MiniNote 3000

Everything about vintage DOS based Palmtops goes in here...
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Uityyy
Regular user
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2017 1:21 am
Favorite Palmtop: MicroNote3000

MiniNote 3000

Post by Uityyy »

I have the 4MB version of the MiniNote(TM) 3000
The software on it is:
- MS-DOS 5.0
- Microsoft Works 2
- Race Pen II (PIM)
- Microsoft Interlink (for file transfer over direct cable connection)
- Various drivers
- Unlike what the DOSPalmTop index lists for very closely related models, the is no Microsoft QBasic included. There is DOS's DEBUG.EXE, however.

The BIOS is PhoenixBIOS(TM) version 1.03.01 FOR PALMTOP SOLUTION. Likely BIOS setup keys just produce an error. I'm not sure if there even is a BIOS-level setup utility.

The annoyance the index lists of not being able to boot anything but DOS can likely be overcome by booting *FROM* DOS as it doesn't protect against dangerous actions like loading and executing someone else's kernel. I'd imagine you could start a small Linux with loadlin and possibly even run GRUB for DOS from AUTOEXEC.BAT
Attachments
MiniNote(TM) 3000 on default menu
MiniNote(TM) 3000 on default menu
IMG_20170107_181157302.jpg (1.89 MiB) Viewed 19170 times
Kyodai
Site Admin
Posts: 232
Joined: Fri May 15, 2015 7:33 pm

Re: MiniNote 3000

Post by Kyodai »

Very interesting machine! I have dropped you a PM. :)

Well the loadlin trick works on every machine - so you could boot something like minix - i even did that on the Sharp PC-3100 once. With a 386 and 4 MB even better unix flaours should be possible. However - only unix can be loaded by loadlin - so other OS like OS/2 or different DOS flavours (Like FreeDOS) are not possible afaik.

The BIOS of ALL tidalwave are terrible imho. No Setup options, no boot priority settings, no inversing the screen. From the Race Pen tool (and by some command line switches) you should however at least be able to switch CPU speed, turn on/off serial port and so on, but that's already the best you can do.

The index page about the mininote was mostly just copied from the earlier (1000 series) Tidalwave. Since the rest of the software (Dos 5.0, works, Race Pen) sounds similar I'd have assumed that QBasic stays included. I am a bit surprised to hear this one has actually LESS software than the older machines. Maybe they had to include more drivers and didn't want to buy larger ROM chips, so something had to go? XD
Uityyy
Regular user
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2017 1:21 am
Favorite Palmtop: MicroNote3000

Re: MiniNote 3000

Post by Uityyy »

Here's the full file system in case anyone is interested: (I'll deal with the PM later.)
This is hand-typed so expect errors

