HP 32SII Calculator Keyboard/Screen Repair (and other Pioneer models)
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- čas přidán 11. 09. 2024
- Note: See my 20s repair video for the complete process of getting the case open.
Repair of HP32SII screen/keyboard problem. Many of the Pioneer series calculators get to the point where the pressure foam inside deteriorates and causes the connection to the keyboard to be lost. It is diagnosed by squeezing the bezel just below the screen. If the keys respond when this is done, then it is likely the foam that needs to be replaced.
I started this process because I had no other alternative and decided to record it in case I was successful. Hopefully it is helpful to someone who wants some kind of an idea of what to look for and what the calculator looks like inside (mainly to avoid damage).
I found Geoff Quickfall's instructions invaluable in doing this:
h20331.www2.hp....
Here's a simple fix to try without opening the calculator up. Remove the battery cover. Take a small rubber grommet, about 3-4mm thick, and insert it into the space between the case and PCB. it should be snug. Then with a small screwdriver gently push the grommet further in about 1cm, be careful to avoid the processor IC. When in place this grommet applies a bit of pressure between the back of the case and the processor PCB, which in turn pushes the processor PCB into the keyboard flex cable contacts. Half the keys on my 32SII were intermittent -- this simple fix brought it back to life.
Very interesting! I've pinned your comment.
does this method work for the 42s ?
It didn't work for me :-( I'll try to open my 32SII - Wish me luck
Just tried this on my 20S. It was quick and easy and did the trick! Thanks for the tip.
Ok, I finally manned up and did it.
My thoughts: Be extremely patient, do it under good light and preferably before you hit your sixties, some of those connections were hard to see. Overall, it was for me a 2-hour job.
The PDF referenced in the notes is a lifesaver for disassembly, note that the relevant instructions begin on page 7. I did have to remove the keyboard overlay in order to pop up the lower rivets, those 8 rivets were probably the hardest task of all.
I appreciate your video and the PDF link, my 32S is working properly again. 👍👍
Outstanding! Glad it works again!
I found an old HP-32SII at work in the trash. The top row of keys only worked when you mashed the lcd and none of the right column of keys worked at all. I searched on the web and found your video and followed it exactly. I used two layers of 3M double-sided foam tape that were 46 mm x 3 mm. I was very pleased when I turned it on and all of the keys worked! Thanks for making such an excellent tutorial.
I continue to be amazed that my decision, on a whim, to document my attempt was useful to anyone, let alone so many! I’m glad. Thanks for dropping a note and I hope you enjoy that calculator. It’s one of the best scientific calculators ever made.
Thank you very much for your video. You saved my HP 32 S II which does no longer exist. I did all you indicated and it works perfectly now. Thanks again. Pierre / Paris / France
Very good, I'm glad it was helpful.
So I stumbled onto a related fix for a non-functional or barely working screen that can be done by opening up the case and removing the PCB just like this. My 32Sii got to where I could see the screen power on but it displayed nothing. The issue was the grey and white foam strips with tiny wires in them at the top and bottom of the lcd . (e.g. 2:59) I thought these were part of the LCD itself (like some sort of flex circuit, and that my screen was toast) but actually they are just a pass through flexible/conformable connector from the pads on the back of the CPU PCB. They are normally held in place likely by adhesive on the bottom of the white foam. But on mine a 1/2" section on the end of the lower one had come loose and moved pretty far towards the keys.
The fix was really simple. I put a piece of something in there to push the foam strip back up against the LCD edge. I happened to use a small folded strip of thin card stock from some packaging. (The fold gave it some spring.) But some foam like being used in this video would do the trick as well.
Many thanks for your video. I had one vertical row of keys not working. I took out the batteries and flooded the keyboard with alcohol and let it dry for a few days. This actually worked to fix a key that didn't work. Anyway when I turned it on it was completely dead.
I took it apart and cleaned it and it's 100% working now! By the way I left my rubber strip in.
A few tips. The rivets under the battery cover, I used a drill by hand and removed the heads. That was a lot easier. There are two 1/16" rivets in the middle on the sides and the 4 at the bottom that you point out. They don't go in to the posts you indicate but into posts at the very bottom. I had trouble pressing it back together. I ended up using my big wood vice. It sounds crude but it popped back in nicely.
