Dead HP49?
Peter Karp
it's been quite some time when I last posted here ;-)
I finished my studies -- now looking for a job and right now without
success :-/ -- and don't use my HP48 or HP49 much these days.
Anyway, I wanted to transfer my programs from the HP48 to the HP49 and
actually try to finally get comfortable with the keyboard (although a
chinese one), but....
...a few days before I used the HP49 the last time. After that it just
was laying on my desktop. Now the HP49 doesn't respond at all, when I
try to switch it on.
I did the usual things:
* changing to fresh batteries
* pressing ON and paperclip-reset
* revoming the batteries and pressing ON for a minute to drain the
capcitor
* inserting the fresh batteries and trying again
I didn't have time to let the calc lay without batteries for two days.
That's the last thing I'm trying.
Any other ideas?
I already contacted the german distributor who handles the repairs
(Bandermann Büroelectronic). I was told that the HP49 is too old (a
little bit more then one year... the receipt is from 2001-11-15). So
it's out of warranty and won't get replaced. I didn't use the HP49
much and I'm really disappointed.
I was told I could get a new one for a special price. Although that's
kind of a joke. They ask for 150 Euro's for a replacement. A new one
is sold for 170 Euro.
If someone can point me to a place where I might get a replacement for
free or for the cost price or when someone has another idea what I
could do to to get the HP49 back to life I'd be lucky to hear from
you. Should I try to dance around it, when it's full moon? ;-)
Thanks alot.
Greetings from Cologne
Peter
--
*The* HP48/HP49 archive:
http://www.hpcalc.org
Veli-Pekka Nousiainen
while they are in the calculator and power off
then try to turn the power on again (several times).
This should work the "magic" eith the chinese models.
VPN - the repairman
PS: If it works, you own me a cup of coffee and a doughnut!
(-:
"Peter Karp" <new...@web.de> wrote in message
news:qqtr5v4vkqv4u1td2...@4ax.com...
X
James M. Prange
> Hi,
Hi Peter,
> it's been quite some time when I last posted here ;-)
Welcome back!
> I finished my studies
Congratulations and welcome to the "real world".
> -- now looking for a job and right now without
> success :-/
I wish you success soon.
> -- and don't use my HP48 or HP49 much these days.
No school, no job; lots of time to play with your calculators and post
to the newsgroup, right? What more could you want? Oh yeah, money; me
too.
> Anyway, I wanted to transfer my programs from the HP48 to the HP49 and
> actually try to finally get comfortable with the keyboard (although a
> chinese one), but....
>
> ...a few days before I used the HP49 the last time. After that it just
> was laying on my desktop. Now the HP49 doesn't respond at all, when I
> try to switch it on.
>
> I did the usual things:
>
> * changing to fresh batteries
> * pressing ON and paperclip-reset
> * revoming the batteries and pressing ON for a minute to drain the
> capcitor
> * inserting the fresh batteries and trying again
>
> I didn't have time to let the calc lay without batteries for two days.
> That's the last thing I'm trying.
>
> Any other ideas?
There have been several reports of dead (or moribund) Chinese-made 49Gs,
either as an "out-of-box experience" (Hmm, which company have I heard
that phrase from?) or after relatively little use. Some have been
"resurrected" by replacing a capacitor. Apparently HP must've gotten a
bad lot from its supplier. You could probably find the relevant posts by
searching the newsgroup with Google, but there is a recent thread about
this at the Museum Forum; see
http://www.hpmuseum.org/cgi-sys/cgiwrap/hpmuseum/forum.cgi?read=28427.
> I already contacted the german distributor who handles the repairs
> (Bandermann Büroelectronic). I was told that the HP49 is too old (a
> little bit more then one year... the receipt is from 2001-11-15). So
> it's out of warranty and won't get replaced. I didn't use the HP49
> much and I'm really disappointed.
>
> I was told I could get a new one for a special price. Although that's
> kind of a joke. They ask for 150 Euro's for a replacement. A new one
> is sold for 170 Euro.
I think HP would be wise to offer a special extended warranty for this
particular problem. But maybe the "New HP" doesn't count customer
satisfaction as part of the "bottom line".
> If someone can point me to a place where I might get a replacement for
> free or for the cost price or when someone has another idea what I
> could do to to get the HP49 back to life I'd be lucky to hear from
> you. Should I try to dance around it, when it's full moon? ;-)
I suppose that a dance around it at full moon wouldn't do any harm (as
long as you don't step on it), but if that doesn't help, try the
capacitor; that sounds a lot better than spending 150 Euros for a
trade-in that may have the same defect. If it's not the capacitor, you
could probably put it back together and then go for the trade-in.
