[rollei_list] Re: Rollei -Singapore
- From: Robert Lilley <54moggie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 20:34:40 -0500
Don,
Its been a while since I've used the 200LX computers. I did remember
doing something to them when I added more disk space. I checked the
one out and there is an 'acecard3.com which is activated in the
config.sys during bootup. The line in the config.sys file reads
'device=c:\acecard3.com /sdp' I believe this is a patch to allow the
computer to see more memory/storage. The flash disk card I share
between them and my other computer is a SanDisk 512MB card and I am
able to see all of that. If you want I may be able to send you the
acecard3.com file. I'll change the name so the servers will not get
upset with an executable file being attached.
I use just the alkaline batteries as well - gave up on the
rechargeable ones years ago. I have the AC power supply too I need to
use occasionally when the batteries expire. I think the last time I
truly used one of these was the summer before last when I was in
Europe - I used the Quicken to keep track of my trip expenses.
The last calculator I purchased was the HP 48GX which is still used.
I also have an old HP 71B BASIC computer from the '70's with magnetic
tape reader and dot matrix printer with the IL connections. What's
interesting is both the HP 48GX and 71B use the SATURN cpu. I think
the SATURN chip was abandoned after the 48 GX - but still, that chip
had a very long life.
I have a very tiny rangefinder I've attached to the accessory shoe of
the Rollie B-35 - its made in Germany and it's only marking is
'Bodenseewerk'. The call outs are in feet. My most trusted meter
which has been calibrated by George Milton at Quality Light Metric is
my Weston Master IV.
The oldest hard drive I have is a double height 20 MB MFM 'Winchester
Drive' which is still working in my 1985 AT&T 7300 UNIX PC. - yep,
still works. When it gets hung up, I just life the computer up a
quarter of an inch and drop it. The Miniscribe was also available
for the 7300. I liked the old Olivetti's with their exposed stepping
motors - looked like something out of the steam era.
Rob
On Jan 9, 2009, at 5:57 PM, Don Williams wrote:
At 03:25 PM 1/9/2009, you wrote:
Don,
I have two HP 200LX computers that I still use from time to time.
I think I have a half a gig card in the one - amazing when I think
of the IBM XT and it's huge 10 MB hard drive.* In any event the HP
200 LX is very well made and has lasted this long. I wouldn't
think there would be a huge difference between the Singapore Rollie
35 and the German 35 but I would know for sure. I own a German B
35 and that is my only frame of reference.
Rob
I have a vague recollection that one of my LX models, (I went
through the 95 and 100 before ending up with the 200) had to have an
in-warranty repair.
I received from Thaddius a couple of years back a free software
patch that's supposed to allow it to see much more than the 10 MB I
have in it now. I know for sure that it didn't see the microdrive
when I tried that and have been afraid to install the patch without
more communications from them.
Anyhow, do you have an add-in driver for your expanded memory?
(Thaddius used to add memory and increase processor speed, but they
did it by tearing into the guts of the unit and I just wasn't
comfortable with that.)
I have leaned to just use alkaline batteries in the unit.
Rechargeable batteries, at least a few years ago, would only last a
few cycles of charge/discharge, and had a lower capacity, by far,
than regular alkaline batteries. I now keep it on AC power. I have
a nice battery check program that works well and I use that from
time to time.
The HP product I miss most is my HP45. It developed a display
problem and after a lot of thought I just had it destroyed when I
was packing to move in October, 2007. I haven't much exercised the
RPN and scientific features of the 200LX but it's not as nice as
those on the 45 which has a better keyboard for that.
When I owned my own company I was able to upgrade as new things came
along and went through all the Sharp Wizards, and all the HP
products with the 200LX being the last. I do have an 18C and that's
the one sitting on my desk most of the time.
Back to the issue of estimating distance, it's been a long time
since I had a camera that required that but when I did, I could do
very well. I also went for many years without an exposure meter,
just using the paper that came in the film box. I still have (just
re-discovered) my GE 8DW58Y4 which is a little sick, but it served
me well with my 2.8C when I lived in The Netherlands in 1963. The
needle has no pivots, just held by the springs, and it tends to fall
against the scale in some positions. It has always seemed to have a
bad cell but it gave me good exposures. I don't really know the
model number other than that long one just above.
*About hard drives-
I used to sell Molecular brand computers. They had a 30 MB hard
drive that was about the size of a VW engine. I also designed an
adapter to add hard drives to that first Xerox CP/M computer. In
connection with that I contracted to buy, from a new company,
Miniscribe, 1,000 10 MB Rack and Pinion drive (Their special claim
to fame) HD's for about $1,200 each wholesale. I never bought them
all but those were the days when 10 MB was a big deal.
DAW
Don Williams
909 Kelsi Drive
Moore, OK 73160-0703
405-735-9905
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