[WP-34S] Cable and flashing options for Mac users

[John Galt]

I read Mr. dewster's technique on http://www.thereminworld.com/Forums/T/29...b-to-wp34s.

Sounds easy and sensible enough, and the former HP-30b appeared to erase as expected (in that it now appears to be dead as a post with its batteries rapidly depleting) but I hit a snag with programming.

I am using the same cable he described, the imported one that costs < $2:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161449702264

... with the latest driver from Prolific on a Mac found here:

http://www.prolific.com.tw/eng/downloads.asp?ID=31

(you have to log in - username / pw "guest" and "guest" respectively)

... and the wp35sflash program from the SourceForge archive here:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/wp34s/fi...g/download

After connecting Rx and Tx to the proper pads through a 1K resistor and clicking the Flash button, the wp34sflash program replies either "No answer Cannot connect to WP34s". Repeated attempts return either that or "Invalid answer: 0x4e0x23 Cannot connect to WP34s". The hex code, when it appears, is usually the same. The battery voltage (running off a single battery) remains a steady 3.0V throughout.

TL;DR it just doesn't work :-(

What I have tried:

- Two USB PL2303HX cables. I did disassemble one to verify it is a real Prolific device.
- Yosemite and Snow Leopard
- Many resets

Any ideas?