OK, so maybe 35 hours was a bit optimistic, most people can get about 15-20 hours out of a pair of alkaline batteries. However, some people are getting much, much less than that, maybe only a few minutes or half an hour.
If the batteries have a test strip on the side, it is possible that the battery compartment, which is very tight, is activating the test strip, therefore constantly running the batteries down. To remedy this, simply use batteries without a test strip.
If you are using the backlight a lot, are playing sounds very loud, or are using the serial or IR port very often, you cannot expect to get good life out of your batteries. If you are putting a high drain on your batteries, you will also get less total life (in mAh) out of them before they cut out.
If you are getting only a few minutes out of fresh batteries, then this indicates a more serious fault, such as a short circuit. You should probably get your machine repaired. If it is still under warranty, then you are in luck. If you feel that you want to repair it yourself (I wouldn't recommend this), then you should check the wires around the battery terminals, to see if there are any wires touching (?) - I can't tell you much more than that.
Sometimes, sounds recorded with the Psion's built in microphone, when played back, have a high pitched noise in the background. This can be really bad, or not really noticeable, or sometimes not at all. I get the problem occasionally.
If the backlight is on when you are recording, its hum will be recorded along with the sound. However, this is not the same high pitched noise that can occur. I presume that this is caused by interference from badly shielded circuitry, or maybe from external interference. Psion technical support may be able to help you if you have this problem.
When you try and put the stylus in the holder, it won't click in. This can sometimes happen after you have dropped the Series 5. Alternatively, the stylus may be stuck inside the holder, and cannot be removed.
Open up the cover that covers the communications port. Just below where it says RS232, there is a thin gap. Put a finger nail into this gap, and pull the lower part gently away from the upper, until you hear a click. If the pen was stuck, it will now be released, and if it did not go in, it will click in again. This position is shown in the photo below.
Move the mouse over the image to draw a ring around the area where you should put your fingernail. (Javascript image swapping required)
This question is frequently asked, and, so far, the general opinion of people who have replied to these posts is that is not possible. This is because the frequency of the wave is probably different, and the protocols are different, and anyway, the range of the Psion's IR port is only supposed to be one metre. Whether in practice it is possible to obtain more than this, I don't know.
If you try and put the remote link on "infrared" or "cable", an alert box with the title "Information", that says "Not found", appears.
If you soft reset the Psion, this should solve the problem most of the time. To do a soft reset, press the silver button next to the backup battery once, with a pen or an unfolded paper clip. Then turn the Psion on. It should beep twice, then will display the "Series 5" screen for a few seconds. You will have to reset some of your viewing preferences, but your data should be preserved.
Since I have only connected the Series 5 to MSN and Demon UK, I can only give you information about these. However, I know that Freeserve (UK), also works. I don't think that AOL works, because it uses its own proprietary protocol, as supposes to standard PPP.
Assuming that your modem dials and connects, if you are having problems, such as the modem hanging up immediately, or just not working, then it could be your internet settings in the control panel are wrong. If the modem is not even dialling, then it is probably your modem settings, or connection that is the problem.
You should have the latest version of Message Suite installed (1.52)
(these are the settings that have worked for me, there is no guarantee that they will work for you)
For MSN (dial up accounts) in the UK:
"Service" tab: Dial-up / Smart dialling unchecked / Standard dial up number = 0845 0888181 (if you use 56k, then your number may be different)
"Account" tab: Manual login unchecked / Username = MSN/yourUserID / Password = yourPassword
"Addresses" tab: Get IP address from server checked / Get DNS address from server checked
"Login" tab: Use login script unchecked
"Advanced" tab: Enable PPP extensions unchecked / Allow plain text authentication checked
As far as I know, you cannot access MSN mail using the Psion's E-mail program, because MSN needs an encrypted password to access email, and the Psion doesn't support this.
For Demon UK (dial up accounts):
"Service" tab: Dial-up / Smart dialling unchecked / Standard dial up number = 0845 2121666 or 0845 2120666 (these numbers are not for ISDN)
"Account" tab: Manual login unchecked / Username = yourUserID / Password = yourPassword
"Addresses" tab: Get IP address from server unchecked. Enter the IP address you were given when you signed on. If you are not sure, type ping yourID.demon.co.uk at a DOS (or Unix) prompt, whilst connected to the internet, and note the IP address it gives for you. If you are still not sure, you can leave this box checked. / Get DNS address from server unchecked. The following DNS addresses are the ones that were sent to me from Demon: Primary DNS: 158.152.1.43 Secondary DNS: 158.152.1.58
"Login" tab: Use login script unchecked
"Advanced" tab: Enable PPP extensions unchecked / Allow plain text authentication checked
To access your Demon mail with the Psion E-mail program, use pop3.demon.co.uk as your incoming mail server, and post.demon.co.uk as your outgoing mail server.