07/08/94
RISC OS 3 - which upgrade do I need ?

RISC OS 3 upgrade kits for all Acorn 32 bit systems are now available. 
We have had a number of calls asking which upgrade products are 
required for various computers, so here is a table showing what is 
needed for each model:

A305, A310, A440 and R140

This range of computers require the RISC OS Single User Software 
Upgrade Kit (ALA31). They will also require a Hardware Upgrade Kit 
(ALA32) which allows for the memory size of the new operating system 
to be taken into account. One issue that complicates this is that 
various third party memory upgrades for the 300 series provide the 
option to fit larger RISC OS chips at a later date - if the RISC OS 2 
chips are fitted in sockets which have two empty spaces on each side 
you may not require the Hardware Upgrade Kit.

A410/1, A420/1, A440/1, A3000, A540, R260 and A5000

This range only requires the RISC OS Single User Software Upgrade Kit 
(ALA31).

Schools can purchase Bulk Software Upgrade kits which contain 10 Sets 
of ROMS, 1 Set of Discs and 1 Set of Manuals, If they have the earlier 
systems they will of course require a Hardware Upgrade Kit for each 
machine.

A4, A3010, A3020, A4000

These machines are already fitted with RISC OS 3.

Computers with amnesia ?

All Acorn computers since the Master 128 have relied upon configuration 
settings being stored in a memory device which is kept powered even 
when the computer is switched off. This is usually, though incorrectly, 
referred to as CMOS RAM.

With the exception of the Master Compact, the power to maintain the 
settings (and the real time clock) comes from batteries inside the 
computer. The Master Compact used a device called an EEPROM (Electrically 
Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) which did not require a battery, 
but only allows a limited number of write operations - where a Master 
Compact is failing to retain it‘s settings this device may need replacing.

On most ARM based 32 bit systems the battery is a NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) 
cell, which is trickle-charged whilst the computer is switched on. This 
can mean that after a machine has been unused for a very long period it 
may need to be left on for several hours to recharge the battery. These 
batteries should not need replacing.

The Master 128, Archimedes 305/310, Archimedes 440 and Archimedes 400/1 
series all use a battery pack with conventional battery cells. The 
recommended replacement interval for these batteries is annually, however 
they will often work for much longer. Even now, it is not uncommon to see 
a 305/310 still on it‘s original pair of batteries! If you‘ve got one of 
these computers - when were your batteries last changed ?


Printing with First Word Plus


We receive a lot of enquiries concering printing from First Word Plus. 
First Word Plus is a little different to most applications in that it 
uses it‘s own printer drivers, though it is also possible to use the normal 
RISC OS drivers (!PrinterDM etc).  If your printer is not one of those 
supported (or cannot emulate one of these) then you will need to write your 
own printer driver.  This is easiest done by amending the source file of an 
existing driver to contain the correct command codes for your printer.  
Brief details of how to approach this task are given in the First Word 
Plus User Guide and more detailed instructions can be obtained by writing 
to Acorn‘s Customer Services Dept.

Happy Christmas from everyone in Acorn Customer Services