AnsweredAssumed Answered

MSOX3024A doesn't recognize probes after being unused for a month

Question asked by mlloyd1 on Oct 26, 2016
Latest reply on Nov 16, 2016 by mlloyd1

Like • Show 0 Likes0
Comment • 7

Scope has latest firmware (2.41) and has been problem free.

Turned it on today after a month of sitting unused and attached a N2863B probe that originally came with it to input 1.

Screen displayed error message essentially saying "invalid probe connected, remove invalid probe and press OK".

Connecting the 3 other probes I got with this scope gave the same message.

Also, connecting any of the probes to each of the 4 inputs gave the same message.

Probes are known good (verified on other machines).

3 scope power-down restarts didn't clear the problem.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

mlloyd1

No one else has this question

Outcomes

7 Replies

Fungible Nov 11, 2016 8:51 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
mlloyd1,

It have been two weeks since your post. Are you still having this problem?
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
mlloyd1 Nov 11, 2016 1:55 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
I was until a day ago. i turned it on and it was fine.
of course, i don't trust it so much any more, because now i realize some other strange behaviors I've seen on it during the past year or so were most likely NOT operator error after all. I'll turn it on before i leave today just to see what it will do.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
- Fungible @ mlloyd1 on Nov 14, 2016 9:03 AM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  The standard answer would be to send it in for repair. But since it now appears to be intermittent, I suspect you might be concerned it won’t act up at the repair center and it would simply be returned as no trouble found.
  Is your scope still under warranty?
  You mentioned other strange behaviors. Can you describe one or two? I am wondering if they could be linked to the same circuitry responsible for probe identification.
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions
Daniel_Bogdanoff Nov 14, 2016 4:00 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
You could try performing a "secure erase" and see if that helps? I'd also check the probe point contacts to make sure the probe is getting a good connection to the scope.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
mlloyd1 Nov 15, 2016 11:41 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer

No change following secure erase and subsequent reboot. I hope my attempt at attaching a picture was successful. Shows the N2863B probe on channel 1 which the scope display shows was recognized as a N2820A-2 current probe. BTW, all contacts seem to be okay - brushed with a clean pencil eraser . This same probe works correctly on 3 remaining inputs. Other 3 probes connected to channel 1 show the same strange behavior. This suggest something specific in channel 1 hardware or software control.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
- Fungible @ mlloyd1 on Nov 15, 2016 12:53 PM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Interesting.
  If you are technically curious and have some time, there are some measurements which would help troubleshoot this.
  
  Using an ohm meter, measure the probe ID pin resistance to the probe ground. Make sure the ohm meter probe presses on the pin to compress the internal spring. What reading do you get for all 4 of your probes?
  
  Using a volt meter, measure the voltage on the gold ring around the input BNC with NO probe attached. Pick up ground on the probe comp ground lug. What is the reading for all 4 channels?
  
  Using a volt meter, measure the voltage on the gold ring around the input BNC with a probe attached. What is the voltage when the scope correctly identifies the probe and when it incorrectly identifies the probe?
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions
mlloyd1 Nov 16, 2016 8:42 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Interesting indeed ...

I'll try to get some measurements done Friday and post again then.
In the meantime, when I shut it down last, I left all the connections in place; all I did yesterday was turn off the power.
I decided to turn it on just now because I'm curious to see what would happen.
Of course, by now you already know ...
See attached picture.
So, I'll correct my statement above to say, I'll post some measurements if I catch it fail on Friday.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions

MSOX3024A doesn't recognize probes after being unused for a month

Outcomes

Related Content

Recommended Content