Poqet PC Plus Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions about The Poqet PC Plus. 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.

General information about Poqet Computer Corp. and the entire Poqet PC line of computers can be found in the Poqet PC FAQ.

Although there are three different versions of the Poqet PC as explained in the Poqet PC FAQ, 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. Also, when I refer specifically to the Poqet PC Plus, I generally refer to it as the "Poqet PC Plus" or just the "PC Plus".

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 an e-mail message at "poqet<at>bmason<dot>com" so I can correct it.

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 Plus?

The Poqet PC Plus is the successor to the original Poqet PC. In some ways, the Poqet PC Plus is more advanced than the original Poqet PC, and in other ways, the original Poqet PC is more advanced. The Poqet PC Plus is a handheld computer about the size of a video cassette. It is fully MS-DOS compatible and is about 99.9% compatible with the original IBM/PC-XT desktop computer.

Specifications:

Size:	9.05" x 5.12" x 1.42" / 230 mm x 130 mm x 36 mm
Weight:	1.54 lbs / 0.7 kg
Battery life:	3 - 12 hours (application dependant)
Microprocessor:	NEC V30 at 16 MHz
Memory:	2 MB. Memory above 640 KB is configurable as EMS or a RAM disk. 64 KB reserved is for BIOS shadow.
Display:	Transflective LCD with backlight on demand. 7.25" / 184 mm diagonal size.
Display compatibility:	MDA: 80 x 25 characters CGA: 640 x 200 pixels
Expansion:	2 Type II PCMCIA slots (nearly compatible with PCMCIA Revision 2.0.), 1 TTL serial port, 1 TTL/RS-232 serial port (configurable)
PCMCIA Compatibility	Supports SunDisk (SanDisk) ATA Flash, 3.3 V and 5 V SRAM, AT&T Paradyne KeepInTouch modem, PNB Samantha modem.
Secondary storage:	Drive A: Left PCMCIA slot Drive B: Right PCMCIA slot Drive C: ROM drive with MS-DOS 5.0 Drive D: 784 KB Flash drive Drive E: RAM drive (if configured)
Built-in software:	MS-DOS 5.0, EMS driver, RAM Disk driver, Flash utility

What accessories can I get for the Poqet PC Plus?

Well, there's what was made for the Poqet PC Plus, and then there's what you can actually find. Both the Poqet PC Plus and its accessories were made in relatively small quantities. Here's a list of the accessories that were originally made for the Poqet PC Plus.

SanDisk Cards: Solid-state, mass storage. Functions like a hard disk drive but without magnetic media. PCMCIA form factor (Type II). User installable option. 1.5 MB, 5 MB, 10 MB, and 20 MB sizes. [Interesting note: in 1994, a 20 MB Flash card sold for $1375!]
SRAM Cards: Solid-state storage. Functions like a hard disk drive but without magnetic media. PCMCIA form factor (Type I). Uses a lithium button battery (included). User installable option. Available in 1 MB and 2 MB sizes.
PCMCIA Fax/Data Modem: 9,600-baud fax, 14.4K-baud data, PCMCIA form factor (Type II). [Note: this was actually an AT&T Paradyne KeepInTouch card.]
NiCad Battery Pack: Removable and rechargeable NiCad battery pack used to power the standard Poqet PC Plus. Can be used as an extra battery or as a replacement battery for the standard battery.
External Enhanced Battery Charger: Charges PoqePC Plus batteries in 1.2-3.5 hours or less. Also will deep discharge batteries for prolonged battery life. Requires AC adapter. Holds two batteries; charges one battery at a time.
AC Adapter: 110/240 VAC auto-sensing AC adapter. Provides power to the system unit from AC source. Required for use with the External Battery Charger. Note that Fujitsu PC's current 16-volt AC Adapters will power the Poqet PC Plus.
Auto Adapter: Power the system unit through common vehicle cigarette lighter. Note that Fujitsu PC's current 16-volt auto/airline adapter will work with the Poqet PC Plus.
Short Straight Clasped DB-25 RS-232 Cable (6 inches): Connects the 26-pin Poqet PC Plus connector to a male 25-pin connector providing an RS-232 connection.
Short Straight Clasped DB-9 RS-232 Cable (6 inches): Connects the 26-pin Poqet PC Plus connector to a male 9-pin connector providing an RS-232 connection.
Coiled Clasped DB-9 RS-232 Cable (2 feet coiled): Connects the 26-pin Poqet PC Plus connector to a male 9-pin connector providing an RS-232 connection.
Coiled Clasped DB-25 RS-232 Cable (2 feet coiled): Connects the 26-pin Poqet PC Plus connector to a male 25-pin connector providing an RS-232 connection.
Coiled Clasped DB-9 PenConnect Cable (2 feet coiled): Connects the 26-pin Poqet PC Plus connector to a female 9-pin connector providing a null-modem connection for file transfer.
Coiled Clasped DB-25 PenConnect Cable (2 feet coiled): Connects the 26-pin Poqet PC Plus connector to a female 25-pin connector providing a null-modem connection for file transfer.
Straight Clasped DB-25 RS-232 Cable (4 feet): Connects the 26-pin Poqet PC Plus connector to a male 25-pin connector providing an RS-232 connection.

