Category Archives: Hardware

Tektronix Type 602 Display Unit repair

Posted on June 4, 2017 by A. Cicuta

The Type 602 had been around for a lot of time before I decided to tackle its repair which had been easier than expected. First problem: missing mains fuse. Replaced and the unit turned on. Almost everything worked except for … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Equipment, Hardware, Repair | 2 Comments

4h15m10.35s

Posted on May 1, 2017 by A. Cicuta

That is the time it took the SGI Octane to do these: A big thank you to Martin Steen and his frbatch program. A. Cicuta

Posted in Hardware, IRIX, Software | Leave a comment

SGI Octane: working again

Posted on April 30, 2017 by A. Cicuta

This SCI Octane has been waiting for a really long time I could give it the time it deserved but now it happy with its fresh installation of IRIX. As the machine doesn’t have a CD reader, I had to … Continue reading →

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Modding an HP 3488A

Posted on February 26, 2017 by A. Cicuta

I happened to acquire two HP 3488A. They are called Switch/Control unit. That means that each of them can accept up to five different boards that do interesting things. There is a multiplexer, a matrix switch, a digital input/ouput board … Continue reading →

Posted in Analogic, Digital, Electronics, Equipment, Hardware | Leave a comment

HP 3488A: boring “repair”

Posted on November 19, 2016 by A. Cicuta

This one is the most disappointing repair I did if I can call this a repair. I bought two HP 3488A, one fully working but in not so great condition, the other one was in pristine condition but sold as … Continue reading →

Posted in Digital, Electronics, Hardware, Repair | Leave a comment

HP 3470: something is wrong again (bad readings) part 1

Posted on October 23, 2016 by A. Cicuta

Another multi-part post starts now. I already wrote about this measurement system here. That time the problem was the mainframe display module while this time I am rather sure the problem is the plug-on  function module: I checked with a second HP 3470 that found … Continue reading →

Posted in Analogic, Digital, Electronics, Hardware | Leave a comment

Repair: HP 5328A part 3 – addendum

Posted on October 14, 2016 by A. Cicuta

Here I wrote that I would order at least some replacement components before going on with this repair. I was wrong. I found two suitable zeners so I decided to test the counter anyway. No point in ordering components if … Continue reading →

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It is sad when…

Posted on October 9, 2016 by A. Cicuta

… it takes you more than three months to change a CR2032. It happened to me. I am sure that everybody knows and loves the CR2032. They are in a lot of desktop machines and their little job is keeping … Continue reading →

Posted in Hardware, Small Talk | Leave a comment

Repair: HP 5328A part 2

Posted on September 18, 2016 by A. Cicuta

Let’s follow part 1 It looks like that A2Q1 is fine but at least the problem is narrowed down to this DC-DC buck converter which brings the 26V rail to 5V. I am starting to suspect A2U1 but I didn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Hardware, Repair | 2 Comments

Repair: HP 5328A part 1

Posted on September 11, 2016 by A. Cicuta

As I do not have as much time as I would like to repair this counter I will write a number of posts while I continue to diagnose and repair this instrument. Symptom: the instrument doesn’t turn on. This isn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Hardware, Repair | 1 Comment