[OB] Installing a CF in an Omnibook 425 or 430

[hpl]

The text at:

http://24.237.160.4/files/omnibook/ob425/Software/ROM_image/readme.txt

 >>>

Using the OB425 Rom image

a) The OB 425 ROM image is 12MB in size. To use
it you need a linear flash card of at least this
size. I have used an Intel Series 2+ succesfully. Since
it is used only as ROM, both AMD and Intel type
cards should work.

b) You need hardware and software to copy the ROM
image to the flash card. Theoretically this could
be done on any laptop, but I have no programs which
do this.

c) My setup for copying is:an older ISA SCM Swapbox. SCM
will on request supply software to make image copies
to and from linear flash cards, working on Dos and
Windows. A copy takes about a minute or two.

d) You can not use the rest of the flash card for other
uses. I have tried to put a TFFS disk on the remainder
of my 20MB card, but it is not seen from the system slot.


Michel Bel

mailto:michel <AT.NOSPAM> belconsult.net 

<<<

Seems to suggest that copying a card is possible. I read
somewhere something about using the Linux "dd" command but
I can't seem to be able to find the link at this time.

BTW. Reading through the archives, I found that:

http://24.237.160.4/files/omnibook/elektro.chmnet.org_mirror/omni95.q2.txt

Answers pretty much all of my questions. Search for
"199506150547.WAA10119 at PEAK.ORG" and start
reading, things get more interesting later.

The following questions are answered:

1. The 430 ROM card is small, only 512K or below 2 Mb.
2. The 300/425/430 ROM cards can be swapped around
between the machines.
3. The 430 ROM requires 4-6 Mb of RAM or performance suffers.
4. Using the 425 or 430 ROM on a 300; thereby replacing
it's limited rev 1.0 card allows for access to larger storage media.

 >>>

The ROM card in the 430 works perfectly in the 300 or 425... It corrects many
problems and shortcomings, including drive limitations of the 300. It frees
up base memory, It turns OB300 and OB425's into vanila, generic machines and
allows you to run the software of your choice...

The original ROM card in the 300/425 contains about 10 Mbyte fo DOS, Windows,
Word, Excel, Laplink, etc...  In addition to this, the ROM contains a small
amount of HP code that allows hard drives above 40/80 Mbyte on the 300 and
allows the 425 to boot in a more normal way.

<<<

I knew this sounded familiar. I must have read this when I read
through the archives a few days ago.

Anyway. If anyone is kind enough to upload a 430 ROM, I'd
be happy to test if this works.