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HP Forum Archive 04

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HP-41CV Won't Power On
Message #1 Posted by Philip Elliott on 14 Sept 2000, 8:06 a.m.

Sorry to have a similar, but not close enough problem to others on the forum.

I have a HP-41CV that I bought during college with my own funds. I used it until about four years ago. At time I took the batteries out and stored the -41 in its case and away. My children are now getting to the age where they should learn about PRN and stacks. I picked up some new N batteries, cleaned the contacts with a pencil eraser, cleaned up the mess and put the batteries in.

The calculator will not power on. I have tried pressing the keys firmly. I have tried pressing CLX-Enter-On. I have no clue what the problem is. I can say that I know for sure it worked well until it was stored and that it was stored very carefully to preclude shock damage.

The serial number is 2237S43340. If that makes any difference.

Thanks in advance for your help. Philip

      
Re: HP-41CV Won't Power On
Message #2 Posted by Steve (Australia) on 14 Sept 2000, 9:11 a.m.,
in response to message #1 by Philip Elliott

Try the following:

1) turn on, press backarrow or shift (display may just contain alpha blanks.

2) press on (wait 10 secs) press backarrow (wait 10 secs) press on (wait 10 secs) press backarrow... (do this a few times)

3) check correct orientation of batteries, new batteries, dirty battery contacts (springs too)

4) press backarow and enter then on, then release all three (a few times) or do this with enter and on. Or do it with R/S pressed (in case you have an auto execute program that does an off).

5) plug in a wand and try reading some bar code. or try plugging in a printer and pressing the print button (then press ON and try it again). Printer will print X register when HP41 is on, even if display is dead (low power or just dead)

6) attach card reader and tr to run a card through it (try again after pressing ON)

7) press ON remove batteries, press ON again, insert batteries press ON, remove batteries...

8) try to do a MEMORY LOST reset on the calculator (backarrow and ON)

9) short battery contacts on the calculator with foil for a few minutes then reinsert batteries and try again

10) take 41 apart and put ot back together again :-) (actually this will do a reset of the calculator too, but you've got to be a little more careful.

Do we need a "my HP41 wont turn on" FAQ?


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