HEPAX - from the treasure chest

[SteenPetersen]

Hi Diego,

as you can see it was a proposal back then - I do not recall anyone else picking it up.
Basically we printed bar codes for all HP-41 programs published in the "User" membership journal issued by PPC Denmark. I was proposing we could do something similar with M-Code programs, but as far as I recall, then we did not get much feedback on this. So I think this stayed with being a proposal...

Regards,
Steen

[J-F Garnier]

(10-19-2020 10:33 AM)Diego Diaz Wrote:  Extracted the BANK1 - 4 .BIN images and converted them into .ROM files.
The result is HEPAX-1A version which I've included into an archive here.

Thanks, now I have all the four 1A-1D versions :-)

(10-19-2020 06:40 PM)KimH Wrote:  Disc 2 had some interesting files as well.
Disc 2
Maybe one of them is the 1C we would love to see, I can't tell on my 71b

I have the 1C version image since more than 20 years :-)
The 1C version was also available in some previous V41 emulator releases, but upon request I can post my 1B and 1C disasm listings here.

Still about versions: the version 0C may be the one that was reviewed by some users/testers in early 1987. One review has been published in HPX V1N3, May/June 1987, and the reviewer (Brian Walsh) wrote "The preliminary version of the EPROM software is missing a significant number of functions scheduled to be in the final modules". Indeed the 0C version is missing the HEPDIRX, HGETA, HGETK, HPOSFL, HREADFL, HSAVEA, HSAVEK, HSAVEP, HWRTFL and PRIVATE functions.
The reviewer was referring to a commercial communication of VM published in the Trading Post Columns of HPX V1N2 p20, that described the HEPAX module. Interesting, several functions mentioned in that document are not in the final production versions: HSAVEMC, HGETMC, ROMNAME and HRESZFL (this one available as user code in the final HEPAX manual).

J-F

[rprosperi]

(10-25-2020 01:15 PM)J-F Garnier Wrote:  The 1C version was also available in some previous V41 emulator releases, but upon request I can post my 1B and 1C disasm listings here.

Please consider those requested J-F!

And thanks for the reminder of the in-depth preview article in HPX - I've just pulled out my copy - great reading for a cloudy Sunday morning. I remember drooling when reading this the first time, and after 33 years, finally got my HEPAX module. And thanks to Diego, fully working once again. Small things like this are really satisfying.

[J-F Garnier]

(10-25-2020 02:14 PM)rprosperi Wrote:  

(10-25-2020 01:15 PM)J-F Garnier Wrote:  The 1C version was also available in some previous V41 emulator releases, but upon request I can post my 1B and 1C disasm listings here.

Please consider those requested J-F!

OK, here they are. The BIN files are in the packed format that I was using for Emu41.

J-F

[hth]

What is HPX?

I was basically disconnected from the HP community for about 10 years. In part because I was living in a remote place and had no more wonderful PPC journals coming, in part because I focused on larger computers.

[Sylvain Cote]

(10-25-2020 03:59 PM)hth Wrote:  What is HPX?

The HPX Exchange was a USA magazine published by Brian Walsh between 1987 and 1990.
Only 7 issues was published but they were packed with very useful information and contains great articles.

[rprosperi]

(10-25-2020 06:07 PM)Sylvain Cote Wrote:  

(10-25-2020 03:59 PM)hth Wrote:  What is HPX?

The HPX Exchange was a USA magazine published by Brian Walsh between 1987 and 1990.
Only 7 issues was published but they were packed with very useful information and contains great articles.

Expanding on Sylvain's comments, HPX Exchange was very much the same format as the PPC Calculator Journal and CHHU Chronicle, with content coming from many of the same authors (Joe Horn, Jake Schwartzx, Jeremy Smith, Wlodek Mier-Jedrzejowicz, etc.); bottom line - If you liked the PPC issues you would like this too.

All issues of PPC-J, CHHU and HPX are still available on Jake Schwartz's PPC Archive collection, see here for details. Having outgrown DVD media, it now comes on a USB-3 Drive, and has lots of new content including the full EduCalc catalog set, and many other classic HP brochures, extended catalogs and seminal white papers.

[rprosperi]

(10-25-2020 03:33 PM)J-F Garnier Wrote:  OK, here they are. The BIN files are in the packed format that I was using for Emu41.

J-F

Thanks J-F.

Referring to Sylvain's Clonix/NoV Presentation from HHC20 here, on pages 13 - 19, he discusses several common 41 ROM image formats. Which of the formats described there are the same as the "packed format" you've long used for your emulator?

The subtle differences among these seemingly similar formats are annoying and tedious when moving among different modern tools, emulators and file collections.

