Next
Previous Contents
HP48 Frequently Asked Questions List (FAQ)
Andre Schoorl
<aschoorl@engr.uvic.ca>
v4.62, 14 April 2000
What's
NEW in the FAQ?
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about HP48 calculators
1.
Introduction
1.1 Overview
1.2 This FAQ in Other Formats
1.3 Translations of this FAQ
2.
Miscellaneous Questions
2.1 I'm a novice, and I have some questions. Where should I start?
2.2 What Usenet Newsgroups are there for the HP48?
2.3 What are some good sites for the HP48?
2.4 Are there any good WWW links for HP48 stuff?
2.5 Is there an HP48 IRC Channel?
2.6 How can I search for a specific HP48 file?
2.7 What are good places to buy HP48's and accessories?
2.8 What happened to EduCalc?
2.9 Are there any CD-ROMs with HP48 software?
2.10 Where can I find HP conference videotapes?
2.11 Are there any HP48 Emulators?
2.12 How can I make a dump of my HP48 ROM?
2.13 Is the HP48 Allowed on SATs, AP, or ACT Tests? (U.S.)
2.14 What is the HP49G?
2.15 How does the HP48 compare with other calculators?
2.16 What is the Universal Font Library (UFL)?
2.17 What are the best alternate editors?
2.18 Are there any PC fonts for the HP48?
2.19 Is the HP48 serial number available in memory?
2.20 What is the format of the HP48 serial number?
3.
Questions about ROM versions
3.1 What does the SX/GX have that the S/G doesn't?
3.2 What is the difference between the HP48 G/GX and the HP48 S/SX?
3.3 What is the HP48 G+?
3.4 How can I tell what ROM revision I have?
3.5 What bugs exist in the various versions of the HP48?
3.6 What is new with the revision "J" ROM? (S/SX)
3.7 What happened to ROM revisions G, H, I, O, and Q?
3.8 Can I upgrade my HP48 S/SX?
3.9 Can I upgrade my buggy GX to the latest ROM revision?
3.10 What's the latest ROM version?
3.11 Why would I buy a S/SX rather than a G/GX?
4.
Questions about the Operating System and Using the HP
4.1 How do I find the checksum of an object?
4.2 I typed RULES on my G/GX and got a crossword puzzle!
4.3 Why does my HP48 occasionally "freeze" for a moment?
4.4 What do I do if my HP48 locks up?
4.5 My HP48 seems to take longer to turn on and off.
4.6 What are all the different ON-KEY combinations?
4.7 What are the different interactive self-tests?
4.8 Why do I get an ESD error when I check my batteries with the self test?
4.9 I can't account for some of the RAM in the HP48!
4.10 What are the best methods for installing and removing libraries?
4.11 How can I attach large libraries?
4.12 What are those little numbers near the top of my screen?
4.13 Can I use my HP48 as a remote control?
4.14 Can the HP48 be used as a DTMF phone dialer?
4.15 How can I run a program on warmstarts and/or power-up?
4.16 I could speed up my HP-28S. How can I speed up my HP48?
4.17 What is the hidden directory and how do I access it?
4.18 How can I recall one object from a memory archive?
4.19 Are there any key combinations that aren't in the manual?
4.20 How do I find out about commands not in the GX manual?
4.21 How can one delete (or purge) an entire directory?
4.22 How does binary wordsize affect my calculations?
4.23 Can I add my own equations to HP's Equation Library?
5.
Questions about Math, Plotting, and Equations
5.1 Why does (1/3)*3 equal 0.999999999999?
5.2 Why does my HP say that 0 to the power of 0 equals 1?
5.3 What is RPN?
5.4 Why did HP use RPN in their calculators?
5.5 Is there an alternative to calculating in RPN?
5.6 Why do I get unexpected values when I add temperatures?
5.7 How can I add my own units? What's the 1_? unit for?
5.8 I want `pi' to be a numeric value, not a symbol.
5.9 What tricks are there for manipulating matrices?
5.10 Can I make my HP graph any faster?
5.11 How do I plot inequalities?
5.12 How do I take the logarithm of a base other than 10 or e?
5.13 How do I solve quadratic equations?
5.14 Why do I get a complex answers for roots of negative numbers?
5.15 Why doesn't '(-8)^(2/3)' give me the right answer (4)?
5.16 How do I solve polynomials?
5.17 How can I do statistics for grouped data?
5.18 How do I generate a function table?
6.