> Thanks alot.
You're welcome.
> Greetings from Cologne
--
Greetings from China (Township, that is, in Michigan, U.S.A.),
James
Bill Storey
<new...@web.de> writes:
>I did the usual things:
>
>* changing to fresh batteries
>* pressing ON and paperclip-reset
>* revoming the batteries and pressing ON for a minute to drain the
>capcitor
>* inserting the fresh batteries and trying again
>
>I didn't have time to let the calc lay without batteries for two days.
>That's the last thing I'm trying.
Peter, thanks for your help in the past. You did not mention On + to increase
the constrast, although it doesn't sound promising. There has also been some
mention of a faulty main capacitor, failing in relatively new units of Chinese
manufacture.
Bill
alternate E-dress wtst...@ieee.org.no.spam.please
(Use the obvious)
Miguel Angel CAPORALINI HERK
If the HP-49G of Peter is Chinese model (Serial ... CN...........) and
not run in warmstart state, can intended to change a internal
condenser (1000 microfarads and 6.3 vdc) or needed technical service
from HP. This condenser preserve the memory or HOME, and port 0 & 1 (~
60" for change batteries).
Best Regards from Neuquén - Patagonia ARGENTINA - South America.[:¬)
Miguel Angel CAPORALINI HERK (M.A.C.H.)
*******************************************************************************
"Veli-Pekka Nousiainen" <DROP...@welho.com> wrote in message news:<b3lj7d$aqg$1...@nyytiset.pp.htv.fi>...
Peter Karp
wrote:
[some things I tried to get my HP49 alive]
> Peter, thanks for your help in the past.
:-)
> You did not mention On + to increase
> the constrast, although it doesn't sound promising.
Yes, I forgot to mention that, because it was an obvious idea, but I
had tried that also. Thanks for mentioning the idea.
> There has also been some mention of a faulty main capacitor, failing
> in relatively new units of Chinese manufacture.
I guess that this is the cause for the failure of my HP49.
Peter Karp
<jmpr...@i-is.com> wrote:
> > it's been quite some time when I last posted here ;-)
>
> Welcome back!
Thanks. I was surprised to find John and Joe more active, then about a
year ago, when I last time read the news.
> > I finished my studies
>
> Congratulations and welcome to the "real world".
Thanks. The study was my second education. I already learned a
business job earlier and worked for some time in this field. But that
was not my "real" interest and I wanted to study something technical.
But I already knew how the "real world" can look alike ;-)
> > -- now looking for a job and right now without success :-/
>
> I wish you success soon.
Thanks again. At this time it's pretty hard to get a job. I would have
liked to stay at Zeiss, where I wrote my diploma thesis, but they
don't hire new people these days. The only open jobs they have are for
experienced (some years job experience) specialized people. If I'd
had done optical designs for some years I'd get a job immediatly.
BTW, my diploma thesis dealt with color appearance phenomenon and
color
management.
But I'm confident that I'll find one. I just hope that it won't take
too long.
> No school, no job; lots of time to play with your calculators and
> post to the newsgroup, right?
No, not really. I could take time for that. But that wouldn't be wise.
I use the time to focus on things I always wanted to learn, but didn't
had time (like programming) and improving my knowledge in my field.
But much time is needed to search for possible jobs, do phone calls,
write e-mails and letters, having interviews and so on.
> There have been several reports of dead (or moribund) Chinese-made
> 49Gs, either as an "out-of-box experience" (Hmm, which company have
> I heard that phrase from?)
I dont' know.
> or after relatively little use.
This is true for my 49G.
> Some have been "resurrected" by replacing a capacitor. [bad lot]
That's _very_ interesting!
> http://www.hpmuseum.org/cgi-sys/cgiwrap/hpmuseum/forum.cgi?read=28427.
Thanks for the pointer :-)
> I think HP would be wise to offer a special extended warranty for
> this particular problem. But maybe the "New HP" doesn't count
> customer satisfaction as part of the "bottom line".
I'll contact Bandermann (the distributor) again. With this additional
info they might rethink if there's a chance to exchange the calc. If
they refuse to do that I'll have to use my soldering iron and see if
that works out.
> I suppose that a dance around it at full moon wouldn't do any harm
> (as long as you don't step on it)
O.k. I'll take care of that ;-)
santosl...@cotse.net
> I was told that the HP49 is too old (a little bit more then one
> year... the receipt is from 2001-11-15).
