Messages

31

General Discussion / C860 Vs C3100

« on: January 17, 2006, 01:55:06 pm »

How long does the 5500 battery last in a 760/860 compared to teh fat thing it has in as standard.

I never tried the smaller battery in my 760, but when I had a 5500 I worried a lot more about battery life than I do now.  With the 5500 I could get about 2 hours of normal use, or about 45 minutes of use with a network card.

On my 760 with the larger battery, I've read a book for over 8 hours on one charge (backlight low, underclocked).

I've never been tempted to try the smaller battery for the slight change in thickness.

David

32

General Discussion / C860 Vs C3100

« on: January 17, 2006, 10:21:00 am »

Hi all,


I'm going to buy a new 3100 from pricejapan. It costs $570 including shipping. There is also a friend wants to sell his C860 for $250 (good condition because he doesn't know how to use   ).

I know the advantage of the 3100 over 860. But still considering as the price of 3100 doubles. I can buy only one (i wish...  ).

Can anyone give me an advice?

Thanks a lot,
Srono
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Yeah -- the 3100 is definitely a nicer machine.  I've been trying to justify upgrading from my C760 to a 3100.  I picked up a 4GB CF microdrive for $90 over the holidays, which is making my decision harder.  I need to pull the microdrive to use wireless, which I wouldn't have to do with a 3100, but I don't use it all that often.  They're working on supplying a free wireless blanket over our local area though, so that may change soon.

I'm currently thinking about upgrading to a C1000, since I can think of lots of nice uses for the USB hosting (external HD, keyboard, mouse, webcamera, microscope, GPS etc).  I figure my 760 is worth about the same as your friend wants for his 860, so it'd cost me about $100 to upgrade to a 1000, but about $250 to upgrade to a 3100.  I don't know whether the 3100 is worth $150 more to me than the 1000 is though.... especially since I already have a 4GB microdrive.  Even if I sold my microdrive to finance the 3100, I'd still be paying about $70 for the convienence of an extra CF slot, which I currently am not using.  

I guess that's what it all comes down to... what do you plan to use it for?  If you've never used a Zaurus before, I'd advise starting with your friend's 860.  It'll take you 6 months or more to figure out all the possible uses for it, and by the time you're really need the expanded capabilities of a 3100, hopefully they'll be chaper :-)

If you really need USB hosting and an integrated HD, spring the extra bucks for the 3100.  Either way, you'll have a fabulous machine.

Good Luck,

David

33

Deals and Great Z Buys / Dead Deal !4gb Hitachi Microdrive $99 After Rebate

« on: January 03, 2006, 08:55:46 am »

Just wanted to say thanks for the tip.  

I got one the day before it expired, and am now working on filling up 4 GB of space on my C760!

David

Link - Add to cart for $149.99 price

$149.99 -$50 Rebate = $99.99 and Free Ship (Plus tax in many states)

Rebate LINK


Additional 10 percent off (THat would make it $85)  ....but this is instore only
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34

Deals and Great Z Buys / 4gb Usb Drive At Costco For $69 (no Rebates)

« on: January 01, 2006, 02:59:13 pm »

LINK
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do you reckon there's a 4GB microdrive inside that?
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Yes.  It's not likely to be anything else.

It's also probably an IDE/ATA formatted drive rather than CF formatted, which means the Zaurus won't talk to it, unless you can figure out a way (as far as I know, no one has yet.)

The $85 (after rebate) 4GB microdrive from Best Buy was a better purchase for $20 more.

Of course, if you're only planning to access it through USB, then it's a good buy.

35

Sharp ROMs / Zroadmap

« on: December 22, 2005, 09:27:38 am »

is it possible to have Europe maps on zroadmap ? i'm leaving in ITALY !!!!

There's some European Roadmap maps here, but I don't know whether those maps work with zRoadmap, as it's older than the current version of Roadmap.  Also, note the caution on the website:

Caution: the maps for the non-US portion have been built from the Digital Charts of the World (DCW). The official horizontal accuracy of the DCW is 2040 meters: the resulting maps are therefore unusable for car navigation in their current state.

We're trying to work with the author to get an updated version of Roadmap compiled for the Zaurus.  When that happens, those maps should work, but I don't know whether they'll fit your needs. 

There are other GPS programs available that will let you make your own maps.  The nice thing about Roadmap is that it uses vector maps, so you can keep maps for a large area in memory.  If you use graphical maps, you'll just need to have a larger number of smaller maps made.  Look at qpeGPS or GpsDrive for that.

David

36

Sharp ROMs / Zroadmap

« on: December 22, 2005, 09:13:54 am »

Don't give up yet -- The author (Pascal Martin) indicated a desire to see the program running on the Zaurus.  He's hasn't responded to email recently, but I don't think that necessarily means he's given up on us.

