Just bought a new old stock HP-12C Gold

Just bought a new old stock HP-12C Gold - Printable Version

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Just bought a new old stock HP-12C Gold - lvt - 10-30-2023 04:44 AM

So after almost a year of using the HP-12C Platinum, I decided to add a gold version of the 12C.

I'm not sure if other 12C users would agree, but I found that the old 12C has better screen with bolder numbers and better keypads (it's softer so I don't have to use force to press).

I don't know what the 6-pin connector is for though.

RE: Just bought a new old stock HP-12C Gold - lvt - 10-30-2023 04:47 AM

[Image: IMG20231030113508.jpg]

RE: Just bought a new old stock HP-12C Gold - lvt - 10-30-2023 04:55 AM

[Image: IMG20231030122412.jpg]

RE: Just bought a new old stock HP-12C Gold - HP-12C - 10-30-2023 05:22 AM

I've noticed the keyboard as well with the newest 12C's, they do seem to require a more firm press compared to the older versions.

The connector is intended for flashing the 12C with different firmware, operating system.
HP did publish a software development kit, I don't think this is online anymore though.

RE: Just bought a new old stock HP-12C Gold - lvt - 10-30-2023 05:31 AM

(10-30-2023 05:22 AM)HP-12C Wrote: I've noticed the keyboard as well with the newest 12C's, they do seem to require a more firm press compared to the older versions.

Thanks for confirming, so it's a fact though.

(10-30-2023 05:22 AM)HP-12C Wrote: The connector is intended for flashing the 12C with different firmware, operating system.
HP did publish a software development kit, I don't think this is online anymore though.

What do you mean by "different firmware, operating system"?

I'm familiar with rooting/flashing smartphones, maybe I would give my 12C a try.

RE: Just bought a new old stock HP-12C Gold - HP-12C - 10-30-2023 06:04 AM

I'm not a computer programmer but this may help:

https://www.hpmuseum.org/forum/archive/index.php?thread-5171.html

RE: Just bought a new old stock HP-12C Gold - lvt - 10-30-2023 07:48 AM

(10-30-2023 06:04 AM)HP-12C Wrote: I'm not a computer programmer but this may help:

https://www.hpmuseum.org/forum/archive/index.php?thread-5171.html

Thank you.

RE: Just bought a new old stock HP-12C Gold - lvt - 10-30-2023 07:50 AM

BTW, is it normal that I can change screen contrast on my 2015 12C?

From what I've read it's only possible on the newer 12CP.

RE: Just bought a new old stock HP-12C Gold - Eric Rechlin - 10-30-2023 04:55 PM

(10-30-2023 06:04 AM)HP-12C Wrote: I'm not a computer programmer but this may help:

https://www.hpmuseum.org/forum/archive/index.php?thread-5171.html

Unfortunately the published SDK for the 12c only seems to be for the older AT91SAM7L128-based model, not the 2015+ model based on the ATSAM4LC2CA. The differences are probably fairly minimal, though, but I haven't looked into it to verify.

The programming cables are a bit different, though; the cable for the ATSAM4LC2CA is actually a bit simpler, since it speaks USB instead of TTL serial and doesn't need the level shifting chip.

RE: Just bought a new old stock HP-12C Gold - Jlouis - 10-30-2023 05:37 PM

(10-30-2023 04:55 PM)Eric Rechlin Wrote:
(10-30-2023 06:04 AM)HP-12C Wrote: I'm not a computer programmer but this may help:

https://www.hpmuseum.org/forum/archive/index.php?thread-5171.html

Unfortunately the published SDK for the 12c only seems to be for the older AT91SAM7L128-based model, not the 2015+ model based on the ATSAM4LC2CA. The differences are probably fairly minimal, though, but I haven't looked into it to verify.

The programming cables are a bit different, though; the cable for the ATSAM4LC2CA is actually a bit simpler, since it speaks USB instead of TTL serial and doesn't need the level shifting chip.

Eric, it is so possible to flash the 15c firmware into these 12c?

RE: Just bought a new old stock HP-12C Gold - Eric Rechlin - 10-30-2023 05:55 PM

(10-30-2023 05:37 PM)Jlouis Wrote: Eric, it is so possible to flash the 15c firmware into these 12c?

The 15c LE firmware can be flashed on the pre-2015 ARM-based 12c calculators. The 15c CE firmware can be flashed on the post-2015 ARM-based 12c calculators.

RE: Just bought a new old stock HP-12C Gold - lvt - 10-30-2023 06:05 PM

(10-30-2023 05:55 PM)Eric Rechlin Wrote:
(10-30-2023 05:37 PM)Jlouis Wrote: Eric, it is so possible to flash the 15c firmware into these 12c?

The 15c LE firmware can be flashed on the pre-2015 ARM-based 12c calculators. The 15c CE firmware can be flashed on the post-2015 ARM-based 12c calculators.

Hmm, now I see why my 12C's screen is identical to the 15C's screen, segment by segment.

I was wondering why there are USER and GRAD signs on the screen while there is no related function.

RE: Just bought a new old stock HP-12C Gold - lvt - 10-30-2023 06:17 PM

I guess that the same screen has been used for more than one calculator?

And if we flashed the 12C with 15C firmware, how about the keypad?

[Image: IMG20231031022007.jpg]

RE: Just bought a new old stock HP-12C Gold - Massimo Gnerucci - 10-30-2023 07:37 PM

I believe some news are approaching.