HP-71B LCD Problem! How Common?

[Namir]

(02-17-2019 12:11 AM)rprosperi Wrote:  Hi Namir,

I have a 71B that occasionally will have similar LCD issues, wherein the bottom few rows of dots turn-off along the full width of the display. Pressing down on the bezel below the LCD will usually restore the full LCD; thereafter, it may not occur for months or it might the next day.

Obviously some kind of semi-loose connection, it does not seem to be affected by bumping or positioning the machine oddly, or other handling effects. I can only guess, but I suspect environmental effects (temperature, humidity, ??) may explain the intermittent behavior.

Give it try and report results.

I first discovered the ssue after inserting an HP-IL module and executing the VER$ command. The output was long enough to cover most of the LCD. Itshowed that the middle characters turning into intermittent vertical bars. I tried another HP-IL module and got the same thing! Then I typed 8s (with no HP-IL module plugged in) and saw the same issue. In between I took a battery out and put it back in. Same problem.

The atual seller is working through a clearance vendor on eBay. That vendor wrote me and said that after I informed him about the LCD problem, he tested two more new HP-71B units he had AND FOUND THAT THEY HAD TEH SAME LCD PROBLEM!!! He claims that this is a common "bug" based on what he found on the Internet!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not sure I am buying it!

I find that hard to believe UNLESS THEY ALL CAME FROM A BAD BATCH WERE THE UNITS SAT UNUSED AND THEREFORE LOOK LIKE NEW. That is why I am asking for others if they have seen the same problem.

Namir