April 2002 - TechToolsList - listserv.classicarcade.com

Shipping delicate test equipment...
by Kurt Mahan 23 Apr '02

23 Apr '02

I had some bad luck with a 3 box shipment (monitor, cpu and parts). The monitor had the misfortune of having a fork lift put through the box pretty much dead center. "ouch". The box the cpu was shipped back in (a fairly large unit) was in the orignal factory packaging. Well, the box showed up back at Tektronix with the corners rounded. And when they opened the cpu box they poured out the pieces -- due to the really rough handling, the power supply (an old linear one) had torn loose and bounced around. The third box was just fine. It had the mouse and keyboard in it. Well, the Tek rep was totally pissed 'cause it was a loaner unit and he really needed it back. He was pissed, that is, until he found out that we'd insured the shipment for $25k. He loved us after that. (this was back in the late 80s). The current damage that I see is small boxes that seem to get run over by the fedex truck. Customer calls up and says "it's smashed". The worker dudes are sneaky. They'll usually put all the pieces in a new box and send it on its way. But they use the old waybill, which typically shows up the tire treads just fine. No way to protect items from that kind of abuse. The best advice to give to people is to always SAVE the packaging until you've determined if it's broken or not. Also if you see obvious damage to the boxes make the delivery dude write a report on it. Otherwise there is no proof that THEY caused the damage. But it is tough to get fedex/ups/whoever to pay for a poorly packed box. No matter what THEY did to it.... The other thing is to know who fedex/ups believes to be the "SHIPPER". Obvious you say. Not really. When you ship through a Mailboxes Etc. or Office Depot then they are the shipper. Until such time as you need to find out who it is -- like if you need to start a trace. Then, well, good luck in figuring it all out. The amount of crap they make you go through is impressive. But if you're nice to the ups/fedex folks and don't go ballistic they will typically try and help you out (at least that's been my experience).. Kurt kmahan(a)xmission.com > Comments? Any one else have nasty surprises when they opened a box? I've > had the points snapped off of probes, pins mangled on pods etc, so I am > careful to describe recommended method of packing to sellers of equipment. > for example - the Fluke Pods, it is IMPERITIVE that the plugs are taped > after locked into the self test socket on the pod. Shipping tape works very > well.

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Re: Arium ML4100 manuals
by Kev 23 Apr '02

23 Apr '02

That would be a logic analyzer for those who were wondering (like myself) Kev > >Anyone interested in a photocopy of the manual and schematics for this >unit? I have borrowed them for a couple of days and would be willing to run >a few extra sets off for $20US each set...these are fat...plus I don't have >a double siding scanner and don't want to take the time to hand feed this >monster. Lots of 11 X17 schematics... > >John :-#)# >

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Arium ML4100 manuals
by John Robertson 23 Apr '02

23 Apr '02

Anyone interested in a photocopy of the manual and schematics for this unit? I have borrowed them for a couple of days and would be willing to run a few extra sets off for $20US each set...these are fat...plus I don't have a double siding scanner and don't want to take the time to hand feed this monster. Lots of 11 X17 schematics... John :-#)#

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Re: Fluke <> 232 cable, and what do I press :-)
by Kev 22 Apr '02

22 Apr '02

<EXEC> <YES> generally gets you going. I was thinking that it would be nice to have a text file (I was thinking Word Doc or PDF) that you could print out, 1 page that would tell you some basics to go along with the program. But then again I've been trying to champion the idea of a uniform "bare bones" program that everyone could use as sort of a standard. Press 1 for RAM Press 2 for ROM ..... Press 9 for RUN UUT etc... but if we can get anywhere on the 9100s I may just forget the 9010 (unless someone can dig up the cross compiler!). I thought my 232 cable was simpler, 4 wires but I cann't find my notes on that now. John, do we have a list archive? Would be handy (or just add a file to the FTP with this info as you compile it Marc). Third thought. Has anyone tried to tie pins 2 & 3 of the 232 plug together to make the 9010A "fault tolerant". I want to put a switch on my cable to do that, load the program, flip the switch & run the program. Or is there anyway to have the PC monitor output from the 9010A serially & send <CONT> on failures? Thanks, Kev -----Original Message----- From: Marc Alexander <marcwolf123(a)yahoo.com> To: TechToolsList(a)flippers.com <TechToolsList(a)flippers.com> Date: Monday, April 15, 2002 9:54 PM Subject: Fluke <> 232 cable, and what do I press :-) > > >I think the pinouts I saw archived below, though they may work?, could cause >damage to the 9010A or com port on the PC, as the handshake lines >are wired as two outputs shorted together. >Measuring the unconnected pins on both units showed that 4-RTS and 20-DTR were >live outputs out of the 9010A, so connecting them to outputs on the PC may cause >some problems. > >I just got mine working with this pinout: > >DB9 Female to PC DB25 Female to 9010A >1 CD input >2 RX input ------------2 TX output >3 TX output------------3 RX input >4 DTR output--------------------\ >5 GND-------------------7 GND | >6 DSR input --------------------/ >7 RTS output----\ >8 CTS input ----/ >9 RI input > 4 RTS output > 20 DTR input > >and it works at 2400,N,8,1 at least, obviously no hardware >handshaking may limit the transfer speed, I will try higher. >I just used the old Windows 3.11 Terminal program and sent the galaga.h >file successfully. > >Now the big question! >What do I press to run the script/tests? I'm trowelling through PDF files but won't >have time to read it all for a couple of days, and haven't found the right pages >yet, arrghh :) I understand the script, just not how to run it all, and what >to do with each test and failures, etc. >Ahh, I just worked out some of it, EXEC, ENTER/YES, etc.. >Any tips and steps anyone has would be great, examples of a board test and repair >from turn-on to finish, anything.. I will put it into a 'Getting Started' doc, >c'mon guys! :-) > >Thanks, > >Marc > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Kev" <KKlopp(a)erols.com> >To: <TechToolsList(a)flippers.com> >Sent: Monday, February 11, 2002 4:21 AM >Subject: Fluke <> 232 > > >> Okay I finally got my Fluke 9010A talking to the PC. >> >> Cable is >> >> DB9 <-> DB25 >> >> 2 2 >> 3 3 >> 4 20 >> 5 7 >> 7 4 >> >> For some reason I can only get >> >> 7, E, 1, 9600 (or slower to work) >> >> I can not get 8, N, 1 to work properly? >> >> Kev >> >> >> To UNSUBSCRIBE from techtoolslist, send a message with "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the >> message body to: techtoolslist-request(a)flippers.com. Please direct other >> questions, comments, or problems to jrr(a)flippers.com. >> >> >

