[NTLK] Storage card specifications

[Bradley Loeding]

Yes, correction. The 3.3V/5V should work. Looks like the pricing on a 16MB
SRAM is upwards of $420... break out the piggy bank.

-Bradley


On Thu, Apr 7, 2011 at 2:15 PM, Dan <dan at dbdigitalweb.com> wrote:

> Welcome.  As for the site I referenced it does say quite clearly that
> linear Flash 12v write works in all newtons.  However while you can read
> 12 volt cards in emates you can't write to them.  For example:
>
> Newton 2MB Flash Storage Card, P/N: H0008LL/A (for all MessagePad
> models, eMate: read only)  This is a 12v card
>
> Newton 4MB Flash Storage Card, P/N: H0230LL/A (for MessagePad 120 (2.0),
> 130, 2000, 2100, eMate) this is a 5v card.
>
> The cards above were actually made by Apple for Newtons.  They can all
> write to 12v cards.  Emates can only use 5v or 3v cards.  Newton 2.0 can
> use 12v, 5v, and 3v cards (with the exception of emates which I just
> mentioned).  Newton 1.x can only use 12v write Flash cards.
>
> With regard to attribute memory, correct the site does not mention that.
>  However up until a few years ago almost all cards had the attribute
> memory.  Now newer electronics don't need it to function.  But most
> older equipment still does.
>
> As for rechargeable vs replaceable batteries in SRAM cards, I would get
> replaceable if the option is available.  Yes it does take power from the
> newton to charge the batteries.  However the newton does not have to be
> on to do this.  But I would not get one with a rechargeable battery for
> the simple reason as they will fail in time.  Disposable SRAM batteries
> last a LONG time and are easily replaced as well.  Heck I have a Apple
> SRAM card that I have never replaced the battery for and it is still
> going strong (which I have owned since late 90's).  Although I might do
> it soon just for the sake of its age.  The length of time that a normal
> battery will last in a SRAM card will vary.  I have one card that uses
> them up more quickly, but then again it still took almost 8 years to do
> so. :)
>
> By the way, here is a trick with replacing batteries in SRAM cards: have
> the card plugged into your newton while you replace the battery, then
> you won't loose any data.  Some cards have a capacitor to keep the
> charge going for a few minutes while you replace the battery (oddly
> enough they often called it the backup battery), but not all have this
> feature.  So unless you have your card backed up, it is best to play it
> safe.
>
> -Dan
>
> On 4/7/2011 2:48 PM, Rusty Miles wrote:
> > Thanks Dan, I hadn't considered the heap issue.  That's a good point.  I
> won't be getting anything bigger than a 4MB card for my little MP100.
> >
> > I have seen the site you noted and used it for reference.  Unfortunately,
> it doesn't say anything about "attribute" memory on that site, and when one
> goes looking for cards now, like at the synchrotech site, cards are offered
> as either with or without attribute memory.  From the original post that
> started this thread, Bradley seemed to be pondering if he needed a card with
> attribute memory.  From what I understood from your response last month
> where you quoted PCBMan, the Newton required attribute memory which is
> information I though Bradley might find useful for his pondering.
> >
> > The site you referred to seems to state that there are three types of RAM
> cards, SRAM, Linear Flash and ATA; and that all versions of NOS can use SRAM
> memory but only NOS 2.0 could use Linear or ATA type cards (ATA type with
> the driver that Paul wrote, thank you Paul).  If you have an older Newton
> with the older NOS (a MP100 with NOS 1.3 in my case), the only available
> option was the SRAM card.  The main difference between an SRAM Card and
> Linear Flash Card was that the SRAM Card required a backup battery, which in
> my mind would be the main way to tell them apart.
> >
> > Again, if I have this wrong please tell me.
> >
> > One other thing I was pondering while I'm on the subject... I noticed on
> the synchrotech site that they had cards with replaceable batteries or
> rechargeable batteries.  The information on the rechargeable battery cards
> says that the batteries recharge when the card is plugged into a PCMCIA card
> slot (on a 'powered up' system I assume).  I'm thinking that might not be a
> good option on the Newton as it would just drain the Newton's batteries
> faster in order to recharge the cards batteries.  Any other thoughts on that
> subject?
> >
> > -Dazed and confused in Nashville (Rusty)
> >
>
> >
>
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