PX41CX

[revwillie]

I think it's more trouble than it's worth on my win11 box.

I have full blown python on other machines and I could probably ssh into them to run the utility. Your batch file still works for firmware flashing so thanks for that.

[Pierre]

(08-28-2024 04:23 PM)revwillie Wrote:  I think it's more trouble than it's worth on my win11 box.

I have full blown python on other machines and I could probably ssh into them to run the utility. Your batch file still works for firmware flashing so thanks for that.

Sorry for not doing better...
I'm still on Windows 7...
I like to be a PX tester for Alex, but I don't want to be a Windows tester for Microsoft... I'll let others test W11...

[krischik]

Finished the PX41CX. The calculator is very nice. A huge improvement over the voyager style calculator. Pictures don't do them justice. They look better in real live



I actually made use of the washers to increase the headspace between the back panel and the PCB. If you do that you have to use the rubber feed as the screws will now protrude by ½ mm. But I consider that preferable over a short circuit.



Now I have to learn how to update the firmware. Well, first I have to order an AVR programmer on AliExpress.

[agarza]

(08-28-2024 05:08 PM)krischik Wrote:  Now I have to learn how to update the firmware. Well, first I have to order an AVR programmer on AliExpress.

No need to order an AVR programmer. The PX-41CX doesn't require one. Simply set the slide switch to the FLASH position and use the Serial to USB adapter to flash the new firmware.

(The PX-16C does require a AVR programmer for updating the firmware)

[revwillie]

(08-28-2024 05:22 PM)agarza Wrote:  No need to order an AVR programmer. The PX-41CX doesn't require one. Simply set the slide switch to the FLASH position and use the Serial to USB adapter to flash the new firmware.

(The PX-16C does require a AVR programmer for updating the firmware)

yeah, that was a great surprise to me. I have other USB-serial interfaces laying around but they don't have molded mini usb ends. The one that was included is very nice. Once you set up a batch file like Pierre describes in pages 19-23 of his manual, firmware flashing should be a snap.

[Pierre]

(08-28-2024 05:56 PM)revwillie Wrote:  firmware flashing should be a snap.

I confirm !

[jpride@1956]

I'm using W11 and flashing works well, just follow the adequate instructions.

[krischik]

How my PX-41CX assembly went and lessons I learned from the PC16C build.

https://www.minds.com/krischik/blog/px-4...0951638022

#retrocomputing #vintagecomputing #computerhardware #computerscience #hewlettpackard #calculator #hp41cx

• https://peakd.com/hive-163521/@krischik/...x-assembly
• https://steemit.com/hive-175254/@krischi...x-assembly
• https://blurt.blog/retrocomputing/@krisc...x-assembly
  

[krischik]

(08-29-2024 12:02 AM)jpride@1956 Wrote:  I'm using W11 and flashing works well, just follow the adequate instructions.

To bad I'm not using Windows. So that will be fun. And probably another article.

[krischik]

(08-28-2024 05:56 PM)revwillie Wrote:  Once you set up a batch file like Pierre describes in pages 19-23 of his manual, firmware flashing should be a snap.

The first step would be to find the manual. It's no where to be found on https://paxer.net/px41cx. All I found is https://paxer.net/px41cx/manual.html but that is fairly basic information only.

[revwillie]

(08-29-2024 05:24 PM)krischik Wrote:  

(08-28-2024 05:56 PM)revwillie Wrote:  Once you set up a batch file like Pierre describes in pages 19-23 of his manual, firmware flashing should be a snap.

The first step would be to find the manual. It's no where to be found on https://paxer.net/px41cx. All I found is https://paxer.net/px41cx/manual.html but that is fairly basic information only.

this one: https://clones.phweb.me/download/manuals..._A5_v1.pdf

But I'm not sure if you can use .bat if you aren't in windows. Pierre shows where to put the python stuff and the syntax of the python command is based on the file naming scheme he proposes: %num% comes from a user prompt

python -u tools/prog.py -t uart -u COM8 -b 115200 -d avr128da28 --fuses 5:0b11001001 6:0x04 7:0x00 8:0x00 -f PX41CX_V2/main%numv%.hex -a write -v

[Pierre]

(08-29-2024 05:39 PM)revwillie Wrote:  

(08-29-2024 05:24 PM)krischik Wrote:  The first step would be to find the manual. It's no where to be found on https://paxer.net/px41cx. All I found is https://paxer.net/px41cx/manual.html but that is fairly basic information only.

this one: https://clones.phweb.me/download/manuals..._A5_v1.pdf

But I'm not sure if you can use .bat if you aren't in windows. Pierre shows where to put the python stuff and the syntax of the python command is based on the file naming scheme he proposes: %num% comes from a user prompt

python -u tools/prog.py -t uart -u COM8 -b 115200 -d avr128da28 --fuses 5:0b11001001 6:0x04 7:0x00 8:0x00 -f PX41CX_V2/main%numv%.hex -a write -v

Hi,
I don't think the fact that the system is not windows is too annoying.
Whatever the system a python command is a python command...
I just built a command file parameterized from the command line that Alex (who works on Mac) gave me
You just have to adapt to the files and their paths and to the COM port with its speed.
tools/prog.py = python interface tools
-u COM8 -b 115200 = serial port and speed
PX41CX_V2/main%numv%.hex = path and name of the firmware file
Pierre

[dmh]

On Windows (I'm currently using Windows 10) I use Conda (miniconda3) and it manages all the Python package installs for you so you don't need to worry about this.

