In the following pages, I have tried to summarize many of the documented and
undocumented features of the Zoomer.
Please keep in mind that many of these features may result in data loss so
uose them at your own risk. There is no warranty as to the accuracy or
completeness of this work. Please notify the author at the address below
regarding corrections to this FAQ.
Chris De Herrrera
ChrisD16@AOL.COM
All product names, logos, trademarks or registered trademarks are property of
their respected owners.
Casio Z-7000, Tandy Z-PDA, AST Gridpad 2390
The Casio Z-7000, Tandy Z-PDA and AST Gridpad 2390 are all the same machine,
the Zoomer.
The machine was engineered by Casio, Palm Computing, Datalight and Geoworks.
Casio designed the hardware. Datalight provided it's ROM-DOS v3.31. Palm
Computing provided most of the applications that run on the Zoomer. Geoworks
provided Geoworks v2.0 and also provides development software for the Zoomer
in it's SDK.
Hats off to all for a job well done!
Accessories - Casio
-------------------
The following accessories are available from Casio resellers:
AD-B60080 AC Power Adapter
SB-82 Modem Cable 18" DB25
SB-92 PC Cable
XC-100 1.8mb Memory Card
XP-1 Replacement Stylus
XP-3 Deluxe Pen
Z-125 Palm Connect $129.95
Z-225 Leather Case
Z-325 Modem Cable, Leather Case and Deluxe Pen
Accessories - Geoworks
----------------------
The following accessories are available from Geoworks (800-824-4558, ext
450):
Quick Shuffle Card $34.99 - 5 Games (Black Jack, Poker, Match Pairs and
Hearts)
Geoworks SDK CDRom $99.00 - Reqired for development of Geoworks applications
for PCs and the Zoomer. The SDK requires Borland C3.1.
Note: The Zip and Zing cards are not available.
Accessories - Palm Computing
----------------------------
Palm Computing provides the following accessories for the Zoomer:
Palm Connect - File transfer software and PC applications (same as Zoomer)
$129.95
Palm Uitilities - Tools that make the Zoomer more efficient. $39.95
Graffiti - Replacement handwriting recognition software (fast and accurate)
$79.95
They also offer serial cables and other accessories.
To order the above accessories, call (800) 881-PALM.
Accessories - PDA Direct
------------------------
The following accessories are available from PDA Direct:
Form Factor #25001 $99.95
PalmConnect #25002 $104.95
Palm Uitilities #25003 $29.95
Graffiti #25004 $74.95
Call (800) 279-4PDA ext. 112.
See the Accessories - Palm Computing for more information.
Accessories - Tandy
-------------------
The folllowin accessories are available from Tandy for the Zoomer:
16-2018 AC Adapter
25-3101 Serial Cable - Null Modem ( to 9 pin)
25-3103 Replacement Stylus (2 per pack)
25-3104 Deluxe Ball Point Pen Stylus
25-3105 Pocket Modem Zoom 2400
25-3106 Serial Cable (to 25 pin)
25-3107 1.8mb Sundisk Flashdisk
25-3108 Leather Slip Case
25-3109 PalmConnect PC Software
25-3110 Intellilink for Windows (requires additional cable)
25-3111 Motorola NewsCard
25-3112 AMT 2400 BPS Modem
25-3113 Serial to Parallel Adapter
Note: The infrared interface for the PC serial port was never available
(25-3102)
Call (800) THE-SHACK to order any of the above accessories.
Accessories - Miscellaneous
---------------------------
The following accesories are available:
Motorola EMBARC Newscard
$249.99 Call(800) EMBARC4
Intuit Pocket Quicken Back-Up Software $19.95 Call Intuit (415) 852-9696
WriteRight screen covers - prevents scratches of the screen $11.95 for 4 Call
The Concept Kitchen (415) 929-1002
Applications that Work
----------------------
The following applications work on the Zoomer:
Geoworks:
ALARM.GEO - Alarm, doen't wake up the Zoomer.
BTTLRFT.GEO - Game - Battle Raft
CLOCK.GEO - Displays Time
CMPIT.GEO - Compress It text file compressor
FF.GEO - File Finder
GEOGO.GEO - Game - Like Oki
IZL.GEO - IZL Program Interpreter
MAZE.GEO - Game - Maze Runner v1.0.6
MINES.GEO - Game - Mine Sweeper
MG_HELPV.GEO - MG's Help Viewer
PIANO.GEO - a Piano
PREF4PAC.ZIP - A set of preferences
TXTRDR.GEO - TextReader v1.1
TOWERS .GEO - Game - Towers of Hanoi
ZCOMLITE.GEO - Terminal Program
DOS:
PKUNZIPJR.COM - Pkunzip file unzipper
DIET.EXE - File Compressor - no real gain since all file get uncompressed by
the file manager.