Where can I buy the Poqet PC Plus and its accessories?

California Digital, a mail-order firm in Southern California, purchased many Poqet PC Plus's from one of Poqet Computer's largest customers. They may or may not have some left in stock. California Digital can be reached at the following address:

California Digital
17700 Figueroa Street
Gardenia, CA 90248
Phone: 310-217-0500
WWW: <http://www.cadigital.com/>

Accessories are extremely hard 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:

The Poqet PC Web Site at <http://www.bmason.com/PoqetPC/> contains lots of information about the Poqet PC (including this FAQ) as well as links to other Web resources related to the Poqet PC.
The comp.sys.palmtops newsgroup contains much information about all different kinds of palmtop computers, including the Poqet PC.
The Poqet PC Mailing List is an Internet mailing list devoted exclusively to the discussion of the Poqet PC. More information on the mailing list can be found on the Poqet PC Web Site mentioned above.

Is the Poqet PC Plus "Year 2000" compliant?

Yes, the Poqet PC Plus 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.

Will the display cable in the Poqet PC Plus fail like the one in the Poqet PC?

No. The Poqet PC Plus has a more conventional display cable like the ones that have been used in notebook and laptop computers for years. The display cable in the Poqet PC Plus should last for as long as the rest of the computer is functional.

What kinds of batteries does the Poqet PC Plus use?

The Poqet PC uses a sealed battery pack that contains two rechargeable NiCd battery cells. The battery pack is charged inside the system when AC power is applied. There was also an external battery charger available.

What are the pin outs for the connectors on the back of the Poqet PC Plus

The pin outs for the connector are as follows:

Serial Connector (large connector)

    Pin 13                       Pin 1
      -------------------------------
      \  | | | | | | | | | | | | |  /
       \ | | | | | | | | | | | | | /
        ---------------------------
    Pin 26                       Pin 14

    Pin  Signal     Description
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
      1  GND        Ground
      2  TxD        RS-232 Serial Transmit Data
      3  RTS        RS-232 Request To Send
      4  DTR        RS-232 Data Terminal Ready
      5  GND        Ground
      6  RxD        RS-232 Serial Receive Data
      7  CTS        RS-232 Clear To Send
      8  DSR        RS-232 Data Set Ready
      9  DCD        RS-232 Data Carrier Detect
     10  RI         RS-232 Ring Indicator
     12  VBATT1     Battery Voltage
     13  TTxD       TTL Serial Port Transmit Data
     14  TRTS       TTL Serial Port Request To Send
     15  TDTR       TTL Serial Port Data Terminal Ready
     16  GND        Ground
     17  TRxD       TTL Serial Port Receive Data
     18  TCTS       TTL Serial Port Clear To Send
     19  TDSR       TTL Serial Port Data Set Ready
     20  TDCD       TTL Serial Port Data Carrier Detect
     21  TRI        TTL Serial Port Ring Indicator
     22  GND        Ground
     23  VBAT2      Battery Voltage
     24  VBAT2      Battery Voltage
     25  VDD        Unknown
     26  VBAT2      Battery Voltage

