Jim,
  There was a hardware deffect in the very early units which would cause a
blowout of the voltage regulator if the batteries were ever put in backward.
This sounds like your problem exactly.  The problem has been fixed for well
over a year and the fix is free if you contact Ostrich Software to arrange
it.

                Peter
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Rebman" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: January 04, 2001 12:57 PM
Subject: Roadrunner


> Folks,
>
> I seem to be having a problem with my roadrunner and I don't know if it is
> my misunderstanding or a problem with the unit itself.  Basically, the
> problem is the battery life...  I will put in a fresh set of batteries and
> use the unit for a while, but then may not go to use it again for 2 or 43
> days at which point, the batteries are dead.  I don't see anything in the
> manual that explains this or how to turn the unit off (if it can be, and I
> don't think it can), and nothing that warns you to remove the batteries if
> not using it for a few days (or maybe even a several hours).
>
> Is there something I am missing, or is this how the thing works, and what,
> if anything apart from removing the batteries, can be done?
>
> I really love this thing, but replacing batteries a couple of times a week
> seems pretty stupid and expensive to me.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jim
>
> ---------------------------
> James A. Rebman
>
> Cognitive Levers Project
> Center for Life-Long Learning and Design (L3D)
> Department of Computer Science
> College of Engineering and Applied Science
> University of Colorado, Boulder
>
> "In times of change, the learners will inherit the earth, while the
learned
> will find themselves beautifully equipped for a world that no longer
exists."
> - Eric Hoffer
>
> "...and the times they are a changin'..."
> - Bob Dylan
>