Stacker - Works great to double the amount of disk space available.
Recommended for use only on PCMCIA cards.
Applications that Don't Work
----------------------------
The following applications do not work on the Zoomer:
Geoworks:
File Peeper
PERF.GEO - Geoworks Performance Monitor
DOS:
*** Any Application that REQUIRES input from the keyboard.
Zoomer Drives and Files
-----------------------
The Zoomer contains the following drives:
A: - ROM boot drive.
B: - RAM storage drive (350k) Alternate boot disk if you have CONFIG.SYS,
AUTOEXEC.BAT and COMMAND.COM.
C: - RAM PCMCIA storage card.
SYS: - ROM Geoworks applications - Only accessible while in Geoworks. Only
visible when using the Zoomer File Manager.
Boot Sequence:
1. If B: has CONFIG.SYS, the system will attempt to boot on B: Remember, you
must have AUTOEXEC.BAT and COMMAND.COM in order to complete the boot.
WARNING - If you do not, the system is unrecoverable and you must do a hard
boot.
2. Boot from A:
Geoworks Directory Merge:
1. The SYS: and C: directories and files are accessible to Geoworks when
they occupy the same directory structure. Only \GEOWORKS and its
subdirectories are overlaid.
2. The precedence order is B: ,C:,SYS:. Where B: files are always seen.
In File Manager all files that are underlined are on other drives (SYS: or
C:).
Each address book entry is limited to 32k.
Each note book page is limited to 32k.
Zoomer DOS Config & Commands
----------------------------
Here's a list of the commands available for the Zoomer. Please note that
Datalight provided the ROM-DOS v3.31 which is included in the Zoomer.
For users that are used to using MS-DOS, ROM-DOS is nearly identical. Keep
in mind that only commands for v3.3 are supported on the Zoomer.
Thanks to the support of Datalight the following information is available.
Let me know if you find any additional commands that are not documented.
Config.sys Commands:
--------------------
On the following pages configuration commands are listed.
Each command must be on a separate line on the config.sys. The commands can
be in upper or lower case. The config.sys and autoexec.bat file must be on
the B:\ drive in order to work.
BREAK - Turns on and off the ability to stop program execution at a non-i/o
point.
Default: OFF
Ex: BREAK=ON
Note: This wil not benefit the Zoomer due to it's lack of a keyboard.
BUFFERS - Sets the number of internal data buffers.
Default: 2
Ex: BUFFERS=20
Note: The benefit of buffers is minimal insystems that do nothave physical
disk drives.
DEVICE - Installs a new device driver in6o ROM DOS.
Ex: DEVICE=A:SDPCHAR.SYS
FCBS - Specifies the number of File Control Blocks open at one time.
Default: 4,0
Max: 255
Ex: FCBS=10,20
Note: Most dos applications do not use these file handles. These file
handles are for backward compatibility to old dos applications.
FILES - Sets the maximum number of files that can be open at one time on the
system.
Default: 8
Max: 255
Ex: FILES=20
LASTDRIVE - Sets the maximum number of drives available.
Default: E
Max: Z
Ex: LASTDRIVE=F
SHELL - Allows the selection of an alternate command processor other than the
default COMMAND.COM.
Default: The COMMAND.COM must be on the boot device.
Ex: SHELL=A:\COMMAND.COM /P
Autoexec.bat and Batch Commands:
--------------------------------
The following commands are for use in AUTOEXEC.BAT and other batch files.
CALL - Invokes execution of a secondary batch file. The original batch file
will continue after the secondary one is complete.
Ex: CALL TEST.BAT parm1 parm2 ... parm9
CHDIR or CD - Changes the default directory .
Ex: CD B:\GEOWORKS
CD \GEOWORKS\WORLD
CLS - Clears the screen.
Ex: CLS
COPY - Copies files from one drive/directory to another one.
Ex: COPY A:\COMMAND.COM B:\
COPY B:\GEOWORKS\GEOS.INI B:\GEOS.INI
CTTY - Changes the default terminal for interacting with ROM-DOS.
Ex: CTTY COM1:
Note: Currently no devices are known to work with this command.
DATE - Allows the user to change the date and time.
