The Museum of HP Calculators

HP Forum Archive 21

[ Return to Index | Top of Index ]

Voyager Self Test
Message #1 Posted by Mike (Stgt) on 16 May 2013, 5:05 a.m.

One of the self tests for Voyagers (HP-10C, -11C, 12C, -15C, and -16C) is for key board and display segments. It is startet with the calculator off by pressing the '/' key (upper left corner), hitting the ON key (lower left corner) and then releasing the '/' key. The display shows four segments "lit" (well, they are black or visible). To pass the test you must hit now all keys _once_ in sequence (only the ENTER twice, just in "it's" row), going row by row beginning with the upper left key. At every key press the display changes, showing four segments in the first row and all but the last key only two segments.

Question to all with access to a real HP-10C _and_ other Voyagers: comparing the display step for step, are the same segments lit on both Voyagers?

Questions to the experts: are there differences within the Voyager series regarding the display? Yes there are, but is there more out there than Erig's highly valuable variants list, especially about the display? A manual about the Voyager's self tests could help I assume. One more: are there ROM revisions?

TIA for all your effort

      
Re: Voyager Self Test
Message #2 Posted by Olivier De Smet on 16 May 2013, 5:31 a.m.,
in response to message #1 by Mike (Stgt)

On go1xc emulators there could be some artifacts when doing the test : on go15c for the key '2' the display is mistaken as a program line and display -GTO ,0 :)

Perhaps I should also correct this too ?

Olivier

      
Re: Voyager Self Test
Message #3 Posted by Katie Wasserman on 16 May 2013, 1:20 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by Mike (Stgt)

The "real" 10C has a different key test display sequence than the "real" 11C/12C/15C/16C. However it works the same way, 4 segments for each key press on the top row, 2 segments for each other key press.

            
Re: Voyager Self Test
Message #4 Posted by Mike (Stgt) on 16 May 2013, 3:16 p.m.,
in response to message #3 by Katie Wasserman

Thank you for your time (and batteries)

Ciao.....Mike

      
Re: Voyager Self Test
Message #5 Posted by Randy on 16 May 2013, 1:46 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by Mike (Stgt)

Quote:
Questions to the experts: are there differences within the Voyager series regarding the display? Yes there are, but is there more out there than Erig's highly valuable variants list, especially about the display? A manual about the Voyager's self tests could help I assume

Eric mentions this in his document:

Quote:
Most recently, the HP-12C was redesigned to run from a single coin cell rather than three button cells. (All other Voyager calculators had since been discontinued.) The chip was redesigned again as the 2AF1-0001 in order to operate at the lower voltage. The LCD was probably also changed; it might still have the same organization and contacts, but likely contains a different liquid crystal material optimized for the lower voltage.

There are only slight differences in LCD voltages (~ 500mv) in spite of the supply difference of 1.5 volts. I can tell you from display repairs I've done that the 3 volt 12C displays do in fact work in the older one chip version 11C's and the two chip 15C's. Other than the change in the reflector color from silver to gold, they appear to work without any visible differences.

Quote:
One more: are there ROM revisions?

Hopefully Eric will respond to that one. I don't think there are but if anyone knows, it will be him.

Edited: 16 May 2013, 1:48 p.m.

            
Re: Voyager Self Test
Message #6 Posted by Mike (Stgt) on 16 May 2013, 3:28 p.m.,
in response to message #5 by Randy

Thank you for the details. I am at most interested in differences in 'organisation' of the switching of single display segments. Those, which could require a change of the firmware.

Ciao.....Mike


[ Return to Index | Top of Index ]

Go back to the main exhibit hall