Barcode Reader Connector (small connector)

     Pin 5       Pin 1
      ---------------
      \  | | | | |  /
       \ | | | | | /
        -----------
    Pin 10       Pin 6

    Pin  Signal     Description
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
      1  GND        Ground
      2  TxD        RS-232 Transmit Data
      3  GND        Ground
      4  NC         No Connection
      5  VDD        Unknown
      6  NC         No Connection
      7  GND        Ground
      8  GND        Ground
      9  RxD        RS-232 Receive Data
     10  GND        Ground

How can get to the insides of my Poqet PC Plus?

The Poqet PC Plus is fairly easy to open. There are six screws on the bottom of the computer, and two screws on the display. That's a much as I know. You're on your own from there.

How do I reprogram the contents of Drive D, the Flash Drive?

This is accomplished with the Poqet Flash Utility (FLASHUTY.EXE). The Poqet Flash Utility can be used to read, write, and erase the Flash ROM which olds the Plus Series BIOS as well as the contents of drive D:. The Flash Utility can also be used to convert DOS file structures into image files that can be programmed onto the Flash disk (drive D:) inside the Plus Series Products.

Because the Flash Utility can overwrite the BIOS of the Poqet Series products, extreme care should be taken when using this utility. If used improperly, the Flash Utility will destroy the BIOS in the product.

The general commend line syntax for the Poqet Flash Utility is:

Display Flash ROM: FLASHURY /Dstart_addr[-end_addr]
Erase Flash ROM: FLASHURY /Estart_block[-end_block]
Write Flash ROM: FLASHURY /Wstart_block filename
Create File Image: FLASHURY /M[:size] pathname imagefile

Reading Flash ROM

When used with the "/D" option, the Flash Utility will display the contents of the specified address range on the screen.

Usage FLASHURY /M[:size] pathname imagefile
Parameters

start_addr: The address at which the Flash Utility should start reading the Flash ROM.
end_addr: The address at which the Flash Utility should stop reading the Flash ROM.

Notes After displaying a block of Flash ROM, the Flash Utility will pause. Pressing the ESC key will exit the Flash Utility, while pressing any other key will display the next block of Flash ROM.
The internal Flash drive (drive D:) of the Poqet PC Plus products occupies addresses 00000h - DFFFFh.
The BIOS of the Poqet PC Plus occupies addresses E0000h - FFFFFh

Example To display the contents of the internal Flash drive, issue the following command at the DOS prompt:
FLASHUTY /d00000

Erasing Flash ROM

When used with the "/E" option, the Flash Utility will erase a section of the Flash ROM.

Usage FLASHURY /Estart_block[-end_block]
Parameters

start_block: The block address at which the Flash Utility should start erasing the Flash ROM.
end_block: The block address at which the Flash Utility should stop erasing the Flash ROM.

Notes A block address is a single digit that specifies a 64 KB block of Flash ROM to operate on. Specifying block 0 will erase bytes 00000 - 0FFFFh, specifying block 1 will erase bytes 10000 - 1FFFFh, and so on, up to block F, which will erase bytes F0000 - FFFFFh.
The BIOS occupies blocks E and F. The internal Flash drive (D:) occupies blocks 0 - D.
When erasing the Flash ROM, power management must be disabled, and external power must be applied to the unit.

Example To erase the contents of the internal Flash drive, issue the following command at the DOS prompt:
FLASHUTY /e0-D

Creating Disk Images

When used with the "/M" option, the Flash Utility will create an image of all the files contained in a directory and its subdirectories. This image file can then be used with the Flash Utility "/W" parameter to program the Poqet PC Plus Flash drive (drive D:).