Questions about cards, data transfers, batteries, and hardware
6.1 My HP48 seems to making a high pitched noise.
6.2 Can I upgrade my S or G to more than 32K ram?
6.3 Can I add a lithium battery backup?
6.4 How can I get/build a cable for my HP48?
6.5 HP seems to offer two link kits with different prices.
6.6 Is there any communications software available?
6.7 Why doesn't the I/R port work farther than a few inches?
6.8 Can my HP48 talk to my HP100LX via Infrared?
6.9 Can I use my HP48 to communicate with IrDA devices?
6.10 Can I print to a LaserJet printer with an HP48?
6.11 I downloaded a program but all I get is "HPHP48-..."!
6.12 What is the structure of HP48 ASCII headers?
6.13 Why do Kermit transfers seem to get slower?
6.14 Why does XRECV not work sometimes? (GX)
6.15 Additional Tips on Transfers
6.16 What do the funny symbols in this document mean?
6.17 What are the pinouts for the HP48 serial connector?
6.18 Is there any information on interfacing to the HP48?
6.19 How can I transfer programs/data from my HP-28S to my HP48?
6.20 Can I use rechargeable batteries with the HP48?
6.21 How can I tell, from within a program, if the battery is low?
6.22 I lost the information on my RAM Card when I changed the battery!
6.23 Why do I get an "Invalid card data" error when I merge a RAM card?
6.24 I've heard about other manufacturer's RAM cards. Will they work?
6.25 How does RAM card locking work?
6.26 What are the advantages and disadvantages of covered ports? (GX)
6.27 Why does the HP48 display flicker slightly?
6.28 I broke the LCD screen - is there an easy way to get another?
6.29 How can I protect my LCD?
6.30 Is there a rigid (protective) case for the HP48?
6.31 Can I use my Amateur Radio with my HP48?
7.
Questions about programs
7.1 Where can I get programs and information for the HP48?
7.2 What are the Goodies Disks and where do I get them?
7.3 How do I get access to the HP Calculator BBS?
7.4 What are files that end with ".zip", ".Z", ".gz", or ".bz2"?
7.5 What is a "ship" file?
7.6 What is the ASC format and how can I use it?
7.7 What is the HYDE library, and how do I get rid of it?
7.8 What is the Minehunt game, and how do I use it?
8.
Questions about programming and advanced user functions
8.1 I've heard the names RPL, Saturn, STAR, GL etc... What are they?
8.2 Is there a C compiler for the HP48?
8.3 Why do SysRPL programs run faster than UserRPL programs?
8.4 What is a good reference for learning SysRPL and ML?
8.5 Can I make my own libraries? Can I split others?
8.6 How do I know what library ID number to use for my program?
8.7 What information is there on the internals of the HP48?
8.8 Where can I get some programming development tools?
8.9 I know UserRPL. How do I get started in SysRPL?
8.10 Are there any viruses for the HP48?
8.11 How do I store fields of variable length effectively?
8.12 What is "Vectored Enter", and how do I use it?
8.13 What is "WSLOG"?
8.14 What are SYSEVALs?
8.15 What are some useful SYSEVALs?
8.16 What are LIBEVALs?
8.17 What are some useful LIBEVALs? (GX)
8.18 What is the format of a GROB object?
8.19 What is the AUR and what information does it contain?
8.20 What is the syntax for INFORM, CHOOSE, and MSGBOX? (GX)
8.21 How do I put checkfields in my INFORM menus?
8.22 What is the syntax for the INPUT command?
9.
Appendix A: Various Useful Functions
9.1 ASC Functions
9.2 OBJFIX
9.3 FIXIT
9.4 LASTX
9.5 Compact Data Storage
9.6 HP82240B Printer Codes
10.
Appendix B: GX Specific Information
10.1 What's new in the HP48 G/GX?
10.2 Examples of INFORM, CHOOSE, and MSGBOX
10.3 Some useful LIBEVALs
11.
Appendix C: Details of Bugs
11.1 The EquationWriter Bug
11.2 Rotation Rate to Angular Frequency Conversion Bug
12.
Appendix D: Hardware Additions
12.1 How to Make a Serial Cable
12.2 Using a modem with the HP48
12.3 Additional Information on the HP48 and RS-232
12.4 Using Non-HP RAM Cards
12.5 Where can one obtain third party RAM cards?
13.
Appendix E: Where to get HP48 Programs
13.1 Best Programs and Where to Get Them List
13.2 Other Web / FTP Sites
13.3 FTP by Electronic Mail
13.4 Bulletin Boards with HP48 Programs
13.5 HP Goodies Disks
14.
Contributors
Next
Previous Contents