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Poqet PC Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions about The Poqet PC. If you don't find the answer to your question here, try checking the Poqet PC Mailing List Archives -- the archives contain the accumulated wisdom of other Poqet PC users. If you can't find the information you need in the archives, then feel free to join the mailing list and post your question there.

Although there are three different versions of the Poqet PC (as explained below), whenever I use the term "The Poqet PC", I'm generally referring collectively to the Poqet PC "Classic" (Model PQ-0164) and the Poqet PC "Prime" (Model PQ-0181). If I'm referring specifically either to the "Classic" or to the "Prime", I'll make a specific note of it. The Poqet PC Plus is covered in a separate Poqet PC Plus FAQ on this Web site.

Many thanks to Domingo Diaz-Vazquez for his question/answer list that makes up part of this FAQ, and to Craig Miller, who worked out the data on using rechargeable batteries in the Poqet.

Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this document, there may still be some errors. If you find any, please send me e-mail so I can correct it.


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Table of Contents

General Information

Hardware

Software

PCMCIA

Bugs and Other Anomalies


Notice:This information is provided "AS-IS" without any express or implied warranties. While every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the author assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

Q & A

What is the Poqet PC?

The Poqet PC is the worlds first handheld, 1 pound, IBM/PC-XT compatible computer. About the size of a videocassette, The Poqet PC is fully MS-DOS compatible and is about 99.9% compatible with the original IBM/PC-XT desktop computer.

Specifications:

        Size:                       8.8" x 4.3" x 1"
                                    22.3cm x 10.9cm x 2.5cm
        Weight:                     1.2 lb (0.54 kg) w/batteries
        Battery life:               50-100 hours (about 2-3 weeks)
        Microprocessor:             80C88 / 0-8Mhz
        Memory:                     640 KB SRAM
        Display:                    reflective DSTN (no backlight)
        Display compatibility:      MDA: 80 x 25 characters
                                    CGA: 640 x 200 pixels
        PCMCIA:                     2-Type I, Revision 1.0 memory card slots
                                    SRAM cards must operate a 3.3v
                                    Does not support Revision 2.0 modem and
                                    network cards.
        Secondary storage:          Drive A: 512 KB - 2 MB PCMCIA (not included)
                                    Drive B: 512 KB - 2 MB PCMCIA (not included)
                                    Drive C: 768 KB ROM drive with MS-DOS 3.3
                                             and PoqetTools
                                    Drive D: 22K volatile RAM drive
        Built-in software:          MS-DOS 3.3, PoqetLink, and PoqetTools
PoqetLink is a file transfer program that will allow you to upload and download files with another IBM-compatible computer. PoqetTools is a basic PIM that contains the following utilities:

How many different versions of The Poqet PC are there?

There are three versions of the Poqet PC:
  1. The Poqet PC "Classic", Model PQ-0164, is the oldest of the three Poqet PC models. The Poqet Classic was announced in October 1989 and began shipping in March 1990. The Poqet Classic has 512 KB of conventional memory and a shiny bezel in front of the display.
  2. The Poqet PC "Prime", Model PQ-0181, is the "middle" Poqet PC. The Prime has the same case as the Poqet Classic, with the following modifications: The Poqet PC also has 640 KB (instead of 512 KB) of main memory, as well as some enhancements in the BIOS, including better power management, and an additional power management mode, called "Communications Mode." This new mode runs the system in a continuous low-clock-speed, low-power state. Because the clock never stops in Communications Mode, communications program will run correctly with less power consumption.
  3. The Poqet PC Plus, Model PQ-0201, is the latest Poqet PC. It differs significantly from its predecessors, both in appearance and functionality. The Poqet PC Plus is larger and heavier than the other Poqet PC's, and uses a proprietary Nickel-Cadmium battery pack instead of standard AA alkaline batteries. The Poqet PC Plus has a "transflective" display, which allows for an optional backlight. The PC Plus also uses Release 2.0, Type II PCMCIA slots, 2 MB of memory (640 KB conventional + 768 extended/RAM disk), and a flash-programmable disk drive.
The Poqet PC Classic was sold through many different distribution channels, including direct to dealers, and through distributors such as Ingram Micro. The Poqet PC Prime was sold direct to dealers and value added resellers (VAR's). The Poqet PC Plus was sold exclusively to VARs. Few of the Primes and even fewer of the Plus's made it to the "outside world." Most of them were used by corporations, who generally discarded the computers after they were of no more use. In some cases, however those corporations did sell their equipment to surplus computer warehouses like California Digital.

What accessories can I get for the Poqet PC?

Well, there's what was made for the Poqet PC, and then there's what you can actually find. Although the Poqet PC was produced in great quantities (which is why you can still find it today), the accessories were not produced in matching quantities, so they can be rather difficult to find.