Also, the .lst file for rev 1-D is not in the .zip but I can possibly create it myself. I know you cannot use HEPAX's disassembler on itself so presumably these were made with emu41, or maybe something else? Not yet sure how to disassemble images in banks 2-4, but it should be educational to try.

[J-F Garnier]

(10-25-2020 08:26 PM)rprosperi Wrote:  Referring to Sylvain's Clonix/NoV Presentation from HHC20 here, on pages 13 - 19, he discusses several common 41 ROM image formats. Which of the formats described there are the same as the "packed format" you've long used for your emulator?

Also, the .lst file for rev 1-D is not in the .zip but I can possibly create it myself. I know you cannot use HEPAX's disassembler on itself so presumably these were made with emu41, or maybe something else? Not yet sure how to disassemble images in banks 2-4, but it should be educational to try.

I included the bin files for completeness in case someone still wants to play with them in my old emu41 for DOS, but if you want the images in a different format, you better start from the listings.
The listings very likely have been made with the Zenrom, although I'm not sure, actually most (if not all) have been made by some of the people I was in touch at the time. Maybe did I make a listing from my own HEPAX, but I can't remember.

J-F

[MeindertKuipers]

(10-26-2020 08:12 AM)J-F Garnier Wrote:  

(10-25-2020 08:26 PM)rprosperi Wrote:  Referring to Sylvain's Clonix/NoV Presentation from HHC20 here, on pages 13 - 19, he discusses several common 41 ROM image formats. Which of the formats described there are the same as the "packed format" you've long used for your emulator?

Also, the .lst file for rev 1-D is not in the .zip but I can possibly create it myself. I know you cannot use HEPAX's disassembler on itself so presumably these were made with emu41, or maybe something else? Not yet sure how to disassemble images in banks 2-4, but it should be educational to try.

I included the bin files for completeness in case someone still wants to play with them in my old emu41 for DOS, but if you want the images in a different format, you better start from the listings.
The listings very likely have been made with the Zenrom, although I'm not sure, actually most (if not all) have been made by some of the people I was in touch at the time. Maybe did I make a listing from my own HEPAX, but I can't remember.

J-F

The .bin file is a packed format that can be read by M2kM if you rename the extension to .ram first. It is the same packed format of the rom image inside a .mod file. Disassembly is pretty easy then

[rprosperi]

(10-26-2020 03:35 PM)MeindertKuipers Wrote:  

(10-26-2020 08:12 AM)J-F Garnier Wrote:  I included the bin files for completeness in case someone still wants to play with them in my old emu41 for DOS, but if you want the images in a different format, you better start from the listings.
The listings very likely have been made with the Zenrom, although I'm not sure, actually most (if not all) have been made by some of the people I was in touch at the time. Maybe did I make a listing from my own HEPAX, but I can't remember.

J-F

The .bin file is a packed format that can be read by M2kM if you rename the extension to .ram first. It is the same packed format of the rom image inside a .mod file. Disassembly is pretty easy then

Thanks Meindert, I suspected as much as this is pretty much just a simple bit stream, which is almost certainly how the original images were made - read a byte, put a byte, rinse and repeat until done.

[SteenPetersen]

I looked at some of my other backup images:

SP2JUL
-SP RAM 0A
ROMTEST
RAMTEST
RAMTOG
HEXEDIT
DELETE
INSERT
COPYROM
CLRAM
HPROMPT
CTRAST
ROTYX
41EPROM
S

I do not remember how we managed to burn the EPROMs for the breadboard, but I guess the 41EPROM has something to do with this. Looking at the code it accesses HP-IL, so I could be something like this. We did have access to an HP-150 with an HP-IL interface which may have been used as part of this.
Looking at the S function, then this executes the ROM BLK command - basically moves the HEPAX module to a specific location.

There are a couple of functions added to the next backup:
SP1AUG
...
DECODYX
DECODE
CODE

Same CAT 2 on the next backup:
SP2AUG

Next I looked at DISASS:
-DISASSEM A
DISASS
^DIS

This could be my initial work on the Disassembler - it appears to accept input from X instead of Prompting for addresses. ^DIS looks interesting - it jumps to BANK4 - so it must expect something else to be located in that bank. So it appears to be some early work.

More to follow.

Regards,
Steen

[Sylvain Cote]

While searching for something else, I stumbled on the following presentation.

The HEPAX File System presentation done by Steen Peterson in 1988 at the International Conference of Hand-Held Computer Users, Corvallis, Oregon, USA

Sylvain

PS: I thought that I had the original conference paper but after verification I do not, so I have removed the 8 pages presentation link, sorry about that.
The presentation is part of Jakes Schwartz PPC Archive v2.37 /CD4/Conf/1988.pdf. (pages 35 to 42)

[Ángel Martin]

Great finding Sylvain, thanks for the pointer.