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Uploadings...
by John Robertson 20 Apr '02

20 Apr '02

Just uploaded a new PDF - 9000A-910 Utility Programs, for those folks that have the utility tape and no idea what is on it...and why we all need a copy! -------------------------Utility Tape Programs------------------------------------ Side A Program 0: Merge Tape (binary Program (BP)) P. 1: Unsigned Add demo 32-bit (see program 10) P. 2: Unsigned Subtract Demo 32-bit (see P. 20) P. 3: Frequency Counter Demo (P.30) P. 4: Setup Demo (P. 40) P. 5: Probe Pulsar demo (P. 50) Program 10: Unsigned 32-Bit Add (BP) P. 20: Unsigned 32-bit Subtract (BP) P. 30: Frequency Counter (BP) P. 40: Setup (BP) P. 50: Probe Pulsar (BP) P. 60: Pod Self-Test (BP) P. 99: Program Listing (contains a list of all the programs on the tape - side A) Side B Program 0: Merge Tape (BP) ----------------------------(end)--------------------------------- Plus I uploaded a PDF on Programming the 9100. John :-#)# How to subscribe/unsubscribe from the list: To do either you send email to "MajorDomo(a)flippers.com" and in the body you state either "Subscribe techtoolslist" or "Unsubscribe techtoolslist", note that the Subject is "" (Blank)...

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Tech Mame source
by John Robertson 19 Apr '02

19 Apr '02

I'm posting this for Pete as MajorDomo is having trouble with it directly from him....I hope this gets through! This isn't off-topic as it concerns USING test equipment... John :-#)# (From: Invadar <invadar(a)mean-machine.org.uk> ) I am trying to repair an "EGGS" board using the fluke 9010A but cannot get it to work on the fluke due to a message TIME OUT attempting reset. I have narrowed it down to a clock fault. The clock for the CPU is derived (in part) from the bipolar rom at loc B4. which I suspect is faulty. I have located the bpr in mame but it is in HEX format. can anyone help me to convert this to a binary file (how do I do it) or does anyone have the binary version so that I can get on. If you consider this off topic I sincerly appologise but i am desperate. Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks Pete (Invadar) How to subscribe/unsubscribe from the list: To do either you send email to "MajorDomo(a)flippers.com" and in the body you state either "Subscribe techtoolslist" or "Unsubscribe techtoolslist", note that the Subject is "" (Blank)...

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9100a system disks
by Chris Hardy 16 Apr '02

16 Apr '02

> Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to check that the disks are ok.. (and I > have concerns that I may have accidently wiped one of them.. Sorry Dave!!) I tried testing the disks, but I now find out that the floppy drive in the 9100a I have is toasted.. (That explains why I couldn't format a floppy last time I tried). Time to drag out an amiga/ibm 720k floppy drive! I'll try and send a set to Andy Welburn before I go, so he can test them.. (He doesn't know this yet.. Hi Andy :) ) If you are wondering, "testing" involves getting the 9100a to do a disk to disk copy :) Chris ------------------------- IMPORTANT INFORMATION ------------------------- The contents of this email are confidential, may be subject to legal privilege and protected by copyright. They are intended for the named addressee only. If you are not the named addressee or a person acting on behalf and with the authority of the addressee and have received this email by mistake, any copying, disclosure or dissemination of the contents of this email to any third party is strictly forbidden by the sender and the sender reserves all rights and remedies against any person or entity making any such unauthorised use thereof. If you have received this email in error, please would you contact the sender immediately by Telephone +44 (0)20 7551 0000, Fax +44 (0)20 7551 0001 or return of email and then delete and/or destroy this email. Please note that any views or opinions presented are (unless the context otherwise makes it clear) solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Virgin Interactive. Please also note that Virgin endeavours at all times to keep its network free of viruses. You should, however, scan this email and any attachments to it for any viruses. Virgin will not be held responsible for any viruses which may be transmitted upon receipt of this email or the opening of any attachment thereto. -------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Fluke <> 232
by Kev 16 Apr '02

