Sorry for the bump, but I have a good question:
So after looking around, I found a utility for OS 9 that can supposedly beam packages to the Newton's inbox via IR. As my only OS 9 computer with IR is currently not responding (very long story), I'm just planning in advance. If I can do this, I've got a major option that opens up. I noticed that my only ethernet card is a 3com 3cxe589et, which I think works with the ethernet card drivers. My Newton is a 2000 with the 2100 upgrade in it, so it can handle the internet connection stuff. After I get it all loaded up using the IR transfer, can I use some connection software to sync over ethernet? If so, that'll help a whole lot.
Another thing is my screen. Thankfully, it doesn't have jaggies, or any other major defect. The thing it does have, though, is a healthy pattern of worn patches where the previous owner used a calculator/finances program. I was looking at several ways of 'polishing' the screen, but that's when I remembered I had bought a second Newton around the same time as the first solely for the stylus. It wasn't working, and even when I plugged the power adapter in, nothing happened. I took a look inside it today and was quite horrified: battery corroded inside it. But not just corroded: my gosh the thing must have had a nuclear meltdown inside. The battery tray wouldn't even come out without huge force. I finally just figured that with the case in such bad shape and the internals probably terribly ruined, I should just pull it apart to see if I could get the actually good condition screen.
there was just a puddle of acid crystals where the PDA must have been lying in a drawer and dying for some years. it looked like it hadn't hit any major connectors or anything, but then I noticed one connector that was nearly disintigrating with blue fuzz on it. I'm figuring its the digitizer ribbon (4 contacts in a clearish plastic ribbon?). I'm just quite unsure whether its worth taking apart my good, working newton just to solve a few rough spots.
Is there anything at all I can either do to test this screen to see if its working, or to clean the scratches on the screen? My best success was when I cut a screen protector down to newton size. The 'sticky' side just kinda filled in the rough areas and made a smooth looking surface. The problem was that it was a tablet protector, not conducive to the stylus writing, so I took it off.
What say you all? Or can you lead me to someone who is better to ask the question...
So after looking around, I found a utility for OS 9 that can supposedly beam packages to the Newton's inbox via IR. As my only OS 9 computer with IR is currently not responding (very long story), I'm just planning in advance. If I can do this, I've got a major option that opens up. I noticed that my only ethernet card is a 3com 3cxe589et, which I think works with the ethernet card drivers. My Newton is a 2000 with the 2100 upgrade in it, so it can handle the internet connection stuff. After I get it all loaded up using the IR transfer, can I use some connection software to sync over ethernet? If so, that'll help a whole lot.
Another thing is my screen. Thankfully, it doesn't have jaggies, or any other major defect. The thing it does have, though, is a healthy pattern of worn patches where the previous owner used a calculator/finances program. I was looking at several ways of 'polishing' the screen, but that's when I remembered I had bought a second Newton around the same time as the first solely for the stylus. It wasn't working, and even when I plugged the power adapter in, nothing happened. I took a look inside it today and was quite horrified: battery corroded inside it. But not just corroded: my gosh the thing must have had a nuclear meltdown inside. The battery tray wouldn't even come out without huge force. I finally just figured that with the case in such bad shape and the internals probably terribly ruined, I should just pull it apart to see if I could get the actually good condition screen.
there was just a puddle of acid crystals where the PDA must have been lying in a drawer and dying for some years. it looked like it hadn't hit any major connectors or anything, but then I noticed one connector that was nearly disintigrating with blue fuzz on it. I'm figuring its the digitizer ribbon (4 contacts in a clearish plastic ribbon?). I'm just quite unsure whether its worth taking apart my good, working newton just to solve a few rough spots.
Is there anything at all I can either do to test this screen to see if its working, or to clean the scratches on the screen? My best success was when I cut a screen protector down to newton size. The 'sticky' side just kinda filled in the rough areas and made a smooth looking surface. The problem was that it was a tablet protector, not conducive to the stylus writing, so I took it off.
What say you all? Or can you lead me to someone who is better to ask the question...