Code: Select all

C: [LABEL MS-ROMDOS]
	[RP]
		RP       BAT    307
		CITYTIME DBF   8955
		CITY_PHO DBF  17335
		CTR_PHO  DBF   5078
		EXCHD    DBF    815
		HELP     DBF  30851
		MEASURE  DBF   2794
		SORT     DBF    455
		PREFER   INI     25
		CITY_PHO NTX   7168
		HELP     NTX   8192
		SORT     NTX   2048
		DISVDO   COM     17
		ENVDO    COM     17
		INSTALL  EXE   9544
		RPCGA    EXE 152110
	[TOOLS]
		TXMSDISK SYS  4408
		POWER    EXE  8052
		HIMEM    SYS 11616
		MEMCARD  EXE 45430
		MS-FLASH SYS 53762
		DBLFLASH EXE 14878
		PCMATA   SYS  9290
		DEBUG    EXE 15707
		SDPDRV   SYS  4959
		PCERASE  EXE  5320
		UTIMENU  EXE  1902
	TDLWAVE  SYS  1065
	TDLWAVE  BAT   271
	UTIL     BAT   285
	$$AUTO$$ EXE [HIDDEN]
	$$FOR$$  EXE [HIDDEN]
	MAINICON EXE  4240
	SETUP    COM  6933
	ROMDRIVE SYS  1178
	ROMFLASH SYS   706
	KEYBOARD SYS 34697
	MODE     COM 15543
	FILL     BIN [HIDDEN]
	AUTOEXEC BAT   272
	CONFIG   SYS  1065-
	[144896 BYTES FREE, WRITABLE]
D: [LABEL WORKS]
	[DOS]
		FORMAT.COM
		INTERSVR.EXE
		INTERLNK.EXE
		DOSKEY.COM
		XCOPY.EXE
		LABEL.EXE
		PRINT.EXE
		KEYB.COM
		ATTRIB.COM
	WORKSEXE.EXE
	SPELL.OVL
	HELP.OVL
	WORKS.OVL
	CANONBJE.PRD
	COMM.SCD
	EPSONL01.PRD
	F001.SFT
	F04003.RFT
	F04004.RFT
	F04005.RFT
	F04006.RFT
	IBMQUICK.DAT
	IBMQUICK.PRD
	INTL.RSC
	MAIN.DIC
	SCREEN.VID
	WORKS.BAT
	WORKS.HLP
	WORKS.INI
	HP3.PRD
	BROTHER.PRD
	NEC.PRD
	[5632 BYTES FREE BUT IS READ-ONLY]
E: [LABEL XMSDISK]
	[RP]
	[A WORKS DIRECTORY GETS CREATED WHEN I RUN WORKS WITH SEVERAL FILES COPIED TO IT]
	[509952 BYTES FREE, WRITABLE]
F: [LABEL MS-ROMDOS]
	PCMCS    EXE 31096
	PCMSCD   EXE 17682
	MAINMENU BAT   681
	PRSPF    SYS  8387
	SDPFIX3  SYS  4959
	PSEUDO   SYS  1568
	[5888 BYTES "FREE" BUT IS READ-ONLY]
Kyodai
Site Admin
Posts: 232
Joined: Fri May 15, 2015 7:33 pm

Re: MiniNote 3000

Post by Kyodai »

Would be interesting to get the drivers. Some stuff is custom made for this machine. Since there's no PCMCIA flash drivers for the PS-1000 models I'd love to try and see if they work on the older machines, then we could use Flash cards or CF on these... It's kinda long shot, but if the PCMCIA controller is the same that might work. :)
saveitforparts
Regular user
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Nov 10, 2017 4:59 pm

Re: MiniNote 3000

Post by saveitforparts »

I just picked up one of these (the 2.5MB version) at an estate sale. It doesn't seem to have the backlit LCD (or I haven't found how to turn on a backlight!).

It did come with two Solid State flash cards (PCMCIA cards), with a variety of other software including Windows 3.1. I can get Windows to run, but some of the software on the cards seems specific to other palmtops (For example, "SOL.EXE", which I thought might be Solitaire, throws an error saying it will only run on an HP 100LX or 200LX).

I'm kind of at a loss for what to do with this. I semi-collect old computers but am starting to get cluttered and have more than I know what to do with. Would someone on here be interested in buying it? In addition to the flash cards I'd throw in a soft case (not sure if original) and wall wart power supply (also don't know if original). Otherwise I was thinking of putting it on eBay.
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Kyodai
Site Admin
Posts: 232
Joined: Fri May 15, 2015 7:33 pm

Re: MiniNote 3000

Post by Kyodai »

Have sent you a PM. Probably no surprise - but yeah I am always interested in DOS palmtops. Well i guess that is why i created this site and forum. XD
saveitforparts
Regular user
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Nov 10, 2017 4:59 pm

Re: MiniNote 3000

Post by saveitforparts »

I can't seem to reply or compose a PM!

When I try it just says "We are sorry, but you are not authorised to use this feature. You may have just registered here and may need to participate more in discussions to be able to use this feature."

My email is saveitforparts <AT> gmail.com if that's easier.
Kyodai
Site Admin
Posts: 232
Joined: Fri May 15, 2015 7:33 pm

Re: MiniNote 3000

Post by Kyodai »

I guess i need to review forum settings.... XD Anyways I have sent you an email. Reply here if you didn't get it.
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