@vince
i am a bit late, so catching up.. i am an owner 2be for an TDS744A, it seems easy to hack to TDS784A... (for yours is maybe the same) but.
if you need calibrating and want to use the original software, you need:
1. NI 8bit ISA or 7210 compatible ISA
- https://www.ebay.nl/itm/283506706141 (i think)
2. bloody old pc p1 or p2 or below with ISA running DOS, 95 or 98 (the one you prob. trew away years ago, and its now called vintage gameing...so not cheap)
3. DC voltage calibrate will work with powersupply and a proper DMM
3. RF calibratiopn need 505 MHz and +17 dBm .. so you prob need a expensive generator or use an RF-amp behind an other generator (the marconi in my case)
So if you are not good with UNIX and or DOS emulators and tranlation-drivers-stuff to map adresses from PCI/USB to ISA vs-vs (like me),
you need a bunch of old stuff to get it working over GPIB with original Field Alignment Software from Tektronix (FAS)
then a USB-GPIB or PCI-GPIB won't work.
IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECT - from what i have read so-far.
just that you know before you start buying stuff and wast good money on GPIB stuff that then won't work.
cheers mate!
ps. there is an serial console kit for around 20 dollars from an Italian member from here, you find it on ebay.. if it is only for enabling the options.
- then you just hyperterminal yourself with this and no GPIB is needed. (when having this in place you need to have the PC switched on and connected, for the scope to boot, i have been told)
https://www.ebay.nl/itm/325015924779
[edit1,2,3,4] bunch of typo's as usual
Thanks Tony,
As I said I already have an old Pentium Mk1 computer (old IBM Aptiva first gen) which I used to set up a GPIB station for my old TE. Successfully connected to my TDS544A to paly around and reset the error log file.
It was 5 years ago or so, and I am not too sure what GPIB card is in the computer. IIRC I bought both an ISA and a PCI card.... ISTR that maybe the Windows NI S/W would not work with the old ISA card, so had to use the PCI one instead.
I installed the MS-DOS and Win 95 NI S/W suite. I also have a copy of the MS-DOS S/W you are referring to, to calibrate it... though I remember I failed to gfet it to anything... czn't remember if that was because I lacked the TE to get it going, or if the S/W failed to detect the scope...
As for unlocking options, since I have GPIB I don't need serial... but now you talk about, I do remember forum posts about a guy who successfully fif just that, with minimal R&D efforts... just a serial cable, though might need special wiring of course.
Will definitely resume GPIB fun as soon as the lab is in a state that's compatible with such activity.... in a few months maybe.
For now it's a complete cluster fuck as I dig out and empty all my plastic container to discover what treasures I have, and sort and organize them in a more appropriate way...