Limits of add-on memory for iPAQ 3630?

[Johnpa]

I found one I would like to buy for a GPS nav system.

The seller says it includes a 2 GIG CF card to load as much map as possible. However on the specs of the iPAQ is says it's maximum memory is limited to 64 MB CF card. Does the specs mean active ram memory, as opposed to just a place to store data for maps?

Also.. the screen is 240x320.. is that resolution enough to read maps well?

This is a pretty big purchase for me, I'd prefer not to make a mistake.

Thank you!

John

[ogletree]

In my earlier post [webmasterworld.com] I talked about how I did it with my Dell Axim. 64 should be enough. Actually the 32 on board should be enough but that would be the only thing you could use it for. Another option is to get the CF sleeve for it or the PCMCIA sleeve and a CF adapter. A map of the whole metro Houston area which is very big is only 10MB. You will never get the whole US on that thing even with a lot more memory. The way it is done is you do a route on your PC then it sends only the data for that route to the IPAq. You can get micro drives that might hold a couple states. You would need the sleeve for that.

[ogletree]

I saw a 3630 today that had a 128MB CF chip in the CF sleeve. I have no idea what they are talking about on the IPAQ specs but if you have the CF sleeve you can put as big as you want. The 3630 will not take CF without the black CF sleeve or a PCMCIA sleeve with a CF adapter.

[Johnpa]

You two have ben very helpful. Thank you. I ordered the unit today, it has CF sleeves included with it. The guy never opened the GPS box.. hope it works. :)

John

[Johnpa]

Oops... I meant to say you have been very helpful! :)

[ogletree]

What software do you plan to use with the GPS.

[Johnpa]

The prior owner is included TeleType.. which from my reading looks pretty good.

I got all the stuff today. Yeah new toy! Now I just have to make it all work.

First stumper is the 2GB HDD PC card. I inserted it, but the Ipaq doesn't recognize it. Must need formatting or something. I have some reading to do.

[ogletree]

Put it into a laptop and see if it workds first.

[Johnpa]

I did try the car in a laptop, and it is fine.

So I pulled the expansion pack off, and re-inserted it. Failure to initialize expansion pack error.

So now Either the expansion pack is bad, or the iPaq itself is bad. Either way I'm not happy. What is worse is without spare parts, I don't know which one is bad. :(

[ogletree]

The cheapest way to tell is to get a CF Card adapter for the PC Card and put in a CF card if that works then it is ok. Also you should be able to find a cheap 802.11 card to stick in there.

[Johnpa]

And the answer is...

I downloaded the current ROM update from compaq, and now the CF expansion pack is recognized!

I don't think any updates were ever applied to the Ipaq. Yeah!

[ogletree]

By the way have you ever hosed an Ipaq rom. You get to see the Parot and use an Ipaq serial cable to install via your computer.

Turn off the iPAQ. Hold down the joystick buttonand press reset. You will see a parrot display. If you connect your iPAQ to a serial port you will also have an internal debugger.

[redvoll]

IN terms of hosing a 3630, are there other options if the reset approach does not work? I have an option to get a 3630 that the owner can not rescue? Is it worth it?

[ogletree]

Yes. If you can get the parrot up all you need is a copy of the ROM image a computer and a serial cable for the Ipaq. it is very easy. Just google for ipaq parrot.