Bought I new many years ago. Works great again.
just found my trusty HP 48SX while deep cleaning the basement .. put there about 15 years ago due to this problem, yet sorely missed all these years :( You've given me new hope to get my old friend and sidekick back in action !! Will be attempting this fix later today. THANKS for this video !! Excellent presentation too btw
Good luck!
Thanks so much for doing this video! Not only did you show me how to fix my beloved calculator, but also just where to pinch it to make it work. I also appreciate the pinned comment below about inserting the grommet to fix the lack of contact problem. I'm going to try tat, then your fix if it doesn't work.
[Update] I've just finished the process and my 32SII is up and running!. I'm really happy :-). The most complex for me has been to properly close the case... well I have to admit that as I didin't have an electric file, I decided to reduce the diameter of the plastic pieces in the bootom part with a cutter... It worked but the calculator is not perfectly closed (2mm apart). In any case, thanks again Logan for the fantastic video. MY RPN WORKS GREAT AGAIN!
Outstanding! It makes me happy that other people have been able to fix their calculators as well.
Brillant! Thank you, I have my top row back! I would have never attempted this kind of repair, in part because I had no idea what had gone wrong, but your video suggested both the cause and solution. Your instructions and guidance were excellent and simple to follow. I went slow, tried not to force any step and it all went just as explained. Again, thank you very very much, Kevin Casey
Outstanding! I continue to be amazed that a video I did on a whim about repairing a 30-year old calculator has proven helpful to anyone, let alone so many. Thanks for saying something!
Wow, what a contact! Mine looks like new and was held with extreme care but foams do deteriorate, so I will need this once. You have accurate and useful contents! Thank you!
I had the same issue. After 4 years sitting on my desk, I decided to crack it open and fix it ! Thank you !!
I just tried powering up my HP 48G in many years and have the keyboard issue. This is the best video I've seen on what the issue is. I saw someone put a zip tie around the case which might work, but looks pretty bad. If I do try and fix it hopefully it will be good for another 20 years.
I tried fixing a 48 around the same time and it seemed a good bit more complicated and I wasn’t successful but I hope you can manage! Maybe you can document the process for us.
@@west it works again, but it doesn't quite look the same. It took a couple times to get the right amount of foam, and the only way to know is reassembling with those silly twist locks!
@@moniack That's great to hear it works though! Those twist locks make me nervous. I haven't broken one yet but feel like I will. I'd prefer screws.
I graduated high school in 1985. This was the calculator I used to write my first program. I actually had it playing a rudimentary version of poker. Possibly the first hand held computer game. On mine, the years had taken their toll on the 'ON' key and the bottom row. My display was working fine. Unfortunately, I was not able to bring it back from this state. So, in the trash it went. It was a sad moment. I couldn't bare to do it myself. My wife had to do it for me. :-) Anyway, I will be purchasing a 35s. But I will always have fond memories of my 32s II. Goodbye old friend.
Very sad. I hope you like the 35s. I got my 32s II off ebay.
foolish decision.. an RPN calc. never deserves such end. ! buy an used one at eBay !
The new HPs are a piece of junk
Geat tutorial! I revived the right line of keys in my 20S. Only instead of removing the old foam I applied one strip of mounting scotch over it and it works. Now I plan to fix my 27S too. Thank you so much!
gabi n Very glad to hear that it was helpful. Good luck with your 27s!
Thak you! Today I solved it. It works as well. Internally is looking like 42S. All the contacts are goldened except for the ones that are the subject of this fix. Hope to solve the 48S one of the next days although the opening is a little bit different.
Good luck with the 48. I tried pulling open one and made a mess of it, unfortunately. Lots of layers between the top, the keyboard, and the circuit board and some internal rivets that I found hard to get to.
Yep! I know I'll have to take a deep breath before :) Thank you!
Thanks so much for the video. I've just performed this repair on my 32s and it fixed the problem. Calculator wouldn't turn on after several days of apparent flat battery.
That is very good to hear!
Thanks for the video. I have a couple of this series with a row of keys not working, and I think this treatment will bring them back to happy status!
Excellent, I hope it works for you! I've done three calculators, all successfully so far so it seems hopeful.
Thank you! The 32 SII is *irreplaceable.* My heart sank when mine would not power-on.
