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HP F1310A

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article HP F1310A, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 8 August 20255 sources
Hewlett-Packard
IndustryComputer hardware
FoundedJanuary 1, 1939; 87 years ago (1939-01-01)
ProductsHP 200LX Palmtop PC

The HP 200LX Palmtop PC (models F1060A, F1061A, F1216A), codenamed project Felix, is a personal digital assistant introduced by Hewlett-Packard in August 1994. Positioned as a Palmtop PC, it gained recognition for its extensive DOS compatibility, featuring a monochrome graphic screen, QWERTY keyboard, serial interface, and a PCMCIA expansion slot. The designation "LX" signifies "Lotus Expandable".

Description

The device utilizes a compact QWERTY keyboard with an integrated numeric keypad housed within a clamshell design approximately one-quarter the size of a conventional notebook computer. Power is supplied by two AA alkaline or Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries, providing 30 to 40 hours of operation, with charging supported through a 12 V DC power adapter.

At its core, the HP 200LX is equipped with an Intel 80186-compatible processor ("Hornet") running at roughly 7.91 MHz, which can be overclocked to 15.8 MHz. Memory configurations include 1, 2, or 4 MB—comprising 640 KB of RAM plus expanded memory or storage options. Third-party upgrades can increase RAM up to 64 MB, thereby freeing the PCMCIA slot for modem or Ethernet cards; compatible network cards include models from Silicom, Accton (2212/2216), Netgear FA411, and Sohoware ND5120. Operating on MS-DOS 5.0 stored in ROM and maintaining IBM PC/XT compatibility, it supports the majority of software designed for Intel 8086/8088/80186 processors with CGA graphics, along with some 80286 applications that do not require protected mode. Expansion capabilities feature a 16-bit PCMCIA Type II slot (operating at 5 V with a maximum current of 150 mA), an infrared port compliant with IrDA standards, and a full serial port utilizing a proprietary mini connector.

Preloaded ROM applications include Lotus 1-2-3 Release 2.4, calendar, phone book, terminal emulator, Lotus cc:Mail client, and scientific/business calculators. When paired with a large CompactFlash card and a serial mouse, it is capable of running Microsoft Windows 3.0 in Real Mode—enabling use of Word 1.x and Excel 2.x for Windows to generate MS Office-compatible documents. The CGA-compatible LCD screen provides a resolution of 640×200 pixels in four shades of gray without backlighting; however, electroluminescent backlight kits from third parties are available but require good vision or the use of zoom modes (2× and 4×) for effective readability.

In contrast to true CGA screens limited to hardware code page 437, the HP 95LX supported code page 850. Beginning with the HP 100LX model, the LX series introduced user-switchable text mode ROM fonts for code pages 437 and 850 along with software-definable RAM fonts supporting additional code pages (such as 437G, 437T, 852, and 866 via KEYBEZ). Lotus 1-2-3 internally employs the Lotus International Character Set but converts characters to code page 850 for display and printing purposes.

HP 100LX

The HP 100LX Palmtop PC (model numbers F1020A for the 1 MB version and F1022A for the 2 MB version), also referred to as project Cougar, served as the immediate predecessor to the HP 200LX. Released in 1993, it was offered in multiple language editions including International English, U.S. English, French, German, and Spanish—with localized keyboards and system messages. It featured the same Hornet CPU and ran MS-DOS 5.0, albeit with earlier versions of built-in applications.

HP Palmtop FX

The HP Palmtop FX represents a variant of the HP 100LX equipped with up to 2 MB of flash memory that could be reprogrammed. Introduced in 1993, this model allowed creation and writing of FAT filesystem flash disk images to drive F: through a dedicated utility named FLASHDSK.EXE. It was reportedly developed specifically for use by a Korean insurance company.

HP 200LX AIA

The HP 200LX AIA represents a 2 MB, enhanced-speed edition of the HP 200LX, created exclusively for American International Assurance (AIA).