Also, even if we assume that he has, that doesn't mean there's no hope -- it's an open source project.  Just grab the source and compile it for yourself.  That's what open source is all about.  If there's something you don't like, don't complain... Fix it!  I was planning to put together a development environment and do that myself before I saw his post -- I don't see any reason not to continue.

Of course, the fact that I have a 3 week old baby makes time something of an issue, so don't hold your breath waiting for an .ipk from me either

David

nope mail got returned to sender, alas there is no hope, this sux....bummer

37

For Sale / Wanted / Sl-6000 Ebay Auction Scam Alert

« on: December 22, 2005, 08:13:30 am »

I saw two more auctions this morning meeting the same description:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sharp-Zaurus-SL-6000L-...1QQcmdZViewItem
and
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sharp-Zaurus-SL-6000L-...1QQcmdZViewItem

I reported them as well.

Thanks,

David

There are two identical auctions for SL-6000s on ebay.co.uk, but clearly scams:
1) different sellers, identical auctions
2) the same "contact me at xxx@yahoo.com" message on each
3) seller listed in USA, item location UK
4) very very short listing duration - 24 hours (the fraudster hopes the sellers won't notice)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...mMakeTrack=true
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sharp-Zaurus-SL-6000...1QQcmdZViewItem

I've emailed ebay (spoof@ebay.co.uk & scam@ebay.co.uk) to tell them of the con.

This is very common with high value items like zaurus and high-spec digital cameras.

NEVER EVER pay with a non-refundable method - use paypal and/or ensure there's buyer protection.

Paul
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38

Software / Zroadmap + Flite. Help!

« on: December 15, 2005, 02:52:32 pm »

BTW, there are a two of us who would like to revive zroadmap in the sense that we want zroadmap, latest version of roadmap source, to become available on the roadmap site (it seems the zroadmap (i.e. zaurus port of roadmap) web site is gone.

We need a Zaurus user to volunteer testing the build. Any volunteer? Please email to pascal.martin@iname.com

Thanks.
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Sorry for the delay -- I lost track of the forums when my son was born.

I emailed you -- Please let me know what I can do to help.

David

39

Sharp ROMs / Zroadmap

« on: December 15, 2005, 02:42:53 pm »

zroadmap_1.0.1-1_arm.ipk seems to work, but it doesn't recognise the maps ... the maps available on the web site seems to work only with 1.0.8 and above... So where are the "old" map?
I found a zroadmap_1.0.8-r1_arm.ipk on the net, but it is not for the sharp rom... ipkg don't wnat to install it. ??

I don't know if zroadmap is what i need, but it seems to. i 'm trying to have a basic MapInfo equivalent. Any other soft could do that on the Z?

The .ipk you have is good. 
I'm using the next newer version (available here: https://www.oesf.org/forums/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=336)  The old maps used to be available on the http://roadmap.digitalomaha.net site, but they seem to have been removed. 

I have the older usdir.rdm.tgz file, and the maps for Michigan and Virginia. 

PM me if you want those and we can figure a way to get them to you.

David

40

General Discussion / Poll: Who Has Sound Problems?

« on: December 15, 2005, 09:01:21 am »

I have good news and bad news.

The good news (for me) is that the sound on my Zaurus is working again.

The bad news is that I didn't find a cause for it.  I put the mainboard under a microscope and checked out the solder joints on the headphone connector, and looked for obvious flaws in the general vicinity of the connector, but I didn't see any problems.

There is a kink in the cable which is connected near there, but all other functionality works, so I'm assuming the kink is not causing any trouble.

I did notice that the screws (2) holding the mainboard to the case do seem to flex the board slightly in the area near the headphone jack if they're screwed in tightly. The screws I'm talking about are right next to the headphone jack, and further away between the thumbwheel and the IR LEDs (I can supply a picture if needed, but they're pretty obvious). I remembered screwing them in fairly tightly when I re-assembled it last night, but took care this time to screw them in with much less force.  They're now just tight enough to keep the mainboard secure in the case, but are not applying much (if any) force to flex the board.  I would never leave a screw this loose on a mechanical assembly, as it would work its way out.  

I suspect my problem was caused by putting the screws nearest the headphone jack in too tightly, which caused the mainboard to flex slightly, and that loosening them fixed it.

I think there are some traces on the board which are marginal, and the flexing was disconnecting one or more of them.

If you're brave enough to pull your clamshell apart and loosen the screws, it might help.

Also, if that is the problem but loosening the screws doesn't help, you might be able to put a very thin shim on the top side of the board (bottom if your Zaurus is face down on the workbench) and flex it slightly back in the other direction.  I'd be very careful doing this though.

