HP 9100 programming questions

From: Tony Duell <ard_at_odin.phy.bris.ac.uk>
Date: Thu Oct 2 10:48:37 1997

On 2 Oct 1997, Frank McConnell wrote:

> Well, I've removed that because I want to find out what if any
> programs were in its memory (core remembers things long after they're

Indeed. On my 9100B, the core memory (and its contents) have outlived the
magnetic card reader (which is suffering from the typical HP problem).

Incidentally I am still looking for any info on the I/O port on the 9100.
HP did once produce a manual on this, but nobody seems to have it.

> better forgotten), and so I want to flip the program/run switch over
> to PROGRAM. But I'm a little confused about the 9100's program mode,
> and unfortunately I don't have the manuals handy.

Have you tried pulling out the quick-ref card at the front? Assuming it's
still there (which it should be - it's not easy to remove), it will list
all the programming instructions.

>
> When I flip the switch to PROGRAM, the display changes to what I am
> guessing is this:
>
> <step> <instruction>
> <Y mantissa> <Y exponent>
> <X mantissa> <X exponent>
>
> <step> seems to be represented as <hex digit>.<hex digit>. True?
> (And does this mean there are only 256 program steps?)

I think so. The idea of -ve program steps seems to be in the back of my
mind, but that may have been fast gotos (like the 67, etc) or something.

>
> Are <instruction> values 00-09 the keypad switches 0-9, and others in
> <column><row> form? And if so, where's <0><0> for the <column><row>
> form?

No. The opcodes aren't really related to the key layout IIRC. They are
listed on that pull-out card, though.

>
> Can I use the STEP PRGM key to single-step forward non-destructively
> in program mode? How can I move backward, or to a given location in
> program mode?

I think so, but could somebody else confirm this before you wipe you're
program...

If nobody else can help, I'll dig out my 9100 and play with it.

> -Frank McConnell

-tony
Received on Thu Oct 02 1997 - 10:48:37 BST