HP 1000CX

Known as project Puma, the HP 1000CX Palmtop PC (model F1203A with 1 MB released in March 1995, and F1222A with 2 MB launched in February 1997) serves as a budget-friendly alternative to the 200LX. Unlike its counterpart, it comes without pre-installed software aside from MS-DOS 5.0 embedded in ROM. This model found widespread adoption in corporate environments such as Coca-Cola for logistical applications. It is distinguished by its black clamshell design, differing from the dark green hue of the 200LX.

HP OmniGo 700LX

The HP OmniGo 700LX Communicator Plus (F1206A), internally referred to as Columbia, was engineered by HP’s calculator division located in Singapore. This 2 MB unit is a customized HP 200LX adapted to connect with a Nokia 2110 GSM mobile phone through an additional PCMCIA slot, enabling wireless communication on the go. Its sizeable pebble-shaped housing was designed to accommodate the phone attachment seamlessly. Announced toward the end of 1995 and available from March 1996, production ended following the Nokia 2110’s obsolescence. The OmniGo 700LX is recognized as a forerunner to early smartphone models such as the Nokia 9000 Communicator.

HP 95LX

Released in April 1991 under project name Jaguar, the HP 95LX Palmtop PC (F1000A with 512 KB and F1010A with 1 MB) laid the groundwork for subsequent designs. It operated on a NEC V20 processor clocked at 5.37 MHz but was constrained by its quarter-CGA resolution display and MDA-compatible graphics chip, limiting compatibility with many PC applications. Running MS-DOS 3.22, it came preloaded with Lotus 1-2-3 Release 2.2 and utilized a CR2032 battery to maintain memory during AA battery swaps.

HP OmniGo 100

The HP OmniGo 100 Organizer Plus (models F1305A/F1310A) was developed as a more sophisticated follow-up to the LX series, incorporating features from the HP-12C calculator. It offered a graphical user interface navigable via pen input or keyboard; however, it could not execute unmodified DOS software. Its main platform was DOS-based PEN/GEOS version 2.1 with Graffiti handwriting recognition running on Datalight ROM-DOS 6.22. Despite its advanced functionality, it failed to replace calculators effectively due to competition from Palm and Pocket PC devices dominating the PDA market. The system contained 1 MB RAM and was built on the Vadem VG230/V5H hardware platform powered by a 16 MHz NEC V30HL CPU compatible with the Intel 80186 instruction set.

Current usage

Although HP shifted focus away from this product line towards Windows CE devices beginning with the HP 300LX, enthusiasm for the HP OmniGo and HP 200LX persisted owing to their MS-DOS foundation and bundled applications such as Lotus 1-2-3 and Quicken. DOS-based programs provided compact, efficient alternatives compared to Windows CE offerings, with utilities like Software Carousel facilitating simultaneous execution of multiple applications.

Support through third-party upgrades and repairs continues to prolong these devices’ operational life.[1][2][3]

The HP 200LX gained significant popularity in Japan, prompting an open-source project aimed at creating an AMD Élan SC400-based successor in 2001.[4] Unfortunately, only a single prototype was completed before financial difficulties led to bankruptcy in 2003. Following this, accusations of fraudulent activity emerged after numerous depositors lost money; project organizers attributed delays to component shortages caused by high demand within the mobile phone sector.[5]

Frequent Issues

  • Cracks frequently appear near the right hinge on the injection-molded case top, caused by inadequate molding flow; these can be repaired using industrial-strength super glue or epoxy combined with metal reinforcement.
  • The case latch may malfunction but can be restored by placing a slender rubber or silicone strip to act as a spring replacement.
  • To prevent leakage that could harm the LCD video cable, only premium AA rechargeable batteries should be used.
  • Older units might experience loss of display pixel columns due to detached pins on surface-mount device (SMD) chips; reflowing these pins through soldering can recover display functionality.
  • Intensive usage can cause detachment of spacebar or enter keys, often requiring keyboard replacement.
  • The flex cable connector linking the screen to the motherboard is vulnerable to wear and tearing from friction; if damaged, it generally needs to be replaced.
  • Non-responsive keyboard keys are commonly caused by weakened contact between graphite and gold pads; restoring conductivity with silver conductive paint or copper tape applied to the graphite pads can resolve this. Corroded motherboard pads can be cleaned and polished using fine steel wool. These repairs demand careful disassembly and proficiency in electronics.