Here's a list of the accessories that were originally made for the Poqet PC:

The Poqet PC Serial/Modem Cable
This cable plugs into the back of the Poqet PC and provides a standard RS-232 interface through a male DB-25 connector. Modems, serial printers, and other serial devices can be connected to this cable.
The Poqet PC Serial Adapter
This adapter plugs into the back of the Poqet PC and provides a standard RS-232 interface through a male DB-25 connector. The Serial/Modem cable and the Serial Adapter provide the same functionality, except the Serial/Modem cable has a cable on the end, and the Serial Adapter has a connector, but no cable.
The Poqet PC Link Cable
This cable plugs into the back of the Poqet PC and provides a null-modem connection to another PC for the purposes of file transfer.
The Poqet PC Parallel Port Cable
This cable plugs into the back of the Poqet PC and provides a standard Centronics Parallel Port interface. Parallel printers, parallel-interface floppy disk drives, and other parallel devices can be connected to this cable.
The Poqet PC Floppy Disk Drive
The Poqet PC FDD is a standard disk drive that can read and write 3.5", 1.44MB DOS-formatted floppy disks. It connects to the Poqet PC via a proprietary Poqet Floppy Disk cable.
PCMCIA SRAM Cards
Poqet originally sold SRAM cards in 64K, 128K, 512K, 1MB, and 2MB sizes. The smaller sizes became worthless as the prices dropped, however. Although it may be difficult to find Poqet-labelled SRAM cards, other manufacturers' SRAM cards will work, as long as they are 3-volt compatible. The FAQ contains more information on using PCMCIA SRAM cards with the Poqet PC.
PCMCIA Flash Cards
Poqet sold 1MB and 2MB "linear" Intel flash cards for use with the Poqet PC. These cards could be programmed by a desktop computer with a PCMCIA adapter, and then they were read-only on the Poqet PC. Basically, a user could use these flash cards to create their own pre-programmed "ROM" cards. This FAQ contains more information on using Flash cards and the Poqet PC.
Software on ROM
Several different programs were packaged on pre-programmed ROM cards. These included Lotus 1-2-3, AlphaWorks, Lotus Agenda, XyWrite, and WordPerfect 5.1. Lotus 1-2-3 and AlphaWorks were actually re-written to be "ROM Executable" on the Poqet PC.

Where can I buy the Poqet PC and its accessories?

Several years ago, the last of the Poqet inventory was sold to California Digital, a mail-order firm in Southern California. However, California Digital sold the last of their Poqet PCs quite a while ago. Now, Poqet PCs can usually be found only in the used marketplace.

Accessories are even harder to come by. People tend to sell their old Poqet equipment on the Poqet PC Mailing List from time to time.

Where is Poqet Computer now?

Poqet Computer Corp. was purchased by Fujitsu in early 1992. The company that resulted from that buyout, Fujitsu Personal Systems, Inc., was then merged with Fujitsu PC Corporation in 1999. Fujitsu PC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Ltd. and can be reached at:
Fujitsu PC Corporation
5200 Patrick Henry Drive
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Phone: 408-982-9500
WWW: <http://www.fujitsupc.com/>
Fujitsu PC Corporation is no longer working in the palmtop/PDA market, but is concentrating on high-end, pen-based computers, high-quality notebook computers, and high-performance Intel-architecture servers.

What other Poqet resources are available on the Internet?

There are several Internet resources for information on the Poqet PC:

Is the Poqet PC "Year 2000" compliant?

Yes, the Poqet does appear to be Year 2000 compliant. The date can be set past the year 2000 in DOS, the time and date will correctly roll over from 31 December 1999 to 1 January 2000, and PoqetSchedule can manipulate dates past the year 2000.

What do those symbols at the bottom of the screen mean?

Those indicators inform you of the state of may of the Poqet PC's functions. A bar over a symbol means that symbol's function is active. The following table describes what each symbol means and which Poqet Key/Function Key combination, if any, toggles the function.

Symbol Name Poqet Key Function

Bell Alarms Poqet-F8 The alarm is enabled and will sound at the preset time
Note Key Click Poqet-F9 The key click is active and will sound as the keyboard is pressed
Clock Alarm The alarm is ringing
Battery Battery Check The AA batteries need to be replaced
Star Power Management Poqet-F4 Power management is active
Circle Display Mode Poqet-F3 The display is set to CGA compatible mode
Key Keyboard Lock Poqet-F5 The keyboard is locked
A B C D Drive Activity There is activity on the indicated drive. If this indicator is not solid (a broken bar), then the battery in the SRAM card needs to be replaced.
Flying-P Poqet Key The Poqet key is being depressed with another key
Fn Function Key A function key (F1-F10) is being pressed
UpArrow Shift The Shift key is being pressed
Lock Caps Lock Caps lock is on
Num Numeric Keypad Poqet-F10 The numeric keypad is active
Scroll Scroll Lock Scroll lock is on

What kinds of rechargeable batteries can I use in my Poqet PC?

