HP Forum Archive 16

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Problem with HP-67 Message #1 Posted by Judy Klein on 1 Apr 2006, 1:29 a.m. My father gave me this HP-67 he had from his university days. Its in very good cosmetic condition (at least externally) and before he passed away he had somehow fixed the card reader so that the HP-67 could read and write its cards. However, now my HP-67 is not working anymore. When I turn it on the 0 appears as normal, but when I try to read a card, a strange big red dot appears on the display and the calculator turns off. I left the calculator connected to the charger for 12 hours to charge the battery and tried again, and this time the same thing happened, although the card moved a bit further inside the calculator and I cannot take it out anymore. Is there anyway to fix my father's calculator? Not a very good way to start the new month! Thanks Judy

Re: Problem with HP-67 Message #2 Posted by jr on 1 Apr 2006, 1:40 a.m., in response to message #1 by Judy Klein I am sorry to hear about your trouble with your HP-67 calculator. Unfortunately, the damage cannot be repaired and your calculator can only be used for spare parts. I would be willing to buy it because my HP-67 has a problem with its keyboard. I think $25 is a reasonable amount for something that you would normally just throw away. By the way, does the HP 67 have any manuals or box? Thanks jr

Re: Problem with HP-67 Message #3 Posted by Judy Klein on 1 Apr 2006, 1:47 a.m., in response to message #2 by jr Thank you for your quick reply. I am devastated by the news as I was very attached to this calculator. I wouldn't want to throw it away, so your offer is good news, because, in this way, my dead 67 will have some use. I have the manuals and 10 of the little booklets with the magnetic cards. I also have the charger, the brown bag for carrying the 67, and the box it came with. Isn't $25 a bit low though? Judy

Re: Problem with HP-67 Message #4 Posted by jr on 1 Apr 2006, 1:51 a.m., in response to message #3 by Judy Klein Well I guess with the box and the cards I can give you $10 more, so for the whole lot I can offer $35. I can't go much higher, as the whole thing is really worthless. Do we have a deal? jr

Re: Problem with HP-67 Message #5 Posted by David Ramsey on 1 Apr 2006, 2:01 a.m., in response to message #3 by Judy Klein Um, Judy, your calculator is probably quite repairable. "jr" is trying to screw you, big time.

Re: Problem with HP-67 Message #6 Posted by David Ramsey on 1 Apr 2006, 2:07 a.m., in response to message #5 by David Ramsey Let me emphasize that point: He is trying to cheat you out of a valuable calculator by deliberately deceiving you about its condition and worth. Your calculator likely suffers from the "gummy wheel" problem common to older HP calculators. The rubber drive wheel in the card reader deteriorates with age and becomes gummy and sticky. If you don't use the card reader for a while it can surprise you with a sudden failure. The techniques for disassembling the card reader and repairing the gummy wheel are well known-- I've done many myself, including some for people on this forum (Hi Stephen!) Do not sell your valuable calculator for a pittance to a con man.

Re: Problem with HP-67 Message #7 Posted by jr on 1 Apr 2006, 2:25 a.m., in response to message #6 by David Ramsey Sorry David but you are wrong and you are only confusing Judy. As she has already mentioned, her father has fixed the card reader, so the trouble is clearly in the main processor board. Because of old and proprietary parts used by HP, if the main board is damaged, the calculator is dead. So I do understand why you go about accusing me of such horrible things, when I simply want to help Judy get some money for her otherwise worthless calculator. jr

Re: Problem with HP-67 Message #8 Posted by Judy Klein on 1 Apr 2006, 2:29 a.m., in response to message #7 by jr JR is right, my father had the calculator repaired about 3 years ago, because it could not read cards. I think he sent it to some company to fix it. It could read cards just fine until yesterday. Today nothing. As if it is trying to pull an April fool's joke on me. Anyway I am really upset about this whole thing. Judy

Re: Problem with HP-67 Message #9 Posted by Klaus on 1 Apr 2006, 3:06 a.m., in response to message #8 by Judy Klein I also think it is still repairable. In contrast to modern calcs, the 67 is easy to take apart and to repair. Before selling it, compare the prices you get, after all, the display is fine!

