HP 95LX

From: Frank McConnell <fmc_at_reanimators.org>
Date: Sun Sep 24 21:24:18 2000

Cameron Kaiser <spectre_at_stockholm.ptloma.edu> wrote:
> Well, I landed an HP 95LX. Naturally, it has no manual. What can you tell
> me about it?

Well, I used to use one, 'til I replaced it with a 100LX. It's been a few
years and I've forgotten a bit.

> It has 512K of RAM, of which 256K seems to be used as a RAM disk, and the
> sidecar PCMCIA slot has some RadioMail module loaded in it. What type
> PCMCIA slot is it? What can I put in it?

You should be able to twiddle the RAM partition between system RAM and
RAM disk space. I can't remember how though. On the 100LX it is
Ctrl+Filer.

The slot is PCMCIA 1.0 Type II, meaning pretty much "memory devices
only", and I suspect it's not fully standard due to the power
limitations of the 95LX (i.e. must run off 2 AA cells). It'll take
SRAM cards, some ROM cards (HP made some and maybe that's what your
RadioMail module is), I have been told that it will take a very few flash
cards that were made with it in mind, and one company (New Media) made
a modem for it that was reportedly functional but weird enough that
most folks stuck with external pocket modems connected via the serial
port.

> It also came with a serial? cable terminating in an RJ-45.

That's different; maybe it's for the MobiDEM? The "stock" serial
cable terminates in a DE3S intended for attachment to a PC/AT style
serial port. Note the serial port is effectively three-wire, no
hardware flow control.

> How programmable is it? I was able to get a DOS prompt (3.22, shiver).

Yes and yes. It is not entirely IBM-compatible but it is possible to
run some IBM PC-flavored MS-DOS software on it. I used to have a
FORTH on the 95LX. Now I have MS QuickC on the 200LX.

> It also came with an Ericcson MobiDEM radio modem, but I'll bet it wouldn't
> work even if the battery pack were charged. What can I do with this?

I don't know. Probably not much, my understanding is that most of the
wireless e-mail/Internet providers have basically ditched MS-DOS (and
hence HP LX) support for WinCE and PalmOS devices. If I had one I'd
probably be looking to cause those responsible some constipation with
it.

> Nice system though!

Very. It's one of the few machines that I'd exempt from the 10-year
rule, although I think it's only got another year to go.

-Frank McConnell
Received on Sun Sep 24 2000 - 21:24:18 BST