Most kinds of rechargeable AA batteries will work in the Poqet PC, but there are some differences in performance due to the way in which different batteries discharge. The low and dead battery detection circuitry on the Poqet PC was calibrated for standard alkaline batteries, so using rechargeable batteries can result in some undesirable problems. To summarize:
Battery Type Battery Life (*) Number of Recharge Cycles Discharge Characteristics
Standard Alkaline 100% None Excellent
Rechargeable Alkaline 70% ~25 Good
NiMH 45% ~300-500 Fair
NiCd 30% ~300-500 Poor
* Battery life is stated as a percentage of the battery life of non-rechargeable alkalines.

What are the pin outs for the expansion connector on the back of the Poqet?

The pin outs for the connector are as follows (this data is taken from The Poqet PC Technical Developers Manual):
         0                                3 3   4
         1                                4 6   0
        +----------------------------------------+
        |==================================|=====|
        |==================================|=====|
        +----------------------------------------+
         4                                7 7   8
         1                                4 6   0

        Pin  Signal    Dir  Description
        --------------------------------------------------------------------
          1  GND       ---  System Logic Ground.  This line must be used by
                            external devices to guarantee a common ground
                            reference
          2  SRESET    Out  System Reset.  Used to reset or initialize the
                            system logic when the Reset Button on the
                            keyboard is depressed.
          3  VDD       Out  Power Supply Output Voltage.  Supplies the
                            positive voltage from the PQXT power supply.
                            There are extreme limits on the use of this
                            pin.  The power drain limitations are explained
                            later in this chapter.
          4  IRQ2      In   Interrupt Request 2.  Used to signal the micro-
                            processor that an I/O device needs attention.
                            The request is generated by bringing the IRQ2
                            line to a high level from a low level and holding
                            it high until it is acknowledged by the micro-
                            processor.
          5  Reserved  ---  Do not use.  This pin would normally be used for
                            -5V on a standard XT system.  -5V is not sup-
                            ported in the PQXT.
          6  DRQ2      In   DMA Request 1.  This line is used by a peripheral
                            device to gain access to the DMA service of
                            PQXT.  It is generated by bringing the DRQ2 line
                            to a high level and leaving it there until the
                            DACK2 line goes active.
          7  Reserved  ---  Do not use.  This pin would normally be used for
                            -12V on a standard XT system.  -12V is not sup0
                            ported in the PQXT.
          8  Reserved  ---  Do not use.
          9  Reserved  ---  Do not use.  This pin would normally be used for
                            +12V on a standard XT system.  +12V is not sup0
                            ported in the PQXT.
         10  GND       ---  See description for pin 1 (GND) above.
         11  MEMWN     Out  Memory Write Command.  Instructs the memory
                            device to store the data that is present on the
                            data bus.  Active low.
         12  MEMRN     Out  Memory Read Command.  Instructs the memory device
                            to place its data on the data bus.  Active Low
         13  IOWN      Out  I/O Write Command.  Instructs the I/O device to
                            store the data present on the data bus.  Active
                            low.
         14  IORN      Out  I/O Read Command.  Instructs the I/O device to
                            place its data on the data bus.  Active low.
         15  DACK3N    Out  DMA Acknowledge 3.  Used to acknowledge the DRQ3.
                            Active low.
         16  DRQ3      In   DMA Request 3.  See description for pin 6 (DRQ2).
         17  DACK1N    Out  DMA Acknowledge 1.  See description for pin 15
                            (DACK3N) above.
         18  DRQ1      In   DMA Request 1.  See description for pin 6 (DRQ2).
         19  Reserved  ---  Do not use.  This pin would normally be used for
                            DRAM refresh on a standard XT system.  DRAM
                            refresh is not supported in the PQXT.
         20  SYSCLK    Out  System Clock.
         21  IRQ7      In   Interrupt Request 7.  See description for pin 4
                            (IRQ2) above.
         22  IRQ6      In   Interrupt Request 6.  See description for pin 4
                            (IRQ2) above.
         23  IRQ5      In   Interrupt Request 5.  See description for pin 4
                            (IRQ2) above.
         24  Reserved  ---  Do not use.  This pin would normally be used for
                            IRQ4 on a standard XT system.  IRQ4 is not sup-
                            ported in the PQXT.  This pin is used internally
                            for the PQXT communications port and must be left
                            open.
         25  IRQ3      In   Interrupt Request 3.  See description for pin 4
                            (IRQ2) above.
         26  DACK2N    Out  DMA Acknowledge 2.  See description for pin 15
                            (DACK3N) above.
         27  TC        Out  Terminal Count.  Generates a pulse when the DMA
                            channel being used has reached its terminal count.
                            Active high.
         28  SALE      Out  Address Latch Enable.  Provided on the I/O channel
                            as an indicator of a valid address -- when used
                            with the AEN signal.  The address is latched on
                            the falling edge of ALE.
         29  VDD       Out  See description for pin 3 (VDD) above.
         30  Reserved  ---  Do not use.  This pin would normally be used for
                            a 14.31818 MHz clock signal on a standard XT
                            system.  This clock line is not available in the
                            PQXT.  Any peripheral that requires it must
                            generate it in the expansion card.
         31  GND       ---  See description for pin 1 (GND) above.
         32  TxD       Out  Transmit Data.
         33  RTS       Out  Request To Send.
         34  DTR       Out  Data Terminal Ready.
         35  Key       ---  Used to ensure proper mating connector orientation.
         36  RxD       In   Receive Data.
         37  CTS       In   Clear To Send.
         38  DSR       In   Data Set Ready.
         39  DCD       In   Data Carrier Detect.
         40  BATT      In   Battery Voltage.  Used to externally power the PQXT
                            during manufacturing test and burn-in.  This pin is
