LinkTool User Manual

Getting Started: Downloading Your First Pack

This manual will guide you through downloading a data pack from your Psion Organiser II to an OPK file usingthe LinkTool web application.

What You'll Need

Psion Organiser II

With COMMS Link and data pack installed (Pack Bor Pack C)

Data Pack

Pack B or Pack C

Power Supply

Recommended

Serial Connection

USB-to-serial adapter and cable to connect toyour computer

Software Requirements

Compatible web browser: Chrome 89+, Edge 89+,or Opera 75+

NOTE

Firefox and Safari do not currently support the Web Serial API required by this tool.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Prepare Your Hardware

Locate a place (e.g. folder) on your PC, Laptop or Table that will be used to save the datapak image OPK
Power off the Organiser
Remove any RAM Packs !
Insert the COMMS Link into the Top Slot
Connect your Psion Organiser II to your computer using the serial adapter and/or Comms Link cable
- Recommended - Plug in a mains adaptor to the COMMS link
Turn the Organiser ON to automatically install the Comms software
If the pack you wish to read is a RAM pack:

Switch OFF again
Insert the Ram pack(s)
Turn the Organiser ON again

Open the LinkTool web application in your browser

IMPORTANT

The steps associated with a RAM Pack use significantly reduce a known issue with RAM pack data loss events!

2. Select the Pack to Download

Before connecting, choose which pack you want to download:

Click the "Pack select" button to toggle between Pack B and Pack C
The default selection is Pack B
The button will display your current selection

TIP

If you're unsure which pack contains your data, start with Pack B as it's the most commonly used data pack.

3. Prepare the Psion Organiser II

Important: To avoid timeout issues, prepare your Psion Organiser II beforeconnecting in the tool.

On your Psion Organiser II, navigate to the main menu
Select COMMS
Select BOOT
Navigate to NAME: (leave it blank - no name is required)
Stop here - do not press EXE yet

IMPORTANT

The tool has a limited time window to establish communication after you press EXE. By navigating to theNAME: option first, you'll be ready to press EXE immediately after the tool starts searching for the device.

4. Connect and Start the Download

Now that your Psion Organiser II is ready at the NAME: prompt:

Click the "Connect" button in the web application
Your browser will display a serial port selection dialog
Select the COM port corresponding to your serial adapter
Click "Connect" in the browser dialog
Wait for the tool to display "Searching for Device..." in the status area
Now press EXE on your Psion Organiser II to start the transfer

The tool will immediately detect the device and begin the download process.

TIP

If you press EXE before the tool is searching, or wait too long after the tool starts searching, you may seea timeout error. Simply disconnect, return to the NAME: prompt on the Organiser, and try again.

5. Monitor the Download Progress

The LinkTool will automatically:

Place boot code into the Psion Organiser II's RAM
Transfer the pack data from the selected pack
Display real-time progress in the communication log
Show a progress indicator as data is received

You'll see messages in the log window showing:

Boot injection progress (Pairs 0-6)
Data transfer phases (HEADER and BODY)
CRC verification results
Completion status

NOTE

The download process typically takes 1-3 minutes depending on the pack size. Do not disconnect or power offthe Psion Organiser II during this process.

6. Save Your OPK File

Once the download completes the OPK is now stored in the browser:

The "Save Pack" button will become enabled
Click "Save Pack" to download the OPK file to your computer
Your browser will prompt you to save the file (default name: pack_b.opk orpack_c.opk)
Choose a location and save the file

TIP

Give your OPK file a descriptive name to help you identify its contents later (e.g.,my_contacts_2026.opk).

7. Disconnect

After saving your OPK file:

Click the "Disconnect" button to release the serial port
You can now safely disconnect the serial cable from your Organiser II

What is an OPK File?

An OPK file is a binary image of a Organiser II data pack. It contains:

Magic header (OPK!) identifying the file format
Length field indicating the size of the pack data
Pack data (the actual contents of your data pack)
Terminator marking the end of the file

OPK files can be viewed and edited using the OPK Editor tool, which allows you to:

Inspect the raw contents of the pack
View and modify individual records
Analyze the pack structure
Export data in various formats

Troubleshooting

Connection Issues

Problem: Browser doesn't show any serial ports

Solution: Ensure your serial adapter is properly connected and drivers are installed
Check Device Manager (Windows) to verify the adapter is recognized

Problem: "Failed to open serial port" error

Solution: The port may be in use by another application. Close any terminal programs or other applications using the serial port

Transfer Issues

Problem: Download stalls or times out

Solution:

Check the serial cable connections
Ensure the Psion Organiser II is in the COMMS BOOT menu
Try disconnecting and reconnecting
Verify the correct pack is selected

Problem: CRC errors in the log

Solution:

This may indicate communication errors
The tool will automatically retry failed message transfers.
Ensure the serial cable is in good condition
Undamaged connection contacts
High quality twisted pair & screened cables
Try reducing electrical interference near the cables, by
Relocating cables
Reducing cable lengths
Turning off other devices
Turning off RF interference sources (e.g Electrical devices, Mobiles, Walkie talkies / PMR etc.)
The tool will automatically retry failed transfers

Psion Organiser II Issues

Problem: Psion shows "TRAP" error

Solution:

This may indicate a timing issue
Reset the Psion Organiser II and try again
Ensure you're using the correct boot sequence (COMMS → BOOT → NAME)

Advanced Features

Debug Mode

For troubleshooting or protocol analysis, you can enable debug mode:

Add ?debug=true to the end of the LinkTool URL
Reload the page
The communication log will show detailed protocol information including:
- Raw packet data
- Timing information
- Detailed state transitions

Serial Port Settings

The LinkTool uses the following default serial parameters:

See the COMMS | SetUp menu item
BAUD rate: 9600
Data bits: 8
PARITY: None
Stop BITS: 1
Flow control: None

These settings match the default Organiser II Comms Link specifications and only need adjustment if they have been changed.

COMMS Link Compatibility

Some very early COMMS links do not support the BOOT protocol used by the tool. You can verify the COMMS link version when it is in the Organiser using the PEEKB(8441) command entered into the Calculator Feature:

CALC:PEEKB(8441)

Values of 17 (decimal) and above are compatible

Next Steps

After downloading your pack to an OPK file, you can:

Back up your data by storing the OPK file in a safe location
View the pack contents using the OPK Editor tool
Transfer the pack to another Psion Organiser II by reversing the process (if supported)
Archive multiple versions of your packs over time
Verify the integrity of your packs over time using the check sums

Additional Resources

Community Forum: Visit Organiser2Forum for discussions and support
Original Protocol Documentation:Jaap Scherphuis's Psion Page

Legal Notice

All information is for indication only. No association, affiliation, recommendation, suitability, or fitnessfor purpose should be assumed or is implied. Registered trademarks are owned by their respectiveregistrants.

License: Creative Commons (with non-commercial restrictions on certain elements - see source documentation)

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