Agilent MSO 5000/6000/7000 - anyone hacked these scopes?

[Howardlong]

Congratulations on your new scope and your "upgrade"
Isn't it amazing when you use the big screen for the first time.

Agreed, but just possibly toooo big... dread to think about how the 4000X and 6000X are with the same physical screen size but lower resolution. I can see why Mike reckons the 6+" is OK, because they don't really use the XGA screen to its best advantage when scaled up to 12". 8 or 10" might've been a really nice size.

Replaced the scope stack above the main monitor with this one now. I've gained another 3-4" of depth on the desk as everything can be pushed back now.

[nctnico]

I have a DSO7104A and I realy like the big screen. Finally a scope where you can have 2 traces on top of eachother without cramming the screen contents. Mine was appearantly hacked by the previous owner; I could enable the circular segmented memory option by entering a bogus key.

[HighVoltage]

It is also a little surprise to me, that the 6000 series 1GHz scope has a higher list price on the keysight store than the 7000 series 1 GHz.
May be it is the MSO option, that makes the difference

[nctnico]

The MSO option probably makes the price different. If you look carefully on Ebay you can buy the MSO probes in mint condition for less than $300.

[mikeselectricstuff]

The MSO option probably makes the price different. If you look carefully on Ebay you can buy the MSO probes in mint condition for less than $300.

You can also occasionally find old 1650 or 1651 logic analysers with 5 or 2 probes for that sort of money.

[Howardlong]

I already had two sets of probes from the 54622D and 54642D that I have, so that wasn't a problem for me.

Unfortunately I have had to travel to Hong Kong at short notice so I won't be able to do any nerding about until I return on Sunday night.

[Howardlong]

I also already had three 10073C 500MHz passive probes. There's a fella selling brand new ones on ebay at the moment for $60, that's pretty darned good for a branded 500MHz probe. I bought three, but was sent four :-)

They are totally new, in original packaging, with standard accessories.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191634169278?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[knotlogic]

Has anyone tried this out with a 5000 series scope?  Any luck?

[mikeselectricstuff]

The software is the same for 5000,6000 and 7000 so should work.

[knotlogic]

Well.... Should is not quite the same as does...  Not wanting to start an argument or anything.  Just that I'm interesting in picking up a scope and the 6000s are pricey, so it'd be good to find out now rather than later... 

[Berni]

Well.... Should is not quite the same as does...  Not wanting to start an argument or anything.  Just that I'm interesting in picking up a scope and the 6000s are pricey, so it'd be good to find out now rather than later... 

Relax the firmware update file on the Keysight website is the same for both 5000 and 6000. The 7000 even has a separate firmware file and it still works on it.

http://www.keysight.com/main/software.jspx?ckey=2211091&lc=eng&cc=SI&nid=-32924.0.00&id=2211091

[HighVoltage]

Well.... Should is not quite the same as does...  Not wanting to start an argument or anything.  Just that I'm interesting in picking up a scope and the 6000s are pricey, so it'd be good to find out now rather than later... 

You "should" be happy, that that you get such valuable advise here at this forum.
I bought a used 7000A and it did not work at all, but there was may be something wrong with the scope. I sold it again and got the 7000B series and it worked extremely well.
 

[Howardlong]

Well.... Should is not quite the same as does...  Not wanting to start an argument or anything.  Just that I'm interesting in picking up a scope and the 6000s are pricey, so it'd be good to find out now rather than later... 

There's a French Youtube vid showing a bloke liberating a 5000.

[knotlogic]

You "should" be happy, that that you get such valuable advise here at this forum.
I bought a used 7000A and it did not work at all, but there was may be something wrong with the scope. I sold it again and got the 7000B series and it worked extremely well.

Oh believe me, I am.  The only thing I am not "quite" so happy about is I  never found this place years ago. 

There's a French Youtube vid showing a bloke liberating a 5000.

Thanks!  That's more than I could hope for really.  Even without being able to speak French I think I understood what he was saying.  Now all I need to do is find one...

