HP Forum Archive 21

[ Return to Index | Top of Index ]

Two PPC ROMs with the same serial# Message #1 Posted by Michael Craig on 24 June 2012, 1:52 p.m. An eBay auction currently running (221041569757) features a PPC ROM that (allegedly) is marked with the same serial number as my PPC ROM. I asked the seller if he was certain about the number, thinking that, if he'd made a typo, he'd want to correct it before the item sold.... to head of the possibility of a Not As Described case. No answer. OK. Maybe I was too vague. I contacted seller again and said that his s/n was identical to mine. No response. I have no problem with the guy ignoring me; it's his reputation* on the line, not mine. But I wonder if non-unique s/n - among PPC ROMs or any other HP-41-related hardware is a known thing. *One member here wrote some strong words about this seller in another thread.

Re: Two PPC ROMs with the same serial# Message #2 Posted by Eric Smith on 24 June 2012, 2:21 p.m., in response to message #1 by Michael Craig Each original order for the PPC ROM get two ROMs. I think they had the same number.

Re: Two PPC ROMs with the same serial# Message #3 Posted by Howard Owen on 24 June 2012, 3:58 p.m., in response to message #2 by Eric Smith That would make a matched pair somewhat collectable.

Re: Two PPC ROMs with the same serial# Message #4 Posted by Raymond Del Tondo on 24 June 2012, 6:14 p.m., in response to message #1 by Michael Craig Sorry to disappoint you, but the number is _not_ a real serial number, only kinda batch number. The four numbers (2333) only indicate the production year and week, the 33rd week in 1983 in this case. HTH Ray

Re: Two PPC ROMs with the same serial# Message #5 Posted by Eric Smith on 24 June 2012, 6:34 p.m., in response to message #4 by Raymond Del Tondo My recollection is that the original ones did have a stamped serial number, but it was with larger characters than the HP production week. Certainly there will be *many* units that match the production week.

Re: Two PPC ROMs with the same serial# Message #6 Posted by Namir on 24 June 2012, 6:56 p.m., in response to message #5 by Eric Smith I hope Richard Nelson is reading these threads, because he can tell you everything you want to know about the PPC ROM's production. Namir

Re: Two PPC ROMs with the same serial# Message #7 Posted by Michael Craig on 25 June 2012, 8:09 a.m., in response to message #5 by Eric Smith Another current PPC ROM auction 190693962335. This one arguably matches your description, Eric. Has 214?, in small digits, melted into the shell directly below "ID10/20 Singapore" and "2024A" in quite large type melted into the opposite side of the shell. My "2333" ROM has nothing at all on that side.

Re: Two PPC ROMs with the same serial# Message #8 Posted by Ángel Martin on 25 June 2012, 9:06 a.m., in response to message #7 by Michael Craig I always though that the large engraving was the Owner's PPC member#, and thus noting to do with the serial number... I think I read this was done for just a few of the initial batch ROMs. Truth, legend, myth or else I cannot tell.

Re: Two PPC ROMs with the same serial# Message #9 Posted by Diego Diaz. on 25 June 2012, 12:41 a.m., in response to message #4 by Raymond Del Tondo Hi all, Was more than one batch of PPC modules manufactured? I mean, PPC module was a 1981 release, so, a 2333 s/n should belong to a later production run. All the PPC ROM's I've seen so far are 21xx (2146 - 47 IICR). Obviously if some user got his PPC ROM housing damaged he may well place its internals into a nother case, replace the labels and super-glue it again... ;-) Just some thoughts Diego.

Re: Two PPC ROMs with the same serial# Message #10 Posted by Eric Smith on 25 June 2012, 1:50 a.m., in response to message #9 by Diego Diaz. I think there was at least one later batch. It seems likely that the PPC serial numbers were only put on the initial batch.

Re: Two PPC ROMs with the same serial# Message #11 Posted by Jake Schwartz on 25 June 2012, 12:10 p.m., in response to message #10 by Eric Smith Quote: I think there was at least one later batch. It seems likely that the PPC serial numbers were only put on the initial batch. I believe that there may have been two additional batches, but I don't think those had the engraving on the side. The original set of 2500 orders (each with two ROMs) had engraving with an "A" on one and a "B" on the other following the number. This was a sequence number from 1 to 2500 and a chart in the PPC ROM manual, starting on page 135 showed which members (by member number only) ordered which ones. For instance, my order was 78 and I kept "78A" while selling "78B" to another local PPC member in our Philadelphia-area PPC chapter in 1981. Jake

[ Return to Index | Top of Index ]

Go back to the main exhibit hall