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HP Forum Archive 19

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Determining HP 48sx ROM version by SN?
Message #1 Posted by megarat on 12 Apr 2010, 1:18 p.m.

Hey all,

I've decided to get back into the RPL game by hunting down a 48sx. Ideally I would get one with firmware/ROM version J. (Unless you can recommend an earlier version instead, for a reason that isn't obvious to me.)

So: is there a way to determine the ROM version by the serial number? Most eBay sellers seem to balk at going through the steps of determining their ROM version, but don't have much issue with providing an SN.

(I suspect there is probably a very clear relationship between SN and ROM version, so I guess the second-order question is: has this relationship been properly mapped out? A survey of HP48 owners would be the obvious way to do this. (Although such a mapping would exclude units that have been factory-upgraded by HP, of course.))

      
Re: Determining HP 48sx ROM version by SN?
Message #2 Posted by Dave Britten on 12 Apr 2010, 3:46 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by megarat

I can't say how strong the correlation is, but here's my J ROM unit as a data point:

3310S04480

I've got another SX at home that's not rev. J that I can check later this evening.

The steps for checking the ROM revision in an SX are so simple that I'd be surprised if any decent seller wouldn't take the necessary 30 seconds for a potential buyer. All you do is press On+D, Backspace, Eval, which prints the ROM details plain as day. Then press ON+C to resume normal operation.

            
Re: Determining HP 48sx ROM version by SN?
Message #3 Posted by Allen on 12 Apr 2010, 6:01 p.m.,
in response to message #2 by Dave Britten

I have a 48s ROM Version J (not SX) SN 3311S00452, If you're interested, send me your address.

Edited: 12 Apr 2010, 6:02 p.m.

            
Re: Determining HP 48sx ROM version by SN?
Message #4 Posted by Allen on 12 Apr 2010, 6:27 p.m.,
in response to message #2 by Dave Britten

Here are other data points for 48s/sx Versions:

48sx ROM: C	3017A01085
48sx ROM: D     3021A00931
48sx ROM: D     3027A01190
48sx ROM: D     3028A00869
48SX ROM: D     3028A02420
48sx ROM: D     3030A02142
48sx ROM: E     3107A01152
48sx ROM: E     3111A00584
48sx ROM: E     3112A00435
48sx ROM: E     3115A00495
48sx ROM: E     3116S01777
48sx ROM: E     3117S00252
48sx ROM: E     3132S00211
48sx ROM: E     3137S03581
48sx Rom: E     3208S02217
48sx ROM: E     3217S00646
48sx ROM: E     3217S00674
48s  ROM: E	3240S00388
48s  ROM: E	3242S02348
48s  ROM: J     3246S07047
48s  ROM: J     3311S00452
48sx ROM: J     3320S00496

Edited: 12 Apr 2010, 6:42 p.m. after one or more responses were posted

                  
Re: Determining HP 48sx ROM version by SN?
Message #5 Posted by megarat on 12 Apr 2010, 6:42 p.m.,
in response to message #4 by Allen

Very cool, thanks.

There seems to be a clear relationship between SN and ROM version. It would be terrific to nail them down a bit more (e.g., are the version boundaries between US and Singapore models the same?).

                  
Re: Determining HP 48sx ROM version by SN?
Message #6 Posted by Marcus von Cube, Germany on 14 Apr 2010, 4:13 p.m.,
in response to message #4 by Allen

Here is one more:

HP-48S ROM: E SN: 3214S00428

            
Re: Determining HP 48sx ROM version by SN?
Message #7 Posted by megarat on 12 Apr 2010, 6:39 p.m.,
in response to message #2 by Dave Britten

Quote:
The steps for checking the ROM revision in an SX are so simple that I'd be surprised if any decent seller wouldn't take the necessary 30 seconds for a potential buyer.

I'm with you on that ... I ask politely, ask early in the auction cycle, and even include the instructions, but so far, every single time I've asked, I've either received (a) no response (four out of six times), or (b) an unhelpful waffling akin to "all I can say is that it's made in [country] and passes the self-tests" (twice).

I generally take this as an indicator of someone I wouldn't want to do business with and keep looking.

