Anyone ever repair an HP 48G? :)

[IndyColtsFan]

I would post this in MD&G, but this is a piece of ancient hardware and I thought I'd ask here first. A couple of weeks ago, I picked it up to use and it was acting really weird -- it wouldn't come on, so I replaced the batteries and it came on but THEN would not turn off. I pulled the batteries and then put them back in and now it won't turn on again. I'm guessing the rubber keyboard contacts have possibly broken but it seems you almost have to destroy this guy to open it up.

 

[SaltBoy]

You know, you *can* use your phone to play Tetris now.

 

[lxskllr]

They're a fucker to get apart. I've never done it without destroying it. I'd start with cleaning the battery contacts really well, and doing a hard reset when you turn it on, assuming it comes on.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

They're a fucker to get apart. I've never done it without destroying it. I'd start with cleaning the battery contacts really well, and doing a hard reset when you turn it on, assuming it comes on.

Yeah, I think it is toast. I saw a video online where they said if the power button and buttons on the right side don't work, you can try applying pressure directly underneath the screen and then try to power it on, which would indicate a faulty connection internally. Unfortunately that did not work.

This was my second college calculator -- it replaced the HP 28S that I loaned to a friend and he "lost" it (GRRRRR). I'll have to find a replacement.

 

[lxskllr]

This was my second college calculator -- it replaced the HP 28S that I loaned to a friend and he "lost" it (GRRRRR). I'll have to find a replacement.

There's some nice HP48 emulators for both pc and Android. It's not as good as real hardware, but it's nice to have when your real machine isn't handy. It's my primary calc on Android.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

There's some nice HP48 emulators for both pc and Android. It's not as good as real hardware, but it's nice to have when your real machine isn't handy. It's my primary calc on Android.

Yeah, just kind of bummed that it died. I really thought I'd have it for another 20 years.

 

[Pheran]

That's sad, I still have my HP48. I don't do anything complicated on it these days but I still use it from time to time. Great calculator.

 

[xeemzor]

RIP calculator. Someday I'll hit that point when my TI-89 finally dies on me

 

[rudeguy]

The ifixt nerds say it requires 42 years of surgery to repair.

https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View...epair+kits+available+my+keyboard+doesn't+work

It's probably just a bad keyboard which is no big deal. But teardown is a bitch.

 

[manly]

They're a fucker to get apart. I've never done it without destroying it. I'd start with cleaning the battery contacts really well, and doing a hard reset when you turn it on, assuming it comes on.

Didn't realize it was so difficult.
Coulda sworn people used to upgrade the RAM inside the 48G because the 48GX was too expensive.

Stopped using mine eons ago but I still keep it inside a desk drawer.

If nothing else, it's a memento of the "old HP."

 

[OBLAMA2009]

their newer calculators are more cheaply made but they cost less than 48g's did and they do a lot more, why not just go out and buy a new one?

ive collected hp calculators since the 41cv. i have a couple hundred of them, in particular i have about fifty hp 48g, g+, and gx's, they are really beautiful. i love the flourescent printing on them they look really stunning compared to the earlier 48s's

 

[BoomerD]

Yeah, I think it is toast. I saw a video online where they said if the power button and buttons on the right side don't work, you can try applying pressure directly underneath the screen and then try to power it on, which would indicate a faulty connection internally. Unfortunately that did not work.

This was my second college calculator -- it replaced this one:

that I loaned to a friend and he "lost" it (GRRRRR). I'll have to find a replacement.

Dang...you're older than I thought!

 

[jaedaliu]

Yeah, just kind of bummed that it died. I really thought I'd have it for another 20 years.

Mine's been going strong for the last 18 years. Of course, now it sits in a drawer and I use the HP 48G emulator on my android phone if I want to play with RPN. Otherwise, I just use a standard calculator app.

 

[lxskllr]

Of course, now it sits in a drawer and I use the HP 48G emulator on my android phone if I want to play with RPN. Otherwise, I just use a standard calculator app.

How can you use algebraic notation after using RPN? A RPN calc is in my core install list for any o/s. After RPN, algebraic pisses me off.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

their newer calculators are more cheaply made but they cost less than 48g's did and they do a lot more, why not just go out and buy a new one?

ive collected hp calculators since the 41cv. i have a couple hundred of them, in particular i have about fifty hp 48g, g+, and gx's, they are really beautiful. i love the flourescent printing on them they look really stunning compared to the earlier 48s's

I will probably just buy another HP of some sort, maybe from eBay. I loved the 28S, 48S/SX, and 48G/GX series. As someone said, they were among the last great products of HP. I LOVE RPN.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Mine's been going strong for the last 18 years. Of course, now it sits in a drawer and I use the HP 48G emulator on my android phone if I want to play with RPN. Otherwise, I just use a standard calculator app.

Well, that's just it -- this calculator basically sits in a drawer and is infrequently used, which is why I am dumbfounded that it isn't working. I actually pulled it out a couple of weeks ago for an online assessment test and imagine my shock when it wouldn't work. D:

 

[Zim Hosein]

their newer calculators are more cheaply made but they cost less than 48g's did and they do a lot more, why not just go out and buy a new one?

ive collected hp calculators since the 41cv. i have a couple hundred of them, in particular i have about fifty hp 48g, g+, and gx's, they are really beautiful. i love the flourescent printing on them they look really stunning compared to the earlier 48s's

How can you say that and not post a PIC OBLAMA2009?

 

[ControlD]

Is HP still relevant in the calculator business? When I was in college we all had HP calcs, but it seems like shortly after that TI came in and killed everyone.

I still use my HP28C at work even though I dropped it back in 1988 and the battery door doesn't like to stay in place. I also have a 48SX in a drawer somewhere. I prefer the 28C for some reason.

 

[dainthomas]

Yeah, just kind of bummed that it died. I really thought I'd have it for another 20 years.

My 48G is still sitting in my desk. I loved that thing in college. Not least because of all the formulas and constants stored in it. I also used to have a space invaders type game on it that a friend loaded with the IR connection but I think it got deleted.

 

[dabuddha]

Hah I still have my 48GX and still use it at work. Absolutely love it though it was always a pain trying to get it to link to other 48Gs wirelessly lol

 

[Liviuscomodus]

I just finished repairing an HP48G I bought from eBay these days, as "not working". The calculator was not powering ON with fresh batteries. I solved this problem by opening the device (it was hard and stressful, as I was pulling hard on the case to make it open) and then I removed the original rubber thingy beneath the keyboard ribbon connector and insert in lieu a piece of q-tip stick (cotton swab) that I cut for the right length to match the length of the piece of rubber I just removed of the rear side of the front face case.
I cut off the ends rivets from the inside of the rear panel case, as they could not got in their original places anymore and could prevent the closure of the case and then I closed the case nicely and easily.
HP48G came alive like a charm and suddenly became the toy to play with at the length of the day.
Anybody can fix this model by simply replacing that rubber pad from beneath the keyboard ribbon connector with simple piece of q-tip cotton swab cut at the right dimension. Good luck and enjoy this piece of highly engineered device.