16 Apr '02

Okay I finally got my Fluke 9010A talking to the PC. Cable is DB9 <-> DB25 2 2 3 3 4 20 5 7 7 4 For some reason I can only get 7, E, 1, 9600 (or slower to work) I can not get 8, N, 1 to work properly? Kev To UNSUBSCRIBE from techtoolslist, send a message with "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the message body to: techtoolslist-request(a)flippers.com. Please direct other questions, comments, or problems to jrr(a)flippers.com.

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Fluke PODs - Requests?
by Greg Baumgratz 15 Apr '02

15 Apr '02

I found someone selling used test equipment that has some Fluke PODs also. I didn't have time to dive into the boxes of crap, so any requests? I will be putting together a list of PODs that I may want and if anyone else has requests, let me know. The only thing is, the owner of the equipment is not on location and I asked the guy there how the owner works if he has a set price or what. He told me that the owner usually goes with people making an offer. Let me know what you are looking for and I will put a list together to email him later this week. Also, give me an idea of what they are worth to you as a max. I will try to get some kind of deal as a bulk purchase and pass on the cost - not looking for a profit, just help to get my needs at a lower price. A box of crap usually gets a better price than that one item.... Greg

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RE: Programming the Fluke 9100 - Am I out of luck?
by John Robertson 15 Apr '02

15 Apr '02

Just tried one last experiment, hooked up the SCSI interface from my W2K to the output on the 9100, removed the AM5380 (SCSI interface IC) from the interface board, then tried to read the 9100's on board SCSI drive - no luck, lastly unplugged the 9100 SCSI drive and plugged a Known-To-Be-Good SCSI drive to the internal SCSI buss and I CAN read and write to it with my W2K notebook. Thus the internal drive MUST be SCSI, but with an unknown low-level format. Now we just need a SCSI drive duplicator! Does anyone have the pinout of the smaller SCSI notebook drives? I am considering wandering over to a local Mac shop and asking if they have a duplicator... ... must get back to my POD-PC interface project, must avoid distractions.... John :-#)# At 02:56 PM 15/04/2002 +0100, Chris Hardy wrote: >Hi guys.. > >Dave Langley obtained a set of unused system floppy disks from Fluke (in >Holland I think), which I have here sitting on my desk. > >Dave was slowly duplicating them on his 9100a before it died, so I offered >to duplicate them here at work. (We have a industrial floppy duplicator >which was used when games came out on floppies instead of disks..). > >The other reason was that it takes about 30 seconds to copy a disk instead >of 10 minutes > >Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to check that the disks are ok.. (and I >have concerns that I may have accidently wiped one of them.. Sorry Dave!!) > >I'll take them home tonight and check that they are readable on the 9100a I >have, if I can work out how to read them using it!.. > >Also, while I'm at it, AFAIK the 9100a harddrive setup is basically a ESDI >(SCSI forerunner) to MFM ST225 interface. I suspect that ESDI is not >compatible with a std SCSI interface, and I wasn't really game to try it out >as this 9100a is on loan to me. > >Now, if anyone can find an old AT or XT ST225 harddrive board it should be a >fairly simple process of sector by sector reading the drive. Of course, >finding another drive to put it one is another question altogether. > >I don't think the "Programmers Keyboard" is as simple as it seems.. You >maybe able to connect up a keyboard, but there is still no way of displaying >the information without a display card that plugs into the 9100a. I'm think >there is a picture of the whole setup in one of the manuals on spies. > >Chris Hardy > >PS BTW One of the useful additions of the 9100a is that it will do bitwise >memory tests.. Great for 2114's and SI boards >PSS I'm not going to be able to reply to emails after Wednesday this week as >I'm going to be on holiday for a month > > > >------------------------- IMPORTANT INFORMATION ------------------------- > >The contents of this email are confidential, may be subject to legal >privilege and protected by copyright. They are intended for the >named addressee only. If you are not the named addressee or a person >acting on behalf and with the authority of the addressee and have received >this email by mistake, any copying, disclosure or dissemination of the >contents of this email to any third party is strictly forbidden by the >sender and the sender reserves all rights and remedies against any person >or entity making any such unauthorised use thereof. If you have received >this email in error, please would you contact the sender immediately by >Telephone +44 (0)20 7551 0000, Fax +44 (0)20 7551 0001 or return of email >and then delete and/or destroy this email. Please note that any views or >opinions presented are (unless the context otherwise makes it clear) solely >those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Virgin >Interactive. > >Please also note that Virgin endeavours at all times to keep its network >free of viruses. You should, however, scan this email and any attachments >to it for any viruses. Virgin will not be held responsible for any viruses >which may be transmitted upon receipt of this email or the opening of any >attachment thereto. > >-------------------------------------------------------------------------

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