I am curious though, what *are* the differences between the 5000 and 6000 series?  It seems they have the same performance specs, only that the 6000 goes all the way up to 1 GHz and has the MSO option.

[mikeselectricstuff]

e differences between the 5000 and 6000 series?  It seems they have the same performance specs, only that the 6000 goes all the way up to 1 GHz and has the MSO option.

Mostly MSO, I think maybe also  the physical size is less deep - check the datasheets.
When choosing remember that decodes are only available on 4-channel models.

[knotlogic]

Mostly MSO, I think maybe also  the physical size is less deep - check the datasheets.
When choosing remember that decodes are only available on 4-channel models.

Yep the 5000s are definitely less deep.  I'm surprised that the MSO option would need that much more space on the 6000.  Or maybe the 1 GHz units need some of it too. 

So this is one of the rare times I've been lucky.  I found someone with one to sell.  The catch is he can't complete the self test.  Apparently there's a keypad test, and the last item is the calibration protect switch on the back.  He doesn't know what that switch does and isn't comfortable flipping it.

What *does* that switch do?  My understanding is that it just locks out the option to do a user cal from the service menu.

Also, what's the test flow like for the self test?  Is there any useful information that comes up before hitting the keypad test?  I'm on the fence on this one.  It's a nice scope to have, but I'm not confident of handling any repairs should it need any.

[wreeve]

Yes it just locks out the user cal. Ironically I had to give it a good few actions to get it working on my 'scope! Guess it gets little use!

[knotlogic]

Uh, anyone have a copy of the v06.16.001 firmware for the 5000? Or could point me in the direction of it.  The only version I could find on the website is v6.20.

[dolphin42]

So, having successfully fiddled with my scope and turned (most) features on, I have just one question: is memMAX available from the "enter license" end of the hack, or is that one only available from the "service menu" hack?

and if it is available from the license end, what's the mnemonic?

[Howardlong]

So, having successfully fiddled with my scope and turned (most) features on, I have just one question: is memMAX available from the "enter license" end of the hack, or is that one only available from the "service menu" hack?

and if it is available from the license end, what's the mnemonic?

My understanding was that the 8M points was automatically enabled with firmware after a certain version some time ago.

I'm away in Hong Kong until Sunday, I can check for you upon my return if no one else responds in the meantime.

[tautech]

So, having successfully fiddled with my scope and turned (most) features on, I have just one question: is memMAX available from the "enter license" end of the hack, or is that one only available from the "service menu" hack?

and if it is available from the license end, what's the mnemonic?

My understanding was that the 8M points was automatically enabled with firmware after a certain version some time ago.

I'm away in Hong Kong until Sunday, I can check for you upon my return if no one else responds in the meantime.

Nice, hope you find some goodies Howard.

[mikeselectricstuff]

So, having successfully fiddled with my scope and turned (most) features on, I have just one question: is memMAX available from the "enter license" end of the hack, or is that one only available from the "service menu" hack?

and if it is available from the license end, what's the mnemonic?

If the scope already has 8M that is the maximum - this became standard not long after the scope was released.

[Berni]

No the 8M memory still needs a license. Just the scopes sold after a certain date all had the license on for free. I had to enter a license for it on mine.

[dolphin42]

Right then, well I have the 8M already. Guess "mission accomplished".

[Howardlong]

So, having successfully fiddled with my scope and turned (most) features on, I have just one question: is memMAX available from the "enter license" end of the hack, or is that one only available from the "service menu" hack?

and if it is available from the license end, what's the mnemonic?

My understanding was that the 8M points was automatically enabled with firmware after a certain version some time ago.

I'm away in Hong Kong until Sunday, I can check for you upon my return if no one else responds in the meantime.

Nice, hope you find some goodies Howard.

Only there for eight hours to pick up some parts for a production run next week that went missing somewhere in the logistics ether. Might pop over to Pacific Place if I get chance to take in Mike's handiwork.