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You can read the firmware serial number in a much easier manner if the developement library has been attached.
Good point.
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If the development library (256) is not attached, then do so by setting system flag -86, then perform a warm reset by pushing ON and F3 together.
Or you can attach this built-in library by executing 256 ATTACH, or attaching various other libraries, such as Extable or OT49, automatically attaches the development library, I surmise as part of their configuration routines.
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When this library is attached, it adds the command SERIAL. When SERIAL is executed, the string "HP49 Serial Number: CNxxxxxxxx" will appear in level 1.
Or for that matter, even without the library being attached, its "library commands" are available as non-programmable "operations" by executing 256 MENU, using NXT or LeftShift PREV to go to the right page, and pressing the appropriate menu key.
For example, if, without this library being attached, I do 256.05 MENU, that shows me page 5 of the development library menu with SERIAL as its last menu key, and pressing it returns the serial number string, but typing SERIAL into the command line and pressing ENTER compiles it as the global name 'SERIAL' instead.
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Every comparison of hardware serial number to firmware serial number that I've ever heard about indicates that the firmware number is usually two to three weeks later than the hardware serial number.
As counter-examples, I have a 49G with case number ID931xxxxx and firmware number ID931xxxxx, another 49G with case number ID942xxxxx and firmware number ID941xxxxx, a 49g+ with case number CNA419xxxxx and firmware number CN424xxxxx, and another 49g+ with case number CNA436xxxxx and firmware number CN433xxxxx.
In any case, it seems that these two serial numbers are assigned separately.
I've read of several late production 49G units where apparently the firmware serial numbers were never "installed," leaving all bits of the serial numbers set, so that it looks like all characters are like a lower case y with a pair of dots over it (character 255).
When they first start using stickers instead of stamping the numbers into the back of the case, the package sticker typically did not match the case sticker, but I understand that they've changed the production method so that the stickers always match, because of a legal requirement in some areas that the serial number be visible from the outside of the retail package.
Regards,
James