Article 35229 of comp.sys.newton.misc: Path: samba.rahul.net!rahul.net!a2i!news.pbi.net!su-news-hub1.bbnplanet.com!news.bbnplanet.com!newsxfer3.itd.umich.edu!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!colloquy.apple.com!nntp1.apple.com!peterich-bridge.apple.com!user From: webmaster@newton.apple.com (Pete Richardson) Newsgroups: comp.sys.newton.misc Subject: Re: I can't backup or replace my System Update! Date: Wed, 05 Mar 1997 09:38:58 -0800 Organization: Apple Computer, Inc. Lines: 38 Message-ID: References: <3312A403.3022@scbc.org> <5f4rsn$1ks$1@news.gamma.ru> <3316CFCB.10A9@bbn.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: peterich-bridge.apple.com In article , rik@newtuser.com (Rik Ahlberg) wrote: >In article <3316CFCB.10A9@bbn.com>, eshultz@bbn.com wrote: > >> I don't understand something here... If you remove all of the batteries >> from the Newton and let it set for a while, why would this erase only >> the system update and not your user data. You can bet that you will >> loose all of your user data as well! > >My understanding is that the user data is in flash, so it's safe. Pete? >(This isn't in the techinfo library.) Hi everyone... First, a warning: Always back up your data before messing with your System Update or pulling the batteries. It would be a shame to lose your data because of an incorrect post (or a misunderstanding of what you read) on the internet. Having said that, Rik is right. On the MP120 and MP130, the user data resides in flash, so removing the batteries shouldn't wipe your user data. The system update still resides in DRAM. When you pull your batteries, the system update goes away. On the 110, 100 and earlier, everything's in DRAM, and everything goes away when you pull your batteries. On the 2000 and eMate, the update lives in a protected area of the flash RAM, and won't go away no matter what you do (unless it involves a soldering iron :-))... The user data is in regular flash, and can still be erased by a cold boot (reset-powerswitch-'are-you-sure-dialog' combination). -- Pete Richardson Newton Systems Group P.S. I'll see if we can get this put in the Tech Info Library. Thanks for the suggestion.