The Museum of HP Calculators

HP Forum Archive 16

[ Return to Index | Top of Index ]

HP-49g+ Serial Number
Message #1 Posted by Antonio Maschio (Italy) on 24 Nov 2006, 4:17 a.m.

About the Serial Number of my HP-49g+: I don't know if this is a real issue, but the Serial Number on the back sticker (CNA51503095) differs from the Serial Number that appears while performing the calculator self test (which menu may be activated shutting off the calculator, and pushing the back reset hole while pressing the + and the - keys; see for instance Educalc), which in my case is CN51802769.

Is this last SN a hardware preset code?
Should it match the back sticker SN?
Is my model a fake one?

Thanks in advance to anyone answering.

-- Antonio

      
Re: HP-49g+ Serial Number
Message #2 Posted by James M. Prange (Michigan) on 24 Nov 2006, 5:42 a.m.,
in response to message #1 by Antonio Maschio (Italy)

Quote:
Is this last SN a hardware preset code?
Perhaps more properly a "firmware preset code". I believe that it's in the flash memory "boot ROM", which isn't changed when you do a "flash ROM update"
Quote:
Should it match the back sticker SN?
No, or at least if it did, it would be a matter of chance. I've never read of anyone who got a 49 series with the case and ROM serial numbers matching.
Quote:
Is my model a fake one?
I assume not.
Quote:
Thanks in advance to anyone answering.
You're welcome.

Regards,
James

            
Re: HP-49g+ Serial Number
Message #3 Posted by Antonio Maschio (Italy) on 24 Nov 2006, 5:56 a.m.,
in response to message #2 by James M. Prange (Michigan)

To James:

Very precise, very kind (as usual, I'd add).

-- Antonio

Edited: 24 Nov 2006, 5:56 a.m.

            
Re: HP-49g+ Serial Number
Message #4 Posted by Antonio Maschio (Italy) on 24 Nov 2006, 6:04 a.m.,
in response to message #2 by James M. Prange (Michigan)

P.S.

do you really read these pages before 6.00 AM?

                  
Re: HP-49g+ Serial Number
Message #5 Posted by James M. Prange (Michigan) on 25 Nov 2006, 2:43 p.m.,
in response to message #4 by Antonio Maschio (Italy)

Quote:
P.S.

do you really read these pages before 6.00 AM?

Whether 6:00 A.M. is regarded as "late at night" or "earlier in the morning" is somewhat subjective.

I might have the time and inclination to read and perhaps respond to these pages at any time, day or night. Then too, sometimes I go a few days without looking at them at all.

Regards,
James

      
Re: HP-49g+ Serial Number
Message #6 Posted by Mike Morrow on 24 Nov 2006, 12:28 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by Antonio Maschio (Italy)

You can read the firmware serial number in a much easier manner if the developement library has been attached.

If the development library (256) is not attached, then do so by setting system flag -86, then perform a warm reset by pushing ON and F3 together.

When this library is attached, it adds the command SERIAL. When SERIAL is executed, the string "HP49 Serial Number: CNxxxxxxxx" will appear in level 1.

Every comparison of hardware serial number to firmware serial number that I've ever heard about indicates that the firmware number is usually two to three weeks later than the hardware serial number.

Mike / Alabama

            
Re: HP-49g+ Serial Number
Message #7 Posted by James M. Prange (Michigan) on 25 Nov 2006, 2:35 p.m.,
in response to message #6 by Mike Morrow

Quote:
You can read the firmware serial number in a much easier manner if the developement library has been attached.
Good point.
Quote:
If the development library (256) is not attached, then do so by setting system flag -86, then perform a warm reset by pushing ON and F3 together.
Or you can attach this built-in library by executing 256 ATTACH, or attaching various other libraries, such as Extable or OT49, automatically attaches the development library, I surmise as part of their configuration routines.
Quote:
When this library is attached, it adds the command SERIAL. When SERIAL is executed, the string "HP49 Serial Number: CNxxxxxxxx" will appear in level 1.
Or for that matter, even without the library being attached, its "library commands" are available as non-programmable "operations" by executing 256 MENU, using NXT or LeftShift PREV to go to the right page, and pressing the appropriate menu key.

For example, if, without this library being attached, I do 256.05 MENU, that shows me page 5 of the development library menu with SERIAL as its last menu key, and pressing it returns the serial number string, but typing SERIAL into the command line and pressing ENTER compiles it as the global name 'SERIAL' instead.

Quote:
Every comparison of hardware serial number to firmware serial number that I've ever heard about indicates that the firmware number is usually two to three weeks later than the hardware serial number.
As counter-examples, I have a 49G with case number ID931xxxxx and firmware number ID931xxxxx, another 49G with case number ID942xxxxx and firmware number ID941xxxxx, a 49g+ with case number CNA419xxxxx and firmware number CN424xxxxx, and another 49g+ with case number CNA436xxxxx and firmware number CN433xxxxx.

In any case, it seems that these two serial numbers are assigned separately.

I've read of several late production 49G units where apparently the firmware serial numbers were never "installed," leaving all bits of the serial numbers set, so that it looks like all characters are like a lower case y with a pair of dots over it (character 255).

When they first start using stickers instead of stamping the numbers into the back of the case, the package sticker typically did not match the case sticker, but I understand that they've changed the production method so that the stickers always match, because of a legal requirement in some areas that the serial number be visible from the outside of the retail package.

Regards,
James

[ Return to Index | Top of Index ]

Go back to the main exhibit hall