                            connected directly to the battery terminals and
                            must never be connected to expansion devices.
         41  IOCHCKN   In   I/O Channel Check.  Provides the microprocessor
                            with error information on the I/O channel.  When
                            this pin is low, an error is indicated.
         42  EXPP7     I/O  Data Bit 7.  This line provides bit 7 of the data
                            bus for the I/O expansion channel.  Bidirectional.
         43  EXPP6     I/O  Data Bit 6.  This line provides bit 7 of the data
                            bus for the I/O expansion channel.  Bidirectional.
         44  EXPP5     I/O  Data Bit 5.  This line provides bit 7 of the data
                            bus for the I/O expansion channel.  Bidirectional.
         45  EXPP4     I/O  Data Bit 4.  This line provides bit 7 of the data
                            bus for the I/O expansion channel.  Bidirectional.
         46  EXPP3     I/O  Data Bit 3.  This line provides bit 7 of the data
                            bus for the I/O expansion channel.  Bidirectional.
         47  EXPP2     I/O  Data Bit 2.  This line provides bit 7 of the data
                            bus for the I/O expansion channel.  Bidirectional.
         48  EXPP1     I/O  Data Bit 1.  This line provides bit 7 of the data
                            bus for the I/O expansion channel.  Bidirectional.
         49  EXPP0     I/O  Data Bit 0.  This line provides bit 7 of the data
                            bus for the I/O expansion channel.  Bidirectional.
         50  IOCHRDY   In   I/O Channel Ready.  When this open drain pin is
                            pulled low (not ready) by an I/O channel device,
                            the memory or I/O cycle that is currently taking
                            place will become lengthened.  Any slow external
                            device should drive this line low immediately
                            upon detecting a valid address and a read or write
                            command.  Machine cycles are extended an integral
                            number of SYSCLK cycles when this line is active
                            as described above.
         51  AEN       Out  Address Enable.  Used to de-gate the processor and
                            other devices from the I/O channel during a DMA
                            cycle.  Active high.
         52  SA19      Out  System Address Bit 19.  used to address the memory
                            and I/O devices within the system.  One MB of
                            memory can be accessed with address bits SA0-SA19.
         53  SA18      Out  System Address Bit 18.  See description for pin
                            52 (SA19) above.
         54  SA17      Out  System Address Bit 17.  See description for pin
                            52 (SA19) above.
         55  SA16      Out  System Address Bit 16.  See description for pin
                            52 (SA19) above.
         56  SA15      Out  System Address Bit 15.  See description for pin
                            52 (SA19) above.
         57  SA14      Out  System Address Bit 14.  See description for pin
                            52 (SA19) above.
         58  SA13      Out  System Address Bit 13.  See description for pin
                            52 (SA19) above.
         59  SA12      Out  System Address Bit 12.  See description for pin
                            52 (SA19) above.
         60  SA11      Out  System Address Bit 11.  See description for pin
                            52 (SA19) above.
         61  SA10      Out  System Address Bit 10.  See description for pin
                            52 (SA19) above.
         62  SA9       Out  System Address Bit 9.  See description for pin
                            52 (SA19) above.
         63  SA8       Out  System Address Bit 8.  See description for pin
                            52 (SA19) above.
         64  SA7       Out  System Address Bit 7.  See description for pin
                            52 (SA19) above.
         65  SA6       Out  System Address Bit 6.  See description for pin
                            52 (SA19) above.
         66  SA5       Out  System Address Bit 5.  See description for pin
                            52 (SA19) above.
         67  SA4       Out  System Address Bit 4.  See description for pin
                            52 (SA19) above.
         68  SA3       Out  System Address Bit 3.  See description for pin
                            52 (SA19) above.
         69  SA2       Out  System Address Bit 2.  See description for pin
                            52 (SA19) above.
         70  SA1       Out  System Address Bit 1.  See description for pin
                            52 (SA19) above.
         71  SA0       Out  System Address Bit 0.  See description for pin
                            52 (SA19) above.
         72  Reserved  ---  Do not use.  This pin supports Poqet-specific
                            functions.  It is of no use to any I/O channel
                            device and must be left unconnected.
         73  Reserved  ---  Do not use.  This pin supports Poqet-specific
                            functions.  It is of no use to any I/O channel
                            device and must be left unconnected.
         74  Reserved  ---  Do not use.  This pin supports Poqet-specific
                            functions.  It is of no use to any I/O channel
                            device and must be left unconnected.
         75  Key       ---  Used to ensure proper mating connector orientation.
         76  Reserved  ---  Do not use.  This pin supports Poqet-specific
                            functions.  It is of no use to any I/O channel
                            device and must be left unconnected.
         77  Reserved  ---  Do not use.  This pin supports Poqet-specific
                            functions.  It is of no use to any I/O channel
                            device and must be left unconnected.
         78  EMCS3     Out  ROM Chip Select.  For manufacturing test use
                            only.  No connections may be made to this line
                            by an I/O expansion device.
         79  MRESETN   In   Master Reset.  Pulling this pin low is equivalent
                            to pressing the Master Reset pin on the system
                            keyboard.  The entire system will reset itself and
                            all data will be lost.  it is normally used only
                            during manufacturing test, but you may use it to
                            reset the system.  However, extreme care should be
                            exercised before activating this signal.  A min-
                            imum pulse width of 5 microseconds is recommended.
         80  DISEXPP   Out  Disable Expansion Bus.  When this line is high, no
                            device on the expansion bus is allowed to drive
                            the data bus (EXPP0-EXPP7).  This pin must be
                            incorporated into any external memory decoding
                            logic to ensure that no memory device is accessed
                            while the line is high.