Re: Problem with HP-67 Message #10 Posted by jr on 1 Apr 2006, 2:21 a.m., in response to message #3 by Judy Klein Dear Judy Predictably everybody will start posting whatever comes to mind and this discussion will soon be chaotic. So I suggest we move this discussion to email. My address is jr_hp_fan@yahoo.com so please send me email ASAP. Best Regards JR

Re: Problem with HP-67 Message #11 Posted by jbssm on 1 Apr 2006, 6:58 a.m., in response to message #1 by Judy Klein Hi there, the problem you mention (the big red dot), comes from the low battery. The card reader takes lot's of power from the batteries and since it's very old and practically not holding charge, when you pass the card trough the reader it drains the last of the batteries and turns off. First: NEVER PLUG YOUR UNIT TO THE AC ADAPTER WITHOUT BATTERIES, OR WITHOUT GOOD BATTERIES IN IT CAUSE YOU MAY DAMAGE IT! You have several possibilities now, the one I find more simple is to just buy a refurbished battery pack in eBay since if you are not very technical inclined it's the way to go (in my opinion, they are relatively cheap compared to the price of buying new NiCd batteries and refurbishing the pack yourself). I hope this helps ... and NO, for what you describe your unit is not damaged ... in fact it's in very good working condition and it just need new batteries. Regards, jbssm Edited: 1 Apr 2006, 7:00 a.m.

It needs a working batt pack, indeed! Message #12 Posted by Vieira, L. C. (Brazil) on 1 Apr 2006, 12:04 p.m., in response to message #11 by jbssm Hi; I second jbssm, it actually needs a working batt pack. Now for the April 1st; is it the HP67 or the HP97 that has a big red LED in the display to indicate low battery? I have an HP97 and it lits a big red ´dot´ when batteries are los, but I am not sure if the HP67 does the same or if it lits the dot segments... Does anybody know? Not to doubt Judy Klein, do not remember reading this name here before, but chances are that Judy Klein and jr are the same person. Neither of them is a registered user, nor they have e-mail addresses. Anyway, it´s been a good exercise to our minds. And careness. Cheers. Luiz (Brazil)

Re: It needs a working batt pack, indeed! Message #13 Posted by Etienne Victoria on 1 Apr 2006, 12:36 p.m., in response to message #12 by Vieira, L. C. (Brazil) Hi Luiz, The Hp-67 also has a single LED to indicate low battery power! It's not a Classic which would light all dots except the actual comma position. Happy 1st April and best regards from France! Etienne

Re: It needs a working batt pack, indeed! Message #14 Posted by Vieira, Luiz C. (Brazil) on 1 Apr 2006, 2:25 p.m., in response to message #13 by Etienne Victoria Hey, Etienne; thank you for this information. I suspected that, but it is always good to have a trusteable source of information instead of a doubtful guess. Best regards and happy April 1st, too. Luiz (Brazil)

April the First Message #15 Posted by giastar on 1 Apr 2006, 7:31 a.m., in response to message #1 by Judy Klein My first reaction when I saw the beginning of this thread was that it was an elaborate April Fool from someone posting messages from two IDs. But just in case it's for real, your calculator is a) almost certainly easily repairable. the failure of the card to pass through is probably a symptom of a defunct battery rather than a fault in the card reader itself. b) Worth a *lot* more than $25 even if the fault is more serious. I'm sure there are many people here (including me) who would pay well over $100 for the calculator in its present state, especially if it's complete and in good cosmetic condition. If you're determined to dispose of it either ask for sensible offers here, or put it on eBay. But if you'd like to get it working try a new battery first (can be found on eBay at a reasonable price). If that doesn't work come back here for advice. Most of us are honest and helpful. Edited: 1 Apr 2006, 7:50 a.m. after one or more responses were posted

Re: April the first Message #16 Posted by jbssm on 1 Apr 2006, 7:36 a.m., in response to message #15 by giastar Yes I forgot it is April the 1st ... perhaps it's just a joke :-D

Mystery Solved - it was me Message #17 Posted by Vassilis Prevelakis on 1 Apr 2006, 2:17 p.m., in response to message #1 by Judy Klein Yes it was an April 1st joke. I created Judy and JR (the bad guy in the old TV Series Dallas) to provoke a flame war. I was expecting a lynch mob to form against JR (whose behavior was designed to be particularly insidious). However, the discussions were concentrated on the technical issue and eventually people figured out about April 1st. So congratulations to Luiz, giastar and Etienne for spotting the scam. The problem described by "Judy" is real, and as some people suggested is caused by a defective battery. I chose this problem to make it obvious that JR was trying to cheat Judy. I hope I didn't waste too much of your time :-) Happy 1st April and be careful of other jokes. Best Regards **vp

