DM16L new arrival wont turn on / display spotty

Discussion of hardware issues related to the DM1x/DM41. Please ensure that you specifiy whether the issue is related to a credit card size unit or a "Voyager" unit (DM1xL/DM41L).
wile1411
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2020 9:48 am
Location: Canberra, Australia

DM16L new arrival wont turn on / display spotty

Post by wile1411 »

Recently joined in the retro calculator scene and I'm having issue getting the DM16L to power on.

Takes forever to get the thing turned on as the ON button isn't responding consistently.
Sometimes it'll power on and be fine, other times it'll power on and after 1 key press the screen blanks out. (This is all with a new battery)
Additional issue is that, at times, the screen goes all snowy / static. While this effect is variable, it seems to happen mostly when trying to turn the device off. (Screenshot of the display attached showing the snow/static)
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DM16L SN: 00267(returned)
DM16L SN: 02149
EM41
Posts: 192
Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2020 12:10 am
Location: Overijssel Netherlands

Re: DM16L new arrival wont turn on / display spotty

Post by EM41 »

Try a new battery (good brand not a Chinese cheap one).
The included battery should be ok but you never know.
HP41C (2x), HP41CV, HP41CX, DM41X β, DM41X, DM42, HP11C, HP48G, HP97
grsbanks
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Joined: Tue Apr 25, 2017 11:23 am
Location: Preston, Lancs, UK
Contact:

Re: DM16L new arrival wont turn on / display spotty

Post by grsbanks »

That looks like a faulty LCD.

Please get in touch with Michael at michael@swissmicros.com.
There are only 10 kinds of people in the world: those who understand binary and those who do not.
wile1411
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2020 9:48 am
Location: Canberra, Australia

Re: DM16L new arrival wont turn on / display spotty

Post by wile1411 »

Thanks - I've already reached out to Michael.
All tests were done with a new battery from the store today as that was my thought too.
I can't even get the display to turn on anymore. I checked if the serial connection works with Putty and that seems fine responding with DM16 ready. However the 't' (display time) command fails with 'fail' and half of the next prompt showing only 'VOY;. I press enter and then I get the full VOYAGER.

Having said that, I'm not sure if it would work for a DM16L. Is there any serial commands people know should work that I can test?
DM16L SN: 00267(returned)
DM16L SN: 02149
grsbanks
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Joined: Tue Apr 25, 2017 11:23 am
Location: Preston, Lancs, UK
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Re: DM16L new arrival wont turn on / display spotty

Post by grsbanks »

The 't' should work. Otherwise the '?' command lists out all the commands that it can process. The command set recognized by all of the "Voyager" format units is identical across the range.
There are only 10 kinds of people in the world: those who understand binary and those who do not.
wile1411
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2020 9:48 am
Location: Canberra, Australia

Re: DM16L new arrival wont turn on / display spotty

Post by wile1411 »

hmmm, 'should work' is never a good sign while troubleshooting.
So I figured I'd try some more troubleshooting. I've reflashed the firstware (DM16_29.hex)
Now the 't' command works, but it only prints the 2020 part of the date. (sometimes only prints '202'
I've also tried the '?' command and just get a 'Firmware' response.
DM16L SN: 00267(returned)
DM16L SN: 02149
grsbanks
Posts: 1122
Joined: Tue Apr 25, 2017 11:23 am
Location: Preston, Lancs, UK
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Re: DM16L new arrival wont turn on / display spotty

Post by grsbanks »

That doesn't sound good.

Just to make sure, your serial comms are indeed set to 38400 bps, 8 bit, no parity, 1 stop bit, right?
There are only 10 kinds of people in the world: those who understand binary and those who do not.
wile1411
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2020 9:48 am
Location: Canberra, Australia

Re: DM16L new arrival wont turn on / display spotty

Post by wile1411 »

Yes to all of the above for the putty settings. 38400, 8, 1, none.
I tried different setting for flow control (none & XON/XOFF), but neither made a difference.
I should add that I got the display back, but it's still flaky. Goes back to dotty when trying to turn it off.
The Date display works again. Somethings really amiss with this unit me thinks.

I'll leave it there. No point going further until I hear back from the man himself :)
DM16L SN: 00267(returned)
DM16L SN: 02149
HPMike
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Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 11:01 pm
Location: DFW, Texas

Re: DM16L new arrival wont turn on / display spotty

Post by HPMike »

Obviously the calculator has contracted the cyber mutation of COVID-19.
DM15L, S/N 00548. DM42, SN: 00159. DM41X, SN: 00973. DM32, SN 00054.
wile1411
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2020 9:48 am
Location: Canberra, Australia

Re: DM16L new arrival wont turn on / display spotty

Post by wile1411 »

haha - this year gets weirder and weirder by the day.
DM16L SN: 00267(returned)
DM16L SN: 02149
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