I am looking for someone here with experience speeding up and/or changing the HP 48sx user interface.

I have found SpeedUI, Java, and Meta Kernel on http://www.hpcalc.org

The description for SpeedUI specifies "For the 48G series only".

The descriptions for both Java and Meta Kernel Full Version are silent on this, stating only for "HP 48".

I have read "A comprehensive review of the Meta Kernel ROM card", also on hpcalc.org, and it says that it works with the 48gx only. But this was a ROM card that is (presumably) no longer available. "Meta Kernel Full Version" is designed to be loaded onto a 128k RAM card, which I have.

Based on the descriptions, I am very interested in trying either Java or Meta Kernel on my 48sx.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Dear Martin,

I have seen in another post that you were trying to speed up your 48SX.

MK works only for 48G series.

remember that Port 0 of a 48SX only has 32KB and to download the MK you will need to 256kb Port 0 ( 128Kb ) and Port 1 ( memory card 128k)of a 48G.

So in a 48S series via that way it is no possible.

:(

Regards,

Nacho

Nacho,

Thanks for responding, although not the answer I was hoping for!

Are you saying that memory available for downloading is the issue? I have access to a 48gx for downloading and setting up the 128k RAM card; then could the card be transferred to and used in the sx? Thanks.

the correct answer is not memory problem but incompatibility.

Remember G and S series work the same way with USER RPL programs but ROM's differ a lot.

No chance.

Mr Raymond del Tondo perhaps can give more information about SpeedUI and 48S series.

Write him, he is the creator of SpeedUI.

Regards,

Nacho

Edited: 19 Oct 2009, 7:56 a.m.

Nacho,

Remember I was asking about Meta Kernel, not SpeedUI.

I thought your first answer was that there was not enough memory available in Port 0 for downloading, thus the reason for my further questions. Thanks.

So am am still wondering if anyone knows of similar software written for the sx.

On an SX, I'd suggest using JAVA, as it has a relatively small footprint, and works fine.

However I'd suggest upgrading to the HP-48GX,

since the GX is much better than the SX in almost all respects,

except maybe regarding the keyboard legend colors,

which are a matter of taste;-)

HTH

Raymond

Raymond, thanks for chiming in.

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On an SX, I'd suggest using JAVA, as it has a relatively small footprint, and works fine.

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Can you confirm, then, that Meta Kernel will not work on the SX platform? I still would prefer it, since it seems to have more features than Java.

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However I'd suggest upgrading to the HP-48GX,

since the GX is much better than the SX in almost all respects,

except maybe regarding the keyboard legend colors,

which are a matter of taste;-)

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Well, you hit on it. It's not only the color scheme, it's the inset logo instead of painted on, it's the molded key legends, it's the "Made In USA" on the back; in short, the overall impression of build quality.

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My 1996 Singapore GX has moulded key legends and is every bit as solid and well constructed as my earlier SX.

I'd just forget the SX and go for a good GX. The GX is faster anyway, has more memory, has a much better display, features some powerful and very useful software enhancements and then to top it off, can run SpeedUI as well.

My SX lies idle which saddens me as it has special significance to me but the reason it is idle is simply that the GX is so much better. Get yourself a GX and I really don't think you will regret it one iota.

Mark

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Can you confirm, then, that Meta Kernel will not work on the SX platform?

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I confirm that the Meta Kernel don't work on a SX platform.

I agree with Mark that Singapore made HP48GX are good as USA made SX from the quality aspect. My latest Singapore made HP48GX from 1997 (with new serial number format) has still molded key legends.

My Indonesia made GX from 1999 has painted key legends. Also the key tactile feeling is quite worse. When the are older you may sometimes hear something which sounds like a releasing spring when you release a key on the calculator. You shouldn't buy an Indonesia one for every day usage. Most of all sold GX have ROM rev. R, all other calculators with a different ROM rev are IMHO only interesting for collectors.

I personally still use the SX but only in emulated form on Emu48. In this environment I have no speed problems at all.

Cheers

Christoph

Thanks to all for your responses.

I actually have three well-worn Indonesia GX's that I "inherited" when I bought my engineering company from my former boss (well worn because they were used as data collectors). Interestingly, two of them have the same display as my SX - greenish background with blue foreground. The third has a slightly less green background with black foreground. Personally, I find the two types different, but contrary to what most posters say, I don't find either particularly better than the other.

All three have painted key legends.

To me the impression of build quality is more than just physical sturdiness, it is all of the other more subtle things I mentioned, as well. I guess my preference still goes to the SX, in spite of its limitations. Too bad about Meta Kernel. I will try Java and report back on my results.