            
Survey: what is the serial number and ROM version of your HP 48?
Message #8 Posted by megarat on 12 Apr 2010, 6:48 p.m.,
in response to message #2 by Dave Britten

I'll maintain a list of all responses here. If you (generically addressing the reader) can provide your SN, specific model, and ROM version, I'll keep adding to the list, at least for the near future.

(Last updated: 13 Apr 2010)

48sx ROM: A 2952A00211 48sx ROM: B 3013A01447 48sx ROM: C 3017A01085 48sx ROM: D 3021A00931 48sx ROM: D 3027A01190 48sx ROM: D 3028A00869 48sx ROM: D 3028A02420 48sx ROM: D 3030A02142 48sx ROM: E 3038A03578 48SX ROM: E 3052A01149 48sx ROM: E 3107A01152 48sx ROM: E 3111A00584 48sx ROM: E 3112A00435 48sx ROM: E 3115A00495 48sx ROM: E 3116S01777 48sx ROM: E 3117S00252 48sx ROM: E 3132S00211 48sx ROM: E 3137S03581 48sx Rom: E 3208S02217 48sx ROM: E 3217S00646 48sx ROM: E 3217S00674 48s ROM: E 3240S00388 48s ROM: E 3242S02348 48s ROM: J 3246S07047 48sx ROM: J 3247S01125 48sx ROM: J 3310S04480 48s ROM: J 3311S00452 48sx ROM: J 3320S00496

Edited: 13 Apr 2010, 12:12 p.m. after one or more responses were posted

                  
Re: Survey: what is the serial number and ROM version of your HP 48?
Message #9 Posted by Marc Ferrer (France) on 13 Apr 2010, 4:20 a.m.,
in response to message #8 by megarat

Hello,

HP-48SX s/n 3013A01447, version B.

Regards, Marc

Edited: 13 Apr 2010, 4:25 a.m.

                        
Re: Survey: what is the serial number and ROM version of your HP 48?
Message #10 Posted by Paul Dale on 13 Apr 2010, 5:16 a.m.,
in response to message #9 by Marc Ferrer (France)

48sx 3038A03578 version E

The earliest rev E so far :-)

- Pauli

Edited: 13 Apr 2010, 8:02 a.m.

                  
Re: Survey: what is the serial number and ROM version of your HP 48?
Message #11 Posted by Thomas Klemm on 13 Apr 2010, 8:51 a.m.,
in response to message #8 by megarat

Quote:
I'll keep adding to the list, at least for the near future.

I suggest to create an article. As soon as this thread is archived you won't be able to modify it.

Best regards
Thomas

                        
Re: Survey: what is the serial number and ROM version of your HP 48?
Message #12 Posted by megarat on 13 Apr 2010, 12:11 p.m.,
in response to message #11 by Thomas Klemm

Thanks for the suggestion, I didn't know the difference. I'll do that.

EDIT: I've done so, the article is here: http://www.hpmuseum.org/cgi-sys/cgiwrap/hpmuseum/articles.cgi?read=991.

Edited: 13 Apr 2010, 12:24 p.m.

                  
Re: Survey: what is the serial number and ROM version of your HP 48?
Message #13 Posted by megarat on 15 Apr 2010, 1:08 p.m.,
in response to message #8 by megarat

Thanks everyone for your posts thus far. I've been updating the article here.

I'm not trying to be exclusive of the 48s series ... if you want to submit your G/GX/G+ information as well, feel free.

Regardless, I'm particularly interested in cases that help define the boundary conditions (e.g., where the versions change).

                        
Re: Survey: what is the serial number and ROM version of your HP 48?
Message #14 Posted by Thomas Okken on 15 Apr 2010, 5:19 p.m.,
in response to message #13 by megarat

Happy to oblige. HP-48G, version M, 3344S06734

                        
Re: Survey: what is the serial number and ROM version of your HP 48?
Message #15 Posted by Bart (UK) on 15 Apr 2010, 6:14 p.m.,
in response to message #13 by megarat

Here goes:

48G Ver.R S/N 3422S07894
48GX Ver.R S/N 3616S02571
48GX Ver.R S/N 3627S01702

            
Re: Determining HP 48sx ROM version by SN?
Message #16 Posted by Mike Morrow on 16 Apr 2010, 9:53 p.m.,
in response to message #2 by Dave Britten

My units:

HP48SX ROM Version E 1989 3117A00013
HP48GX ROM Version R 1993 3629S01544
HP48GX ROM Version R 1993 SG72400781

It's interesting that there are 3116S and 3117S listings here, even though my SX is definitely a 3117A. I guess there was some overlap of the American and the Singapore manufacturing process for the SX.