ÁM

[SteenPetersen]

Hi Sylvain,

great you found an old presentation of mine - I had forgotten about that one. I remember joining the conference in Corvallis in 1988, but not much more than that. I have just ordered the PPC Archive from Jake so I can take a look at this as well as all the other extensive material.

Best regards,
Steen

[rprosperi]

(11-03-2020 08:15 PM)SteenPetersen Wrote:  I have just ordered the PPC Archive from Jake so I can take a look at this as well as all the other extensive material.

Best regards,
Steen

I hope you have a comfy chair, there's a lot in there to read!!

Seeing old PPC Journal issues will bring back lots of good memories, and some articles will even feel familiar, 35+ years later...

Plus there's lots of new content like brochures, catalogs and other HP literature from back in the day. It's easy to be immersed for hours.

[Diego Diaz]

Quote:
"It's easy to be immersed for hours."

Experience is talking! ;-)

Have a nice weekend.

Diego.

[SteenPetersen]

OK - finally I managed to make a complete inventory of my Treasure Chest - see below. A lot of interesting items - this is basically everything I got in order to learn about the HP-41, Synthetic programming, and finally MCode. I did have more material on hand - including all the VASM listings - however I do not have these anymore, as they were donated to the PPC Denmark library.

Regards,
Steen

---

Steen Petersen – HP-41/HEPAX Treasure Check

Equipment
HP-41CX (halfnut) with KimH 2x speed modification – serial number 2537S21305 – with soft carry case
HEPAX Advanced module (production week code 1888)
HEPAX Development Breadboard (unique)
HP 82104A Card Reader – serial number 2402S80171
HP 82153A Wand (production week code 2054) – with soft carry case
HP 82160A HP-IL Module (production week code 2228)
HP 82161A Digital Cassette Drive – serial number 2235A24105
HP 81262A Thermal Printer – serial number 2305S87817
HP 9114A Disk Drive – serial number 2403A99667 with W&W Battery and Power Supply modification
HP Battery Charger 230 Volts (82066B) case and charger
HP Battery Pack (82033A) case
HP-48SX – serial number 3003A00071 with soft carry case and HP-48SX Quick Reference Guide (00048-90041)
HP-48 serial cable DB9 (82208-80009)
HP-41 HP-IL Devel module (production week code 2310)
HP-41 Plotter module (production week code 2238)
HP-41 Advantage module (production week code 8537) (5061-7285
HP-41 PPC ROM (production week code 2219) (82500B-A07)
HP-41 Paname module (production week code 8442) (82500B-E65)
CCD-Module with Owner’s Manual (binder), Quick Reference Guide and Overlay
Zengrange green military carry case
Corvallis Micro Technology CMT-300 Programmable Measurement System

Manuals etc.
HP-41CX Quick Reference Guide (00041-90475 Rev. B)
HP-41 Quick Reference Guide (00041-90002)
HP-48SX Owner’s Manual Volume I+II (00048-90002 + 00048-90004)
PPC ROM Pocket Guide
HP 82180A Extended Functions/Memory Module Quick Reference Card (82180-90002)
HP 82182A Time Module Quick Reference Card (82182-90002)
HP 82104A Card Reader Owner’s Handbook (82104-90001 Rev. E)
HP 82104A Card Reader Quick Reference Guide (82104-90011 Rec. C)
HP-41C Owner’s Handbook and Programming Guide (00041-90001 Rev. B)
HP-41C Standard Applications Handbook (00041-90018 Rev. C 3/80)
HP 9114A Disc Drive Operator’s Manual (09114-90000) with Change Sheet (09114-90010)
PPC ROM User’s Manual
HP 82153A Wand Owner’s Manual (82153-90001 Rev. C)
Wand Paper Keyboard (82153-90008)
Bar Code Labels – pages 1-10 (7121-0840)
HP 82160A HP-IL Module Owner’s Manual (82160-90001-2K-7.81-IPC)
HP 82160A HP-IL Module Quick Reference Guide (82160-90002)
HP 82160A HP-IL Module Quick Reference Guide (82160-90002-7.81-IPC) (2 pcs.)
HP 82160A HP-IL Module Owner’s Manual (82160-90001-2K-10.84-IPC)
HP 82161A Digital Cassette Drive Owner’s Manual (82161-90002)
HP 82162A Thermal Printer Owner’s Manual (82162-90001-English-2K-5.82-IPC)
HP 00041-15043 HP-IL Development Module Owner’s Manual (00041-90449)
HP-41 CY Turbo, Rambox II Handbuch für den HP-41 by W&W Software Products
HEPAX Module Owner’s Manual Volume 1+2 (2 sets)
HEPAX Module Owner’s Manual Using Memory Modules
HP System 41 Dansk Manual – 2nd Edition – Danish translation of HP-41 manual
CCD-Module Quick Reference Guide
Eramco Systems RSU-2A Module Quick Reference Guide