How can get to the insides of my Poqet PC?

The Poqet PC is held together with ultrasonic welds. In ultrasonic welding, two pieces of plastic are heated by high-frequency sound waves. The plastic melts together, forming a fairly strong bond. Although I don't recommend it, it is possible to break the ultrasonic welds in the bottom part of the Poqet PC. The welds can then usually be glued back together using "Super-Glue." The upper housing is held together by one, long single weld, so it is virtually impossible to get the upper housing apart and then put it back together again.

The welds in the bottom part of the Poqet PC join the lower housing (the outer part of the Poqet PC) to the keyboard plate. The keyboard keys fit into the top of the keyboard plate, and the Poqet PC's motherboard is screwed to the bottom of the plate. The keyplate forms a raised ridge around the keyboard keys. This ridge takes a slight dip in front of the spacebar so your thumbs can hit the spacebar correctly.

To get the Poqet PC open, you need to take a small screwdriver and put it between the lower housing and the keyboard plate. If you see the raised ridge that runs around the keyboard, you'll notice that there's a small gap between that ridge and the plastic that forms the outer housing of the Poqet PC. If you put the screwdriver in that small gap and apply the correct amount of pressure, you should be able to snap the ultrasonic welds and break the keyboard plate free from the lower housing. Some important things to watch for are the wires at the back of the Poqet that run to the display and the batteries.

Again, please be very careful if you decide to do this. If you are successful, please feel free to pass on to me any tips that you might have. It's been a while since I've done this, so I might have forgotten something.

How sensitive is the Poqet to static electricity?

Although I would not consider the Poqet PC to be dangerously sensitive to static electricity, it is more sensitive than most other portable electronic equipment. The places where the Poqet PC is most sensitive to static electricity include: Most of the time, a static charge applied to these areas will cause the system to reboot. However, a strong static charged applied to the serial-interface pins on the expansion port can cause permanent damage to the serial interface circuitry.

One especially sensitive situation can occur if you have a PCMCIA card in one of the PCMCIA card drawers and the drawer is half open. In this case, if you touch the exposed PCMCIA card with a static charge, the charge can run along the metal cover of the PCMCIA card and jump to the motherboard. To try and alleviate this problem, a thin layer of anti-static tape was added to the underside of the motherboard (where the board is exposed by the PCMCIA drawers) on the Poqet PC Prime. It has been reported by some users that adding some tape to the underside of the Classic motherboard reduces its sensitivity to static electricity.

Can I get PoqetTools to run on my desktop computer?

No. The version of PoqetTools on your Poqet PC is written specifically for that computer -- transferring the program files to a desktop and running them will probably crash your computer. There was a version of PoqetTools available for generic desktop/laptop computers, but, due to some legal issues, that version is no longer available from Fujitsu.

What is the maximum size of a file I can edit in PoqetWrite?

PoqetWrite is limited to 4000 bytes (not 4 KB, or 4096 bytes), including control characters such as carriage returns, line feeds, and the end-of-file marker. This limitation is necessary because PoqetWrite is a TSR and it keeps the file you are editing in RAM. The designers of the Poqet PC wanted to make as much memory available for other programs, so they decided to limit the amount of memory that PoqetWrite would use.

What is the file format of the Poqet Address File (PHONE.ABD)?

