[NTLK] MessagePad 2000 ram upgrade options

[Frank Gruendel]

> I'm looking to buy a MessagePad 2000 or 2100. If I get a 2000, I'd like to
upgrade the ram
> to 4mb to use the Newton to its full potential. Is there anyone that knows
how this is done?

The only difference between a 2000 and a 2100 mainboard is two RAM chips. In
theory, you could replace the 1MB chips with 4MB chips, but this isn't for
the faint of heart. I have done this twice and it worked OK, but there was a
bit of luck involved. Moreover, these days you wouldn't get the chips off
the shelf, so you'd need an organ donor board. This is where I got my chips
from.

So, as others on this list have already mentioned, your best option would be
buying a 2100. Your second best option would be buying a 2000 and replacing
the mainboard, or having it replaced. This isn't all that difficult:

    http://www.pda-soft.de/2x00_disassemble.html

I could set you up with a 2100 in reasonably decent condition or with a
tested 2100 mainboard. I could also upgrade your 2000. Transferring your
data from the old to the new mainboard would of course be free of charge.

A tested 2100 mainboard would set you back EUR 35.00 plus what I pay for
stamps. Last time I looked, this was EUR 3.45 unless you want insurance,
which would account for another 4 bucks. Add 5 bucks plus what you'd pay for
shipping your Newton to Germany if you want me to replace the mainboard for
you.

A complete 2100 would set you back between 45 and 75 Euros depending on
condition. It would come with a battery in "as is" condition, which in these
days can be translated to "almost inevitably toast, only good as a base for
a rebuild". If you want a rebuilt battery, add EUR 25,00.

While your purse is still safely tucked away in your trouser pocket...

Note that if you have software on your Newton whose registration is based on
your Newton's hardware ID, this software won't work after the upgrade since
the hardware ID is hard-coded on the mainboard. This can be resolved by
transplanting the integrated circuit in which the ID lives from the old to
the new mainboard. I haven't done this yet, but I don't think it would be
overly difficult. However, I wouldn't recommend trying this yourself unless
you have the skill, the equipment and a sufficiently steady hand to do
fine-pitch soldering under a microscope.

Cheers

Frank

-- Newton software and hardware at http://www.pda-soft.de