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HP 100LX

From Alfawiki
Hewlett-Packard
Company typePublic
IndustryInformation technology, Computer hardware
FoundedJanuary 1, 1939; 87 years ago (1939-01-01) in Palo Alto, California, United States
ProductsHP 200LX Palmtop PC, HP 100LX, HP Palmtop FX, HP 1000CX, HP OmniGo 700LX, HP 95LX, HP OmniGo 100
Websitewww.hp.com

The HP 200LX Palmtop PC (models F1060A, F1061A, F1216A), internally referred to as project Felix, is a personal digital assistant launched by Hewlett-Packard in August 1994. Marketed under the Palmtop PC category, it was distinguished by its high degree of DOS compatibility within a compact design, equipped with a monochrome graphical screen, a QWERTY keyboard, a serial interface, and a PCMCIA expansion slot. The "LX" designation stood for "Lotus Expandable".

Description

This unit incorporates a compact QWERTY keyboard including a numeric keypad, all enclosed in a clamshell chassis roughly one-quarter the size of a conventional laptop. It delivers 30 to 40 hours of operation powered by two AA alkaline or rechargeable batteries and supports charging Ni-Cd and NiMH batteries via an external 12 V DC power adapter.

At its core is an Intel 80186-compatible "Hornet" processor running at approximately 7.91 MHz, with an option to upgrade to 15.8 MHz. The HP 200LX shipped with memory configurations of 1, 2, or 4 MB RAM—allocating 640 KB as conventional memory and the balance usable as expanded memory or disk storage. Third-party enhancements can expand RAM up to 64 MB, thereby freeing the PCMCIA slot for network adapters such as modems or Ethernet cards compatible with models like Silicom, Accton 2212/2216, Netgear FA411, and Sohoware ND5120. Operating MS-DOS 5.0 from ROM, it supports most IBM PC software designed for Intel 8086/8088/80186 processors and CGA graphics, including select 80286 applications that do not require protected mode.

Connectivity options include a 16-bit PCMCIA Type II slot delivering up to 5 V at 150 mA, an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) SIR infrared port, and a full serial port utilizing a proprietary mini connector.

Pre-installed ROM software comprises Lotus 1-2-3 Release 2.4 spreadsheet, calendar, contact database, terminal emulator, Lotus cc:Mail, and scientific/business calculator utilities. With adequate CompactFlash storage and a serial mouse connected, Microsoft Windows 3.0 can operate in Real Mode—though constrained by hardware limitations—allowing Word 1.x and Excel 2.x to handle MS Office-compatible documents. Its CGA-compatible LCD screen presents graphics at a resolution of 640×200 pixels in four grayscale levels without backlighting; electroluminescent backlight modifications from third-party vendors became available starting in 2004.

While standard CGA displays lack customizable fonts and only support hardware code page 437, the HP 95LX model supported code page 850. Beginning with the HP 100LX and continuing through the LX series, user-selectable text mode ROM fonts are available for code pages 437 and 850 along with software-definable RAM fonts—including support for code pages 437G, 437T, 852, and 866 via KEYBEZ. Lotus 1-2-3 internally employs the Lotus International Character Set (LICS), which converts characters to code page 850 for both display and printing purposes.

HP 100LX

The HP 100LX Palmtop PC (F1020A with 1 MB RAM; F1022A with 2 MB RAM), codenamed project Cougar, served as the predecessor to the HP 200LX. Introduced in 1993, it was offered in multiple language editions including International English, U.S. English, French, German, and Spanish versions featuring localized keyboards and messages. It utilized the Hornet CPU alongside MS-DOS 5.0, but incorporated earlier iterations of built-in applications compared to its successor.

HP Palmtop FX

Introduced in 1993, the HP Palmtop FX is a variant of the HP 100LX featuring up to 2 MB of flash memory that can be updated. It supported flash disk images formatted with the FAT filesystem through a dedicated utility. According to one report, this model was designed specifically for a Korean insurance company.

HP 200LX AIA

The HP 200LX AIA represents a 2 MB, double-speed edition of the HP 200LX, produced exclusively for the insurance company American International Assurance (AIA).