Ex: DATE 10/1/94
Note: If you do not provide the date as a parameter, the system must be soft
reset because it will be waiting for the user to type the date in on the
prompt. The user will not lose any data, however.
DEL - Deletes specified files.
Ex: DEL *.* (Delete all files)
DEL B:\TEST.BAT
DEL B:\*.DAT (Delete all .dat files)
Note: Files that are deleted cannot be recovered.
DIR - Lists the contents of a specified directory.
Ex: DIR (Display all files)
DIR *.BAT (Display all .bat files)
DIR A:\
ECHO - Turns on or off the display of batch commands on the monitor.
Default: Echo is on
Ex: ECHO OFF
ECHO ON
ERASE - Same as DEL. See DEL for more details
EXIT - Ends control of spawned command processor or CALL comand.
Ex: EXIT
Note: You cannot exit from the base command processor.
FOR - Performs one DOS command on a set of files.
Ex: FOR [%%variable] IN (*.*) DO [command] [parameters]
Note: The %%variable will contain the single file name to be processed. The
IN clause can be adjusted to contain any set of files. the command can be
any command or batch file and the %% variable may be used as a parameter to
this command
GOTO - Moves control to a specified label in the batch file.
Ex: :TEST
ECHO Hello
GOTO TEST
Note: The above example will create a loop which can only end with a soft
reset. Be careful with the Zoomer since it can not issue a control-break to
end programs.
IF - Performs a command based upon a specific condition.
Ex: IF EXIST(A:\COMMAND.COM) ECHO HERE
IF NOT EXIST(A:\COMMAND.COM ECHO THERE
Note: This can be combined with the use of GOTO to create conditional loops
(while do, do until).
MKDIR or MD - Creates a directory.
Ex: MKDIR B:\BACKUP
MD B:\REPORTS
Note: This will only create a directory one level below existing
directories.
PATH - Allows the user to change or display the current search path for
executing programs.
Default: Path is not set.
Ex: PATH (displays current path)
PATH B:\UTIL
Note: The longer the path, the slower the Zoomer will operate.
PAUSE - Causes execution to halt until a key is pressed.
Ex: PAUSE
Note: The Zoomer does not stop and wait for a keystroke prior to continuing.
It does wait about 10 seconds prior to continuing.
PROMPT - Changes the apearance of the system prompt line.
Ex: PROMPT $P$G
(Display the drive and the directory)
Note: There are many parameters for this command. Please consult your DOS
manual for details.
REM - Identifies non-executing batch lines.
Ex: REM This does nothing
Note: The use of REMs is encouraged to document what the batch file is
doing at critical stages.
REN - Renames one or more files.
Ex: REN TEST.BAT TEMP.BAT
Note: This command can use wildcards (* or ?) as parameters.
RMDIR or RM - Delete a specific directory.
Ex: RMDIR B:\TEST
RM B:\DOC
Note: The directory must be empty before it may be removed. Once a
directory is removed, it cannot be recovered.
SET - Sets environment variables and command processor strings.
Ex: SET COMSPEC=C:\COMMAND.COM
SET TEMP=B:\
SET (Displays all environment variables)
Note: The use of this command may require you to increase the environment
space. See SHELL.
SHIFT - Shifts parameters one to the left.
Ex: TEST.BAT ONE TWO THREE FOUR
SHIFT
(%1= TWO, %2=THREE, %3=FOUR)
TIME - Displays the current time from the system's internal clock.
Ex: TIME 10:00 (changes time to 10:00 am)
TIME 23:00 (changes time to 11:00 pm)
TIME (displays current time and prompts for a new time)
Note: If you use TIME to display the current time, you must soft reset the
Zoomer in order to recover.
TYPE - Displays the contents of a text file on the monitor.
Ex: TYPE B:\GEOWORKS\GEOS.INI
Note: You can not stop a long file from being displayed completely.
VER - Displays current version of ROM-DOS.
Ex: VER
VERIFY - Displays the current VERIFY state or set the VERIFY state on or off.
Ex: VERIFY (displays state)
VERIFY ON
VERIFY OFF
Note: Turning VERIFY ON will result in reduced performance since the system
must write the data and then read it, thus taking twice as long.
Zoomer Hardware
---------------
The following is a description of the Zoomer's hardware. This discussion is
very technical. It is drawn from the Tandy Service Manual p/n 25-3100.
THE FOLLOWING IS MY BEST GUESS BASED UPON READING THE SCHEMATICS. PLEASE USE
THIS INFORMATION WITH CAUTION!
