This page has tips and answers to frequently asked questions about the calculators.

Update! (20/2/2004)
HP have released a Frequently Asked Questions document which applies to the HP39G, HP40G and HP39g+ graphing calculators. Download this file now to find some common answers as compiled by HP (highly recommended).

How To: Transmit Files to a Calculator

Thanks to Vincent who requested information on how to transmit files to a calculator. Here is a short how-to to explain this.

If you have the link cable it is a simple procedure to download games or any other calculator file. You will need to download a program called HPGComm (download it from the HP Home View - get CommPlus.zip). Install this prograam and follow its instructions. There is a brilliant help file included if you get the full package which will explain everything.

Otherwise follow these steps:

1. Unzip the games into their own folder (Make sure you know where this folder is).
2. Launch HPGComm.
3. Select the name of the serial port you are using (if you don't know just try all of them starting with COM1).
4. Press the Change Directory button (it looks like a folder with a magnifying glass on it).
5. Find the folder that you unzipped the game into, select it and click OK.
6. Make sure the cable is plugged into the calculator and go to the Library.
7. Press [RECV] on the calculator.
8. Choose Disk drive... (using the arrow keys and ENTER)
9. Choose the game from the list to download it.
   

Note that some aplets (games specifically) may work differently, in these cases read the files that come with the game, or consult the help file.

Tip: Using Virtual Directories when Transferring Files

When you transmit files to/from the computer you may have noticed that the calculator offers you to Pick location... Or maybe you noticed the Create virtual directory button in HPGComm? If so, here is an explanation of what this means.

When you save files to the computer, the calculator creates directory files which are just an index of the files that you have transferred. Using the virtual directory feature you can split this list into categories, which allow you to more easily find objects and speed up transfers.

How to create virtual directories:
Virtual directories should be created on the computer before you copy files.

1. Open HPGComm.
2. Initialize the directory (if not done already) by sending or receiving any file.
3. Click File|Show calculator files...
4. In the window that appears, click the object under which to place the directory and click Create virtual directory. You can nest folders underneath each other by selecting a folder and clicking Create to place the new folder underneath the current folder.
5. Type a name for the directory and click OK.
6. Click Close when you are done.

How to use virtual directories:
Virtual directories, once created, are controlled by the calculator when sending or receiving files. When sending:

1. Choose the object you want to send and press [SEND].
2. Choose Disk drive... and press [OK].
3. Choose Pick location... and press [OK].
4. Press [DIRS] and choose the directory. [UP] is the directory above the one you are in.
5. When you find the right directory, press [OK].

To receive the file:

1. Choose [RECV] in the appropriate section of the calculator (Library, Note Catalog, etc).
2. Choose Disk drive... and press [OK].
3. The HP may 'remember' the last directory you were in, otherwise press [DIRS] to change directories.
4. Find the file(s) and check them if you wish, and press [OK] to receive the file(s).

To view the directory structure and contents:
Simply click Show calculator files (third button) from HPGComm and click plus signs as appropriate to view the layout.

Problem: Programs using GETKEY do not perform correctly on 39/40G.

In certain programs written using the GETKEY statement to read keys pressed converted from the HP38G, the changed keyboard layout causes the programs to not function correctly. The changed layout is not recognized by the programs. Therefore the programs must be altered to reflect the new layout. Here is key testing program to illustrate this problem:

Download Keys: HP38G HP39/40G

Here is some of the keys which are affected by this problem:

Keys	HP38G GETKEY	HP39/40G GETKEY
[ENTER]	51.x	105.x
[ON]	91.x	101.x
Numbers [0]..[9]	92.x, 82.x to 84.x, 72.x to 74.x, 62.x to 64.x	102.x, 92.x to 94.x, 82.x to 84.x, 72.x to 74.x

Tip: Exit!

Press [ON] to exit programs which repeat themselves, such as Talking Clock II. Some programs, which read the keys, require you to double-press [ON] in order to break out.

Tip: Quick Number Formats

If you are a quick typist and you often have to change between number formats or angle format in HOME, you can change it right on the line! The commands for the HP38G are:

Type	For	Type	For
1[STO]HAngle	Degrees	2[STO]HFormat	Fixed
2[STO]HAngle	Radians	3[STO]HFormat	Scientific
3[STO]HAngle	Grads	4[STO]HFormat	Engineering
1[STO]HFormat	Standard	5[STO]HFormat	Fraction

Tip: Set the date and time!

To set  the date and time on the calculator go to HOME by pressing [HOME] and type the date and time in the format listed below:

For	Type
Date: mm/dd/yyyy	mm.ddyyyy[STO]DATE
eg, 29 June 2002	6.292001[STO]DATE
Time: hh:mm:ss	hh.mmss[STO]TIME
eg, 4:09:39 PM (note: in 24 hour time)	16.0939[STO]TIME

To check the date and time, type DISPTIME or run a clock such as Talking Clock II.

Tip: Change the HOME heading on a HP39/40G

On the HP38G the user may change the heading on the HOME screen to their choosing. Many people put their name there so as to identify the calculator. This cannot be done (directly) on the newer calculators but there is a workaround. In place of the heading, the HP39/40G display the currently selected e-lesson (aplet). Therefor the user can change this heading by simply pressing [APLET] and selecting the most frequently used e-lesson (aplet) and selecting [SAVE], giving the heading you want for HOME.