L a – T e c h – R e n e w a l

Larry Atherton, 222 S. Raspberry Lane, Anaheim, California92808-2268

Voice: 714-396-6489, Fax: 714-283-3130

HP™-85 Refurbished Computer Introduction

Thank you for purchasing this reconditioned HP-85 computer. The HP-85 is an easy-to-use system that has garnered a unique place in the history of desk-top computer systems. A few of the features that set this system apart are:

  • Lightweight, elegant industrial design
  • Instant-on, silent, fanless operation
  • Highly reliable design
  • A wide array of software was developed for the 80-Series, and quite a few of these programming resources are still available on the Internet and fromHP enthusiast groups
  • Perfect system for “individual,” specific tasks
  • Eight programmable keys are used as the basis for program/user interaction
  • Hassle-free controller for other HP-IP or GP-IB test instruments

Tape-StorageIssues

Two technical issues have affected the functionality of original HP-85 systems over time: 1) The degradation of the rubber drive wheel in the tape drive mechanism, and 2) The failure of original HP tape cartridges(the oxide layer detaches from the plastic backing, rendering the tape unreadable). The combination of these time-induced issues eliminated most of the utility from HP-85 systems.And, sadly, too muchpreviously developed software for the 80-Sereis wasirretrievably lost.

The HP-85 you have purchased incorporates a modified tape-drive system that restores thisstorage system to full function. Your system now uses much more reliable QIC (Quarter-Inch-Cassette) cartridges along with modifications to the tape drive mechanism to insure reliable program and data storage. And just in case you have any software stored on original cassettes that have not deteriorated, the original HP cassettes are still fully compatible with your modified system.

Tape Note1: The QIC cassette cartridges available from us use tape stock with the correct FTPI- and Oe-rating for the tape drive in your HP-85. Tapes from other sources, may not produce the same data read/write reliability. To maintain the reliability of your QIC tape-drive system, please obtain QIC cassettes from us (price is currently $39.95 each).

Tape Note2: Tape cassettes have a limited life, although it is quite long (Maxell rates their cassettes for a 5000-pass life). The User Guide on CD explains how to diagnose tape storage problems and how to best protect your data. To get the most from your data-storage system, please review this material (starting on page 280).

Software Availability

Thanks to the efforts of many individuals in the HP-enthusiast community, an impressive amount of the original HP-80 Series software is still available.

Software for your HP-85 system is available from:

1)Your system shipped with two QIC tape-cartridge software packages: The HP Standard Pak and the HP Math Pak application packages.

2)The Documentation CD that ships with your system contains several HP Solution Pacs that include documented program listings.

3)Additional HP Application Paks are available from us on prerecorded to QIC tapes. Contact us for pricing.

4)You can keyboard and store applications that you find useful from the extensive libraries of HP documentation that is available on the Internet.

5)There is a technique, detailed on enthusiast websites, that explains how to use an HP floppy-disk drivesystem combined with the HP-85and HP-released conversion software on a PC with Windows98, to transferpublic domain HP software from disk images to your system.

6)And, as mentioned previously, your modified HP-85 is still fully compatible with original HP cassettes.
Note:In our research, we have found that only about 1 in 50 original cassettes are still readable. The oxide layer typically detaches from the plastic backing, usually at the top layers where the tape was positioned when last used; and that position is often at the beginning of the tape, directly over the file directory,makingdata recoverynearly impossible.

Warning:Be very careful before inserting original HP tape cassette cartridgesinto yourQIC tape drive. If any of these tapes were used in other HP-85s with deteriorating rubber drive wheels, the contact roller in thetape cassette may have become contaminated. Then, by placing the cassette in your HP-85, you will transfer this rubber “goop” onto the QICdrive wheel, potentially causing read/write errors andcontamination of other QIC cassettes! Make sure there is no foreign matter on the drive wheel inside older cassettes before you insert them into your “new” HP-85.

