HP Calculator

Nov 14, 2011·
Julio Batista Silva
Julio Batista Silva
· 2 min read
blog Tutorial

Installation of HPtalx to connect the calculator to the computer via USB:

  1. Download and install Ckermit (available at AUR)

    julio@julio-acer ~> yaourt ckermit

  2. Download and install Hptalx (available at AUR)

    julio@julio-acer ~> yaourt hptalx

  3. Hptalx gives a segmentation fault if /usr/bin/kermit does not exist, so create a symbolic link:

    julio@julio-acer ~> sudo ln -s /usr/bin/ckermit /usr/bin/kermit

  4. Start the hp4x module

    julio@julio-acer ~> modprobe hp4x
```

  5. Find out which ttyUSB is being used (ttyUSB0 here):

    julio@julio-acer ~> dmesg | tail
[51169.091990] hp4X 5-1:1.0: device disconnected
[51563.975003] usb 5-1: new full speed USB device number 4 using uhci_hcd
[51564.139674] hp4X 5-1:1.0: hp4X converter detected
[51564.139816] usb 5-1: hp4X converter now attached to ttyUSB0

  6. To avoid using as root, add your user to the group that has access to /dev/ttyUSB0

    julio@julio-acer ~> ls -al /dev/ttyUSB0
crw-rw---- 1 root uucp 188, 0 Nov 14 03:48 /dev/ttyUSB0

julio@julio-acer ~> sudo gpasswd -a julio uucp
Adding user julio to group uucp

    Remember to log in again for the settings to take effect.

  7. In Apps -> I/O-Functions -> Transfer, set the calculator’s transfer type to Kermit.

  8. Start the Kermit server on the calculator (Right_Shift + Right_Arrow)

    "Awaiting Server Cmd."

  9. Start Hptalx. In File -> Setup… (Ctrl+N) leave it as:

    Connection settings: USB (ttyUSB)
Set ttyUSB port: 0

  10. Connect -> Connect (Ctrl+B)

Julio Batista Silva
Authors
Julio Batista Silva (he/him)
Senior Cloud Developer

I’m a Brazilian computer engineer based in Germany, passionate about tech, science, photography, and languages.

I’ve been programming for about two decades already, exploring everything from mobile apps and web development to machine learning. These days I focus on cloud SRE and data engineering.

I volunteer in the open source and Python communities, helping organize PyCon DE and PyData Berlin, mentoring, and contributing with code and translations.

On my blog, I share Linux tips, setup guides, and personal notes I’ve written for future reference. I hope others find them helpful as well. The content is available in multiple languages.

Browse my gallery for some of my photography.

Away from the keyboard, you’ll find me at concerts, playing clarinet, cycling, scuba diving, or exploring new places, cultures, and cuisines.

Always happy to connect! 🙂

comments powered by Disqus