Version 1.18 (HP official ROM)

Download - File Size = 607KB

How to upgrade your HP49

In order to update your 49G’s ROM, you need the HP Graphing Calculator PC Connectivity Kit 3.0, also known as HPComm 3.0. If you don’t have this, you can download it here.

If you are unsure of your ROM version, type VERSION and press [ENTER]. It will return two strings, with the first saying something like “Version HP49-C Revision 1.10”. If your calculator shows anything less than the latest ROM version (1.18 is the latest official ROM).

Before you start

It is important that you use fresh batteries in your calculator when you attempt a software upgrade. The upgrade process uses more power than normal operations, and the upgrade will fail if the batteries are not fresh enough. If the operating system upgrade fails, you cannot use your calculator until you upgrade the operating system.

Also, back up the 49G’s user memory to the PC, as you should do before transferring any new software onto your calculator.

Updating the 49G’s ROM

1. On the PC:

  1. Unzip the ROM update file to a folder on your hard drive, noting the location. Make sure it has a .flash extension; some zip decompressors do not support long file names, requiring you to rename the file.
  2. Connect the HP 49G to the PC, and start the PC Connectivity Kit.
  3. In the PC Connectivity Kit, navigate to the PC directory that holds the operating system file.
  4. Double-click the .flash operating system file to display the Download program dialog box.

2. On the 49G:

  1. Enter diagnostic mode by turning the calculator on, holding [ON], and pressing [F4].
  2. While the Tests screen is showing, use your thumb to hold down [+] and [ENTER].
  3. While holding down [+] and [ENTER], press and release [ON] to show the No System menu, and then release [+] and [ENTER].
  4. Press [4] to select terminal mode. A blank screen appears. To abort at this time, hold down [ON], press [F3], and then release both keys.

3. On the PC:

On the Flash upgrade dialog box:

  1. Use the Config Comms button to configure the PC serial port that the calculator is connected to.
  2. Click the Talk to calc button to send the download program to the HP 49G.

4. On the 49G:

The download program sent from the PC is now running.

  1. If you’re running a ROM 1.19-5 or newer jump to 5

  2. Press [4] to select Erase Bank. The screen will now display “0 User Bank”. If not, use the up and down arrow key until Bank 0 appear.

  3. Press [ENTER] to format the 64KB Bank.

  4. The HP49 returns to the Download menu

  5. Press [1] to select Download System. The 49G communicates with the PC Connectivity Kit and commences the upgrade.

    The entire process a take about 15 minutes (if you look at the screen, it will seems forever!).

    8 parts each of about 128KBytes…

  6. When the process finishes, the 49G will display “The system may not be installed. Please go to ‘Download Pack’ menu. Press any key. You now see the main Download menu.

  7. Press [2] for ‘Download pack’. “System present” press Q twice to reboot. The operating system is now upgraded.

  8. If you were already running ROM 1.19-5 or newer you’re done

  9. Put the list that you’ve extracted from the 64KB Flash Bank on the RPL stack

  10. Extract the content by running the command LIST->

  11. For each object from the list, do: 2 STO in order to re-save them in the Flash User Memory

If it fails:

If it fails, your calculator will no longer operate properly until you re-flash the ROM. To do this, perform the following steps and then go back to 3. On the PC above:

  1. Insert a paper clip into the reset hole in the back of the 49G
  2. While the screen is blank, use your thumb to hold down [+] and [ENTER].
  3. While holding down [+] and [ENTER], press and release [ON] to show the No System menu, and then release [+] and [ENTER].
  4. Press [4] to select terminal mode. A blank screen appears. To abort at this time, hold down [ON], press [F3], and then release both keys.