Major Components:
CPU: NEC V20 equivalent p/n uPD 95130GD-5ML. This chip includes the
interrupt controller, timers, infrared, and LCD controller. Also includes
memory management unit (suspected to be EMS). The data bus is 8 bits and the
address bus is 20 bits (1mb address space). Also has a custom timing
generator for all the above components.
Bus Controller: p/n MBCG25173-5104 Controls the Touch Panel, Sound Interface,
PCMCIA Card Interface, and RS-232 Interface. Also provides real time clock.
RS-232 Driver: p/n MAX223CAI-T Converts power from 3v to 5v.
Sound DAC: p/n uPD65043GF-U01-3B8 It is an 8 bit DAC known to be drivable at
8khz.
PCMCIA Card Interface circuit: This interface only supports 8 bit cards not
16 bit cards. It is limited to 50milliaperes and 5 volts. PCMCIA type II
cards are supported.
System Information:
Timers:
0 - IRQ0
1 - IRQ1
2 - IRQ2
3 - Buzzer
Interrupts:
0 - Timer0
1 - Timer1
2 - Timer2
3 - Keypad
4 - Serial/Infrared
5 - Time Alarm from Real Time Clock
6 - Real Time Clock
7 - Touch Panel
8 - PCMCIA Card
9 - Sound
A - Keypad
B,C - Card Lock Switch Status
D - Memory Management Trap
Known Memory Addresses:
0000 to AFFF - RAM
Memory Management Chip Selects:
CS0 - 512k RAM
CS1 - 512k RAM
CS2 - unused (RAM)
CS3 - unused (RAM)
CS4 - 1mb ROM
CS5 - 1mb ROM
CS6 - 1mb ROM
CS7 - 1mb ROM
All of the above RAMs and ROMs are on a daughter card so they can be upgraded
easily.
All I/O addresses are unknown at this time.
The custom serial connector's p/n:
TX20A-10RV-D2ITAIL
Serial port pinout
1 - Ground
2 - Recieve
3 - Transmit
4 - Data Terminal Ready
5 - Frame Ground (internally not connected)
6 - Data Set Ready
7 - Request to Send
8 - Clear to Send
9 - Ring Indicator
10 - Carrier Detect
PCMCIA Cards
------------
The following cards work with the Zoomer:
SRAM Cards:
Apple Newton 1mb SRAM p/n 649-0013A
Flash Cards:
All Sundisk flash cards. Sundisk (800) 535-2943
Maxtor MobileMax flash cards (2,4,8,12,16 and 20mb) Maxtor (800 462-9867
G44-1410 1.8mb card
G44-1412 2.6mb card
G44-1415 5.2mb card
HP 128 RAM card
Modems:
AMT Starcard 2400 modem
AMT Starcard 14.4k modem (714) 375-0306
Pagers:
Motorola EMBARC Newscard
Remember, SRAM cards require a separate battery to power the card. It must
be replaced periodically or you lose the data.\(about once a year). Most
cards will work for about 10 minutes or longer withouth a battery.
Also, SRAM is faster than Flash.
The following cards do NOT work with the Zoomer:
Megahertz 14.4 gold modem
Megahertz XJack 14400
Apple Newton Flash cards (1 and 2mb)
FTP/BBS Sites, Mail Lists, Newsgroups
-------------------------------------
The following FTP sites have Zoomer files on them:
ftp.biostat.washington.edu - /pub/zoomer
ftp.netcom.com - /pub/palm
Here's a BBS that has Zoomer files:
CyperPort (408) 227-1635, 14.4k bps
Let me know if you know of other FTP or BBS sites that have Zoomer files on
them.
Zoomer Mailing List:
To subscribe send a mail message to:
listserv@grot.starconn.com
with the following commands in the message body:
subscribe zoomer-list firstname lastname
quit
Replace firstname and lastname with your real name.
Newsgroups:
comp.os.geos - Geoworks software questions.
comp.os.palmtops - Palm based PC systems
Comp.os.handhelds - handheld calculators & PCs
Penright
--------
Penright is available for the Zoomer!
Penright comes installed on a Sundisk ram card. It allows easy switching
from Geoworks to Penright and vice versa.
Custom applications can be provided for vertical markets by purchasing the
Penright! PRO SDK and the AST GRIDPAD 2390 SDK. To order, call (510)
249-6900.
Call Penright! Corp at (800) 736-3616 for details.