Is this a HP97S for sale?

[PDP11]

This is item is listed as a HP97 with instrument but I assume it is a HP97S. Comments please.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1753097779

This is not my sale but I have been bidding.

Regards,
PDP11

[David Smith]

It is not an HP97S. The 97S has an external interface pod. This looks like a '97 that has been directly interfaced. All the later HP97 machines had the place on their circuit board for the 97S pod to connect making such things fairly easy.

[Vassilis Prevelakis]

What is also strange is the seller's description that numbers on the display of both the instrument and the HP-97 change when they are switched on.

The HP-97 loses its memory when you power cycle it. The changing numbers display either means that the HP-97 is broken, or that the instrument is directly affecting the operation of the HP-97 (so using it as a normal programmable calculator may no longer be possible). Alternatively, the modifications may have added non-volatile memory to the HP-97 (unlikely, but *very* interesting).

Lets hope that PDP11 posts a note when he has a chance to look at that HP-97.

**vp

[David Smith]

The HP97 interface pod basically wedges itself into the keyboard interface of the HP97. It just acts like it is pressing keys, etc. Later HP97 machines have the place for the HP97S pod cable. It looks like an empty standard DIP IC location (14 or 16 pin) on the circuit board.

[Erik Wahlin]

Except for the connector location on the cpu board, the only other difference between a 97 and 97S is the 97S front label (missing on the ebay machine), a rectangular slot in the bottom case where the bcd cable attaches, and all the HP-97S's that I have seen (only 3) have a HP sticker on the bottom cover. I don't have my 97S in front of me to see whats on the sticker though.

[Katie]

It's a warrantee sticker, at least that's what's on mine. It has the "date shipped" and various other variables. This seems to have been supported by a special division of HP.

[David Smith]

Actually this could be a 97S if the guts from the pod had been mounted into the external device. The cable comming out of the calculator does look a whole lot like the HP97S cable and strain relief.