HP Forum Archive 18

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HP 50G serial number Message #1 Posted by hpnut on 15 Aug 2008, 12:23 a.m. I just got a new HP 50G. I was shocked that the serial number is a sticker, not a number engraved onto the claculator! Imagine a firearm with the serial number affixed with a sticker, you get the idea ;-) is this the case with the new HP 20b too? I got a prototype so it does not have a serial number. what is it like on a production model?

Re: HP 50G serial number Message #2 Posted by Namir on 15 Aug 2008, 7:15 a.m., in response to message #1 by hpnut I have a sticker for the serial number, on my HP20b.

Re: HP 50G serial number Message #3 Posted by Allen on 15 Aug 2008, 7:37 a.m., in response to message #1 by hpnut This could go good or bad. One benefit is that there is usually a duplicate sticker on the blister pack (See the Back of the Silver 17bii+ for example) so you can know the serial number without busting the wrapper.

Re: HP 50G serial number Message #4 Posted by Walter B on 15 Aug 2008, 8:45 a.m., in response to message #3 by Allen Are you starting to collect serial numbers? (I guess you had something different in mind but I couldn't let this go ;)

Re: HP 50G serial number Message #5 Posted by Allen on 15 Aug 2008, 4:27 p.m., in response to message #4 by Walter B no, but if you have more than one of something, it is useful to identify it in some way.:) I have duplicates in my collection, sealed and unsealed, and it is very easy to keep track of them by serial number. Cheers, Al

Re: HP 50G serial number Message #6 Posted by Manatee on 15 Aug 2008, 9:21 a.m., in response to message #1 by hpnut Quote: Imagine a firearm with the serial number affixed with a sticker, you get the idea ;-) Here in the "Wild West" of the U.S., we don't have to register our calculators, so there's no accountability for an errant calculation anyway. If calculators _were_ regulated like firearms, I guess here in Virginia I'd be allowed to buy one per month. And if I bought one online, I'd need to have it shipped to a licensed calculator dealer. :-)

Re: HP 50G serial number Message #7 Posted by Reth on 15 Aug 2008, 9:32 a.m., in response to message #1 by hpnut serial numbers are usually given to valuable pieces of equipment like survey total stations. 20 years ago HP calcs were valuable, not any more though. I wander why they (HP) bother giving serial numbers to their current production at all. They all look like disposable items (after HP48G)to me. Am I going blind? Cheers, reth

Re: HP 50G serial number Message #8 Posted by Martin Pinckney on 15 Aug 2008, 1:01 p.m., in response to message #7 by Reth The only purpose it serves on a cheap product is to allow the manufacturer to isolate and identify production problems based on warranty-returned items.

Re: HP 50G serial number Message #9 Posted by Norris on 15 Aug 2008, 5:14 p.m., in response to message #1 by hpnut Actually, the 50G has two serial numbers. There is also an internal serial number, which is displayed when you flash the ROM. The internal serial number differs from the external serial number on the little sticker. On my 50G: The external serial number is shown as: CNA 638xxxxx The internal serial number is shown as: CNA630xxxx To see the internal serial number, type: 256 ATTACH [Enter] SERIAL [Enter] and scroll to the right Edited: 15 Aug 2008, 5:33 p.m.

Re: HP 50G serial number Message #10 Posted by hpnut on 15 Aug 2008, 8:48 p.m., in response to message #9 by Norris Quote: The internal serial number differs from the external serial number on the little sticker. On my 50G: The external serial number is shown as: CNA 638xxxxx The internal serial number is shown as: CNA630xxxx thanks for the info. In my case, they are externally CNA727yyyyy, internally CNA724zzzzz. I am puzzled. what is the use of different serial nos? I disagree with what some members said about serial nos. useful only for expensive equipment. well, at US$150 manufacturer's recommended price, the HP 50G is not exactly cheap, remember it is HP's flagship calculator. surely engraving the serial no. does not cost much, HP had done it before. this sticker serial no. is nonsense :-(

Re: HP 50G serial number Message #11 Posted by designnut on 15 Aug 2008, 11:53 p.m., in response to message #10 by hpnut My 32SII is stamped with a serial, the 33S, 35S are stick on labels. What does Epson and TI do? Sam

Re: HP 50G serial number Message #12 Posted by Mike Morrow on 16 Aug 2008, 6:15 a.m., in response to message #10 by hpnut For truely premium items like the hp6s, batch numbers are used rather than individual unit serial numbers. "When all calculators are outlawed, Only outlaws will have calculators!" :-)

Re: HP 50G serial number Message #13 Posted by Scott Newell on 16 Aug 2008, 5:08 p.m., in response to message #1 by hpnut Quote: is this the case with the new HP 20b too? I got a prototype so it does not have a serial number. what is it like on a production model? Tell us more about your prototype 20b--is there anything different about it (other than the missing serial)? What version of firmware does it contain?

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