HP Forum Archive 14

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HP49g+ Keyboard Message #1 Posted by Eddie Shore on 21 Nov 2004, 2:19 p.m. First of all, the keys on the newer batches CNA 426-436 are the best keyboards yet. See holyjoe.net (Joeseph Horn) to order 49G+s for a great deal. I have also noticed that there can be a significant improvement in keyboard performance if the clock is turned off. Could the clock on the display be blocking keypresses?

Re: HP49g+ Keyboard:Junk Message #2 Posted by J.C. Randerson on 21 Nov 2004, 3:18 p.m., in response to message #1 by Eddie Shore After several with bad keyboards, the hassle of exchanging them, and the disappointment of getting yet another defective, I've given up on that machine. The 49+ is a failure, due it's malfunctioning keyboard. You couldn't give me one right now. The whole keyboard issue really started with the first 49. Those awful rubber keys had to be one of the worst designs in calculator history. I had one where the paint wore off some keys in just a month. Sad part is, I have a 48 that still functions perfectly, and a great workhorse TI89 that gets most of the calc use I do. The machine I really wanted, the 49+, is gathering dust. I see no hope for HP calculators as long as the company is run by Fiorina and non-engineering oriented consumer-market types.

Re: HP49g+ Keyboard:Junk Message #3 Posted by John on 21 Nov 2004, 5:13 p.m., in response to message #2 by J.C. Randerson Might have been your experience and certainly others have reported similar problems. However, the original poster was trying to convey how GOOD the keyboard is on his new 49g+ with the S/N as listed. Why go back and trash the product after you've given up on it? perhaps now is the time to try it again. If HP improves it now, and you never give it a chance now, then you'll never know.

Re: HP49g+ Keyboard:Junk Message #4 Posted by J.C. Randerson on 21 Nov 2004, 6:38 p.m., in response to message #3 by John >Why go back and trash the product after you've given up on it? To warn others not to waste their money on it. >...perhaps now is the time to try it again. If HP improves it now, and you never give it a chance now, then you'll never know. Considering that I went through 3 bad units of different serial numbers, each supposedly "improved", what is the probability of getting another bad unit on the fourth try? At this point, 3 times is enough, I'm done with it.

Re: HP49g+ Keyboard:Junk Message #5 Posted by Eddie Shore on 21 Nov 2004, 7:40 p.m., in response to message #4 by J.C. Randerson I understand your frustration, J.C. The first batch that was released in 2003 was horrible, not only the keypad was bad, but also the trim on mine started to fall off! I sent it back for a replacement in March 2004. That model, which I still have, the keyboard has improved, but is loud. The latest batch September/October 2004 the keyboards are far better. The keys are not hard to press and they register (does taking the clock off the display help?). The HP team better take the keyboard design and taticality into consideration because they are losing customers.

Re: HP49g+ Keyboard:Junk Message #6 Posted by Ed Look on 22 Nov 2004, 9:19 p.m., in response to message #5 by Eddie Shore Well, to be fair, I very recently sent my original pre-ordered model in exchange for these newly manufactured ones and while the keypresses still miss every now and every then, it is really much, much better and feels okay. In fact, my original one was pristine when I sent it back, as I would reach for my other HPs instead. But with this exchanged unit, I have actually begun to use it. Now, where was that constants library to be found... ?

Re: HP49g+ Keyboard:Junk Message #7 Posted by Eddie Shore on 22 Nov 2004, 11:37 p.m., in response to message #6 by Ed Look Accessing the constants library: 1. Type CONLIB -or- 2. Press APPS, 3, ENTER

