Hello Newton 2000 Fans !


I have the parts !

Since posting my news earlier on June 2nd about offering the MP2000 Upgrade,
I have become swamped with requests for more information.

I didn't expect this type of response. I prefer to communicate with
potential customers on a one-on-one basis as much as possible. But the shear
numbers have forced me to create a form letter to more quickly get the
information out to you. I apologize for this.

The cost of my 2000 Upgrade is $150.00 plus return shipping. I prefer to use
UPS because I am so close to them. UPS Ground would cost $9.00, Blue ( 2nd
day Air) is $15.00 and Red ( Overnight ) is $25.00.

I am focusing on providing this service to MessagePad 2000 owners in the
USA. People in Europe seeking this service should contact PIXsolution in
Germany. It makes more sense because of the shipping costs.

I know of no other place to get this upgrade and felt that there was still a
need in the USA.


NOTE :

I can't offer you a warranty. If you stil l have a warranty with Apple, my
service would make that void. I have no connection with Apple. If you have
concerns about my skills you should read "My Background", information below.
I do have many happy previous customers as references.

Check out :


http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/050398.html

Half way down the page is a story by Peter Fraser.


If you are still interested, send me a BRIEF message stating this and when
you would like to have it done. I plan on scheduling each upgrade. I would
then contact you and we would work this out.




Preparing Your Newton


I will REQUIRE that you perform a backup of your data before sending me your
unit. You will also need to perform a "deep reset" to erase all data just
prior to shipping to me. I do not wish to upgrade ANY unit that has been
experiencing problems, intermittent or otherwise. Check out your unit
carefully before shipping it to me. If I notice a problem before starting
the upgrade, I will contact you and ship it back.

Remove any memory, modem or network cards from the unit. The dummy cards
should be installed for shipping. Install the original battery holder for
the 4 "AA" cells ( empty ). Please do not send any rechargeable packs or
cells. I do not want to keep track of them. The cover should be in place.
Include your stylus. Do not include any carrying case or charger.

I recommend that you wrap your Newton in a 12" x 36" sheet of 1" bubble
wrap. Use tape to secure the outside edges. Place this bundle in a sturdy
box half filled with styrofoam shipping peanuts. Include your payment in the
box ! Make sure that there are several inches of peanuts all around the
bundle. Finish filling the box completely. When the box is taped shut, the
bundle should not rattle at all.

I will provide my shipping address and payment details when your upgrade is
scheduled. When you do ship to me, I would appreciate an e-mail with
tracking information and when I should receive the box. Because of that
reason, I prefer that you use UPS or FedEx. Make sure that you adequately
insure you Newton ! I will send you an e-mail letting you know that I have
received it.

I will send you a message with shipping information on the day that I ship.
I hope to turn units around within a couple days.



The Upgrade :

As you probably all know, Apple ceased their upgrade program for the
MessagePad 2000 at the end of April 1998. They charged $99 if your 2000 was
purchased by a certain date, $199 if purchased after that.

Apple's upgrade consisted of removing the two, .5 MegaByte DRAM parts ( 40
pin Surface Mount Device ), and replacing them with two, 2 MegaByte DRAM
parts ( 44 pin package ) on another set of pads nearby that they had
cleverly provided ( thinking ahead ).

Replacing the original parts required special tools, skills and the hard to
get parts. After the parts were changed and the unit reassembled, an
Operating System software "patch" was installed that allowed the OS to use
the extra memory. I myself have never used a 2000 (  I own two 2100's ). I
do know that the "heap" memory available in my 2100 is around 450 K. When
the Upgrade is complete, your unit is functionally identical to the 2100.
The only differences are the labels.

Included with Apple's Upgrade was Newton Press and an updated version of the
E-mail software, EnRoute. I can't provide those items. At one point, Apple
was including a free FLASH card. Sorry, I can't do that ! Also included by
Apple was Newton Internet Enabler 2.0, ( NIE 2.0 ). That can still be
downloaded from Apple for free. The link is :

http://www.apple.com/messagepad/mp2100/sw/nie/download2.html

Which, among other things, allows LAN connections using the Farallon
EtherMac or EtherWave card. See this link for more info :

http://www.farallon.com/product/mobile/newtsolutions.html


My Background :

I used to work as an Engineering Technician for the now defunct Newton
licensee, "Digital Ocean", near Kansas City. I came to appreciate the Newton
while I was there. I was heavily involved in a project called "Seahorse". It
was a 130 based handheld product that had several wireless capabilities.

I have over 20 years experience in the Electronics Industry. Most of that
time I have worked as an Engineering Technician building small prototype
electronic devices that make the Newton look huge. I'm very good at doing
fine detailed work. I have the skills and tools to perform this upgrade
without possibly damaging your Newton that you treasure ( like me ).

For the past several months I have been offering certain Newton related
repairs ( I bought my parts at the Digital Ocean auction held after they
closed ).

In addition to the 2000 Upgrade, I can also do the following :

* Replace the touchscreen and/or LCD in a 120 or 110

* Replace the entire Main Logic Board in a 120

* Fix intermittent or "dead" 130's

* Fix intermittent or dead backlights in the 130


I sure hope I've answered any questions you may have had. I hope that we can
do business together.



Best Regards,


David Watson