Usage FLASHURY /M[size] pathname imagefile
Parameters

size: The size, in kilobytes, of the disk image to create. Valid parameters are 512, 576, 640, 704, 768, 832, and 896. If omitted, the size will default to 512 KB.
pathname: The top directory of the directory structure which is to be assembled into a disk image.
imagefile: The file into which the disk image is to be placed.

Notes When creating disk images, the Flash Utility can be run on any standard MS-DOS computer.
This is the first step in creating the internal Flash drive on the Poqet PC Plus. For detailed instructions on this procedure, see below.

Example Assume we have the following directory structure:
C:\ +-- DOS +-- APPS | +-- WP | +-- IS | +-- AWORKS | . . . To create a 640 KB image of the directory structure starting with the APPS subdirectory, and then place that image in A:\DRIVE.IMG, issue the following command from the DOS prompt:
FLASHUTY /m:640 c:\apps a:\drive.img
This command will create the image file DRIVE.IMG and place the APPS, WP, IS, and AWORKS directories and their files in the image file. When the image file is programmed into the Flash (using the "/W" option), drive D: will have the same directory structure as the APPS subdirectory -- the root directory of drive D: will have three subdirectories: WP, IS, and AWORKS.

Programming the Flash Drive of a Poqet PC Plus

As an example, assume that the files contained in the "C:\APPS" and its subdirectories are to be programmed into the Flash drive (drive D:) of a Poqet PC Plus, and that those files occupy 754,234 bytes of disk space. To program the Flash drive of the Poqet PC Plus, perform the following steps:

Determine the amount of space required to hold all of the files that need to be placed on the Flash drive, and then decide which parameter to use with the "/M" option of the Flash Utility.
EXAMPLE: Our files occupy 754,234 bytes, so the parameter to the "/M" option would be "768."
Make an image of the directory structure by using the "FLASHUTY /M" command. This step will be done on a desktop computer, with the image file being transferred to the Poqet PC Plus via a PCMCIA card inserted into a ThinCardDRIVE.
EXAMPLE: Assuming that the ThinCardDRIVE is drive D: on our desktop computer, we issue the command:
FLASHUTY m:768 c:\apps d:\disk.img
Transfer the image file to the Poqet PC PLus.
Disable power management on the Poqet PC Plus and supply external power to it.
Use the Flash Utility to program the image onto the Flash drive of the Poqet PC Plus.
EXAMPLE: Assuming that the image file is on a RAM card in drive A: of the Poqet PC Plus, we issue the command:
FLASHUTY /w0 a:\disk.img

Detailed information on using the Flash Utility is available in the Poqet PC Plus Series Utilities Guide in the Documentation section of this Web site.

What software is built into the Poqet PC Plus?

The Poqet PC Plus, as configured from the factory, came with the following software on Drive D:

PQEMM.SYS: Expanded Memory (EMS 4.0) device driver
RAMDISK.SYS: RAM Disk device driver
PQSS.EXE: PCMCIA Socket Services driver
PQCCU.EXE: PCMCIA Card Configuration Utility
PQCARD.EXE: Device driver for RAM and ATA Flash PCMCIA cards
PC.EXE: PenConnect client application
PCS.EXE: PenConnect Server application
FLASHUTY.EXE: Flash Utility used to reprogram Drive D:

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

Yes, to update the BIOS on a Poqet PC Plus, perform the following steps. Exercise extreme caution when performing this procedure. If a mistake is made, the BIOS may be erased, rendering the computer unusable. It is highly recommended that anybody attempting this procedure read the Poqet Plus Series Utilities User's Guide or the Poqet Flash Utility User's Guide before attempting this procedure.

Obtain a file containing the version of the BIOS that you want to program into the Poqet PC Plus. The latest version of BIOS is version 3.062, and can be downloaded from this Web site from the Software section.
Disable power management on the Poqet PC Plus and supply external power to it.
Use Flash Utility to program the BIOS into the Poqet PC Plus with the following command (assuming that the BIOS is in a file named BIOS.BIN in drive A:):
FLASHUTY /wE a:\bios.bin
Reset the computer to factory defaults by pressing the Reset key while holding the On/Off key (the green ON key on the Poqet PC Plus). Continue to press the On/Off key until the BIOS banner is displayed on the screen.

