Frequently Asked Questions

  http://www.hpcalc.org/hp49/docs/faq/#ss5.9
  

If HP Explorer and HPComm both don't work, then check these things:

• Have you selected the right port? (See below).
• Are you SURE you're not using an HP 200LX cable? (See above).
• Are the settings for speed (see below), translation and checksum the same on both? Do they match the settings on the calculator?
• Have you tried fresh batteries in the calculator?

If HP Explorer works but HPComm doesn't, then it may be a software problem in HPComm.

• Are HP Explorer and HPComm set to use the same port?
• How far does HPComm progress through the startup procedure?

  http://www.hpcomm.org/lists.html
  

One of the biggest challenges I had while co-writing HPComm 3.0 was to get HP to make it Open Source. Having done so, I hope this paves the way for people to use the source code and make equivalent programs available on other platforms. So far, I've received a couple of offers, but we need to generate more interest, so please let me know.

We encourage anyone who would benefit from a program like HPComm on other platforms, to participate in HPComm development. Subscribe to the hpcomm-dev mailing list and help us make this happen.

If you're a Mac owner and want to upgrade your HP49G ROM, you presently have three options:

• If you have a Mac G3, see if HPComm works with a PC Emulator.
• Use a friend's PC.
• Starting with ROM versions 1.14 and higher, it's possible to transfer a ROM from one HP49G calculator to another.

Upgrading the ROM doesn't happen very often. Using a friend's PC or transferring it from another HP49G is probably the best option.

• If you think a port should not be shown and is, it's usually because that device is not being used at the moment, for instance, a port with a modem attached.
• If you think a port should be listed and isn't, the usual cause is that some other software package or device is already using that port. You may have a modem attached, or some device like the docking cradle for a Palm Pilot® or an HP Jornada.

The first thing to do is to check if the port you want is installed correctly. In Windows 95/98, do this: Start->Settings->Control Panel, then System->Device Manager. Under the "Ports" section, you should see "Communications Port (COMx)", where "COMx" is the COM port you want to use. Make sure the icon does not have a yellow exclamation mark, or a similar icon which indicates that the device has a problem.

If you are using Windows NT, do this: Start->Settings->Control Panel, then select "Ports". You should see "Ports" and a list of the installed ports on this machine. Ports starting with "COMx" are ports installed on this computer.

The next step is to check if you have some software running that uses the COM port you need. There's no easy way to check this, but many programs put a small icon in the "system tray", which is usually in the right-hand corner of the Windows taskbar.

If you are using Windows 2000, do this: Start->Settings->Control Panel, then System->Hardware->Device Manager. Under the "Ports" section, you should see "Communications Port (COMx)", where "COMx" is the COM port you want to use. Make sure the icon does not have a yellow exclamation mark, or a similar icon which indicates that the device has a problem.

The next step is to check if you have some software running that uses the COM port you need. There's no easy way to check this, but many programs put a small icon in the "system tray", which is usually in the right-hand corner of the Windows taskbar.

If this is the case, you have three choices:

• Choose another serial port (if you have one free).
• Purchase and install another serial port.
• Stop the other software program before running HPComm.

Is the above helpful? Comments? Your feedback would be appreciated.

Also, sometimes a ".flash" file may have been renamed by Windows, PKUnzip or some other program to end with ".fla". If this is the case, rename it to end with ".flash".

If you get the "Open with..." box, it means you're using Windows Explorer, rather than HPComm. You need to double-click on the ".flash" file while using HPComm, not Windows Explorer.

Finally, some versions of Microsoft Windows (especially Windows 95) were shipped with a faulty system library. You can upgrade this library here.

• Using the serial port on the calculator uses lots of power. Unless the batteries are in good condition, the calculator may not be able to generate good, clean signals. Try new batteries.
• Make sure your cable is of good quality. (See the products page for some good cables). Home-made cables will usually work, but haven't been subjected to the same level of testing and R&D as professional cables, and may cause signal degradation.
• For some reason, some laptops and PC motherboards just don't generate clean signals. Some have suggested early Intel Pentium motherboards. In order to determine whether this is the problem, try it on one or two other computers.