Books etc.
The HP-41 Synthetic Quick Reference Guide by Jeremy Smith
HP-41C Quick Reference Guide for Synthetic Programming by Synthetix
HP-41 MCode for Beginners by Ken Emery
HP-41 Maschinensprache by Michael Gehret
Inside the HP-41 by Jean-Daniel Dodin

Magazines
PPC Denmark – PPC magazine
- Volume 1 (1980/1981), issues 2-6
- Volume 2 (1981/1982), issues 1, 4+5, 6
- Volume 3 (1983), issues 1, 2, 3+4, 5+6
- Volume 4 (1984), issue 1, 1 (re-print)
PPC Denmark – User magazine
- Volume 4 (1984), issues 2-6
- Volume 5 (1985), issues 1-6
- Volume 6 (1986), issues 1-6
- Volume 7 (1987), issues 1-5
- Volume 8 (1988), issues 1-3
- Volume 9 (1989), issues sample issue, 1, 2
- Volume 10 (1990), issues 1-3
- Volume 11 (1991), issue 1
- Volume 12 (1992), issues 1-4
- Volume 13 (1993), issues 1-4
PPC Chapter of Gothenburg
- Issue 9 (1982)

Other
HP-41CX original box complete with original Energizer batteries, two overlays: standard and Stop Watch, instruction on how to remove and install battery shield (A-00041-90545-1), Service Information leaflet (5955-9471-CP), HP-41C Accessories brochure
HP 82170A Quad Memory Module box with HP 82170A Memory Module for the HP-41C insert (82170-90001-CP)
HP 00041-15055 HP-41 Advantage Pac box with HP-41C Accessories brochure and Series 40 Software and Accessories leaflet (5955-9474 Rev. B).
HEPAX Module box with HEPAX Module Owner’s Manual Volume 1+2
Blank Program Cards holder (9282-0596) for Card Reader cards - empty
Blank Program Cards holder (9282-0596) for Card Reader cards – 47 cards with content and one cleaning card
HP-41 Danske programmer og tilbehør, Akademisk Boghandel – HP-41 Brochure from local dealer in Aarhus
Thermal paper – 2 boxes with 9 rolls
30 magnetic cards with one cleaning card in a binder card holder
HP-41 module case (2 pcs)
HP-41 keyboard overlays – 4 blank, 1 stop watch, 1 standard
HP 82176A 10 Mini Data Cassettes Box with 18 tapes (with content from PPC Denmark, VM Electronics and RAM-Box (German and English)
ASS3 EPROM set – 2732 (L8) and 2716 (U2)

[derekamos]

Hi Steen,
What a Treasure Chest !
Potentially worth $100's & $1000's on eBay.
Just think of 'being the owner of HEPAX creators original equipment'
DA

[Sylvain Cote]

(03-22-2021 03:55 AM)derekamos Wrote:  What a Treasure Chest !

Wholeheartedly Agreed!

(03-22-2021 03:55 AM)derekamos Wrote:  Potentially worth $100's & $1000's on eBay.

Potentially ? I would say definitively worth several $1000's on eBay.

(03-21-2021 11:52 AM)SteenPetersen Wrote:  Steen Petersen – HP-41/HEPAX Treasure Check

If you decide at some point to sell some of your items, I am definitively and positively interested in these ones:

• HEPAX Advanced module (production week code 1888)
• HEPAX Module box with HEPAX Module Owner’s Manual Volume 1+2
• HEPAX Module Owner’s Manual Volume 1+2
• HEPAX Module Owner’s Manual Using Memory Modules
• CCD-Module with Owner’s Manual (binder), Quick Reference Guide and Overlay
• Zengrange green military carry case
• Corvallis Micro Technology CMT-300 Programmable Measurement System
• HP-41 CY Turbo, Rambox II Handbuch für den HP-41 by W&W Software Products
• Eramco Systems RSU-2A Module Quick Reference Guide
• HP 82176A 10 Mini Data Cassettes Box with 18 tapes (with content from PPC Denmark, VM Electronics and RAM-Box (German and English)
• All the magazines issues (PPC Denmark & PPC Chapter)
  

Sylvain