Edited: 16 Apr 2010, 10:05 p.m.

                  
Re: Determining HP 48sx ROM version by SN?
Message #17 Posted by megarat on 19 Apr 2010, 12:54 p.m.,
in response to message #16 by Mike Morrow

I agree, that's an interesting overlap.

      
Re: Determining HP 48sx ROM version by SN?
Message #18 Posted by Han on 12 Apr 2010, 9:30 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by megarat

48SX ROM E: 3052A01149 I also have one with serial number 3006A00426 (48SX) but its screen is broken. I'll add its ROM version once I get a screen for it.

Edited: 12 Apr 2010, 9:32 p.m.

            
Re: Determining HP 48sx ROM version by SN?
Message #19 Posted by Nacho on 13 Apr 2010, 7:28 a.m.,
in response to message #18 by Han

Older I have

48SX ROM A: Serial N: 2952A00211 ( USA )

Newer

48SX ROM J: Serial N: 3247S01125 ç(Singapore)

Regards,

Nacho

Edited: 13 Apr 2010, 7:30 a.m.

                  
Re: Determining HP 48sx ROM version by SN?
Message #20 Posted by megarat on 13 Apr 2010, 12:45 p.m.,
in response to message #19 by Nacho

Quote:

48SX ROM A: Serial N: 2952A00211 ( USA )


According to the MoHPC's table of "Earliest Serial Numbers (so far)", this takes the prime spot.

Is that page/table updated frequently?

                        
Re: Determining HP 48sx ROM version by SN?
Message #21 Posted by nacho on 14 Apr 2010, 11:44 a.m.,
in response to message #20 by megarat

Quote:

According to the MoHPC's table of "Earliest Serial Numbers (so far)", this takes the prime spot.

Is that page/table updated frequently?


I told the mr. Hicks about that but no answer received.

I think it's just curious.

regards,

Nacho

      
Re: Determining HP 48sx ROM version by SN?
Message #22 Posted by Ken Shaw on 13 Apr 2010, 1:55 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by megarat

48SX s/n 3017A00080 Rev. C

48SX s/n 3103A02201 Rev. E

(edit to correct huge error!)

Edited: 13 Apr 2010, 1:56 p.m.

      
Re: Determining HP 48sx ROM version by SN?
Message #23 Posted by Bart (UK) on 13 Apr 2010, 3:34 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by megarat

48SX rom E S/N 3204S03206

      
Re: Determining HP 48sx ROM version by SN?
Message #24 Posted by Martin Pinckney on 14 Apr 2010, 11:01 a.m.,
in response to message #1 by megarat

E 3104A02185 USA
D 3029A02006 USA

            
Re: Determining HP 48sx ROM version by SN?
Message #25 Posted by megarat on 14 Apr 2010, 1:06 p.m.,
in response to message #24 by Martin Pinckney

Quote:
E 3104A02185 USA
D 3029A02006 USA

Martin, which models are these? S or SX?

                  
Re: Determining HP 48sx ROM version by SN?
Message #26 Posted by Martin Pinckney on 14 Apr 2010, 10:09 p.m.,
in response to message #25 by megarat

Sorry, I didn't think to state since the OP was about SX. They are both SX.

      
Re: Determining HP 48sx ROM version by SN?
Message #27 Posted by Steve Perkins on 14 Apr 2010, 3:13 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by megarat

48S rom E S/N 3225S04049

      
Re: Determining HP 48sx ROM version by SN?
Message #28 Posted by Ignazio Cara (Italy) on 15 Apr 2010, 4:09 a.m.,
in response to message #1 by megarat

HP-48SX S/N 3208 S 05906 ->> Version HP-48 E - 1989


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