Our HP-85 Restoration Process

Your HP-85 has undergone an extensive restoration process. We feel that each HP-85 is a piece of history and a tribute to the quality and expertise that was Hewlett Packard in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. We have restored your system with the goal of preserving that quality while allowing others to enjoy the experience of owning and using these fine instruments. Here are some of the steps that were performed to restore your system to full functionality:

  • Select a system and/or components in the best condition possible to begin the restoration process.
  • Perform initial testing of electronic assemblies to isolate problems or malfunctions, perform any required repair and component replacement (such as power supply out of spec, burned-in CRT, damaged print head, etc.).
  • Complete disassembly and cleaning of all components and sub-assemblies.

  • Remove all keyboard keys, test and replace any defective key contact switches, replace damaged switches and keys, thoroughly clean all keys, reassemble and test.
  • Refurbish or replace interconnecting ribbon cables
  • Clean, detail and paint cabinet with industrial epoxy enamel.
  • Replace both head-positioning and paper-feed drive belts in the printer mechanism with new components.
  • Reassemble system and install modified tape drive.
  • Adjust and calibrate CRT.
  • Thoroughly test entire systemincluding power supply, tape-storage mechanism, printer, CRT display, and IO capability. Perform 24 hour burn-in.

HP-85QuickStart Steps

The following steps will help you get started with your HP-85, however, make sure you read the HP User Guideon the Documentation CD. This HP User Guide is one of the best user’s manuals ever produced; you’ll really enjoy exploring all the features of the HP-85 as you read through that outstanding guidebook.

1)The HP-85 will operate on either 120 volts (United States AC Standard) or 220 volts (European Standard). It is shipped with the power-selector switch set for the 120-volt US standard. If you will be using this system on 220-volts, please refer to the User Guide, Appendix B, (page 269) for additional information on setting up your system for 220-volt operation.

2)Your computer has a new roll of thermal paper installed in the printer. It is ready to use out of the box.

3)Turn the HP-85 system ON using the switch located on the rear panel of the system (1 for On; 0 for Off).

4)When the underline-cursor appears at the top-left of the CRT (about 5 to 10 seconds), the system is ready to use.
For the purposes of this QuickStart procedure, first run the built-in “Test” function by holding down the Shiftkey and pressingTest/Store(located at the top-right area of keyboard). If you make a mistake and you would like to clear the screen, press the ShiftClear keys (Clear is located at the top left corner of numeric keypad).

5)When the self-test completes without errors, the printer will print its full character set and the computer will beep once.

6)Insert the Standard Pac tape, label up, into the tape drive. When it is fully seated, the eject button will lockin the out position. Type CAT on the keyboard and press theEND LINE key. This will instruct the system to display a CATalog of the contents of the tape cassette. In a few seconds, the screen will fill with a listing of the programs in the Standard Pac.

7)Type Load “BIORTH”(just as shown, including the quotes) to load the Biorhythm program into RAM memory. The screen will blank while the program is loading. When the screen display returns, press the RUN key to start the program.

8)Press the K1 key (the left-most,wide programmable at the top left area of the keyboard). The program will request your name and birthday. If you make a mistake during entry, simply press the PAUSE key and then press RUN again to restart the program.

9)After the program displays “Bio-Date Computed,” press the K4 key. Then enter today’s date and you’ll get a personal biorhythm printout.

10)Whether you take biorhythms seriously or not, these steps demonstrate how you can load a program, run a program, re-start a program, and some of the graphics capabilities of the HP-85. Now we suggest that you refer to the beginning of the User Guide on the Documentation CD to begin your exploration of the HP-85 in earnest.

11)One more note: If you would like to explore additional programs in the Standardor Math Pacs, please take a look at the Documentation files on the CD. They will explain how to use the programs, how to get the most from the software, and even how the programs were designed.Enjoy!

Thanks again for your purchase of this system.

HP™ is a Trademark of Hewlett-Packard/Agilent Corporation.