu) and use the memo editor to remove the offending
line(s) from the startup files.
2. Press cntl-shift-on. Cntl-shift-on will ask if you want to destroy
your C: drive, so be careful. It will also alter battery settings
from the setup application (if you were using NiCads, for example).
3. Replace your AA batteries with fresh ones and try again. Replacing
batteries while the machine is hung up may destroy the data on
your C: drive.
4. Remove PCMCIA card and all batteries, including backup battery,
from the 100LX (but if you have a SRAM card, leave its battery
installed while the card is out of the 100LX!). Let the machine
sit without power for awhile, and reinstall fresh AA batteries
BEFORE replacing the backup battery. This will, of course,
erase your C drive, reset the clock, and in general make the
100LX forget everything you ever taught it. Data on the
PCMCIA card should survive this process, unless you have a SRAM
card with a dead battery. But there's no guarantee that your
PCMCIA card wasn't already trashed by whatever crashed your system.
5. If none of this works, your machine may need service. Try running
diagnostics by pressing esc-on, and following the menu if one comes
up. Follow the instructions in the manual for obtaining service.
Any time any MS-DOS machine crashes hard enough to require a reboot,
it's a good idea to run chkdsk on all drives, to clean up the file
systems and recover any clusters that may have been lost.
----- 200LX Information -----
Q56: What is the 200LX?
A: It's the successor to the 100LX. It's essentially a 100LX with
cosmetic changes and the addition of Pocket Quicken into the ROM.
Q57: What has stayed the same between the 100LX and the 200LX?
A: Most things. Hardware is virtually identical, including size,
batteries, AC adapter, serial port, PCMCIA port, display, keyboard
(except very minor changes to keyboard layout, and cosmetic changes
to the labels on the keycaps), processor, RAM, availability of 1MB
and 2MB versions, etc. DOS compatibility is unchanged; the 200LX
still uses MS-DOS 5.0 and CGA. Lotus is the same. All the same PIM
apps are included, and they can share data between the 100LX and
200LX, but the 200LX versions have a few enhancements here and there.
Most software written for the 100LX will run on the 200LX. All
vanilla DOS software should run exactly the same. Most
100LX-specific software will probably run the same. One user
reported that "about half" of the features of 100Buddy worked
unchanged. 100Buddy is probably the most 100LX-specific (least
portable) software available for the HP.
Q58: What has changed from the 100LX to the 200LX?
A: Pocket Quicken from Intuit has been added. This is a limited
version of the Quicken financial management software sold for MS-DOS
and Windows. It does not use the same file format as Quicken for DOS
or Windows. but if you buy the 200LX connectivity kit, you can share
data with the full DOS or Windows version of Quicken. (Like the
100LX, the 200LX can also run the full version of Quicken for DOS
outright, see question 7).
The DataComm application has had its speed improved. In the 200LX,
it can pretty much keep up with a 9600 or 14.4 modem. The painfully
slow DataComm application was a notorious deficiency in the 100LX,
so this is a welcome fix.
The case has changed color, from the black 100LX to a slate grey
color for the 200LX. The keyboard layout has changed slightly,
in order to give Pocket Quicken its own dedicated key. The labels on
the keycaps have a slightly different, italic, look to them.
The topcard (picture displayed when the 100LX is turned on, and the
system manager is running, but no apps are yet activated) looks
different.
There is a power-on password feature.
Some extra goodies have been added to the d:\bin drive (in ROM).
Hearts & Bones and a maze are two games that are included. A
hexadecimal calculator is also included.
LapLink Remote has replaced the redirector for use with the
connectivity pack. As of this writing, the 200LX connectivity pack
is not yet available. However, the 100LX connectivity pack is
reported to work for most purposes, and you may be able to buy the
100LX connectivity pack now and get a free upgrade to the 200LX
connectivity pack when it becomes available. Verify this with your
dealer and/or HP before spending money!
The appointment manager has a daily pop-up message reminding
users of "to do's" and appointments.
The on-line help has been improved.
The phonebook presents phone and address details in "business-card"
rather than "form" format.
List price of the 200LX-2MB is $699 (U.S.), $50 less than the
100LX-2MB list. The 200LX-1MB lists at $549, the same as the
100LX-1MB. Of course, actual selling prices vary.
Q59: How can I upgrade my 100LX to a 200LX?
A: You can't. However, it's reported that Edu-Calc is offering a
$225 trade-in allowance for a 100LX, good toward a 200LX. This is
presumably for a limited time only.