HP Prime

[Rick Van Camp]

Hello,

I purchased an early HP Prime for my son several years ago. The HP website cannot interpret the serial number of his calculator. Additionally. Toolbox|Catalog is present but Version is not in this list. I have never updated the firmware.

More importantly, it appears to be experiencing problems with the On/Off button. Specifically, turning the Prime off has been a problem this week. Does anyone here know if this can repaired correctly? HP was unable to refer me to third party service centers and suggested I purchase a new Prime. Of course...yet another example of an American company taking advantage of American citizens. This does get old.

Please let me know. Unfortunately, I view my situation as challenging because my son knows how to use the Prime. However, I need to ensure we get him a calculator that will not experience these problems. This suggests a 48 series because of its more robust keypad that has been typical of HP.

[John Crane]

Post by Rick Van Camp
Hello,
I purchased an early HP Prime for my son several years ago. The HP website cannot interpret the serial number of his calculator. Additionally. Toolbox|Catalog is present but Version is not in this list. I have never updated the firmware.
More importantly, it appears to be experiencing problems with the On/Off button. Specifically, turning the Prime off has been a problem this week. Does anyone here know if this can repaired correctly? HP was unable to refer me to third party service centers and suggested I purchase a new Prime. Of course...yet another example of an American company taking advantage of American citizens. This does get old.
Please let me know. Unfortunately, I view my situation as challenging because my son knows how to use the Prime. However, I need to ensure we get him a calculator that will not experience these problems. This suggests a 48 series because of its more robust keypad that has been typical of HP.

HP is definitely not the icon of quality it once was. Tonight I
repaired another HP-67 card reader. Those are a joy to repair. The new
machines are not meant to be repaired. They are meant to be replaced.
So I suppose you asked if HP could repair it? I wonder if they still
have the facilities to do that.

It could be something as simple as some corrosion on the ON/OFF key.
I've never repaired a Prime, but the older machines had holes in the PCB
where you could insert a fine stranded wire to gently scrub the inner
surface of the metal bubble that made contact with the metal on the PCB
under it. Scrub, blow it out with compressed air, a touch of de-oxit,
and you're done.

Also, check out the DM42 machine. Good quality and 'HP workalike' built
by HP fans. And it has a 5 year warranty.


https://www.swissmicros.com/product/dm42

John (3665)

[Rick Van Camp]

Post by Rick Van Camp
Hello,
I purchased an early HP Prime for my son several years ago. The HP website cannot interpret the serial number of his calculator. Additionally. Toolbox|Catalog is present but Version is not in this list. I have never updated the firmware.
More importantly, it appears to be experiencing problems with the On/Off button. Specifically, turning the Prime off has been a problem this week. Does anyone here know if this can repaired correctly? HP was unable to refer me to third party service centers and suggested I purchase a new Prime. Of course...yet another example of an American company taking advantage of American citizens. This does get old.
Please let me know. Unfortunately, I view my situation as challenging because my son knows how to use the Prime. However, I need to ensure we get him a calculator that will not experience these problems. This suggests a 48 series because of its more robust keypad that has been typical of HP.

HP is definitely not the icon of quality it once was. Tonight I
repaired another HP-67 card reader. Those are a joy to repair. The new
machines are not meant to be repaired. They are meant to be replaced.
So I suppose you asked if HP could repair it? I wonder if they still
have the facilities to do that.
It could be something as simple as some corrosion on the ON/OFF key.
I've never repaired a Prime, but the older machines had holes in the PCB
where you could insert a fine stranded wire to gently scrub the inner
surface of the metal bubble that made contact with the metal on the PCB
under it. Scrub, blow it out with compressed air, a touch of de-oxit,
and you're done.
Also, check out the DM42 machine. Good quality and 'HP workalike' built
by HP fans. And it has a 5 year warranty.
https://www.swissmicros.com/product/dm42
John (3665)

Hi John,

I cannot thank you enough for your response. I have not yet determined how I will resolve the issues with my son's Prime but suspect they will conclude with another Prime. He is a high school student and I have seen how proficient he has become with this instrument so I should not take this sense of accomplishment from him. On the other hand, I am very happy to learn of SwissMicros GmbH because I am an avid HP41C owner. I will have no issue supporting SwissMicros GmbH in the future and look forward to doing so!

Rick