Msg: 4564 *Conference*

07-26-93 21:52:40

From: RICHARD HANSON

To : FRANK HENZE

Subj: REPLY TO MSG #4562 (HELP)

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Frank: Sorry about not having docs for the 6 ROM Bank.  Believe me, I looked.
In response to your fax through Kemper Allison and your e-mail online, I broke
out my complete back issue collection of Portable 100 Magazine and looked for a
review of the 6 ROM Bank.  Heaven knows I don't what to leave you stranded.

In Dec 85, Woody Liswood review the PCSG 6 ROM Bank.  I won't type everything
he said about his use of the pack but rather what he said about the PCSG 6 ROM
Bank, itself.  Woody states the following:

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The 6 ROM Bank attaches to the Model 100 with two prongs which insert into the
screw holes on the back of the Model 100.  When attached, it holds the 100 at a
reasonable angle for viewing.

You also must connect a flat cable from the 6 ROM Bank to the ROM chip holder
in the compartment on the bottom of the 100.  Next you attach a small cable
into the power cord plug.  That's all there is.

The 6 ROM Bank contains a rechargable battery with approximately 30 hours of
normal use between charges.  The actual amount of usage depends on what you're
doing with your 100.  Running a printer, disk drive or both will take more
juice then doing simple text editing.  It uses the same charger which comes
with your Model 100 so you won't have to spend money on one you don't need.

Perhaps you noticed that I did not mention documentation.  It is the typically
complete yet chatty type of documentation produced by PCSG for all of its
products.  However, in this case it is not necessary to completely understand
to use the 6 ROM Bank.  There are only two rules you must remember to make
things work out and to avoid erasing memory when changing chips.

First, always return to the Model 100 main menu before you do anything.  Do not
change the rotary switch to address a new chip when you are in any type of
program whatsoever.

And second, turn off the Model 100 before you move the rotary switch to select
your new chip.

I can say that you do not need the documentation from experience.

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Okay, so Woody had no problem working with his 6 ROM Bank.  You, on the other
hand, can't even get your Model 100 turned on with the bank installed, let
alone use it.

From what you've described, and from what Woody wrote, I think the problem is a
power problem.  You plug the ribbon from the 6 ROM Bank into your option ROM
socket, then plug the power cable coming from the 6 ROM Bank into your Model
100.  This means that the 6 ROM Bank powers your Model 100.  And, if the 6 ROM
Bank's NiCad's are not charged up, your Model 100 won't even turn on, i.e., you
get a blank screen.  Thus, I conclude that you must charge up the 6 ROM Bank,
first, before use; and will assume that whatever documentation that came with
the 6 ROM Bank probably said as much in its opening paragraphs.

Hope this helps, Frank.  Keep me posted... -Rick-

PS: I'll be out of town on a mini-vacation with Paula and the dogs from Tuesday
thru Friday.  I'll be back online next weekend.