HP 1000CX

Known internally as project Puma, the HP 1000CX Palmtop PC was released in two versions: F1203A with 1 MB in March 1995 and F1222A with 2 MB in February 1997. It served as a cost-effective alternative to the 200LX, lacking pre-installed software except for MS-DOS 5.0 embedded in ROM. This model found extensive use among corporations such as Coca-Cola for tailored logistics applications. Its black clamshell design distinguishes it from the darker green casing of the 200LX.

HP OmniGo 700LX

Developed by HP’s Singapore calculator division, the HP OmniGo 700LX Communicator Plus (F1206A), codenamed Columbia, integrates a modified HP 200LX motherboard with a Nokia 2110 GSM phone to provide wireless communication capabilities. It includes an additional PCMCIA slot designed for a Nokia Data Card. Launched in late 1995 with shipments commencing in March 1996, production ceased as mobile phone technology advanced. This device anticipated functionalities later incorporated into smartphones such as the Nokia 9000 Communicator.

HP 95LX

The HP 95LX Palmtop PC (F1000A with 512 KB and F1010A with 1 MB), introduced in April 1991 under project Jaguar, established the foundational design. Powered by a NEC V20 CPU running at 5.37 MHz, its quarter-CGA LCD and MDA-compatible graphics chip limited compatibility with many PC applications. It operated on MS-DOS 3.22 and included Lotus 1-2-3 Release 2.2 built-in. A CR2032 battery ensured memory retention when AA batteries were depleted.

HP OmniGo 100

The HP OmniGo 100 Organizer Plus (models F1305A/F1310A) was a more sophisticated successor within the LX lineup, incorporating features from the HP-12C calculator. It offered a graphical user interface navigable via pen input or keyboard but lacked compatibility with unmodified DOS programs. Running on DOS-based PEN/GEOS version 2.1 with Graffiti handwriting recognition layered over Datalight ROM-DOS 6.22, it struggled to gain traction as a calculator substitute amid the rise of Palm and Pocket PC devices. The system contained 1 MB of RAM and utilized a Vadem VG230/V5H controller paired with a 16 MHz NEC V30HL CPU compatible with the Intel 80186 instruction set.

Current usage

Although HP discontinued these devices to concentrate on their Windows CE offerings starting with the HP 300LX, interest in the HP OmniGo 100 persists due to its MS-DOS foundation, which supports an extensive range of compact and efficient desktop applications like Lotus 1-2-3 and Quicken. DOS-based software provided benefits over Windows CE by delivering greater efficiency and multitasking capabilities through utilities such as Software Carousel. The availability of third-party enhancements and repair services continues to extend these devices’ usability.

The compact form factor of the HP 200LX gained particular popularity in Japan, inspiring an open-source project initiated by to create an AMD Élan SC400-based successor around 2001. Only one prototype was completed before the initiative ended following bankruptcy in 2003, amid disputes concerning unreturned deposits and component shortages attributed to demand within the mobile phone sector.

Frequent issues

  • The right hinge on the injected-molded case top is prone to cracking due to inadequate molding flow; users often reinforce it using industrial-strength super glue or metal-epoxy patches.
  • The case latch can malfunction but is repairable by inserting a thin piece of rubber or sponge to act as a spring.
  • It is essential to use premium AA rechargeable batteries exclusively to avoid leakage that may harm the LCD’s flat video cable.
  • Pixel loss on the display might result from loose pins on surface-mount device (SMD) chips; this is frequently fixable through solder reflow techniques.
  • Intensive usage can lead to detachment of the space bar and enter keys, which generally necessitates keyboard replacement.
  • The flex cable linking the screen to the motherboard is susceptible to tearing from friction and usually requires substitution.
  • Keys that become unresponsive are often caused by degraded graphite-to-gold pad contacts; restoring connectivity can be achieved by applying conductive silver paint or copper tape. Corroded motherboard pads may be polished to remedy the problem. These repairs require meticulous skill and electronic expertise.

