The Museum of HP Calculators

HP Forum Archive 09

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HP-42S Versions, ROMs and Bugs
Message #1 Posted by Gordon Dyer on 11 Jan 2003, 8:17 a.m.

Can anyone give me some details abobut 42S versions, date codes, ROMs and bugs?
I would like to buy one and am not too sure which to go for (if I have a choice).
I prefer the older keyboard feel but dont want any serious ROM bugs, so any info owuld be appreciated.

      
Re: HP-42S Versions, ROMs and Bugs
Message #2 Posted by Randy Sloyer(US) on 11 Jan 2003, 8:25 a.m.,
in response to message #1 by Gordon Dyer

Rom bug list is here:

http://www.finseth.com/~fin/hpdata/hp42s.html

IMHO, I would go for an early Singapore unit (1990-1992) because these have:

1. No double lens to collect dirt. 2. Good keyboard feel.

Good hunting.

            
Early HP-42S calcs could also run at 2X under program control!
Message #3 Posted by Gene on 11 Jan 2003, 9:38 a.m.,
in response to message #2 by Randy Sloyer(US)

I have a program called "FAST" in my calculator that changes the speed constant to run the HP-42S at 2X speed.

This only works with the first year or so of HP-42S machines.

See:

http://www.rskey.org/gene/hpgene/hp42fast.htm

for more information.

                  
Re: Early HP-42S calcs could also run at 2X under program control!
Message #4 Posted by Erich Neubacher (Germany) on 11 Jan 2003, 1:46 p.m.,
in response to message #3 by Gene

hurra, it work's on my machine.

More of these hidden features !!!

BTW is it true that this acceleration also speeds up the energy consumption ?

happy programming........Erich N.

                        
Re: Early HP-42S calcs could also run at 2X under program control!
Message #5 Posted by Vieira, Luiz C. (Brazil) on 11 Jan 2003, 2:23 p.m.,
in response to message #4 by Erich Neubacher (Germany)

You bet... Nothing comes for free when energy is the issue.

                              
Re: Early HP-42S calcs could also run at 2X under program control!
Message #6 Posted by Erich Neubacher (Germany) on 11 Jan 2003, 3:53 p.m.,
in response to message #5 by Vieira, Luiz C. (Brazil)

If this is the money, I've to pay....so be it.

happy programming...........Erich N.

                                    
Re: Early HP-42S calcs could also run at 2X under program control!
Message #7 Posted by Gene on 11 Jan 2003, 4:47 p.m.,
in response to message #6 by Erich Neubacher (Germany)

You can also set the HP-42S to run as slow as possible too. You wouldn't notice it when doing calculations, but it would really really lengthen the battery life. :-)

Later model HP-42S calculators can do this speed up MANUALLY by entering the debugger and changing the value as indicated, but they must do it every time the calculator is turned on.

The good thing about the early HP-42S is that it can use this program. I made sure that I used the program by putting "SF 11 ; OFF" as the first 2 lines. Then when I turn the 42S off, the first thing it does when I turn it back on is finish running the fast program.

Always at 2X.

Really makes some of the longer HP-41 style programs, such as Othello, really nice to use.

Enjoy. Gene

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