Note that this is the text of the 1990 edition of the instruction leaflet. The 1993 edition is also available, which includes information about how to handle Flash packs that contain different versions of the flash driver.
Flash Datapaks use state-of-the-art technology to provide storage for your information. They do not rely on any form of battery to retain their contents (unlike 'RAM' based products), and contain no moving parts (unlike floppy disks). They use less power and are quicker to save information to than conventional Datapaks, thus extending the Organiser's battery life.
Flash Datapaks are suitable for all Psion Organiser II's, except model CM.
In order for an Organiser to fully access a Flash Datapak, special software must be loaded from the pack to the Organiser. This software will use about 4.5K of your Organiser's memory.
To install the software, switch off the Organiser, insert the Flash Datapak, and switch on again. With the main menu displayed, press the ON/CLEAR key an extra time. The software will be loaded, and a new menu item 'Flash' will appear near the end of the main menu. If the software is not successfully loaded, you must free some more memory before trying again. (Even if the software is not loaded, you can still read information from your Flash Datapak, but you cannot store new information on it - it will be "READ ONLY".)
Once loaded, the software stays in the Organiser until it is specifically removed or the Organiser is reset.
Your Flash Datapak may now be used like any other Datapak, as described in your Organiser manual. As with all types of Datapak, when you delete or update information on the pack, it is 'crossed out' but still takes up space. Eventually, the pack will become full, typically containing both deleted and current information, and you may wish to erase its entire contents and start again. Before doing so, you may also wish to copy the current (undeleted) data it contains to another pack - follow the instructions in your Organiser manual.
For this, you require either another Flash Datapak or a Flash Datapak Formatter program pack. You may wish to use a mains adaptor while formatting, in order to conserve your Organiser's battery.
Warning: after you have formatted the pack all the information it previously contained will be lost forever.
To erase a Flash Datapak, both the pack itself and a second Flash Datapak or Flash Datapak Formatter must be fitted in the Organiser at the same time. The Organiser should be switched off whilst inserting or removing packs.
With the packs inserted and the Organiser switched back on, the menu item 'Flash' should appear near the end of the main menu. If it is not already there, press ON/CLEAR again. Selecting 'Flash' will offer a new menu from which you may choose to format the Flash Datapak. Select the slot containing the Flash Datapak you wish to format.
You are then given one last opportunity to abandon the formatting procedure. If you continue, the Organiser will indicate the progress of formatting, which may take a few minutes. (Should you wish to interrupt the formatting process, press ON/CLEAR. Your Flash Datapak will then require formatting later.)
You will return to the main menu when formatting is complete. You can then begin to use your freshly formatted Flash Datapak.
Error messages will be displayed if you attempt to format any type of pack other than a Flash Datapak, or if you remove the pack too soon. You should never remove or insert a pack while the machine is switched on.
Note: A freshly formatted Flash Datapak has about 7K of space reserved for the program that enables an Organiser to fully access it. This program is automatically copied onto the pack during formatting; it is thus quite normal for a newly formatted Flash Datapak not to appear completely empty.
If you wish to remove the Flash Datapak software from your Organiser (to recover the 4.5K of memory it uses), first switch off and remove any program packs or peripherals. Then switch back on and, with the main menu displayed, press ON/CLEAR an extra time to purge the Organiser's memory of software from other program packs or peripherals.
Select the 'Flash' menu item. Select 'Remove' from the menu that follows and confirm by pressing the Y key.
An error message will appear if any software from other programs or peripherals is still resident in the Organiser, preventing the Flash Datapak software from being removed.
© Copyright Psion PLC 1990
All rights reserved. This document and the programs supplied on a Psion Datapak or Psion Datapak Formatter are copyrighted works of Psion PLC, London, England. Reproduction in whole or in part including utilisation in machines capable of reproduction or retrieval, without the express written permission of Psion PLC. is prohibited. Reverse engineering is also prohibited.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
Psion and the Psion logo are registered
trademarks of Psion PLC.
Psion Organiser II, Datapak and Rampak are
trademarks of Psion PLC.
V1Oct90
Part No. 6300-0041