WARNING:To avoid disastrous consequences, make sure that the first parameter to the Flash Utility command is "/wE". Also make sure that the file specified in the Flash Utility command has a valid BIOS image in it. Failure to do either one of these could result in the destruction of the Poqet PC Plus' BIOS.

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

The PCMCIA slots in the Poqet PC Plus support SRAM cards, Flash cards, and two types of 14.4 kbps modems: the AT&T Paradyne KeepInTouch Card and the PNB "Samantha" card. Each of these cards requires special drivers. No other PCMCIA cards (Ethernet adapters, other modems) will work in the Poqet PC Plus. The Poqet PC was designed very early in the evolution of the PCMCIA specification, and compatibility was a big issue during this time.

Installation instructions for the AT&T Paradyne KeepInTouch Modem Card and the SunDisk Flash Card can be found in the Documentation section of this Web site.

What type of PCMCIA hardware is in the Poqet PC Plus? Is it Intel compatible?

The PCMCIA controller in the Poqet PC Plus was a custom-designed controller made by Fujitsu. It is not intel-compatible, which is why standard Card and Socket Services implementations do not run on the Poqet PC. Each supported card must have a special "point enabler" driver to get it to work, which is why the list of supported cards is relatively limited.

Can I get a PCMCIA modem to work in the PC Plus?

Only the AT&T Paradyne KeepInTouch card and the PNB Samantha modem will work in the Poqet PC Plus. Instructions on how to install the modem can be found in the Documentation section of this Web site.

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. There are three major revisions of the PCMCIA Specification: Revision 1.0 which covered basic memory cards such as SRAM and linear Flash, Revision 2.1 which added support for I/O cards such as modems, Ethernet adapters, etc, and CardBus which added support for 32-bit access and other features. 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 PC Plus is almost compatible with Revision 2.1 of the PCMCIA spec, newer 32-bit CardBus cards will not work in the Poqet PC Plus.

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

The original SunDisk (now SanDisk) cards worked in the Poqet PC Plus, so any modern Flash card, or Compact Flash card with a PCMCIA adapter should work. Instructions on how to install the flash card can be found in the Documentation section of this Web site.

What is the largest Flash card I can use in the Poqet PC Plus?

According to Tristan Henderson (tristan [at] pointystick [dot] com):

I have been doing some more work on the PQCARD.EXE ATA driver on the Poqet to see if the FLASH card size limit can be improved. During this work I have found that the current size limit is actually 32MB.
This has been determined by looking at the device driver header created by the program. The attribute word shows that the driver does not support 32-bit sector addressing. This means the maximum number of sectors supported is 65535 (16 bits). When multiplied by 512 Bytes/Sector we arrive at 32MB.
The worst part is that no warning will be given if larger cards are used they will appear to work at first. An examination of how addressing is handled from the driver request through to the ATA interface also confirms that the addressing is 16 bit only.
I'm aware of reports of using larger cards with success. I can only assume this is because the card has only been partially filled. If you try filling card that is larger than 32M with files on another PC and then running chkdsk on the card in the Poqet you should see errors listed.
One (not so good) solution for the moment would be to partition larger cards down to 32M. The driver would work okay under those circumstances but it would be a waste of capacity as this driver will only deal with the first partition.

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.

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".

Filename: PoqetPC/faq/pcplus.html
Date Created: 27 Dec 1995, Last Modified: 15 Oct 2007
Created by Bryan Mason - E-Mail: poqetpc<at>bmason<dot>com

Display Flash ROM:	FLASHURY /Dstart_addr[-end_addr]
Erase Flash ROM:	FLASHURY /Estart_block[-end_block]
Write Flash ROM:	FLASHURY /Wstart_block filename
Create File Image:	FLASHURY /M[:size] pathname imagefile

Poqet PC Plus Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

General Information

Hardware

Software

PCMCIA