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Thomas Klemm · 06-09-2014, 01:59 PM

(06-09-2014 12:26 PM)Bill (Smithville NJ) Wrote:
(06-09-2014 09:25 AM)Gerald H Wrote: For the same arithmetic calculation, using the same algorithms,

serial nr 2914S30950, version A, took 280s, whereas

serial nr 3144S06635, version C, took 200s.

Is such a variation between versions expected/common?

Incidentally, the much maligned HP 35S took 140s.

Hi Gerald,

Upon my first reading of your post, I was inclined to see it as a straight question on whether there were speed differences between different versions of the HP-42S. I did not read it as a continuation of an earlier post.

I know that one of the versions can be put into "fast" mode, but that would be oblivious that there is a speed difference.

I've never entered the same program into two versions of the 42s and then timed them.

Could you please post the program listing that you used to do your test so that others may test to see if there is a difference or if the difference is due to low batteries (I'm not sure if low batteries cause an effect on program execution speed) or caused by some other reason.

Question: You did enter exactly the same program in each version of the 42s before making your test? If they are not exactly the same, then the difference in the code may be affecting your timing.

Both of my 42s are version C. I could test the code on these machines to see if they compare to what you found. Maybe someone else who has a version A could also test and see if they get the longer time.

Of course, this is all academic, without knowing the program code. So please post the code you used.

Bill

(06-09-2014 12:58 PM)Bill (Smithville NJ) Wrote:
(06-09-2014 12:33 PM)Gerald H Wrote: To remove any doubt about the substance of my post:

The aim is to discover whether such speed variations are common between different HP 42S versions.

I might add that in the self test both calculators gave speed as 1.048 kHz.

I do not know if there are any speed differences in HP-42s versions. I don't recall anyone ever mentioning that there was and speed is something that many here do test for.

You might want to try the following tests:

1. Perform a machine reset on both units. This will ensure that both units are starting with the same memory configuration.
2. Put fresh batteries in both units.
3. Enter exactly the same program into both units.
4. Run the test several times and see if there is still a difference in performance.

And if there still is a difference, does it vary very much between runs or is it fairly consistent.

And finally, if the difference still exists by such a large amount, post the program code here so others can also test. It may be that there is something unique with your two units.

I for one would like to know if there could be this much of a speed difference between ROM versions. I feel that it is doubtful - since if it was, I'm sure everyone would have been recommending the faster version. But then again, maybe no one has really done a speed test between versions.

Bill

(06-09-2014 01:39 PM)Gerald H Wrote: To post #12:

Can I thus answer posts #8 & 11 together?

Sure! Just add all the posts you want to quote.
You can also copy the link location of the post to reference them: #8 & #11.