It has its own terminal/shell window and you can install the Python packages you need with a single command and then import/use them directly in your own or downloaded Python code (like my PX-41CX utilities).

I found managing Python versions and modules too painful otherwise.

Hope this helps. I'm sure there are other ways to simplify the process too.

(08-28-2024 03:53 PM)Pierre Wrote:  I put the python folder directly under c:\
and intelhex under tools\libs

and the folder "Scripts" from intelhex directely under python with :
bin2hex.py
hex2bin.py
hex2dump.py
hexdiff.py
hexinfo.py
hexmerge.py

(I hope I haven't forgotten anything...)

[krischik]

(08-29-2024 05:39 PM)revwillie Wrote:  But I'm not sure if you can use .bat if you aren't in windows.

You can't use the bat file — but that is not a problem. I have that converted to a command file in no time. But the python installation seem to be a pain as it'S not a straight forward PIP installation. I'll start with getting the DUMP working so I can make backups.

[krischik]

I successfully updated the firmware with macOS (not needing to start a windows VM). The script used looks like this:

Code:


source ${0:h}/Setup.command

read  "Num_V?Version to install (0901, …)? "

python3 -u DxCore/megaavr/tools/prog.py        \
    -t uart                    \
    -u "${USB_Serial_Device}"            \
    -b "${USB_Serial_Speed}"            \
    -d "avr128da28"                \
    --fuses 5:0b11001001 6:0x04 7:0x00 8:0x00    \
    -f "px41cx_v${Num_V}/px41cx_V${Num_V}.hex"    \
    -a write                    \
    -v

You will also need a setup file:

Code:


typeset USB_Serial_Device="${USB_Serial_Device-/dev/tty.usbserial-1430}"
typeset USB_Serial_Speed="${USB_Serial_Speed-115200}"

Full source here UPD_PX41CX.command and Setup.command.

I might do some proper documentation when I find some time.

[revwillie]

Today, I finally assembled the PX16c kit that was sitting above my workbench for a while. Having prior experience with the PX kits, I threw caution to the wind and just started from memory. I did goof a little in the soldering of the display board to the header, but it is barely noticeable in the finished product. I will say again that Alex's kits are the best, but it is very clear how much improvement and evolution occurred between the old PX designs and this iteration (to get back on topic). For me, watching a couple of different efforts move forward at HP41 emulation, I am simply amazed at how good the PX41CX is. I think Pierre and Darren and any other of the test subjects deserve credit as well. As usual, the best results are obtained with team effort. In that same spirit, Martin shares a firmware update command file for mac users above.

I definitely understand that some prefer to buy and use the DM41 from Swissmicros. I love my DM42 and if I had been a HP41 user back in the day, I'd probably get the DM41. We can't really assemble our own DM-anything though and I get a therapeutic high out of soldering a kit together. This kit is well designed, planned and tested and anyone still on the fence about ordering should feel confident that it is worth every penny. The old PX41c I've been toying with the last couple of years will soon be re-flashed as a PX 11 or maybe a two-line PX 15 once I get my AVR programmer set up.

Anybody have a favorite trick to test in the Aviation rom?

[Pierre]

(09-01-2024 02:50 AM)revwillie Wrote:  ... I think Pierre deserve credit as well...

Thanks revwillie but...

I have no thanks to receive because Alex has all the credit.
I had the chance and the privilege to be chosen by Alex and to receive the first prototype of PX-41CX to test it.
(He may even have regretted it sometimes because of my strange questions and my stupid ideas...)

I found everything I had known in the early 80s with my first TI-58C and I have fun like crazy with the PX-41CX.
I have today almost 250 calculators... (all the PX, 8 in all, and all the DM, 8 too!)
At the beginning I used my 2 HP-41C and CV and my DM41L and X with my PX-41CX and my emulators to exchange my programs.
Today I only use the PX-41CX.

Thanks to Alex I have become more than 40 years younger! I have become a young Padawan again who learns every day.

(09-01-2024 02:50 AM)revwillie Wrote:  Anybody have a favorite trick to test in the Aviation rom?

I prepared a Firmware :
px41cx_0901_20240827_AV.hex (untested)
Included: Aviation, Beechcraft (AV1), Boeing (B52DEX, B52DIO), ...

[agarza]

(09-01-2024 02:50 AM)revwillie Wrote:  I think Pierre and Darren and any other of the test subjects deserve credit as well. As usual, the best results are obtained with team effort. In that same spirit, Martin shares a firmware update command file for mac users above.

The goal has always been to enjoy the process of building while creating a calculator that's truly useful—not one that ends up gathering dust in a drawer. This project would never have come to life without the collective effort of the community. Pierre, Darren, Martin, and many others have made this project truly special. Thank you all for your support!

[agarza]

(09-01-2024 08:20 AM)Pierre Wrote:  (He may even have regretted it sometimes because of my strange questions and my stupid ideas...)

Those are the best ideas to pursue!

[krischik]

As promised I made a documentation on how to Receive and send memory dumps with macOS. You don't need a terminal program and the received data is stored in a file without any copy paste. You need Python but I guess that should be ok as Python is needed for Firmware updates as well.

https://calculator-scripts.sourceforge.io/px-41cx/dump/

Next is proper documentation for the firmware update.

PS: In case it is not obvious: Python is not my favourite programming language.