HP 35s Memory Clear

[dbatiz]

My HP 35s did something weird yesterday. The display began flashing Memory Clear and flashing the "triangle exclamation point" enunciator.

I pulled the batteries and waited a few seconds. Re-inserted them and the flashing resumed. Then I used the reset button on the back. While depressed, the message didn't flash, but once the reset button was released, the message flashed again.

Later in the day, I thought I'd look at it before disposing of it, and it now seems to be working fine.

I've searched the manual but didn't find any reference to this behavior. I hate to keep hardware around that is becoming un-reliable.

Note to Dave Hicks: I cannot imagine how much effort you invest in this forum, thank you! The upgrade is very slick. The only hiccup I had creating my new account wasn't a problem with the new software at all; it was my spam filter on Hotmail. The first account activation e-mail went to my trashcan. Once I requested the second one, I realized what had happened. Anyhow, thank you for your efforts to this community!

Very respectfully,
David

[Maximilian Hohmann]

Hello!

How old are the batteries? The HP35s consumes batteries like there is no tomorrow (even when turned off!) and the behavior you describe could be due to a battery on the edge of undervoltage. Maybe it got a little warmer during the day and therefore the voltage increased just enough to make it work again?

Before throwing it away, I would try it with fresh batteries.

Regards,
Max

[Ed Wright]

If you see any other odd behavior I'd try fresh batteries.

[dbatiz]

The batteries are old. The low battery indicator was the first thing I looked at once the calculator started working again. But, I will try fresh batteries and see if the behavior goes away. Thank you for your suggestions!

Very respectfully,
David

[Michael de Estrada]

(12-20-2013 02:01 PM)Maximilian Hohmann Wrote:  The HP35s consumes batteries like there is no tomorrow (even when turned off!)...

Spot on ! One of the many stupid things about this calc. I stopped replacing batteries in mine years ago, and use my 33s instead.

[Keithusb]

When you say battery hog, at what rate does it discharge batteries? Can I use it on a test that takes two hours?

[Thomas Radtke]

(01-08-2014 06:32 AM)Keithusb Wrote:  When you say battery hog [...]

Others use the 35s for years on one set of batteries. Unless there are two different versions of this calculator, I'd say the problem lies in the missing auto-power-off functionality in combination with the zipper-case.

(01-08-2014 06:32 AM)Keithusb Wrote:  Can I use it on a test that takes two hours?

Certainly.

[JeffJ]

KeithUSB - Although some 35s units appear to be worse than others, typical battery life is 6 months - plenty of time to take a test, I hope.

[Dieter]

(01-08-2014 08:44 AM)Thomas Radtke Wrote:  Others use the 35s for years on one set of batteries.

For the record: I just replaced the batteries in my 35s. It was bought in September 2007 and has run on three or four battery sets in these 5,3 years with daily use. The worst case I can report was the first battery set which was replaced after about nine or ten months with heavy use and lots of programming (and running programs, i.e. with high battery drain). Otherwise every battery set lasted for more than a year.

(01-08-2014 08:44 AM)Thomas Radtke Wrote:  Unless there are two different versions of this calculator, I'd say the problem lies in the missing auto-power-off functionality in combination with the zipper-case.

Of course the 35s features an auto power-off function. It turns off automatically about 10 minutes after the last key has been pressed. Does your device behave differently?

Dieter

[Massimo Gnerucci]

(01-08-2014 07:13 PM)Dieter Wrote:  For the record: I just replaced the batteries in my 35s. It was bought in September 2007 and has run on three or four battery sets in these 5,3 years with daily use.

Aren't them 6,3 years?

[Dieter]

(01-08-2014 07:23 PM)Massimo Gnerucci Wrote:  Aren't them 6,3 years?

Err... yes, of course. I obviously haven't arrived in 2014 yet. #-)
So make that 6,3 years on 3 or 4 battery sets.

Dieter

[Thomas Radtke]

(01-08-2014 07:13 PM)Dieter Wrote:  Of course the 35s features an auto power-off function. It turns off automatically about 10 minutes after the last key has been pressed. Does your device behave differently?

Never tried it. My statement was hearsay and experience: The first set of batteries lasted only a couple of weeks; I thought I hadn't switched it off. Interesting. I'll try right now.

[Dieter]

(01-09-2014 06:18 AM)Thomas Radtke Wrote:  Never tried it. (...) Interesting. I'll try right now.

If it does not turn off after 10 minutes there must be something wrong. ;-)
HP35s manual, page 2:

Quote:To conserve energy, the calculator turns itself off after 10 minutes of inactivity.

Dieter

[Thomas Radtke]

Yes, yes ... and so it did.

;-)

[RMollov]

(12-20-2013 02:01 PM)Maximilian Hohmann Wrote:  Hello!

...The HP35s consumes batteries like there is no tomorrow (even when turned off!)...

This statement I can confirm wrong. I hadn't touched my HP35 for at least 2 years and when I did, the batteries were still good.