Re: HP49g+ Keyboard:Junk Message #8 Posted by Ed Look on 23 Nov 2004, 8:16 p.m., in response to message #7 by Eddie Shore Like a certain cartoon I don't really want my kids to watch, from one Ed to another- thanks! It truly has been quite some time since I actually used the 49G+, so I've forgotten quite a bit about how to navigate it. But now, I most probably will use it a lot. Since in this category I only have a 48G and 48G+, and their program memory is limited (severely in the former case), I'll most likely start putting little personal programs... nothing really sophisticated... on it and go from there. It's really an excellent idea by HP to make it use relatively cheap SD cards for memory, as all those little nickel and dime programs may add up to a megabuck... or gigabuck if I'm sloppy! As soon as I get acclimated more with it, I'll try to remember to post my opinion of how it compares to the original 48G series, the Charlemagnes, I believe. I must say, I did enjoy using the 48G series, though I have never used a GX. A real dream would be to somehow circumvent the limitations and hook a 34C up to some cheap sticks of RAM! Again, thanks a giga!

I have a 64MB card... Message #9 Posted by Eddie Shore on 25 Nov 2004, 1:13 a.m., in response to message #8 by Ed Look and I still have not filled it up. I have two home backups on it. HP should make the calculator case accomodate space for the SD card.

Re: I have a 64MB card... Message #10 Posted by Homer on 25 Nov 2004, 1:06 p.m., in response to message #9 by Eddie Shore Hi Eddie, I have an HP49G+ calculator and a panasonic 64MB SD Card ( from a Digital Camera ), but my calculator didnt recognize this SD Card. The SD card must be special for HP or I can use wichever ?? Thanks.

Re: I have a 64MB card... Message #11 Posted by Ed Look on 25 Nov 2004, 11:47 p.m., in response to message #10 by Homer I think the SD card has to be formatted properly; that is, in FAT, I believe. I could be wrong I hope someone who knows for sure speaks up, as I don't remember!

Re: I have a 64MB card... Message #12 Posted by James M. Prange on 26 Nov 2004, 2:40 a.m., in response to message #11 by Ed Look The SD card has to be formatted with the FAT16 file system. Try using the 49g+'s built-in formatting capability: Hold down [ON], press and release [D}, release [ON]. After briefly displaying some information about the flash ROM version and build, it will display a list of options, mostly tests, but also FORMAT; press [9]. When it's finished, to get out of the tests mode, hold down [ON], press and release [C], release [ON] to force a warmstart. If that doesn't work, use your PC to format the card to "FAT" or "FAT16"; not "FAT32". If you have a choice, use the appropriate cluster size for your card, that is, 512 bytes for 32MB or smaller cards, 1024 bytes for 64 MB cards, 2048 bytes for 128MB cards, and so on. For formatting on the PC, be sure that the switch on the card isn't in the "Lock" position. Note that the 49g+ itself ignores the "Lock" switch on the card. It may be a good idea to use the 49g+ to format the card again once the PC has formatted it to the FAT16 file system. Regards, James

Re: I have a 64MB card... Message #13 Posted by Vieira, Luiz C. (Brazil) on 26 Nov 2004, 5:14 a.m., in response to message #12 by James M. Prange Hi; I have a 256MB SD card and I just inserted it in my HP49G+ and used it. The calculator promptly recognized the card and free space (through [FILES]). Should that mean the card I have is already formatted? It is a regular card, there is no specific mention on its brief about formatted contents, only that it can be used with any electronic (digital) device, such as digital cameras, recorders, calculators, etc. I did not find the brief, but I kept it somewhere, so I can add a post with the specs (brand, model, etc.) Cheers. Luiz (Brazil)

Re: I have a 64MB card... Message #14 Posted by Ed Look on 26 Nov 2004, 12:59 p.m., in response to message #13 by Vieira, Luiz C. (Brazil) I think many, of not most SD cards come preformatted from the factory.

Re: I have a 64MB card... Message #15 Posted by Homer on 26 Nov 2004, 10:21 a.m., in response to message #12 by James M. Prange Hi James, I tried to format the SD card on HP49G+ as you said but the display showme CARD TEST FAIL. I tried too formating the card on my PC, the format is Ok but in the HP49G+ didnt work. I think the card is Ok, because in the camera is working. Any other idea ?? Regards.