Re: Mystery Solved - it was you : and now the prize. Message #18 Posted by Etienne Victoria on 1 Apr 2006, 2:47 p.m., in response to message #17 by Vassilis Prevelakis Yassou Vassilis, Nice joke, thanks! I guess I've won one of your extended/elongated Hp-71B-41C magnetic cards :-) I'll try it in my Hp-65, there is a slot on the side! Cheers Etienne

Re: Mystery Solved - it was you : and now the prize. Message #19 Posted by Absolutely Anonymous on 1 Apr 2006, 10:14 p.m., in response to message #18 by Etienne Victoria Itching for a fiery reaction, VP viewed present calm with compunction. That he promptly redressed As damsel 'n distress¡K His reward was his own concoction! AA

Re: Mystery Solved - GOTCHA! My try now! Message #20 Posted by Etienne Victoria on 2 Apr 2006, 1:48 a.m., in response to message #19 by Absolutely Anonymous Gotcha, I knew it was you from the first line :-)) For when thy Name thou wish to hide, Thou shallt not post with thy own style, And dazed by thy celebrity, Land shore of anonymity. Even for an Ex Pee-pee-see, One's left hand could the right no see. Good luck Dave to sort out the Forum Archives :-) And my apologies to the whole English-speaking planet! Etienne Edited: 3 Apr 2006, 2:25 p.m. after one or more responses were posted

Re: Mystery Solved - Valentin! GOTCHA! My try now! Message #21 Posted by Gerson W. Barbosa on 2 Apr 2006, 11:27 a.m., in response to message #20 by Etienne Victoria Hello Etienne, Quote: I knew it was you from the first line :-)) You're smarter than me: I knew it was him by the last word of the last line :-) Quote: And my apologies to the whole English-speaking planet! You shouldn't worry about that: the English-speaking community here is in general tolerant with the mistakes we non-native speakers make all the time. Best regards, Gerson.

Re: Mystery Solved - GOTCHA! My try now! Message #22 Posted by Etienne Victoria on 2 Apr 2006, 11:46 a.m., in response to message #21 by Gerson W. Barbosa Hello Gerson Thanks for your mail! I stand corrected and have to learn more. Please find hereunder the corrected program ;-) (I maintain Pee-pee-See). I kept the metrics by suppressing more useless words... For when thy Name thou wishest hide, Thou shalt not post with thy own style, And dazed by thy celebrity, Land shore of anonymity. Even for an Ex Pee-pee-see, One's left hand could the right no see. It reminds me the days trying to fit a program in an Hp-25! Friendly regards from France! Etienne Edited: 3 Apr 2006, 2:27 p.m.

Re: Mystery Solved - Valentin! GOTCHA! My try now! Message #23 Posted by Valentin Albillo on 3 Apr 2006, 5:34 a.m., in response to message #20 by Etienne Victoria Hi, Etienne: Etienne posted: "Gotcha Valentin, I knew it was you from the first line :-))" Nope. Actually, I find it nearly insulting that you would be so sure that: I would post under other name than my own, which as far as I know is unique in the world and I'm quite proud of it. I've nothing to hide and stand by my own public opinions unashamedly. My style is that *bad*. This actually hurts. Next time you want to insult me, please do it directly, no sarcasm necessary. And the same applies to Mr. Barbosa, who knew it was me "by the last word of the last line". Pathetic. Best regards from V.

Here here, Valentin Message #24 Posted by Don Shepherd on 3 Apr 2006, 8:15 a.m., in response to message #23 by Valentin Albillo Well said Valentin. I thought that this "April fools joke" was in very poor taste. I like a good joke as much as the next guy. In fact, I think a good sense of humor is a necessity these days, with the world the way it is. But for someone to post a message under false pretenses asking for advice, knowing that legitimate people will take their time to respond in a serious way, I think this is very poor. I almost replied myself even though I know absolutely nothing about this particular issue, because it certainly seemed to me that "jr" was out to rip this person off. But I decided to stay out of it. Until now. I think harmless April fools jokes are great. But I have no stomach for ones that take advantage of honest people.

