How do I input Programs into HP-48GX?

[imsengr]

Hi y'all,

I got a question about how to input programs into my HP-48GX. I've got the calculator for about 4 years now but have mainly used the built-in functions and a Civil Engineering Pac that I bought. Now, I would like to try to input some of the programs available on hpcalc.org, for instance.

How do you input those freeware programs? Can I do it "by hand" (keystroke by keystroke), or do I need to buy a cable, or something? What do I do, please? Do I first download the program to my pc, and then upload it to my HP from there? What part of the program (in other words, what extensions) do I actually need to upload?

Are the structural engineering programs I see online any good? Anybody tried them before? I do not intend it to be my main structural analysis software, but it might be a useful thing to have if I am away from my PC, for instance?

Also thinking about inputting some chess and kanji tutor software? Do I need to add additional RAM's for those.

Please provide any advice you can. Thanks, y'all.

 

[COEngineeer]

You can do it by hand.

You can use your computer (it comes with computer cable).

If you have a laptop, you can try using the infra-red.

Good luck!

 

[structuralaggie]

I think you have to buy a cable to connect your computer to your calculator from HP. The only programs I ever put on mine was from another HP through the infra-red. If you have friends with the programs on their HP, it is easy.

 

[imsengr]

Thanks guys, for your prompt responses.

Yeah, somehow, I seem to remember that I need to buy a cable linking my PC with my HP and transfer the programs from the PC to the HP. Where can I get this cable, and where is the best (read: most economical) place to get it?

When using a cable to connect my PC to my HP, and assuming I already have the program downloaded to my PC, what part of the program do i need to transfer to the HP?

Also, I think it is possible to do it manually, too - "by hand". However, I guess it can get very tedious and mistakes are prone to happen if the program is very long, for instance. What buttons on my HP-48GX do I need to initiate manual input. Are there any special symbols that I need to put at the beginning (and at the end?) of my input to make sure that HP knows what to do.

I didn't understand the response about the laptop. I do have a relatively new laptop but how do I transmit programs from my laptop to my HP? Don't I need a cable here, or what exactly do I need to do.

Thanks, y'all.

 

[COEngineeer]

Sometimes there is a way to transfer files if your lap top has an ifra red. It may not. My old dell had an infra red. I was able to transfer files from that to my cell phone, ipaq or other computers with infra red. It seems newer laptop or electronic device now use blue tooth technology instead of Infra red. Just go buy the cable from amazon.com or something. When you download the program, they should have steps on how to upload it.

Oh btw, this is how I survived college. They allowed all kinds of calculator. So I created text documents with all the stuff i need to memorize on my chemistry class (we do use calculator once in a while ).

 

[swearingen]

Yes, you'll need a cable to do the job. You can purchase them at

http://stores.ebay.com/Oxy-Electronics

The kit comes complete with software for your computer and instructions on how to use it. It also tells you exactly how to set up your calculator to recieve the data.

You won't be able to type in many of the programs from hpcalc.org. Many of them are in machine language and you'd need a compiler program to do it. Something tells me you're not interested in getting that deep.

COEngineer - I'm just curious - did you use a program to type in notes or did you just type them in on your own? The reason I ask is that I created a program long ago to do just that. Before I graduated college, I had confirmed that the program had spread to four other colleges up to 100 miles away. The IR function works well!

 

[COEngineeer]

Well, I was a TI-85 guy. I just did a program with full of text. Of course you cannot run it, so you just click edit and it will show all the text. I type this with my computer of course. Yes, the IR function works well. My buddy beamed me tetris on my calc and space commander.

 

[JAE]

I use that calculator - just read the manual - all my programs are simply punched into it. I can then transfer them to other HP calculators (of similar species).

 

[imsengr]

Hi swearingen (and all who responded),

I went to the Oxy-Electronics store on ebay, and saw that they had two items there related to programs for the HP-48GX. One is the HP48G GX HP48S SX Factory sealed Transfile Win48 New!! selling for $9.99, and a HP serial cable for $24.99. Do I need to get both of these, or is the Transfile thing just a CD full of potentially useful and interesting HP programs? Is the serial cable the only thing that I need to upload programs to my HP?

On another note, I have 128K RAM in my HP-48GX. Do you guys think I need to get another RAM? Are they expensive?

Thanks, y'all.