MC400! (Sorry, folks)
Mark Ledbury
(word version) for 9 years now, and although I have always loved the
machine, I realise that its now rather neglected and has had a sad
history. This might explaine why somehow I can't find anyone to tell me
why Psiwin 1.1, which supposedly supported the mc400, cannot recognise
the MC .wrd format files and automatically convert them?
More importantly, does anyone still care about the Mc400, and does
anyone know of anyone who ever wrote extra shareware programmes for it?
is there an archive still extant where any MC400 issues were discussed?
Thanks for any comments to Mark.L...@excite.com
Scott Wheeler
<mark.l...@man.ac.uk> wrote:
>I realise that I am 10 years behind, but I have owned a wonderful MC400
>(word version)
I've not got any useful information on your question, but I wondered
if you could enlighten me. I saw a second-hand MC400 on sale recently
and thought of buying it (not for practical use). The salesman told me
it doesn't come with any software, just the shell. I know there was a
DOS version, but I can't remember what the names of the different
machines were - can you remind me of what they were called and did?
Scott
--
(please de-mung address if replying by email)
Austin Mitchell
<snip>
I know there was a DOS version, but I can't remember what the names of the
different machines were - can you remind me of what they were called and
did?
The MC600 was the DOS based version (which I own) and I've been after an
MC400 for ages! Where was it?
Austin.
Simon Pooley
wrd files from a MC400 Word. The file format used by MC400 Word is
the same as the Psion 3.x Word.
Sorry - I can't help with your other queries.
Simon Pooley
The MC400 had a 640x400 Retardation Film Black/White LCD and 256KB
Both the MC200 and MC400 ran SIBO with a multiple-window GUI.
The MC600 had a 640x200 CGA Retardation Film Black/White LCD, 768KB
RAM, and internal 1MB RAM disk, and ran MSDOS 3.2.
The MC400 Word was an MC400 with an additional SSD plugged into one of
the four free SSD slots containing the Word word processor software.
The information above comes from a 1989-vintage sales brochure - I'm
afraid I don't know of any sites or mailing lists that discuss these
venerable machines.
Nigel Wright
I know there was a
> >DOS version, but I can't remember what the names of the different
> >machines were - can you remind me of what they were called and did?
200 & 400 were SiBo machines i.e using Psion's 16-bit o/s.
The 600 was the DOS machine.
Regards,
Nigel Wright, Palmtop Publications
(sent using RMR News).
Scott Wheeler
<spo...@mpc-data.co.uk> wrote:
>The MC400 Word was an MC400 with an additional SSD plugged into one of
>the four free SSD slots containing the Word word processor software.
So what sw did a plain MC400 have?
Simon Pooley
- A "text processor", with font selection, word wrap, ruler, word count,
tabs and so on, but lacking a lot of the "style management" sophistication
of the later MC Word "word processor"
- a database, like the S3 database
- diary & time manager, the same as the S3 Agenda (n.b. substantial less
flexible than the excellent Agenda introduced with the S3a)
- scientific calculator
- terminal emulation - a simple teletype comms program
There was also a spreadsheet available on an SSD, actually exactly the
same software as the spreadsheet for the S3.
Todd VerBeek
My pal Simon Pooley said:
[snips]
>- diary & time manager, the same as the S3 Agenda (n.b. substantial less
>flexible than the excellent Agenda introduced with the S3a)
The S3 Agenda was still no slouch. It's what sold the device to me, and I
was quite happy with it... until I upgraded to the S3a. {smile}
>There was also a spreadsheet available on an SSD, actually exactly the
>same software as the spreadsheet for the S3.
This was an add-on option for the early S3; it was incorporated as a
standard feature later on.
Cheers, Todd
--
I'm an optimist: the glass is empty, but maybe =someday= it'll be half full.
Scott Wheeler
<aus...@ecosse.net> wrote:
>The MC600 was the DOS based version (which I own) and I've been after an
>MC400 for ages! Where was it?
It *was* in a shop in Kingston - it *is* in my bag at the moment.
Sorry!
