Acknowledge Jaap Scherphuis for for his excellent Gallery of Psion Organiser II packs (here) where you will find information on all the Datapak, Rampaks and Flashpaks. Below you will see other notes and observations on these memory modules and information on Andrew Menadue's datapak gadget.
Datapaks
Check out Jaaps page for all the different types of Datapaks. There are two Information leaflet s here. Datapak Information outlines some practical hints and tips on using your datapak. The Datapak leaflet is a copy of the information sheet issued by PSION with each new Datapak.
For those without a UV Datapak Formatter. Check out the Free Datapak Erasing service at the bottom of the page (here)
Rampaks
Again Jaaps page has details of the different types of Rampaks available. Although Andrew Menadue's 256K replaceable button cell battery pack is not featured there and Olivier Gossuin's 256K packs are no longer being produced. Here are a series of information leaflets.. Using Large Capacity Packs examines the advantages and issues in using these masive packs. RAM Pack Testing and Review, is a comprehensive test report of Andrew's 256K pack, Results and observaions is a Rampak Backup and Restore Test results paper useful for those with a large capacity Rampak who are looking for a secure method of making a backup of the data stored on it.
Programme development - the 256K and 32K Rampaks are great for developing programme packs as they are easy to reformat and MAKE the revised OPK as the programme is debugged and amended. This speeds up what is a long winded process when using Datapaks that need 30 minutes in a UV Formatter for each revision.
Psion 32K Rampaks
There are at least two different versions of the 32K Rampak Leaflet supplied by Psion with their 32K Rampaks. Pre and Post 1991. Both focus on the fact that different versions of the Organiser Operating System treat Rampaks in slightly different ways. Check both leaflats (below) to be sure of your Organiser and Rampak.
The DT Ram Page is the leaflet supplied by Dynasys Technologies Inc with their 128K Ram Page.
Formatter Leaflet
Flashpaks
The Republished PSION Organiser II Flash Datapak Formatter Instruction Leaflet (1993) - Create your own Flash Formatter Pack
You can of course purchase a Flash Formatter Pack from the powerful Pierre eBay store. But those with the facilities, inclination and a spare 16K datapak might want to create their own. See below for the facilities needed and the Developer section for the Developer Manual with exact syntax of commands used.
Generally speaking; prepare a blank (UV formatted) 16K or bigger standard Datapak. Connect your Organiser II to a PC with a Comms Link. Launch DosBox with the [Serial] pointing to the USB port and directory mounted (eg C:\PSION). Issue the MAKE command as outlined in the Developer manual.
A copy of the latest version (v19) of the Flash pack software - datapak image - FlashPak19.OPK
512K Flashpak
512K Flash Review
Here is a review and testing report for Andrew Menadue's 512K Flash Datapack. In summary the pack tests are positive. It passed all the format, read, write and delete tests. The timing for these operations being outlined in the report. As would be expected with a 'sequential' data storage the 'deeper' the files are on the pack the longer it takes to process.
The only issues with the pack were 'operator errors' created by loading the pack with multiple datapack images (OPK's) which contained duplicate copies of the same programming files (Boot and AddTop for example) these multiple copies of the same file confusing the operating system and corrupting the data. The report makes reference to the corrupted Flash Pack Image (BadPack.OPK) which for those that are interested can be found along with other relevant files in the BadPack.ZIP file (here).
Datapak Storage Magazine
Enthusiasts looking for a storage solution for their accumulated Dapapaks, Rampaks and Flashpaks might want to consider the magazine / cassette here.
USB Powered
SDCard Gadget
Andrew has produced two versions of his SDCard Datapak Gadget
(1) USB Powered
(2) Hardwired Organiser Powered
Originally I considered the SDCard Gadget as a replacement for a large memory RAM, Data or Flash pack. Since then it occurred to me that this ‘approach’ is misguided and the gadget can be considered an on board replacement for the Comms Link; while Andrew describes it as a library of ROM datapacks.
Be sure that the Organiser Powered Gadget doesn't automatically time out when idle.
These notes might help those lucky enough to get a gadget to test.
Psion Organiser II users who would like to comment or are looking for further information or instructions can leave a message for Martin