Re: Here here, Valentin Message #25 Posted by Thomas Okken on 3 Apr 2006, 8:52 a.m., in response to message #24 by Don Shepherd Different people have a different tolerance for humor... I bet the Dutch Consumer's Union must be getting its share of confused (even angry) phone calls because of the "DVD Rewinder" article in their April issue. Hee hee hee. Lighten up... - Thomas

Re: Mystery Solved - Valentin! GOTCHA! My try now! Message #26 Posted by Gerson W. Barbosa on 3 Apr 2006, 9:23 a.m., in response to message #23 by Valentin Albillo Dear Mr. Albillo, Though trying not to get caught on any of those usual April's fools jokes, it appears the guy mimicking your style - badly, as it's now clear - has caught me on that. I am really sorry my inconvenient remark has been seen as an offense by you. I never meant to insult you in any way. However, I do recognize I should not have mentioned your name. Please accept my apologies. Sincerely, Mr. Barbosa.

Re: Mystery Solved - Valentin! GOTCHA! My try now! Message #27 Posted by Valentin Albillo on 3 Apr 2006, 10:56 a.m., in response to message #26 by Gerson W. Barbosa Hi, Gerson: Gerson posted: " However, I do recognize I should not have mentioned your name. Please accept my apologies." Of course, of course, thanks for asking, I know you're a kind, considerate person. It's just that, as you probably know, I am totally against anonymous postings, because I wouldn't talk or ask advice from anyone in real life without first properly introducing myself, and I would consider equally impolite that anyone would address me or ask for my help without bothering to even tell me their name, if nothing else. That being so, being publicly "identified" as a fully anonymous poster, responsible for a pathetic, extended clerihew, and further with the added remark that the "identification" was easy because it was obviously "my style" is a double or triple insult to me. First of all, for suggesting I would post anonymously despite my public attacks on the practice, then for suggesting that my style is so pathetically bad. It's certainly damaged my ego :-) Also, it doesn't help that Mr. E. Victoria is continually throwing punches once and again re my posting anonymously, the man or woman doesn't actually tire of it and it's far past grating as far as I'm concerned, that's why I resented both of your "identifications". From now on, please, rest assured that if Valentin Albillo posts anything at all, whether serious or tongue-in-cheek, he will do so strictly under the "Valentin Albillo"'s registered user name. Else, it's not mine, whatever the style. Thanks again for your amiable words and Best regards from V.

Re: Mystery Solved Message #28 Posted by Etienne Victoria on 3 Apr 2006, 2:18 p.m., in response to message #23 by Valentin Albillo Hi Valentin/Mr V. Albillo, 1. I never intended to insult you or anybody else here. If you have understood my post in this way, then it's my fault and I sincerely present my apologies for this. Of course, I'll delete any reference to your name to avoid any misunderstanding. 2. I do not judge your style. I just find it recognizable amongst others. Etienne/Mr E. Victoria Edited: 3 Apr 2006, 2:20 p.m.

[OT]You don't get it, do you ? Message #29 Posted by Valentin Albillo on 4 Apr 2006, 6:00 a.m., in response to message #28 by Etienne Victoria Hi, Mr. Victoria: Mr. Victoria posted: "Of course, I'll delete any reference to your name to avoid any misunderstanding." Now at long last I do pretty well understand why Mr. David Hicks disabled for a while the 'post-editing of messages' feature once some replies to them were posted. In this particular case, your deleting my name makes it seem to anyone later reading your message as if you never did anything objectionable at all, so both Gerson's reply and mine seem now all the more pointless and unfathomable. That's absolutely unacceptable, matter of fact leaves things worse than they were. In all fairness you should either delete your message completely, as its meaning and purpose are rendered utterly pointless if you're not referring to me, or else leave it as it was originally posted, wrong name and all. That is, lest you're mocking me, and/or you're still convinced it was me, and/or you don't want to deprive the public of your great "poetic achievements". Removing my name while still wrongly pointing at me for something I didn't do, with your "Ex Pee-pee-see" ramblings and all is just adding injury to insult. "I do not judge your style. I just find it recognizable amongst others." That only goes to prove that you recognize *nothing*, mister, you're absolutely clueless, as I've made plainly clear that it wasn't me. Seems to me you're pretty easy to fool and/or your feel quite confident in your 'sleuthing' abilities. Would you do me a favor ? Next time you feel like indulging in this again and attributing some pathetic ramblings to me or to "Ex Pee-pee-see" just go outside and sit in the highway until the urgency to do that passes you by. Also, unless your tiring attitude towards me makes a full 180-degree turn, this is the last time I'll knowingly communicate with you. That is, unless you re-register with a fake, anonymous name, and I don't recognize your 'style'. Best regards from V.

Re: [OT]You don't get it, do you ? Message #30 Posted by Etienne Victoria on 4 Apr 2006, 7:42 a.m., in response to message #29 by Valentin Albillo Plonk.

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