The PoqetAddress file (by default, the file "PHONE.ABD") is made up of records, one record for each name in the PoqetAddress database. Each record is composed of several data fields, one data field for each type of data that can be entered into PoqetAddress: Group, Name, Notes, Address, and Telephone. A descriptor byte precedes the data in each field to identify the data that follows the descriptor byte. Each record ends with an "End of Record" (EOR) byte, and the entire file ends with and "End of File" (EOF) byte. After each EOR byte is an ASCII carriage return (CR)/line feed (LF) sequence.

In summary, the file format is:

        [record]<EOR><CR><LF>[record]<EOR><CR><LF>...[record]<EOR><CR><LF><EOF>
In the format specifications above, items enclosed in "angle brackets" ("<" and ">") are single bytes (for example, <CR> is equivalent to ASCII 0Dh).

The format of each record in the file is as follows:

        <GROUP_TAG>[group #]<NAME_TAG>[name]<NOTE_TAG>[notes]
        <ADDR_TAG>[address]<PHONE_TAG>[telephone number]
As in the file format specification, items enclosed in angle brackets are single byte values. The items enclosed in "square brackets" ("[" and "]") are multi-byte text strings.

All of the fields in the record (i.e. [group #] or [telephone number]) are simple ASCII text. So, for example, the [group #] field is an ASCII "1", not a decimal 01. Within a field, a new line is translated into a special <LINE_BREAK> byte, instead of the standard CR/LF pair or a "newline". The values of the field tags and other codes are as follows:

        Tag Name      Hex value
        ------------  ---------
        <GRP_TAG>            1F
        <NAME_TAG>           1E
        <NOTE_TAG>           1C
        <ADDR_TAG>           1B
        <PHONE_TAG>          1A
        <EOR>                19
        <EOF>                18
        <LINE_BREAK>         17
        <CR>                 0D
        <LF>                 0A
So, for example, if PoqetAddress had one entry:
        Name:       Joe Smith
        Group:      1
        Notes:      Joe's birthday is August 27.  He loves hockey.
        Address:    1234 Waverley Avenue
                    Suite 4
                    Menlo Park, CA  94022-1322
        Telephone:  415-555-1234
The PHONE.ABD file would look like:
        00  1F 31 1E 4A 4F 45 20 53-4D 49 54 48 1C 4A 6F 65  .1.JOE SMITHJoe
        10  27 73 20 62 69 72 74 68-64 61 79 20 69 73 20 41  's birthday is A
        20  75 67 75 73 74 20 32 37-2E 20 20 48 65 20 6C 6F  ugust 27.  He lo
        30  76 65 73 20 68 6F 63 6B-65 79 2E 1B 31 32 33 34  ves hockey..1234
        40  20 57 61 76 65 72 6C 65-79 20 41 76 65 6E 75 65   Waverley Avenue
        50  17 17 53 75 69 74 65 20-34 17 17 4D 65 6E 6C 6F  ..Suite 4..Menlo
        60  20 50 61 72 6B 2C 20 43-41 20 20 39 34 30 32 32   Park, CA  94022
        70  2D 31 33 32 32 1A 34 31-35 2D 35 35 35 2D 31 32  -1322.415-555-12
        80  33 34 19 0D 0A 18                                34.
Some Notes:

Can I upgrade the BIOS or DOS in my Poqet PC?

No. The BIOS of the Poqet PC is permanently programmed into a ROM on the motherboard of the Poqet PC. Likewise, the version of DOS used on the Poqet PC is permanently programmed into a ROM on the Poqet PC's motherboard.

Are there some programs that run directly from ROM or from a PCMCIA card, instead of loading into RAM and then executing?

Yes. Most programs are loaded into RAM from secondary storage (PCMCIA cards or disk drive). Once loaded, the program executes from RAM. PoqetTools, however, runs directly from the ROM inside the Poqet and is not loaded into RAM, although RAM is needed to store the data used by PoqetTools. In addition, Lotus 1-2-3 for the Poqet PC and AlphaWorks for the Poqet PC run directly from the PCMCIA card -- they are not loaded into RAM.

What kind of PCMCIA cards can I use in my Poqet PC?

The PCMCIA slots in the Poqet PC actually predate the PCMCIA specification. The slots are generally compatible with Revision 1.0 of the PCMCIA spec. The Poqet's PCMCIA slots have a Type I (2.5 mm) thickness.

Generally, the only thing that can be put into the Poqet PC are SRAM cards, which can be formatted on the Poqet PC for use as RAM disks. The Poqet PC does not read the Card Information Structure (CIS) on SRAM cards to determine the proper format, but instead uses a uses a "pseudo-floppy" format. Generally cards formatted on a Poqet PC can be read by other computers, but cards formatted on other computers may have to be reformatted before being used on the Poqet PC.

To work in the Poqet PC, SRAM cards must be PCMCIA Revision 1.0 compatible and must be able to operate at 3 volts. As far as memory cards are concerned, however, there isn't much difference between PCMCIA 2.0 and 1.0, so Rev. 2.0 memory cards should work fine.

