Hi,
Great thread and with perfect timing! Just took delivery of my R&S FSIQ3 with TG. It runs NT4 and came with the latest firmware, 4.40.3 installed.
I need to fix a few issues before I start using mine on a daily basis:
1. I will get the Transcend PATA SSD, any need to stick with the SLC models or is MLC just fine?
2. Where can I source that battery with the solder flaps?
3. Noise is a bit too much, any better fans out there?
4. What kind if memory does it take and is it worthwhile to upgrade?
5. It has a really non-standard looking connector for ethernet. Worth using? I have a GPIB adapter so I plan to just use that for now. Kind if prefer ethernet though, less problems.
6. Where can I get one of those USB floppy adaptor/converters?
7. My display is a bit dim, can I get a new one or upgrade the CCFL backlighting on the one already in there?
Thanks!
1.) I don't think it will make much difference, or at least it didn't on my model (non Windows NT version). The boot is heavily dependant on onlining all the "transputer" boards and the actual SSD upgrade shaves off very little from the boot process. I would pick whatever gives you the highest reliability confidence. SanDisk has had good track record with me so I just used the CF solution. This is the enclosure I used:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036DDXUM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 caveat: the enclosure has that extra middle pin that won't fit into the cable.. I just cut mine off.
2.) This is the battery I used:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0060ASQDC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 notice the welded leads are of different style than in the product picture, but you can just bend them and spin them a bit and they fit perfectly. Just cut off the excess lead.
3.) Just air blowing my fans reduced the noise significantly. I was initially going to replace some of the fans.. but the noise is really not bad at all.
4.) Memory I used:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006BT1Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 standard 144 pin SoDIMM Only one of the slots were populated on my board. I got two and it's fully upgraded. 1Gb of RAM total. Didn't notice any difference in performance, so you might skip this step.
5.) I have the same ethernet card, it looks like the 10BASE2 which is obsolete. Might be possible to upgrade to a current ethernet card, but I haven't looked into that yet.
6.) USB floppy conversion drives can be ordered on ebay usually.. they are very clunky to use. I did mine just for the looks, although I did test it with a thumb drive and it does work.. although took a bit of figuring out.
Not sure about the screen, mine looks ok, but I would be curious as to what you find out.. keep us posted! And welcome to the RS SA club!