| How do I start my Pocket Computer? | To work with a PC-1360 or PC-1475 you must insert a  RAM card in slot 1. Use the switch on the bottem sideto open the slot and insert the card(s). You only need a card in slot 1 to use the computer! You also need batteries. They must be inserted in slot 1 before you insert the card. Open the metal lid by shifting it while pressing the plastic nose and put in the batteries. Plus (+) must show to the top in the slot with the plastic ring. The other battery has minus on the top. After you've done all this you must switch the slot open switch back to the middle! When you get a MEMORY CLEAR question when switching the computer on, just press [Y]! |
| How can I connect a Pocket Computer with my big PC? | Build a cable or get one from a friend (How do I make such a cable on "connection possibilities" page of your model). For all models you can say: If it has a 15-pin socket on the right, you can use PC-1360 or PC-1475 cables. Otherwise you have to ask me (email)! |
| | What means "serial" and the other stuff? | A serial transmission uses at least two data lines: One for sending and one for receiving data. Because you have only one line to send several bytes you must put the single (also ein bits bits after each other on it. To make two computers understand each other they must have the same method of putting the bits on the lines: The settings of the serial interface. |
| | Which transfer technique is the best one for me? | If you have time and money you can build the advanced cable. The advantages are described on the "connection" page. But for your first experiments with it you should try to build the really simple cable. If you don't have the serial interface on the right you will need the specialities from my page. |
| | I've built the simple cable. Why does it not work with a laptop? | The simple cable parts the voltage from 12V to pocket-friendly 6V. A laptop often only delivers 5V so you must skip the voltage parter with a a switch to use the cable like described on the "connection" page. |
| | I've built a cable but when I connect it the pocket's display gets white. | This means a short circuit or a high power consumption at the interface. Check your connection and your big PC! |
| | Why doesn't the connection work? | You should try to detect whether it is the cable or the big computer first. Test the big PC's interface with another device (Modem or other computer) and check the settings (BIOS, serial chips, baud rate, etc). If everything is perfect check your cable. Are the right pins connected? Is the voltage parter and the direction of the diode alright? Be careful with the advanced cables with micro chips, don't forget any lines!!! Mark soldered lines in the plan and check the pin number twice! |
| | | The Pocket Computer receives nothing but the PC is sending data. | In this case the voltage parter or a line could be the problem. Is the diode in the right direction? Is the line from the PC on the right pin of the Pocket Computer? The voltage parter is on pin 3 (9 pin COM port) at the PC and pin 3 at the Pocket Computer! Is ground on pin 5 (PC) connected with pin 7 (Pocket Computer)? |
| | | The big PC receives nothing but the Pocket Computer is sending data. | This is the same like above, only the other way round: Are the lines connected correctly? Pin 2 (PC, 9 pin COM port) with pin 2 (Pocket Computer)? |
| | | The Pocket Computer refuses to send data. | Pocket Computer's pin 5 wants voltage before it starts sending. |
| | | The Pocket Computer returns with ERROR 8. | Perhaps the settings of the interface are not the same on both computers or the voltage parter is parting the voltage below 3,4V. |
| | | The PC or the Pocket Computer are receiving random characters. | This is the same like above. |
| | I want to save variables on my big PC. | You can use PRINT and INPUT #1 Var(*)[,Var(*)] to send and receive variables. You can transfer more than one variable at once. But be careful! The dimensions must be the same! |
| | I don't like the small keyboard of the Pocket Computer. How can I load machine language programs? | Use a LOADER program, like 10 CLOSE : OPEN : INPUT "Start address:";X: FOR X=X TO 65535: INPUT #1Y: POKE X,Y: NEXT X You must press [BREAK] for stopping it! |
| BASIC is too slow for me. How can I get more power from my Pocket Computer? | For this you must write mchine programs. Fortunately the CPU is simple. More advanced users can use some inbuilt functions to make parts of a program faster. My program PocketASM knows some of them (called macros). This tool can transfer data between your computers and offers many extra features! To make it simple you can do the hard work like characters on the screen with BASIC and the parts which must be faster in assembler. |
| How can I rip the ROM operating system of my Pocket Computer? | To get the ROM you need a small program. You can get it from my collection ("software") for PC-1360 and PC-1475. For other Pocket Computers you have to do it on your own. |
| Where can I buy optional components? | On the online auction eBay many people offer old equipment. Mostly PC-1403 and PC-E500 are available. Options are available for calculators and organizers. |
| How can I add additional hardware to my Pocket Computer? | You can inform you on the "hardware" page. All my extensions are described here in detail! |
| How can I get the password for the books? | I have the password. Just write me a kind email! |
| I have no manual or handbook. Where can I get one? | On my literature page you can get the short manual for almost all models to program in BASIC ("Literature"). You get help for the PC-E500, too. |
| How is a Pocket Computer program structured? | Just open the short manual. |
| The memory of my Pocket Computer is too small. How do I make my programs smaller? | You can find this knowledge on the fitting "optimization" page. |
| The memory of my Pocket Computer is to small. Where do I get more RAM cards? | You'll need new cards. Build it on your own ("hardware" page) or buy it on the internet! |
| The batteries are too expensive. Can I use an external power source? | Of course you can! The Pocket Computer needs 5 to 6V: On the 15 pin connector pin 7 is ground and pin 10 or 13 is plus, on the 11 pin connector pin 2 is plus and pin 3 is ground, as shown on "interfaces" page. You can use batteries or accus instead an external AC adapter! |
| I don't use Windows. Are your programs available for other systems, too? | Only some of my old tools are compatible to DOS, the rest is for Windows only. I have links to other pages which offer linux programs, too. |
| I want to run an old program on an other Pocket Computer. How can I convert it? | This is really simple: The commands are almost identical for BASIC. Just look at the commands in your program (study my manual!) and check if the destination computer knows them. Further you must be careful with PEEK, POKE, CURSOR and CALL because they are different for each model. |
| I have a PC-E500. What can I take from this page? | The serial interface is like PC-1360 and PC-1475. The BASIC and the optimization tips are very similar. You can't use all machine language and the descriptions of the "memory" page! |