HP-15C: FAQ

Version 4.5.00, Build 6308
© 2023 Torsten Manz
H E W L E T T · P A C K A R D 15C
A Simulator for Windows, Linux and macOS

# FAQ

- Results from trigonometric functions are always in RAD.

  Have you activated the Complex mode? Complex mode is indicated by a "C" in the status bar and switched off with g CF 8.

- If I rapidly type a sequence of numbers, the entered keyboard number(s) are ignored. For example, if I type 123 quickly, the 2 is missed and I get 13 on the display.

  When a key on the keyboard is pressed, any further keystroke is ignored. When you pressed the 2, you were still holding down 1. This is exactly how the real HP-15C behaves.

- Where can I see the version number of the simulator?

  The serial number follows the rules for serial numbers of HP calculators of that era. The format is `YYWWCsssss` with the following meaning:

  - `YY` = Years since 1960
  - `WW` = Week of the year
  - `C` = Country
  - `sssss` = a unique serial
  The calculator serial number `6112G04300` means: Built in 2021 (= 1960 + 61) in the 12th week in Germany. 4.3.00 is the version number.

- The HP logo and the 15C label on the simulator front are missing

  Make sure to uninstall all versions of the 'HP15C Simulator Font'. Then install the font file from the latest HP-15C package you have downloaded.

- Do you plan to implement other models of the Voyager series, e.g. the HP-12C?

  I don't own any of the other models and I have no plans to implement them.

- How can I exchange the period (decimal point) and the comma (digit separator)?

  Using the mouse: Right-click the ON key or the area around the display and select "Swap comma and period".
  Using the keyboard: Press Alt–. (period) or Alt–, (comma).

- Where can I get a German user manual for the Simulator or the HP-15C Limited Edition?

  The manual for the HP-15C Limited Edition is only available in English. However, the HP-15C LE is functionally identical to the original HP-15C from the 1980s and the Simulator. Therefore the manuals for the original HP-15C also apply to the LE and the Simulator. The HP-15C Owner's Handbooks in Danish, English, German, French and Portuguese are available on the HP Calculator Literature page.

- Why do some keys show a small square instead of the correct label?

  Please see the Font Settings.

- Do you plan to port the simulator to other operating systems like Android or iOS?

  I do not plan to port it to other platforms. There are several commercial HP-15C emulators are available in the iOS and Android app stores.

  I can also highly recommend RpnCalc. It does not have all the features of the HP-15C, but it is free and more than sufficient for everyday use. I use it on all my Android devices.

- Is there a configuration interface or tool to re-map the keyboard shortcuts?

  There is no such thing. The keyboard shortcuts follow standards, like Ctrl–O to open a program, or are straightforward, like E for ex or S for SIN. The small number of candidates for remapping does not justify the effort.

- I installed the HP-15C font but the Simulator keeps complaining that the font isn't installed.

  This is, in my own experience, a specific problem of the KDE desktop environment. So far the problem has not been reported from other desktop environments.

  The KDE font installer does not always update the font system of the underlying X-Windows system. If this happens, newly installed fonts are available for native KDE (QT) applications, but not for pure X11 applications. You have to install the font manually.

  The steps to install a font manually depend on the Linux distribution you use. On many systems, namely Debian based distributions, it is sufficient to copy the font to the directory `~/.fonts`.

  If this does not solve the problem, please the the X.Org site about Fonts in X11R7.7

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