Spices: Internal check for ID # and the "2" disease

[Vieira, Luiz C. (Brazil)]

Hello guys, Norm mostly;

I summarized below all information I could gather about Spices (some with me, some with other people). If I have the chance to collect more data OR if anyone else can add new info, let's feed this thread and later we can put all of the information together and, maybe, identify common points related to the "2" disease.

Columns are:

ID# - calculator identification number/code.

"2" - "2"-disease occurrence: Y means it has the "2" disease, N means it doesn't.

CT - Construction type - a single S means soldered; SL means solderless.

CPU ID # - CPU Identification number/code - I added the "date code", which is a lot better than calculator's serial #.

1, 2, 3 - position reference for extra 8-pin DIP IC's, being 1 the IC closest to the LED display; ---- indicates no IC present.

ID# "2" CT      CPU ID #              1       2       3       OBS

31E  N  SL  1820-2105-B (7922YY)    ----   ----     1MA301

31E  Y  S   31E 2438                00031  ----     1MA15002  (1)

33E  Y  SL  1820-2105   (7822EX)    ----   1MA10204 1MA10003

34C  N  S   34C/B-2102 00034-69110  1LB902 1MA10014 1MA115    (1)

37E  Y  SL  1820-2122   (7819MO)    00031  no_label 1MA10008  (2)

38C  N  S   38C/B-2102 00038-69110  1LB903 1MA30006 ----      (1)

38C  N  SL  1820-2162   (7944DY)    1LB903 1MA305   ----

38E  Y  SL  1820-2122-A (7850MC)    1MA107 1MA10013 1MA10005

38E  Y  SL  1820-2122-A (7916CS)    1MA105 1MA113   1MA30003

(1) - CPU ID in paper label; I tried to remove to see the actual chip code, but it would destroy the label.

(2) - the "no_label" means there is a chip and no identification on it.

If the table does not look O.K. for you (screen resolution or other reason) you may edit this post and copy/paste its contents so you can visualize it in any text editor.

If the code found beside CPU's ID number (right side, in parenthesis) is a date code and first two digits refer to the year, then it's easy to observe in this sample that calculators before 7916 (four units) show the "2"disease symptom, and the ones after 7922 (two units) do not. But this is not enough sample to conclude anything about it. One single unit after 7922 with the "2"disease and we start over.

Hope this helps a bit. And please, if someone else feels confident opening their Spices and checking, you can edit this one just to sample the table below and fill with new values, if you think it's well built. If you want to add your information your own way, please, feel free organizing it the best way you find. It will be useful as well.

Best regards

Luiz C. Vieira - Brazil

Edited: 29 June 2003, 9:35 p.m.

[Ellis Easley]

Here's the numbers from my 34C's. I added the serial number prefix for the units. There are datecodes on the 8 pin IC's, too, but they are in a different format with 5 digits. I have one question: do all units with the "2" behavior also flash the minus sign and random commas while executing built-in functions? (enter -99.9 and press "X!" to keep the machine working for almost 30 seconds)

ID# "2" CT      CPU ID #              1       2       3       OBS    UNIT S/N PREFIX

34C  Y  SL  1820-2162 A (7906)    1LB5 002  1MA1 14  1MA1 0015           1934A 

34C  N  S   1820-2162 (8047)      1LB9 02   1MA1 14  1MA1 15             2051S 

Quote:

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(2) - the "no_label" means there is a chip and no identification on it.

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The chips with a very shiny black plastic package marked with mettalic-looking ink are sometimes very hard to read. I think this is why they started burning the markings in with a laser! Sometimes if you shine a flashlight from different angles, and change the angle you eye is looking at the chip, you can read the markings.