Off Topic - Question on Sharp PC-1500A Module

[Bill (Smithville, NJ)]

Sorry for the off topic post, but I know there are several people here that also collect the Sharp pocket computers.

I just received another PC-1500A and it came with two CE-160 program module with battery. THe battery are obviously dead and from what I can learn on the WEB, when the battery dies, the programs on it also disappear.

Two Questions:

1. How do I open the modile to replace the battery?

2. Is the module used as addition memory? Or do I need some special device to program it?

Since this is off-topic, you can reply direct to

bjunk at NOTvpes dot com

Just remove the NOT and reassemble.

Thanks,
Bill
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[Howard Owen]

I wouldn't mind the same information, if it's not too much trouble.
My email is hbo@egbok.com. (Lowlife pondscum spammer filth already have my address for years and years.)

[Valentin Albillo]

Hi, Bill:

Bill posted:

"Since this is off-topic, you can reply direct to [...]"

I don't agree this is technically off-topic. The MoHP Terms of Use read:
"The topics of these forums, include just about anything listed in the Museum pages. These include HP calculators,
early HP computers, general math, calculating machines, computer history, tips on buying, finding, repairing, or using old HPs etc."


and your SHARP PC-1500 certainly belongs in the "calculating machine" cathegory, and even in "computer history" as well. So while I deem reasonable to avoid converting this into a TI or SHARP forum, I think the occasional posting is covered by the above Terms. Matter of fact, I've seen much more off-topic, even bizarre subjects discussed here no questions.

"1. How do I open the modile to replace the battery?"

I do not have a RAM module for your particular SHARP model, but the ones I have for other similar SHARPs, such as the PC-1350, etc, do have a very small screw which you can unscrew with a specialized, 'watchmaker' screwdriver.

"2. Is the module used as addition memory? Or do I need some special device to program it?"

That would depend on the particular module but the ones I've always seen used with this machine are normal RAM modules, which simply add 8 Kb to system memory so, yes, you can use it as additional memory without doing anything special except plug it in.

By the way, if the module's battery is dead, this means you'll lose its contents as soon as you take it out. But as long as it remains plugged in, it'll draw current from the main unit's batteries and won't lose a thing unless they completely discharge as well. This essentially means you can use it ok even if its own battery is dead.

Best regards from V.

[Bill (Smithville, NJ)]

Hi Valentin,

Thanks for your reply. I knew you were a big sharp pocket computer fan. My first pocket computer was the 1500A with the neat four color plotter/printer. I now have several of them, but only a couple of pens that still work.

There's no screw on the CE-160 module. I just removed the label on it and checked to see if it was hidden - no luck.

From what I can find so far, it's a 16K memory module with a cr2032 battery. These were not installed in the computer I bought and anyway, the computer ended up with highly corroded battery still install. The unit works, but I think it'll just be a spare parts machine.

It's be great if it is additional memory that could be loaded with programs and then removed without losing them. I did put them in a good computer and they weren't reconized - that's why I figue the battery is dead.

I think the next step is to try the pry apart with a screwdrive or knife.

Thanks,

Bill

[Marcus von Cube, Germany]

Bill,

Quote:

---

I now have several of them, but only a couple of pens that still work.

---

You can ask here for new pens: "Peter Lass" <christiane.Lass@t-online.de>

It's a small German enterprise selling medical equipment where these pens seem still to be used.

Marcus

[Bill (Smithville, NJ)]

Hi Marcus,

Thanks for the info. It would be great to get some pens
and put the plotter to some use.

Bill

[Bill (Smithville, NJ)]

Okay, I bit the bullet and took a dull screwdriver to the module.
With carefull prying I was able to get the module to pop apart. Looks like it was tack glued together.

There's a battery soldered directly to the circuit board. The battery shows zero volts. Now I need to get a CR2032 size battery with solder tabs. Anyone know of any souces?

When I get home tonight, I'll take a few digital photos of the module now that it's apart. I can e-mail copies of the photos to anyone who wants them.

Thanks,
Bill

[Charlie O.]

The CR2032 is common and available even at your supermarket. You probably have one in your computer for its clock. The hp 12's use it too.

[George]

Sockets for 2032 batteries should be available from companies like Digikey. Then you can use regular, non-tabbed bateries.

[GE]

On later Sharp machines you have the option of merging the module RAM with the main RAM, or leave it as a separate file system. This is true on the PCE500, PC1600, and I believe the PC1360.

On the PC1500 (even 'A') there is no such thing and RAM should be appended immediately. I think you need to reset the machine by using the usual pointy thing in the hole marked 'P' on the back. It asks you if you want to erase everything, you can dismiss it by pressing [CL]. I'm not sure if this procedure can *really* keep the previous content of your machine, so please don't sue me !!

And yes, those machines are things of beauty. They never stop working if reasonably used, and they have STYLE !!

[Bill (Smithville, NJ)]

I don't think there would be enough room to squeeze a battery holder into the module. There's just barely enough room for the battery. Maybe a smaller or thinner battery with holder could be squeezed in, but I doubt it.

Bill

[Bill (Smithville, NJ)]

I've got good news and bad news.

The good news:

Searching through my box of sharp PC manuals turned up the CE-160 Manual.

The Bad News:

The manual states:

"The CE-160 is a module that can write any program by using the CE-165 exclusive writer. However, no program can be written in CE-160 by using the PC-1500."

"When the CE-160 is connected to the PC-1500, all the programs, data, and the reserved contents previously stored in the PC-1500 cannot be used. Therefore, should be need these, make sure to record them on the tape before connecting the CE-160."

"Any program writen in the CE-160 cannot be either displayed or printed using either the LIST or LLIST instructions. No programs can be recorded on the tape using the CSAVE instruction."

It would appear that even though these are ram modules, they act like pre-loaded rom modules. The big difference is that after 3-5 years, the battery goes dead and all contents are lost. Sort of like self-destructing programs. They say to return module to the orginal place of purchase to have battery replaced and re-program module with the programs.

Has any one ever heard of or seen the CE-165 exclusive writer? Haven't been able to find referece on the web about it.

Very interesting module. Make's me wonder what the thinking was that went into developing it.

Looks like I have a nice display item, but not of much practicl use.

Bill

[Marcus von Cube, Germany]

Bill,

it looks like you are searching for a CE-161 RAM module. Sorry, I don't have one :-(

Marcus