Re: I have a 64MB card... Message #16 Posted by Ed Look on 26 Nov 2004, 12:58 p.m., in response to message #15 by Homer Well, all SD cards have a tiny sliding switch that toggles it between being write-protected and being recordable. Perhaps it may be a good idea just to check it. Other than that, it may be formatted in a different system. If you want to reformat, save your photograph images on your PC or CD or something before you do so.

SanDisk cards did not require preformatting. Message #17 Posted by Eddie Shore on 26 Nov 2004, 1:29 p.m., in response to message #16 by Ed Look All I had to do was insert the card, pressing Green-Left Shift, Files and I was ready to go.

Re: SanDisk cards did not require preformatting. Message #18 Posted by Mark A. Ordal on 29 Nov 2004, 10:20 a.m., in response to message #17 by Eddie Shore I had the same experience as Eddie Shore when using a 128 M Toshiba SD card---just insert the card and start using it. HOWEVER, my previous experience with a Sandisk 128 M SD card was quite different. I never did get that card to work in a 49G+ (neither my own nor a friend's). I ended up using the Sandisk card in my trusty old Palm m505. --Mark

Re: SanDisk cards did not require preformatting. Message #19 Posted by Jeroen on 29 Nov 2004, 3:47 p.m., in response to message #18 by Mark A. Ordal FWIW: I never had any problems using a Sandisk 256M SD card in my 49G+. It worked straightaway, without the need to format it.

Re: I have a 64MB card... Message #20 Posted by James M. Prange on 28 Nov 2004, 12:41 a.m., in response to message #15 by Homer Try a disc drive checking utility such as MS ScanDisk or Norton Disk Doctor on the card in the reader. Make sure that it's formatted with the FAT16 filesystem. Did you try formatting the card with the 49g+ again after formatting it with your PC? There have been some reports of 49g+es with a problem with the SD card. What would be ideal would be to try the card in a known good 49g+, or a card known to work in another 49g+ in your calculator, but I realize that it may not be feasible for you. Do you have a different SD card or MultiMedia Card (MMC) that you could try in your 49g+? Regards, James Edited: 28 Nov 2004, 12:49 a.m.

Re: I have a 64MB card... Message #21 Posted by Homer on 29 Nov 2004, 10:21 a.m., in response to message #20 by James M. Prange Hi James, I tried to format the SD card on HP49G+, but the calculator didn't recognize the card. I think the problem is the card, because I tried in other calculator ( exhibition calculator on Office Depot store, Mexico ) and the SD card didnt work again. May be the solution is to buy a new SD card, but Im worry because Im not sure if the problem is the card. Let me try using the scan disc utility. I tell you tomorrow the results. Thank you for you help.

Re: I have a 64MB card... Message #22 Posted by Homer on 29 Nov 2004, 10:30 a.m., in response to message #20 by James M. Prange When I try to format the SD card, the computer show me 3 options : - FAT - FAT32 - NTFS Im using FAT, but the card didnt work on my calculator. How can I format with FAT16 filesystem ??

Re: I have a 64MB card... Message #23 Posted by James M. Prange on 29 Nov 2004, 3:48 p.m., in response to message #22 by Homer Given those three choices, "FAT" is almost certainly FAT16. "FAT32" and "NTFS" are definitely wrong for using the card in the 49g+. MS Windows Explorer "Properties" says "File system: FAT" for my card. Regards, James

Re: I have a 64MB card... Message #24 Posted by Eddie Shore on 26 Nov 2004, 1:27 p.m., in response to message #10 by Homer I have a SanDisk card. Even though the manual doesn't specify which brand works, so maybe the Panasonic was formatted only for pictues?

Re: HP49g+ Keyboard:Junk Message #25 Posted by Veli-Pekka Nousiainen on 24 Nov 2004, 11:45 a.m., in response to message #4 by J.C. Randerson Bad luck! I'm using one old and one new 49g+. The first one is wiggle fixed and the second needed single lock alpha. Also I have used several others and I can confirm that while this is a problem for HP (and JC) it's not a problem to me and many others. [VPN]

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