Hello Peter, can you post the Serial Number of your calculator?
I bought a Chinese HP49 in Jan 2002 and have been using it
frequently with no problems. I am willing to keep a list of
HP49 SN's that have failed because of the "capacitor problem".
This way maybe we can bracket the manufacturing dates that
may have a potential problem with this capacitor. I'll post
my SN tomorrow (no problem, yet). I'll review old messages to
this group to track SN's that have shown the "failed capacitor"
symptoms. If anyone else has had this problem, please post the
Serial Number of your HP49 and I'll add it to the list. Thanks!
Santos Lucero
Virgil
<c2FudG9zbA==.d0c9ba5de864d065...@1046479302.co
tse.net>,
<santosl...@cotse.net> wrote:
My hp49, serial number CN14502110, has died, though I don't
know the cause for sure.
It will get as far as asking whether I want to recover
memory, but whatever I choose, it just dies from that point.
Samuel Sosa
original condensator SMG 1000uF and 6.3 V for another that I got of
1000uF and 10 V, the size it is very important so that closes again,
the calculator began to work again and it has not failed in 48 hours.
But I believe that the company HP should respond since evidently for
this flaw it is a failure in the quality of the components that use,
I hope they have already paid it in the calculators that it
manufactures at the moment.
santosl...@cotse.net
> My hp49, serial number CN14502110, has died, though I don't
> know the cause for sure.
>
> It will get as far as asking whether I want to recover
> memory, but whatever I choose, it just dies from that point.
Thanks Virgil, it does not sound like the "dead HP49 capacitor
problem". My HP49 Serial Number is very close to yours but
I have experienced no problems at all. My SN: CN14501436.
See the message below from John Meyers re: Try to recover memory.
Santos Lucero
-------------------------
From: John H Meyers (jhme...@miu.edu)
Subject: Re: Try to recover memory
Newsgroups: comp.sys.hp48
Date: 2000-09-11 21:30:11 PST
According to Dave Arnett, IIRC, a series diode limits the utility
of shorting out the battery connections in the HP48; however,
repeatedly pressing ON (with batteries removed) should
do about as much as you can to immediately drain any capacitors
in the power supply (and leave the calc in "coma" mode), and
the "age calculator in oak cask" procedure (i.e. wait a long time)
will let them drain even further (hopefully resetting all RAM).
No physical harm could have been done by trying to recover memory,
however (or if it was, it's HP's fault for faulty rom code), so
if this is a newly purchased calc and you can't recover with
the "reset hole" (which should be done with a little care,
as there is no fancy pushbutton there, just pressing the
electrostatic shield against a pad on the PC board :)
then a warranty replacement from HP would be in order.
With regard to the "reset" hole, use an all-metal paper clip
(or solid wire), of as large a diameter as you can get which
can be stuck into the hole, and push it straight down, carefully,
until you touch the PC board inside. The USA Giant or Jumbo
paper clip is ideal (and it doubles as the perfect disk ejector
for your Mac :)
-----------------------------------------------------------
With best wishes from: John H Meyers <jhme...@mum.edu>
Peter Karp
wrote:
> Hello Peter, can you post the Serial Number of your calculator?
CN13000372
> I am willing to keep a list of
> HP49 SN's that have failed because of the "capacitor problem".
That's a good idea. Thanks for the offer.
Peter Karp
> it really works, I have just made it, and I work, change the marked
> original condensator SMG 1000uF and 6.3 V for another that I got of
> 1000uF and 10 V, the size it is very important so that closes again,
> the calculator began to work again and it has not failed in 48 hours.
Thanks for the description. It seems HP will not replace the calc and
I'll give this a try.
> But I believe that the company HP should respond since evidently for
> this flaw it is a failure in the quality of the components that use
Yes, I also think that such a case should be handled regardless of the
gurantee time...
Samuel Sosa
This serial is of HP49G repair by change capacitor 1000uF,6.3V.
CN05200220
Now is working good.
Samuel Sosa
santosl...@cotse.net
> On Fri, 28 Feb 2003 19:41:42 -0500 (EST), <santosl...@cotse.net>
> wrote:
>
> > Hello Peter, can you post the Serial Number of your calculator?
>
> CN13000372
Thanks, Peter and Samuel. I'll start the list and hopefully
some information about manufacturing codes will surface regarding
the "capacitor problem". I will do a search of old messages to
see if Serial Numbers are mentioned with this problem.
CN05200220 Samuel
CN13000372 Peter
Santos Lucero CN14501436 (No problem)