Scott Wheeler
<spo...@mpc-data.co.uk> wrote:
>- A "text processor", with font selection, word wrap, ruler, word count,
>tabs and so on, but lacking a lot of the "style management" sophistication
>of the later MC Word "word processor"
>
>- a database, like the S3 database
>
>- diary & time manager, the same as the S3 Agenda (n.b. substantial less
>flexible than the excellent Agenda introduced with the S3a)
>
>- scientific calculator
>
>- terminal emulation - a simple teletype comms program
>
>There was also a spreadsheet available on an SSD, actually exactly the
>same software as the spreadsheet for the S3.
I've just bought an MC400, but it doesn't have anything other than the
shell. I suspect that it was originally supplied with a solid state
disk that had the software. Do you know if this was the case?
If anyone has any of the system software, I'd be very interested in
buying a copy. I assume Psion won't regard it as piracy :-). I'd
rather like to use it for note-taking if I can.
A couple of further questions: there's an unlabelled detachable module
on the back, to the right of the battery. It seems to have a hole that
a phone lead would plug in: could this be a modem?
I don't have the power supply. I'm assuming it's 12V, but can anyone
tell me if it is positive centre or negative centre before I fry
something with a universal adapter?
There's no obvious way of switching the serial port on - is it on all
the time? And does anyone have the pin-out so that I can make a cable?
Come to that, is it RS232C, or that 115kbps interface they used on the
Series 3?
Austin Mitchell
>
>It *was* in a shop in Kingston - it *is* in my bag at the moment.
>Sorry!
>
Damn! If you happen across any more...
Austin.
Alasdair Manson
<sco...@bmtech.co.uk_DELETE_THIS> wrote:
>I've just bought an MC400, but it doesn't have anything other than the
>shell. I suspect that it was originally supplied with a solid state
>disk that had the software. Do you know if this was the case?
this was the case.
see you
ali
Simon Pooley
> shell. I suspect that it was originally supplied with a solid state
> disk that had the software. Do you know if this was the case?
system software - I'll check at the weekend.
> It seems to have a hole that
> a phone lead would plug in: could this be a modem?
So far as a I know, only two expansion pods were ever generally available for
the MC range: a serial/parallel port adaptor, and a V22bis (2400bps) modem.
The modem pod needs an external line interface/isolation module which is built
into the lead, so I don't know if the pod on its own is any use.
> I don't have the power supply. I'm assuming it's 12V, but can anyone
> tell me if it is positive centre or negative centre before I fry
> something with a universal adapter?
The external power supply is the same as that for the Series 3 range, I
believe.
> There's no obvious way of switching the serial port on - is it on all
> the time?
The link is controlled by an application that runs on the desktop - if you
don't have the system software, I suppose you won't have that, either!
> And does anyone have the pin-out so that I can make a cable?
The serial cable (the 9-way mini-DIN connector on the serial/parallel pod) is
the same as that used on the non-Psion end of the original Series 3 3link
serial pod. It is RS232 levels. If you search the web for details of that
connector, you should be able to make up a lead.
Steve Litchfield
> buying a copy. I assume Psion won't regard it as piracy :-). I'd
> rather like to use it for note-taking if I can.
I've a certain amount of very old MC400 software in my archives.... See
http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/private/mc400sy.zip for the system software
you're missing.
____________________________________________________________________
Steve Litchfield
Palmtop (Psion/EPOC) and PalmUser (PalmPilot/Palm/compatible) magazines
http://www.palmtop.co.uk/
Also 3-Lib library plus computer-based Psion Series 5 training
on CD-ROM - see http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/
James Lothian
Simon Pooley wrote:
[snip]
> The external power supply is the same as that for the Series 3 range, I
> believe.
I think this is wrong. It's nine volts as opposed to six, or something
like
that. I'm pretty sure it's different.
James
Charles NEWGAS
Regards,
Charles
In article <947008341.18559.0...@news.demon.co.uk>,
aus...@ecosse.net (Austin Mitchell) wrote:
> Scott Wheeler wrote...
> <snip>
> I know there was a DOS version, but I can't remember what the names of
> the
> different machines were - can you remind me of what they were called and
> did?
> <snip>
>
> The MC600 was the DOS based version (which I own) and I've been after an
> MC400 for ages! Where was it?
>
> Austin.
>
>
>
Scott Wheeler
slitc...@ukonline.co.uk (Steve Litchfield) wrote:
>I've a certain amount of very old MC400 software in my archives.... See
>http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/private/mc400sy.zip for the system software
>you're missing.
