Need help with HP-71 HP-IL Interface Module

[Sylvain Cote]

(01-14-2021 05:19 PM)wallyhp71b Wrote:  But when I[/size] plug in the 82401A module, the HP-71b does not seem to recognize it, and when I type VER$, still only displays "HP71B:1BBBB"

You have at the minimum a contact problem, because when plugged and working, VER$ should gives you "HP71B:1BBBB HPIL:1A" or "HP71B:1BBBB HPIL:1B"
Remove your HP-IL module and re-insert it to see if that helps.
Look at your connector inside your HP-71 to see if it is clean and also with a flashlight look into your HP-IL module to see if all the 13 pins are there and clean.

(01-14-2021 05:19 PM)wallyhp71b Wrote:  Also when I type RESET IO or RESTORE IO or try other HPIL commands, the HP-71 beeps and displays "ERR:excess chars".

Normal, the ROM has not been added to the system, see above.

(01-14-2021 06:51 PM)KeithB Wrote:  While this does not seem to be your problem, it makes things much faster to attach an HPIL cable to the input and output of the device. That way it does not timeout waiting for a response.

OFF IO will also remove the timeout delay.

edit: wrong word used for contact, corrected, thanks Dave.