HP30b to WP34s Programming in Melbourne

[ijabbott]

(08-30-2019 03:52 PM)burkhard Wrote:  

(08-30-2019 01:00 PM)nova Wrote:  I managed to purchase a genuine NOS HP flash cable, which I should receive in a couple of weeks. I've also purchased the FTDI Chip USB to RS232 adapter, so the remaining step is to setup the programming software and program the HP30b. Nearly done!

You probably realize this, but just in case you missed it or for others contemplating the wonders of the WP34s...
If you have the official HP flash cable, you don't need the "FTDI Chip USB to RS232 adapter". To reflash the calculator, you need one or the other, but not both.

But the HP flash cable has an RS-232 serial connection at the PC end, so if your PC has no serial ports, you do need a USB to RS-232 serial adapter to plug into the HP flash cable.

Quote:The real HP cable is great, but it's scarce and expensive, so a lot of people have homebrew-rigged the equivalent via the "FTDI Chip USB to RS232 adapter". No harm in having also that as a super-cheap spare, but hopefully the OEM cable will work fine for you.

Actually, the homebrew approach needs a 3.3V TTL serial connection at the calculator end (not RS-232). I use an FTDI TTL-232R-RPi Debug Cable.