HP Forum Archive 21

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OT: How to get data from WinXP to a full-size PCMCIA SRAM card Message #1 Posted by gene wright on 24 June 2013, 2:10 p.m. Ok, here's the scoop: I am now the happy owner of a Sharp PC-3000 handheld DOS computer in good working condition. I want to transfer some programs to it (the original Visicalc for example - 87K in size), but have no cables. I do have a 1MB full size SRAM card that works. It can be formatted on the Sharp PC-3000 unit. However, when I put this into a full size Thinkpad PC card slot, it is not seen by WinXP. Probably 32-bit Cardbus problem vs. a non-cardbus SRAM card. So, what options come to mind? I really REALLY don't want to buy an expensive USB SRAM card reader (~$300 ? They must be joking). Note: I have tried using a PCMCIA CompactFlash adapter in the Sharp PC-3000 thinking that if I could format *that* on the Sharp, it might show up in WinXP on the thinkpad. Sadly, the Sharp does not see the CF card in the adapter and the Thinkpad does not see the SRAM card. Argh. Ideas?

Re: OT: How to get data from WinXP to a full-size PCMCIA SRAM card Message #2 Posted by Katie Wasserman on 24 June 2013, 2:48 p.m., in response to message #1 by gene wright I assume that you don't have an old laptop around with built-in PCMCIA card reader, maybe you could borrow one. It's crazy what happened to the price of USB PCMCIA card readers, I bought mine new for $10 many years ago. PM me if I can help.

Re: OT: How to get data from WinXP to a full-size PCMCIA SRAM card Message #3 Posted by Bill (Smithville, NJ) on 24 June 2013, 6:57 p.m., in response to message #1 by gene wright Hi Gene, The PC-3000 is a nice unit to play with. Mine dies a few years ago, but I had a lot of fun before it died. I know I used CF cards with mine. I think you need the Sundisk Driver for them to work and not all cards worked. Check out Sven Utcke's site about the PC-3100 (which is the same only more memory). He's has the files you'll need for the driver. If not, let me know - I have a collection of files/programs for the 3000. Sven's PC-3000 site Here's a link to the old mailing list - worth looking at - not sure if it's still active: PC-3000 Mailing List I also have some Minix versions that will boot and run on the 3000. Bill PS: If anyone has a PC-3000, I'd love to get another one.

Re: OT: How to get data from WinXP to a full-size PCMCIA SRAM card Message #4 Posted by gene wright on 24 June 2013, 8:07 p.m., in response to message #3 by Bill (Smithville, NJ) Thanks Bill... but how will I get the files onto the PC 3000 ? That's the same problem I have now. :-) My hope at the moment is to try using an Omnibook 300 or 600CT to copy the files over. Might take a bit, but we'll see.

Re: OT: How to get data from WinXP to a full-size PCMCIA SRAM card Message #5 Posted by Bill (Smithville, NJ) on 24 June 2013, 8:28 p.m., in response to message #4 by gene wright The first time, I used a HP-200LX. Copy files on pc to Compact Flash. Copy files from Compact Flash to memory of Hp-200LX. Copy the files from the HP-200LX back to the SRAM card, then insert into the PC-3000. Set the Driver up on the PC-3000 SRAM card, and then try the Compact Flash card - you'll need to create the file system on the cf card in the P-3000. Sven has instructions on his site. Not the most elegant, but can work to get the initial setup done. You do have a HP-200LX, right? If you have the serial cables for the PC-3000, you can also use laplink to copy the files from a pc. Bill

Re: OT: How to get data from WinXP to a full-size PCMCIA SRAM card Message #6 Posted by gene wright on 24 June 2013, 8:58 p.m., in response to message #5 by Bill (Smithville, NJ) True. That's what I was going to use an HP 200LX for. Not my month, however, as the HP 200LX died on me. But, the omnibook may yet be my rescue. :-) Thanks for the advice and help, Bill!

Re: OT: How to get data from WinXP to a full-size PCMCIA SRAM card Message #7 Posted by Bill (Smithville, NJ) on 25 June 2013, 4:24 a.m., in response to message #6 by gene wright Quote: But, the omnibook may yet be my rescue. :-) Yep, the OB-300 is better than using the HP-200LX. I had missed in your previous post that you had OB300 and OB600. I think the OB300 loads the SRAM drivers as a default, so should be pretty easy to manipulate the files. I'm not sure if the OB600 loads a SRAM driver. I'll have to get my 300 & 600 out tonight and check. Bill

Re: OT: How to get data from WinXP to a full-size PCMCIA SRAM card Message #8 Posted by Dave Britten on 27 June 2013, 7:19 a.m., in response to message #4 by gene wright I'd put good odds on the OmniBook working with the SRAM card. I'd try the 600 first; the 300 is extremely picky about what CF cards it will work with.

Re: OT: How to get data from WinXP to a full-size PCMCIA SRAM card Message #9 Posted by Bill (Smithville, NJ) on 27 June 2013, 9:35 p.m., in response to message #8 by Dave Britten Quote: I'd put good odds on the OmniBook working with the SRAM card. I'd try the 600 first; the 300 is extremely picky about what CF cards it will work with. For the A & B drives, the OB-300 will work with most CF cards that are 256mb and smaller. I just did a test with my OB-300. With NO card in the C drive slot, it boots to the D drive and loads all the needed drivers for the PCMCIA slot. Loaded a 2 mb SRAM card and it worked fine. Replaced with 128 and 256 CF cards, and works fine. Don't even need to have a hard drive in it for this to work. I tried the SRAM card in my OB-600C, which is running WIN95. It could see the card as a memory card, but requested additional drivers to be able to access it. Bill

Re: OT: How to get data from WinXP to a full-size PCMCIA SRAM card Message #10 Posted by BruceH on 25 June 2013, 7:07 p.m., in response to message #1 by gene wright Quote: Note: I have tried using a PCMCIA CompactFlash adapter in the Sharp PC-3000 thinking that if I could format *that* on the Sharp, it might show up in WinXP on the thinkpad. Sadly, the Sharp does not see the CF card in the adapter and the Thinkpad does not see the SRAM card. What size CF card are you using? Anything in GB is probably too big: 16 megabytes might be the limit. (Hint: look in your HP50G to see if there is a small CF card there that you can use.) I had no problem with a small CF card, formatted on a PC using FAT16, being read by an HP200LX via a Sandisk PCMCIA / CF adaptor. I don't see why that shouldn't work for you.

Re: OT: How to get data from WinXP to a full-size PCMCIA SRAM card Message #11 Posted by gene wright on 25 June 2013, 8:03 p.m., in response to message #10 by BruceH I have a 32MB card that came with a recent Canon camera (ha, what a joke - 32MB?) that I will try. Thanks for the idea. The Omnibook 300 may be the best solution. We will see. Visicalc aka VC.COM really needs to run on that Sharp PC-3000!

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