Great, thanks Steve.
if
> > believe.
> I think this is wrong. It's nine volts as opposed to six, or something
> like
> that. I'm pretty sure it's different.
my memory is that it's the same voltage as the Series 3 range power supply,
but the amount of current the s3 supply puts out (175mA) is not enough to
charge the MC's rechargeable battery pack (if you're using it, the MC will
also work with AAs).... however it will provide enough power for an MC to
work.
note : the rechargeable pack and the holder for AAs fit into the same slot -
you can't have both installed at once.
all the best,
Ian
Austin Mitchell
Scott Wheeler
<mark.l...@man.ac.uk> wrote:
>This might explaine why somehow I can't find anyone to tell me
>why Psiwin 1.1, which supposedly supported the mc400, cannot recognise
>the MC .wrd format files and automatically convert them?
Hi Mark
Did you ever get this resolved? Also, as the de-facto MC400 guru, can
you tell me what the "Record" button is supposed to do: I've not got
any documentation for my newly purchased 400, When I opened it up
(with the usual trepidation at going past the "guarantee" seal, I
found what looked like a microphone on the left, above the keyboard,
but I don't seem to have any system software to use it.
James Lothian
into one of the bays at the back of the machine. As far as I know, it
was
never released.
James
Simon Pooley
much-heralded, but sadly never generally available, voice recording pod
that would have plugged into one of the two expansion slots at the rear
of the MC400.
Bob Bazley
spo...@mpc-data.co.uk wrote on 1/20/00 11:37 AM:
Is there any web pages out there with the full specs of the MC series? I
would really like to know some of the specifications. Is software still
available ? maybe on the web?
regards Bob
Simon Pooley
scanned-in a 12-page Psion sales brochure about the MC computers and
put the scans up as a very crude web page:
http://www.cix.co.uk/~ropewalk/MC400/
I've also got a set of manuals, but as they total about 500 pages of
perfect-bound text, I will *not* be scanning them in! :-)
Scott Wheeler
wrote:
>Is there any web pages out there with the full specs of the MC series? I
>would really like to know some of the specifications. Is software still
>available ?
I think the spreadsheet package for the Series 3 is supposed to work,
and I've seen that in a second-hand electronics shop in Kingston on
Thames - shouldn't be that difficult to find.
Scott Wheeler
Manson) wrote:
>>I've just bought an MC400, but it doesn't have anything other than the
>>shell. I suspect that it was originally supplied with a solid state
>>disk that had the software. Do you know if this was the case?
>
>this was the case.
It's odd, because the scanned brochure that Simon has put up at
http://www.cix.co.uk/~ropewalk/MC400/ says that there's 256kb of
internal flash EPROM. Perhaps they didn't get that to work - only the
M: drive shows in the file dialogs.
James Lothian
software
was going to be on the built-in flash, but that they decided to supply
it
on SSD instead, because it was likely to need to be upgraded.
James
Steve Litchfield
> and I've seen that in a second-hand electronics shop in Kingston on
> Thames - shouldn't be that difficult to find.
Or, again, I've got a very old archived copy on
http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/find/sheet108.zip
Steve Litchfield
> > and I've seen that in a second-hand electronics shop in Kingston on
> > Thames - shouldn't be that difficult to find.
>
> Or, again, I've got a very old archived copy on
> http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/find/sheet108.zip
Small footnote. The file above is the MC spreadsheet. Despite the comment
by someone else above, I think they are different apps. Sheet108 won't
work on the Series 3.
Paul Gould
Mark Ledbury <mark.l...@man.ac.uk> wrote:
> I realise that I am 10 years behind, but I have owned a wonderful
MC400
> (word version) for 9 years now
Sorry for coming rather late to this thread, but I've also had an MC400
Word for quite a while, and it's now periodically displaying 'corrupt
media' error messages, usually when loading the word processor or while
editing a document. I'm wondering if the problem lies with the SSD or
the machine: presumably if it's the SSD, I could copy the contents to
another one and use that instead? Is the suspect SSD likely to be
revived by a reformat, or is it on its way out? I've just bought a 5mx
(not delivered yet, so I haven't had chance to play with it), but my
partner would like to use the old MC for some writing she needs to do
so it would be nice to get it 100% functional again.
Regards,
Paul
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