48GX card contacts cause resets?

[jibanes]

Seems that my trusty 48GX's 2MB extension card causes resets; wiping all memory in the process. My guess is that, with time (~25 years?) the contacts between the 48gx and cards became rusty, causing the resets; but I can't confirm that.

Other than migrating to the 50, which options are available?

[Bruce Horrocks]

Post by jibanes
Seems that my trusty 48GX's 2MB extension card causes resets; wiping all memory in the process. My guess is that, with time (~25 years?) the contacts between the 48gx and cards became rusty, causing the resets; but I can't confirm that.
Other than migrating to the 50, which options are available?

I take it you have checked the coin cell battery in the card?

It could be the contacts but since the card stays in place most of the
time (I assume that's what you do) then it's unlikely. More likely
whatever form of RAM it has in the card is breaking down.

It could be the 48 though!

[Neon John]

Post by jibanes
Other than migrating to the 50, which options are available?

I strongly urge you to get a 50 if you still can. I was and am a
hard-core HP-41 guy. I had all the HP-IL peripherals including the
tape drive and voltmeter. Gradually things started going bad. The
pinch roller in the tape drive was the first to go. Then the
voltmeter started producing squirrly readings. Then the card reader.
I nursed the calculator itself until the 48 series came out. I bought
one and HATED it. It's like RPL was an afterthought. I bought another
41 off sleezebay. Then the 50 came out. Reviews convinced me to buy
one.

Despite the similaries to the 48/49 series, the RPL is nice enough to
use. Plus I've become a pretty good programmer.

When they announced the discontinuation, I bought 5. One I've hacked
to make the printer work. That's my daily user. The others are in
cool, dry storage. I'm 65 now and expect to work another 20 years so
I should have a lifetime supply.

I suggest you do the same.

John
John DeArmond
http://www.neon-john.com
http://www.tnduction.com
Tellico Plains, Occupied TN
See website for email address

[DavidM]

Post by jibanes
Seems that my trusty 48GX's 2MB extension card causes resets; wiping all memory in the process. My guess is that, with time (~25 years?) the contacts between the 48gx and cards became rusty, causing the resets; but I can't confirm that.
Other than migrating to the 50, which options are available?

If it turns out to be the calculator, it's still possible to find decent used 48GX's on the usual auction and "for sale" sites. Like John, though, I would also encourage you to consider a 50g as a replacement. While I prefer the keyboard configuration of the 48's, the additional built-in functions, display, and speed of the 50g are compelling features once you start using it.

- David

[Hic quondam locutus sum]

Post by jibanes
Seems that my trusty 48GX's 2MB extension card causes resets; wiping all memory in the process. My guess is that, with time (~25 years?) the contacts between the 48gx and cards became rusty, causing the resets; but I can't confirm that.
Other than migrating to the 50, which options are available?

A problem with a memory card in port 2 would usually just cause a warmstart.
Have you checked WSLOG for a "B" entry? That would indicate a bad RAM card or a
low battery in the card.

If you're losing all your memory, including HOME and port 0, then that would
indicate that there's something wrong with the RAM in your 48 or perhaps
something wrong with some other hardware component, such as the Yorke SoC.

I'd recommend that you perform the looping BIST to check for problems. As for
checking memory cards, I'd recommend this program for the HP48G/GX :
https://www.hpcalc.org/details/7394 . Note that it's a destructive memory test,
so be sure to backup.

Regards,

Hic quondam locutus sum

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