Mine died yesterday. :-( After 33 years. I'll try to fix it ... I still have original box and user's manual.
It works again!!! I've searching and found this: take batteries out and shortcut the contacts. It worked!
Thank you so very much for this! Saved my 32S!
Outstanding. When I first posted this (on a whim) I had no idea so many people would actually find it useful!
Gracias. Excelente vídeo. Una excelente manera de reparar tu equipo, pero sobre todo da una idea general para reparar la HP 48gx.
Great tutorial, excellent pace and presentation! Mine now powers on, but I have only a non reactive "1." on the display LOL... I'll try again!
Oh no! I hope you manage to get it fully functional. I have another video doing the same procedure on the 20s that is very similar but may have slightly different information.
It's really a shame that companies have forgone the use of screws in the assembly process. Not realizing or caring that at some point in the future someone may want to disassemble for a basic cleaning or repair.
My calculator’s screen does not show the number. I hope this tutorial will help.
I have a little crack on my dad's 20s and I really want to fix the screen since I broke it, what would you suggest to do?
Hi, I have the same problem that right side of the keyboard does not work properly despite pressing the bezel as you have mentioned. However, it works if I lift or separate a bit the top from the base/bottom part of the calculator. Seems there is either too much pressure on the key board when I pressed the two halves (top and bottom) for complete closure. Grateful for your advice here. Thanks.
I'm really not an expert in this area so I couldn't tell you precisely what is going on, perhaps a short somewhere? I suppose you could always open it up, take a look, and put a spacer in there if need be.
4:42 I'm wondering if that black stuff on the Q-Tip is actually "dirt", or if it's some of the conductive pad material?
Would have been helpful if u had recorded all the disassembly procedure on video.
For me, only opening this without demaging looks difficult.
My note in the description box points you to the 20s repair video for the case opening.
@@west There is no link. If you can operate a 32SII, you should be able to drop a URL to the video. The only URL is to a PDF.
Just broke the top case corner between the STO button and FDISP trying to get the bottom studs out.
Now that I've broken the front half, maybe I can create a drill template so that those 4 bosses can be drilled from the back
Excellent, thank you!
Any advice how to fix the C key on my 32sII that now requires pressing really really hard to make it work..sometimes.
I don't know, it could be the dome (clicky contact inside) going bad, but it's more likely the foam decaying and needing replacing, like I did in this video.
Thank you very much for the video!
You're welcome! I'm glad it has been helpful to a number of people.
Thanks for the vídeo, i need the lsc display model, i am trying to fone to replace on my unit, someone knows?
I tried this fix without replacing the rubber strip under the flat flex cable ( could not find a suitable replacement). I used a contact cleaner on all the PCB and case connectors. Unfortunately the LCD became much worse. I just tried cleaning everything again (including the LCD Zebra strip) with isopropyl alcohol. The PCB was pushed over the 6 tabs but they were not twisted into their original position for fear of them breaking with multiple tries. Now the screen is completely blank - nothing. An ohmmeter shows that all the tabs are tied together electrically so I held a wire between one of the tabs and the copper on the PCB. Still nothing. If several more tries fail I will be forced to pay $100 on eBay. Any suggestions?
The only real thing I can think of is to actually replace the foam strip. Cleaning the contacts is minimal in comparison to that, in my opinion. I used two layers of this:
www.google.com/shopping/product/10972471318699038719
thank you
I just used this method on my HP 32S II that was not working at all. It had been non-functional for about 15 years in my desk drawer and I didn't have the heart to throw it away. After using RPN calculators for way too many years I am helpless with other calculators. I cleaned the contacts with contact cleaner and Q tips, then put two layers of electrical tape on top of the existing foam and it now functions perfectly. I used some plastic auto body tools to pry it apart and a pair of channel lock pliers with a layer of rubber pad on each jaw to push the top rivets back together.
This doesn't have anything to do with this video, but does anyone know how to erase program on a 32Sii?
You should be able to by selecting MEM (orange + MEM), scrolling to the label you want (orange + Up/Down) and then selecting CLEAR (orange + CLEAR). Not the most intuitive.
@@west thank you so much!
I have a 42S which screen is spoiled or LCD gone black. Where to get the spare part or how to fix it. any advise appreciated
There might be some "for parts" on Ebay from time to time. It's sad when beloved calculators break down :(