One way to keep data safe on a RAM pack is to back it up. This can be done to a computer over RS232 or USB, but there is another way.
You can take the datapack out of the organiser and plug it in to a hardware device and copy it directly. Some time ago Martin Prest built a datapack reader and writer, details here:
https://github.com/martinprest/Psion2-D ... der-writer
https://hackaday.io/project/176677-psio ... aderwriter
A while after this was built I needed a similar device and, not aware of the earlier device I built a reader myself. i didn't need the write functionality so that feature is missing.
Even later, I needed to copy some Psion 1 datapacks. This is tricky as, although the hardware is the same or similar to Organiser 2 packs, the layout of the data on the pack is not compatible. So you can't put an Organiser 1 pack in an Organiser 2 and copy or back up the pack. So, after some discussion with Martin I decided to build a new device that could read and write datapacks without the need of a PC. It now exists and more information will be forthcoming, but here's a list of it's features:
Pros:
Reads EPROM datapacks and RAM packs
Writes EPROM datapack and RAM packs
Deals with datapacks at a hardware level. so should be able to handle any datapack, read-only or not
Reads and writes data pack contents to and from SD cards (there is an SD card slot on the device) using .opk files
Powered by (micro) USB.
Has a small OLED display and buttons for stand-alone operation.
Has a USB interface so data can be captured and the device operated over USB.
Has a built-in 21V supply for programming EPROM based datapacks.
it is, and probably always will be a work in progress with features being added as they are needed.
It works with Psion 1 datapacks
Cons:
Deals with datapacks at the hardware level so needs full support of all datapacks to be coded in its firmware. This is an ongoing job.
The code is an amalgamation of firmware from two different devices and is a bit 'untidy'.
features are missing and device support is missing in some aspects. For instance segmented datapacks are not supported. It could be added in the firmware, though, and probably will be at some point.
It hasn't got a user manual, but is fairly straightforward to use.
it is, and probably always will be a work in progress.
The current PCB requires hand modifications to work. There are errors on the PCB.
The plan is to open the device up to the world in its current unfinished state as it has already been useful, at least to me, and then any features people add can be fed back into the firmware. If there is interest then I'll do a video and open up the github. Actually, I have just made the github public. It's here:
https://github.com/blackjetrock/psion-org-datapack-tool
So, if you do have one of these devices you can take your rampack out of the organiser, plug it into the device, press a couple of buttons and copy it to SD card, and then to a PC if you wish.
Andrew