How can I get the most out of the Psion emulators?

The emulator is still free (though it's a huge download) from Psion Teklogix (look for the mentions of the "OPL Software Development Kit"). If you can't find it, note that there's an archive copy on the 3-Lib Library CD...

A comment on Usenet by Duncan Booth got me thinking and writing. Here's my brief tips summary (so far) for the EPOC emulator:

1. To quickly access your backed-up files in the EPOC emulator under Windows 95/98: just add a line SET _EPOC_DRIVE_P=c:\Psion\Your Name\Backup\Internal to your PC's AUTOEXEC.BAT and reboot. The next time (and every other time) you start the Emulator, you'll see a new disk drive ("P"). This tip works well for your CF disk as well, I've set mine to be the "Q" drive with SET _EPOC_DRIVE_Q=c:\Psion\Steve Litchfield\Backup\Steve. If you do access your backups from within the Emulator and want to make changes to any file, it's probably a good idea to copy the file to the "C" drive first. Doing this will stop PsiWin complaining about you tampering with its backup dates and times!

   To do the same under Windows NT4, which doesn't use autoexec.bat etc, use the following procedure, sent in by Jeff Gaste:
   In "My Computer":
   -Click on Control Panel icon
   -Click on System icon
   -Click on Environment tab
   On the last but one line (Variable) type _EPOC_DRIVE_P (where P will appear as additional drive on your Psion emulator etc.)
   On the last line input the Value of the path, e.g. H:\Psion5\Jeff\Backup\Internal
   Click, then "Set" and OK it.
   You may, of course, set up different 'drives'.

2. Most shareware and freeware programs are written in OPL and can be made to work with the EPOC emulator with a modicum of effort. A couple of common files crop up occasionally in reported problems:
   • Toolbar.opo. This can be copied if necessary from your Series 5. If you can't find this file, either grab it here or just create a new "Program" document in any folder and use the "Create standard files" command. Toolbar.opo will then magically appear in the current folder and can be copied across to \epoc32\release\wins\deb\z\system\opl.
   • Sysram1.opx. Although there is a file of the same name compiled for the ARM chip in the Series 5, the compiled-for-PC version you may need for the emulator can be downloaded here. Put a copy of it in \epoc32\wins\c\system\opx.

   It's worth noting that there are several other common OPXes that have been written by third-parties. Many of them have now been compiled for the PC by their authors and are available. Try the RMR Software web site first for these. Again, just place the modified OPX files in the same folder as Sysram1.opx above. See John McAleely's web site for more up-to-date OPX news.

   Once you've set up your PC-compiled OPXes in the correct folder, make them 'Read-Only' before going any further. Otherwise, the installation of further applications may possibly overwrite your new PC OPXes with Series 5 versions!

3. (from Charles Newgas) Printing from the emulator. Although it is not possible to print direct from the emulator, you can print to file and copy the file to your printer with only one extra mouse click.

   The easiest way to do this is to create a DOS batchfile called "EpocPrint.Bat" on your Windows95 desktop. Inside it put just the single line Copy C:\epoc32\wins\c\printfile lpt1: (Change the drive and printer port letters if necessary). It is now easy to print from the emulator. Simply print to file using the driver that is most appropriate for your printer (the emulator will default to using file "printfile" in the root of the virtual internal disk), and double-click on the batchfile on your desktop.

If you've any tips to add, please email me.