HP-12C / HP-12CP CPU stress test using date operation

[Allen]

I have seen MANY Hp12c's on a certain auction site that have been mechanically abused FAR beyond what I think might be serviceable, and yet, they still pass the keyboard test and ROM test!!

One of them, I recall, looked like it might have been used for landing gear or a sanding block, as the entire metal back was barren of any writing or color- straight metal.

If you really want to test one, the anecdotal coffee-table-drop is not enough. Any experienced Test Engineering (or ALT) would be able to design an appropriate "bake-n-shake" to push the limits of this hardware. There is likely a resonance point where the mechanical keys will fail, and the LCD and battery will likely be the primary constraint for the temperature tests, though there are many other interesting limits listed in MIL-STD-810. (Acidic Atmosphere, Rail Impact, Fungus among them)