Good luck!

David

I just replaced the charging fuse in my C760, and while doing so I caused a problem with the sound.  I can sometimes make it work properly by squeezing on the case near the headphone jack.  It sounds like the same issue most of you are experiencing. 

Exactly!

My sound was fine before I opened the case.

I'm in a meeting now, but as soon as I get a chance, I'm going back to the lab and opening the case again.  It's got to be a loose connection/bad solder joint near the headphone connector. 

I'll post my findings assuming I can fix it.

David
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You'll be lucky if it's just the loose connector.
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41

General Discussion / Poll: Who Has Sound Problems?

« on: December 15, 2005, 06:40:23 am »

I just replaced the charging fuse in my C760, and while doing so I caused a problem with the sound.  I can sometimes make it work properly by squeezing on the case near the headphone jack.  It sounds like the same issue most of you are experiencing.  

My sound was fine before I opened the case.

I'm in a meeting now, but as soon as I get a chance, I'm going back to the lab and opening the case again.  It's got to be a loose connection/bad solder joint near the headphone connector.  

I'll post my findings assuming I can fix it.

David

42

Cxx0 General discussions / C860 Charging Problem (not Battery)

« on: December 14, 2005, 01:18:56 pm »

Maslovsky -- Thank you!  That was excellent information.  I was nervous about taking my Z apart, but the actual surgery was sort of anti-climatic.  Everything went smoothly, all the parts went back together, and the Z is charging as I type.  My charging fuse was blown, but the main fuse was OK.

I don't know what I'm going to do with a Zaurus that actually charges batteries!

For anyone else reading this and hoping to fix their charging circuits: KOA Speer sent me 25 of each fuse (more than I asked for)  So... I have plenty of extra fuses for both the main and charging fuses (2A and 0.63A).  I'll be happy to give some out to anyone else who needs them.

Of course, now that my c760 is fixed, I'll probably be looking for a C1000 or better  

OK, guys, sorry for some long delay, but here are the pictures of the two fuses that need to be replaces in most cases to fix charging problem:

http://cacko.oesf.org/downloads/fuses/Main...use%20pic_1.jpg
http://cacko.oesf.org/downloads/fuses/Char...use%20pic_2.jpg

Pictures are huge, so I'm only posting links here.

And some explanaition form my friend:

Main protection fuse F804 (pic_1.jpg) protects the whole board from overvoltage.
Its nominal is 2 A. It gets burned in 95% of cases of overvoltage or wrong AC adapter polarity.

Charging chip fuse F813 (pic_2.jpg). ALWAYS BURNED. Nominal is 0.63 А

There are other fuses on the board, which may theoreticaly get burned but this has never happened yet.

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43

Deals and Great Z Buys / $49 1gb Sd Card - No Rebate

« on: December 13, 2005, 11:13:56 am »

1GB SD card for $49, with no rebates.

It's at Onsale.com

44

General Discussion / Model Advice

« on: November 18, 2005, 12:54:44 pm »

My advice is to get the 760/860.  Since the size of the device is important to you, the sl-cx60 can be configured to use a small battery.  The small battery is good enough for pim duty and is small enough to easily fit in the pocket.  When you do need some more battery time, you have the option of the big battery.  There's plenty of things you can do with a sl-cx60 and 1gb SD card.

Yeah -- I have to second Bluedevils' advice.  I've had a 760 for about 2 years now, recently added a 1 GB SD card, and haven't really needed any more storage space.  I don't know whether I agree with his advice about the smaller battery though.  I had a 5500 for a couple years, and wasn't really able to use a WiFi adaptor for more than a couple minutes without killing the battery.  I don't have those worries with the 760 & larger battery.  I do carry it around in my pants pocket, even with the large battery, and rarely notice it, unless I'm crawling around on the floor (I have a 2 year old daughter).  I've never really considered swapping for the smaller battery.

Start with the 760, and learn how to use it.  By the time you're ready to use the additional capabilities of the 3100s the price will be down.

I'm starting to think about a 3100 myself -- more for USB hosting capabilities than for the HD.  There's lots of things I could do with USB hosting.

David

45

Software / Zroadmap + Flite. Help!

« on: September 20, 2005, 08:33:14 am »

I'm using zroadmap v1.0.1 on an SL-C760, with flite 1.2, running Cacko 1.21b, and I get the same symptoms.  Flite will read the navigation text the first time, and then stop.

Flite works fine with OpieReader or on its own, so I suspect zroadmap is at fault here.  

Does anyone have zRoadmap working with flite?

It's time for me to update my ROM anyway -- my Z has become a little unstable, rebooting at will occasionally, so I'll probably try it and see if it works better under Cacko 1.22

David