Non-Standard IBM PC Compatibility

  • The HP 100LX/200LX’s digital-to-analog converter cannot generate audio tones, as it is dedicated to monitoring battery status and charging functions instead.
  • This device does not support the BIOS INT 13h service for hard disk access; however, limited device driver support exists that allows booting MINIX 2.0.

Additional Information

  • NASA’s Discovery OV103 Mission STS-95, notable as Senator John Glenn’s final flight, utilized the HP 200LX in an electronic nose experiment developed collaboratively by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and California Institute of Technology (Caltech), overseen by Dan Karmon of JPL.
  • With third-party applications created by Stefan Peichl, the HP 200LX can play video and audio files, albeit at low fidelity. It supports sound recording, though no known compatible PCMCIA sound cards exist. Yamaha MU10 MIDI sound modules operate through the serial port using Voyetra or GSPlay MIDI players; for gaming purposes, Terrence Vergauwen employs a PCMCIA parallel port card combined with an OPL3LPT Adlib-compatible sound card connected via the parallel port.
  • Both software and hardware options enable Internet connectivity on the HP 200LX.
  • Serial numbers for HP 100LX, 200LX, 1000CX, and OmniGo 700LX models follow this pattern:
XXYWWNNNNN
XX denotes manufacturing country (e.g., SG for Singapore)
Y represents the last digit of the production year (e.g., 6 for 1996)
WW indicates the week number in which it was produced
NNNNN is the sequential unit number made that week

Hidden Features

The HP 200LX contains several embedded easter eggs:

Secret Photo Gallery

Within the built-in game "Lair of Squid," entering "gallery" at startup (localized as "gallerie" on French units; "siegergalerie" on German versions; "galeria" on Spanish models) unlocks a maze area showcasing photographs of principal software developers:

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

The concluding panel presents a gratitude message from the Felix Software team:

Self-test poem 1

By entering the HP 200LX self-test mode—achieved by powering off the device, then holding and selecting the display option—users can uncover a limerick poem after pressing fourteen times:


Self-test poem 2

Another concealed poem within the HP 200LX self-test sequence highlights difficulties encountered by the software development team. Accessing it involves pressing , then holding while tapping thirteen times under the display menu, revealing this enigmatic stanza:


Self-test poem 3

A third poetic entry found in self-test mode symbolizes the progression of HP LX palmtops. It is reached by pressing , then holding while pressing thirteen times, and it alludes to project codenames Jaguar (HP 95LX), Cougar (HP 100LX), and Felix (HP 200LX—the initial LX model featuring Quicken):


Hidden developer utility in 'More Applications'

Inside the HP 200LX System Manager, a developer-focused tool is accessible by pressing the blue key to open 'More Applications', then holding while pressing four times followed by a single press of . This exposes comprehensive information about System Manager-compatible (.EXM) applications along with other technical details useful for software development and system oversight.

Undocumented hexadecimal calculator

The HP 200LX includes a concealed calculator program named HEXCALC, created by Andrew Gryc. This tool performs arithmetic and logical calculations across binary, octal, decimal, and hexadecimal numeral systems. To add HEXCALC to the applications list, use the following configuration:

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

See also

Further reading

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Hermocon
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Repair
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Bel
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Tamiya_2000
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ASCII_2002

Related profiles

HHP OmniGo 100HHP 100LXHHP OmniGo 120HHP 200LX
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