Limitations in full IBM PC compatibility

  • The HP 100LX/200LX’s digital-to-analog converter does not support audio tone playback; instead, it functions to monitor battery status and charging.
  • This device does not include the BIOS service (INT 13h) necessary for hard drive access. Partial drivers have been created to allow booting of MINIX 2.0.

Additional information

  • The HP 200LX was employed during NASA’s Discovery OV103 Mission STS-95, which was Senator John Glenn’s final flight, as part of an Electronic Nose experiment developed by Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Caltech, overseen by Dan Karmon at JPL.
  • Although third-party applications enable video and audio playback on the HP 200LX, quality remains low. It can record audio but lacks compatible PCMCIA sound cards. MIDI audio output is achievable using serial port devices such as the Yamaha MU10 with Voyetra or GSPlay software. Parallel port options like OPL3LPT cards provide gaming sound capabilities.
  • Various software and hardware options exist to facilitate Internet connectivity on the HP 200LX.
  • Serial numbers for HP models 100LX, 200LX, 1000CX, and OmniGo 700LX adhere to the pattern XXYWWNNNNN, where:
XX denotes the country of manufacture (e.g., SG for Singapore)
Y represents the final digit of the production year (e.g., 6 for 1996)
WW indicates the week number of manufacture
NNNNN is the sequential unit number produced in that week

Hidden features

The HP 200LX includes several hidden features, such as:

Secret gallery

Within the built-in game "Lair of Squid," entering "gallery" (translated according to language settings) at startup unlocks a maze segment showcasing photos of principal software developers:

  • Andy Gryc
  • Pat Megowan
  • Everett Kaser
  • Bill Johnson
  • Lynn Winter
  • Susan Wechsler
  • Eric Evett

The concluding panel displays a gratitude message from the Felix software team, recognizing contributors from HP and affiliated companies.

Self-test limerick

This hidden feature appears in the HP 200LX self-test mode. With the device powered off, initiating self-test mode by pressing , then navigating to the display option and pressing fourteen times reveals a limerick poem:

Self-diagnostic poem 2

Within the HP 200LX self-test environment, activating the sequence by pressing , then holding while tapping 13 times at the display option uncovers a mysterious poem that symbolizes the obstacles encountered by the software development team:

Self-diagnostic poem 3

While in self-test mode, pressing , then holding and pressing 13 times at the display unveils a metaphorical poem narrating the legacy and prospective path of HP LX palmtops. The codenames for HP 95LX, HP 100LX, and HP 200LX were 'Jaguar', 'Cougar', and 'Felix' correspondingly; notably, Felix was the inaugural LX model to include Quicken:

Concealed developer tool in 'More Applications'

In the HP 200LX System Manager, pressing and holding followed by four presses of , then a single press of (after launching 'More Applications' via the blue key) displays comprehensive information about System Manager-compatible (.EXM) applications alongside other system details. This feature appears intended as a development utility rather than a conventional easter egg.

Undocumented hexadecimal calculator

The HP 200LX contains a hidden calculator app named HEXCALC, created by Andrew Gryc. It facilitates arithmetic and logical computations in binary, octal, decimal, and hexadecimal formats. To add HEXCALC to the applications menu, use this configuration:

  • Name: He&x Calc
  • Path: D:\BIN\HEXCALC.EXM

See also

Further reading

  • The Evolution of the HP Palmtops – An HP engineer recounts the design process behind the HP 95LX and HP 100LX. The HP Palmtop Paper, November–December 1993.
  • The First Real Palmtop by Chris Lott, Hackaday, December 2020.
  • The story of the 1991 HP DOS Palmtop – Transitioning from an advanced calculator to a fully DOS-compatible PC. Bryan Lunduke, 2022.
  • The HP 200LX: A Review by Rob Tillotson.
  • Sy's HP 200LX review.
  • Articles on NASA STS-95 E-Nose experiment and related technologies in The HP Palmtop Paper.
  • Results from the Space Shuttle STS-95 Electronic Nose Experiment (NASA).
  • HP 200LX profile at Old-Computers.com Museum.

External links

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