The 3 volt requirement arises because, as the alkaline batteries in the Poqet PC die, the system voltage can dip down to the 3 volt level. If your PCMCIA cards operate only at 5 volts, then you could lose data as your batteries die.

One thing to remember is that all SRAM cards will retain data at 3 volts. To work in the Poqet PC, the SRAM cards must operate (read and write data) at 3 volts.

Generally, the new PCMCIA card modems, LAN cards, and SanDisk Flash cards will not operate in the Poqet PC.

Can I get a PCMCIA modem to work in the Poqet?

No.

Most (if not all) of the modern PCMCIA modems require the host computer to be electrically compliant with Revision 2.0 of the PCMCIA specification. The Poqet does not support Revision 2.0. More information on PCMCIA can be found below and on the PCMCIA Web Site.

Several years ago, there was a company that made a special Revision 1.0 compatible modem for the HP-100LX. It required special drivers, however, and no drivers were ever produced for the Poqet PC.

What about the Type I to Type II adapter?

The Type I to Type II adapter sold by California Digital will make it so Type II PCMCIA cards will fit in a Poqet PC. However, it doesn't change the electrical characteristics of the slot, so you can't use this to make a PCMCIA modem work in your Poqet PC.

What is the difference between Type I and Type II and Revision 1.0 and Revision 2.0 PCMCIA cards?

There are two parameters to describe a PCMCIA card: the "Type" and the "Revision".

The "Type" of a PCMCIA card refers to the thickness of the card. "Type I" cards are 2.5mm thick, and are usually memory cards, (both SRAM and "linear" flash). "Type II" cards are 5.0mm thick. Most of the most useful cards -- SanDisk Flash cards, modem cards, LAN adapters, sound cards, etc. -- are Type II cards. "Type III" cards are 10.0mm thick. Most hard drive cards are Type III cards. PCMCIA card slots are designed so that a Type I card will fit in a Type I, Type II, or Type III slot, and a Type II card will fit in a Type II or Type III slot.

The other parameter that is used to describe a card is the revision of the PCMCIA specification with which the card is compatible. Revision 2.1 is the latest released version of the PCMCIA specification. The PCMCIA specifies both the electrical configuration of the card as well as the manner in which software should access the card.

The PCMCIA specification is generally upwards compatible. That is, Revision 1.0 cards will usually work in Revision 2.0 systems. The reverse, however, is not true -- PCMCIA Revision 2.0 cards will not work in a computer system that only supports PCMCIA 1.0. Because the Poqet is compatible only with Revision 1.0 of the PCMCIA spec, modem cards, LAN adapters, SanDisk Flash cards, hard drive cards, and other cards compatible with PCMCIA revision 2.0 will not work in the Poqet PC.

What kind of Flash cards can I used in the Poqet PC?

There are two kinds of flash cards. The Poqet PC can read from, but not write to, "linear" flash cards (sometimes called "Intel" flash) cards. These flash cards must be formatted and programmed with the "pseudo-floppy" format on another computer, and then they function as ROM disks in the Poqet PC.

"SanDisk" flash cards, named after the company that produces them (SanDisk corporation was known as "SunDisk" until mid 1995), are commonly available for other palmtop computers like the HP 95/100/200LX. SanDisk flash cards cannot be used in the Poqet PC.

What is the largest SRAM card available?

The BIOS in the Poqet PC cannot read SRAM cards larger than 8MB. Generally speaking, the largest available SRAM card is 2MB, although there may be some 4MB cards out there by now.

What does that battery in the SRAM card do?
How long will it last?
How can I tell when the battery is dying?

There is a small lithium battery in most SRAM cards that maintains the data in the card while it is outside of the Poqet PC. While the SRAM card is in the Poqet PC, the AA batteries of the Poqet PC power the SRAM card.

Generally, the lithium battery will last 6 months to a year. When the battery is getting low, the bar over the "A" or "B" drive indicator on the screen of the Poqet PC will be broken, not solid. When the battery is finally dead, you will be able to format and use the SRAM card in the Poqet PC, but you will lose the format and the data on the card as soon as you take it out of the Poqet. So the card will seem to work fine in the Poqet, but once you take it out and put it back in, you'll get some kind of error when you try to access the SRAM card.

Why can't I format my 2MB SRAM card?

The format program in the Poqet PC Classic (Model Number PQ-0164) cannot format SRAM cards over 1 MB. To fix the problem, you can download a new format program from the "Software" section of this web site.

How do I get SRAM cards to work under Windows '95?

To access SRAM cards under Windows '95, you first have to get a PCMCIA adapter for your desktop or laptop computer (most laptop computers have PCMCIA adapters built in). Once you successfully install the PCMCIA adapter, you can add support for PCMCIA SRAM cards by adding the following two lines to "CONFIG.SYS":
        device=c:\windows\system\csmapper.sys
        device=c:\windows\system\carddrv.exe /slot=n
For the value of "n", type the number of PCMCIA card slots on your computer. You also need to make sure that the "CSMAPPER.SYS" and "CARDDRV.EXE" files are in the "WINDOWS/SYSTEM" folder.

