35s refuses to work
#1

I had nothing more intelligent to do, so I decided to test that wonderful little program in the bug list.

After testing it, the calculator locked as expected. Then I pressed the reset buttom, the message "memory lost" started flashing, I pressed the reset buttom again and then... absolutely no sign of life! I changed the cells, shortcircuited battery contacts, let the calculator 8 hours without cells and nothing! Any advice?

#2

Have you made sure the new cells are OK? Inserted them the right way (both must have +'ve facing up).

Perhaps the reset is stuck. You may have to take it apart. See description by Jeff O. in this thread: HP 35s - scratched screen.

I hope you get it working. I have played with that bug too and have not had any lasting ill effects.

#3

>35s refuses to work

I think that is the natural state of it according to many... ;-)

TW

#4

Could not help...

#5

I have opened it. The reset silicon dome and the carbon pill are OK. I could also measure a current of about 150 uA from the battery contacts. No success so far. I would appreciate if anyone can indicate specific testing points.

#6

sad but true

#7

How about remove the batteries for a week, then try again.

Just a thought.

#8

Oi, Silvio; tudo bem? (you OK?)

Of course, not taking into consideration the HP35S misfortune...

Just a suggestion: now that you have already opened the little one, what about removing the batteries and shorting the terminals of all visible/identifiable electrolytic capacitors, starting with the bigger ones? This would speed up the clearing of all memory contents. This is something I do with the earlier HP41's, when repairing them: short the terminals of both electrolytic capacitors (batteries not connected, of course).

Let us know how it goes.

Sucesso!

Luiz (Brasil, Minas Gerais)

#9

Quote:
How about remove the batteries for a week, then try again.

Just a thought.



How about remove the batteries for a year or two, then try again. :)

At least now the OP knows what he's lost.

#10

Hi Luiz

I can not identify any electrolytic capacitor. There are 3 big SMD yellow capacitors as it can be seen here: http://www.hpmuseum.org/cgi-sys/cgiwrap/hpmuseum/archv018.cgi?read=130720#130720

I shorted them anyway.

I can not understand what could be the reason. The program ran for no longer than 15 seconds before I press the reset buttom for the first time.

I´m afraid the next step should be a requiem.

#11

My 35S seems to be a twin of yours: It died the same way more than one year ago. No way to bring it back to live.

Because of the classic layout I like, I keep it in the showcase.



Since then one of my trusty 32SII is again my daily use calculator. Now looking for a few WP34 as an alternative.

#12

Quote:
There are 3 big SMD yellow capacitors as it can be seen here: http://www.hpmuseum.org/cgi-sys/cgiwrap/hpmuseum/archv018.cgi?read=130720#130720

FYI, here's a better way to reference a URL at this forum, using the Link button at the lower left of the message text entry window:

Quote:
...can be seen here.

Edited: 19 Oct 2012, 10:47 a.m.

#13

Quote:
There are 3 big SMD yellow capacitors...

Yes, those are the tantalum electrolytic capacitors (the 35s does not have aluminium electrolytic type). You should short them for several seconds each. You can try leaving it without batteries for a few weeks (& putting it in a drawer - magic drawers have been reported here before).

I see someone else has reported the permanent loss of a 35s. Interesting. It would be interesting to investigate further, maybe if I find a cheap 35s on the online fleamarket.
#14

Now I know why everyone praises the 32Sii so much. It is a solid calculator despite having only 384 bytes of memory. I enjoy using the 32Sii.

Edited: 19 Oct 2012, 7:52 p.m.

#15

Hi.

I once had one HP32SII for just a few says. Time enough to add 'Ditto!' to your thoughts.

#16

Quote:
Now I know why everyone praises the 32Sii so much.

Not everyone! I immediately hated the one I bought. I mean...really really really hated it.

In 1997, I decided to retire the HP-15C that I had been using for 11 years. The HP 32Sii was the only potential RPN replacement that HP was making at that time. Needless to say, I was incredibly disappointed by its very limited capabilities compared to the HP-15C, especially its incompetently implemented token complex number support. Adapting the common joke: The capabilities of the HP 15C were vast...while the capabilities of the HP 32Sii were half-vast.

That HP 32Sii went into the white elephant box after a few days and I kept the HP-15C in service until I could find its actual more-than-worthy replacement...the still universally acclaimed and highly prized HP 42S.


Edited: 19 Oct 2012, 9:10 p.m.

#17

Not fair comments about the tinny little HP32SII!!! B^O

Quote:
...the still universally acclaimed and highly prized HP 42S!
Indeed the HP42 S is what it is, hands down. Had it a fair I/O structure and full compatibility with the HP41, Hewlett-Packard would be in serious problems when trying to introduce something new. I guess they are still wondering what to do with the HP12C...

Back to the HP32SII: the main issue was how durable, hard to break is the HP32SII. I prefer to consider the HP32SII a 'proposed' replacement to the HP11C, never to the HP15C. It is more a revamped HP34C, with some different approach when programing: no duplicate labels... I do not like this 'feature', but I do not know why is that so. So, I cannot simply 'hate' it without knowing the reason for it.

The only HP calculators I 'hate the most' are the algebraic-only models. Except for the HP27S... Cannot help looking at it with sincere admiration. Anyway, it would shine with an ENTER key and RPN structure...

Cheers.

Luiz (Brazil)

Edited: 20 Oct 2012, 12:03 a.m.

#18

Quote:
Not fair comments about the tiny little HP32SII!!!

OK, Luiz, I'll concede that. What really disappointed me in 1997 was that the scientific RPN calculator that HP had selected to remain in their active product line (HP 32Sii) was so inferior in capability to two much older models, one from 1982 (HP-15C) and one from 1987 (HP 42S). It's a sad thing for a company's reputation when their current product line contains nothing better than (or at least as good as) what was available a decade or so earlier! My new HP 32Sii was a symbol to me of that sad state of affairs.

Quote:
Indeed the HP42 S is what it is, hands down. Had it a fair I/O structure and full compatibility with the HP41, Hewlett-Packard would be in serious problems when trying to introduce something new.

One suspects that HP considered the HP 42S, a stunning device far exceeding anything that HP had ever made in RPN, to be too great a threat to the RPL product line. But the HP 32Sii??? No threat at all...so offer only that after 1995!

Quote:
I prefer to consider the HP32SII a 'proposed' replacement to the HP11C, never to the HP15C.

I agree totally. But after the HP-15C's real successor, the HP 42S, was discontinued in 1995 the HP 32Sii became the default and only successor to the HP-15C.

Quote:
The only HP calculators I 'hate the most' are the algebraic-only models.

At the top of my list is the HP 38G, followed by all the Clamshells (especially the HP 28C).

#19

Hi, Mike.

Quote:
It's a sad thing for a company's reputation when their current product line contains nothing better than (or at least as good as) what was available a decade or so earlier!
Could never say any better. Unfortunately it seems that HP no longer cares for this kind of commitment. Have you read this article about the company's health? Matter of fact, it seems to apply to others than HP.
Quote:
My new HP 32Sii was a symbol to me of that sad state of affairs.
Based on your perspectives, I mean, technological advancements, product resources and so, it is/was indeed!

But the poor little thing is at the very HIGH/LOW transition, I see it as an unfortunate breed. That's why I do not blame 'her'...

Cheers!

Luiz (Brazil)

Edited: 20 Oct 2012, 3:25 p.m.

#20

Eddie,
HAve you ever met a calculator that you didn't like? LOL



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