Threaded Mode | Linear Mode

albertofenini · 04-10-2019, 10:13 PM

Hi everyone,
we discovered some relics .... we found an HP41 Printer (not HP-IL), an HP41 Printer (HP-IL)
and an HP41 tape unit (HP-IL)
Since we have only one HP-IL adapter and we are missing the rest of the cables we can only
connect an HP-IL device at the time.
Both printers works well, nice and crisp, paper goes thru easy and we are happy with that.
I had personally never tested the tape driver, which I purchased probably ten years ago.
It came with three tapes, one has a label with "HP41 Demo" handwritten on.
We would like to check if it works.
It turns on.
Our goal is simple, we would like to read a program from the card reader, say the Lunar Landing
from the HP67 Standard PAck, and write it onto a tape, then load it from the tape.
Turns out is not that simple.
Firstly because we don't know hot to handle the tape unit, (read, write ????)
The manual that comes with the unit does not give too many information
Where could we look ?
A basic question : we are testing the unit with a 41C, is it compatible or should we use a CV or a CX ?
We are attaching some pictures, more for the fun of it, but one is interesting, if we type on
the unit the command XEQ READP we get back the message you will see on the display.
(Card reader was under maintenance which is why is topless)
Also we are posting a link to a Youtube video we made, when the TAPE unit is turned on
the tape moves a little back and forth, as you will see in the video, is this normal ?
Thanks everyone for any advice
take care !

Dave Frederickson · 04-10-2019, 11:26 PM

The thing about the cassette tapes is that they deteriorate over time. Usually the first thing to go is the pressure pad attached to the leaf spring. Check that it is intact and not dislodged from the spring.

Instructions for tape operation can be found in the HP 82160A HP-IL Module Owner's Manual.

Tape motion when a tape is inserted is normal. The unit is positioning the tape to the beginning.

Instructions on repairing tapes can be found here, http://www.hpmuseum.org/forum/thread-322...l#pid29125.

Dave

Craig Bladow · 04-11-2019, 02:25 AM

(04-10-2019 10:13 PM)albertofenini Wrote: A basic question : we are testing the unit with a 41C, is it compatible or should we use a CV or a CX ?

An HP 41C will work, as well as a CV or CX, The IL module rom contains the needed commands.

albertofenini · (This post was last modified: 04-13-2019 08:48 PM by albertofenini.)

We where able to test the following configuration (1 HP-IL device, 1 NON HP-IL device)

HP41C
HP 82106A memory module in port 1
HP-IL interface HP82160A with switch in DISABLE position in port4
HP-IL 82161A card reader
HP 82143A (NOT HP-IL) thermal printer in port 3

we have been able to execute the command XEQ DIR and get a printed list of the programs
available on a Demo Tape

We have been able to test the following configurations (1 HP-IL device each) :

HP41C
HP 82106A memory module in port 1
HP-IL interface HP82160A with switch in ENABLE position in port4
HP 82162A HP-IL thermal printer
and print some sample operations

HP41C
HP 82106A memory module in port 1
HP-IL interface HP82160A with switch ENABLE position in port4
HP-IL 82161A card reader
execute XEQ DIR and we have seen on the HP41C display the list of the program available

After a while we have got this configuration (two HP-IL devices) to work

HP41C
HP 82106A memory module in port 1
HP-IL interface 82160A with switch ENABLE position in port4
HP-IL 82161A card reader
HP-IL 82162A thermal printer

however, before success we also had the following messages :
with both HP-IL devices are on : MEDM ERR
if the HP-IL printer is turned off : TRANSMIT ERR

Will post under a different thread the result of the listing and some problems that we have with
the tape driver

Thank you very much for help !!

vassilisprevelakis · 04-16-2019, 10:33 PM

Hi,

In order to be able to get the best use of your HP-IL peripherals, you need to get your hands (and read) the manual of the HP-82160A HPIL Module.

This manual explains the commands associated with HPIL and various tricks and tips on using HPIL peripherals.

Best Regards

Vassilis

http://www.series80.org

albertofenini · 04-24-2019, 11:44 AM

Thanks for the hint,
we did it and we were able to get some info about the programs on the tape,
however later on the same day the tape unit broke and we have not been able
to get it back to work yet ...
https://www.hpmuseum.org/forum/thread-12...#pid115180
any help on this will also be appreciated ...

Dave Frederickson · 04-24-2019, 04:58 PM

(04-24-2019 11:44 AM)albertofenini Wrote: Thanks for the hint,
we did it and we were able to get some info about the programs on the tape,
however later on the same day the tape unit broke and we have not been able
to get it back to work yet ...
https://www.hpmuseum.org/forum/thread-12...#pid115180
any help on this will also be appreciated ...

Have you repaired the pressure pads on the tapes?

albertofenini · 04-25-2019, 10:47 PM

(04-24-2019 04:58 PM)Dave Frederickson Wrote:
(04-24-2019 11:44 AM)albertofenini Wrote: Thanks for the hint,
we did it and we were able to get some info about the programs on the tape,
however later on the same day the tape unit broke and we have not been able
to get it back to work yet ...
https://www.hpmuseum.org/forum/thread-12...#pid115180
any help on this will also be appreciated ...

Have you repaired the pressure pads on the tapes?

Not yet Dave,
the unit is dead, it does not turn it on, we need to fix that first but we don't know how ...

Dave Frederickson · 04-26-2019, 12:35 AM

(04-25-2019 10:47 PM)albertofenini Wrote: the unit is dead, it does not turn it on, we need to fix that first but we don't know how ...

How far do you get through the troubleshooting procedure?

albertofenini · 04-26-2019, 08:32 AM

(04-26-2019 12:35 AM)Dave Frederickson Wrote:
(04-25-2019 10:47 PM)albertofenini Wrote: the unit is dead, it does not turn it on, we need to fix that first but we don't know how ...

How far do you get through the troubleshooting procedure?

We haven't started yet, other than that the basic : battery charger gives power, battery gives power but we have not done anything other than that
it was Easter vacation and we left for a short trip,
we have however printed the service manual, and will do something over the weekend
we'll surely post the results
Thanks for all the support !