For more information, search Windows '95 help for "SRAM".

Will the 3-volt Poqet cards work in my desktop or laptop computer?

Yes. 3-volt cards will work fine in a desktop or laptop computer that runs at 5 volts. The "3 volts" refers to the minimum voltage required to access the card, not the maximum voltage allowable.

What programs are available on pre-programmed ROM cards?

When it was introduced, there were several programs available on ROM cards for the Poqet PC: None of these cards are available any longer from their original manufacturers or from Fujitsu, however.

Why does my system buzz when I hit a key?

The short answer to this question is that the power supply in the Poqet PC creates a magnetic field which causes the speaker in the Poqet to buzz. Usually, turning the Poqet's key-click feature on, then off again (with the Poqet-F9 key combination), will cause the buzz to stop.

The long answer is a bit more complicated. The power supply in the Poqet PC is a very small switching power supply that sometimes switches in the audio range, usually when the Poqet PC goes into "compute" mode when you hit a key on the keyboard. There is a rather large coil in the power supply that creates a magnetic field that oscillates at the frequency at which the power supply is switching (somewhere in the audio range). The magnetic field produced by the coil induces an AC voltage in the wires that lead to the Poqet PC's speaker. This small AC voltage causes the speaker to emit a small buzz.

However, the AC voltage can only be induced when the speaker in the Poqet PC is disabled (like when the key-click is turned off). When disabled, the circuitry that drives the speaker is put into a high-impedance state (which, electrically speaking, means the speaker wires are not connected to anything). In this state, the magnetic field produced by the power supply induces the AC voltage and creates the buzz. When the speaker is enabled, however, the speaker circuitry drives the speaker with a constant DC voltage. In this state, the magnetic field produced by the power supply is not strong enough to induce an AC voltage in the speaker wires, so no buzz is heard from the speaker.

Turning key-click on enables the speaker, so the buzz stops. When you turn key-click off again, the speaker is quiet, but it is still enabled, so there should still be no buzz.

Why doesn't the Poqet PC's speaker work right?

The sound generation hardware of the early Poqet PC "Classic" (Model PQ-0164) is not totally compatible with the IBM-PC/XT. This causes some programs to function incorrectly when they try to generate sounds on the Poqet PC. For example, the SOUND statement in GWBASIC does not always function as expected on the Poqet PC.

Basically, the Poqet sound generation hardware ignores values written into the divisor latch of the 8253 Programmable Interval Timer (at port 42h). This causes all sounds generated by the Poqet PC to have the same frequency. This incompatibility can also have other unexpected side effects on software that depends on total compatibility with the IBM-PC/XT.

This problem was fixed on later model Poqet PC "Classic" computers as well as on the Poqet PC "Prime" (Model PQ-0181).

Why is my display flickering?

The most common cause of failure on the Poqet PC is the cable on the right hand side of the computer that leads from the lower housing to the display housing. Either the conductors in this cable break over extended use, or the solder joints at the ends of the cable break, or the cable becomes kinked if it doesn't retract fast enough into the lower housing. Symptoms of display cable failure include: There is no practical way to fix this problem. It is virtually impossible to open up the upper housing without destroying it in the process. A person skilled with a soldering iron might be able to solder a new cable to replace the broken one, but this would be an extremely difficult task.

Why isn't my Poqet keeping the correct date?

As shipped, the system clock in the Poqet "Classic" (Model PQ-0164) will not advance the date correctly when the unit is left suspended for more than a day. In addition, a warm-boot of the machine (by pressing CTL-ALT-DEL) will clear the date and time. Poqet shipped a software patch that solved these problems. This Clock Fix can be downloaded by entering "Software" section of this web site.

I can't access my PoqetAddress data any more. What's going on?

There is a bug in PoqetAddress on the Poqet PC "Prime" (Model PQ-0181) where, if a particular byte ends up at a particular place in the data file, it will appear as if all of your data is lost. In reality, the data isn't lost, it's just that the PoqetAddress program can't read the data. Poqet shipped a software patch that solved this problem. This PoqetAddress Fix can be downloaded by entering the "Software" section of this web site.

Why is my cursor disappearing in WordPerfect 5.1?

There is a deficiency in the Poqet PC that causes the cursor to disappear in some programs, most notably WordPerfect 5.1. Poqet shipped a software patch that solves this problem. The WordPerfect Cursor Enhancement can be downloaded by entering the "Software" section of this web site.
Filename: PoqetPC/faq/poqetpc.html
Date Created: 27 Dec 1995, Last Modified: 24 Jun 2003
Created by Bryan Mason - E-Mail: poqetpc<at>bmason<dot>com