You REALLY don't want to mess with that 24 pin NVRAM chip... it contains the calibration memory. If you bugger the data in it, you get to spend a couple of grand getting the meter back into working order. I know a couple of people that did just that. The solution is to first make a backup copy of the memory contents using the (undocumented) MREAD command over the GPIB bus. Poul-Henning Kamp figured out how to do it... buy the man a beer... even better a case of beer... Search the archives for details. I just backed up all the memory in my 3 HP3458A's for when the inevitable BIG BAD DAY comes and the backup batteries go bye-bye. If you happen to have a NI GPIB-232CV-A (or possibly a Prologix) RS-232 to GPIB converter and can run a DOS or WIN98 program, I have a program that dumps the memory chips. It has code for the Prologix in it, but I've only used it with my a Prologix compatible unit I built... I don't have a real Prologix to test it with.

I do have a ni gpib-usb-hs http://sine.ni.com/nips/cds/view/p/lang/en/nid/201586 I was hoping to remove the chip, read the data with a usb programer and wright the data back into a new chip before installing it. Then do a full calibration. If the 16k chip has the cal vars what do the other 32k chips have? Thanks for the input. I should be able to read to read the data from a good meter with the MREAD and wright it with a programer. I have been using excl to read program 3458As I will see if I can get MREAD to work there. On Wed, Aug 20, 2014 at 5:33 PM, Mark Sims <holrum@hotmail.com> wrote: > You REALLY don't want to mess with that 24 pin NVRAM chip... it contains > the calibration memory. If you bugger the data in it, you get to spend a > couple of grand getting the meter back into working order. I know a couple > of people that did just that. > > The solution is to first make a backup copy of the memory contents using > the (undocumented) MREAD command over the GPIB bus. Poul-Henning Kamp > figured out how to do it... buy the man a beer... even better a case of > beer... Search the archives for details. > > I just backed up all the memory in my 3 HP3458A's for when the inevitable > BIG BAD DAY comes and the backup batteries go bye-bye. If you happen to > have a NI GPIB-232CV-A (or possibly a Prologix) RS-232 to GPIB converter > and can run a DOS or WIN98 program, I have a program that dumps the memory > chips. It has code for the Prologix in it, but I've only used it with my > a Prologix compatible unit I built... I don't have a real Prologix to test > it with. > > > _______________________________________________ > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts > and follow the instructions there. > -- *John Phillips*

John, I don't think I would worry too much about messing up the 'CALRAM'. If you 'mess up' the 'CALRAM', and your meter is, otherwise, OK, you will spend about $500 with Keysight for a 'Keysight' calibration, which I would recommend. If they get your meter and it is not 'suitable' for calibration (meaning that, in some way, it's 'broken'), you will be notified and offered the option of having them 'repair' the meter (for about $2700, which includes the 'Keysight' calibration) or returning the meter to you for your repair at a cost of half the calibration charge, IIRC. The key point about reading these NVRAM's is to, first and foremost, let the chips cool after removal before trying to read them. I learned about that the hard way. Second, make sure your programmer specifically supports the chip you are trying to read and program. If so, reading then archiving the data should be straight forward and programming a new chip should be equally straight forward. I am not familiar with the 'Mem test 1 high' issue but I suspect the Assembly Level Repair Manual or the Component Level Repair Manual should address the issue. I agree with others that this likely means that, in some way, your meter is 'broken'. If you can chase that down to a simple problem and repair it, getting the calibration with Keysight would be the next order of business. Once it passes calibration, you would be able to purchase the 'Repair Agreement' for a couple hundred dollars per year, with a discount for multiple year purchases up to a maximum of 5, IIRC, which gives you a meter with a 'factory warranty' for that time period. Personally, I would look for a 'professional' programmer rather than one of the 'cheaper' ones, especially if you are anticipating getting into vintage equipment and programming EPROM's, etc. BP Micro, Advin, DATA I/O, Elnec, etc., would ones I would look for. I'm sure others on the list would have their own recommendations. The prices on theBay right now are particularly ridiculous but good deals can be had. The majority of these units use parallel port connections and need WinXP as the OS. The later versions, starting around $500 will connect via USB and be able to utilize Win7 or Win8. Good luck. Joe -----Original Message----- From: volt-nuts-bounces@febo.com [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@febo.com] On Behalf Of John Phillips Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2014 8:41 PM To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement Subject: Re: [volt-nuts] HP 3458A Mem test 1 hight. How do you read 32K memory chips? I do have a ni gpib-usb-hs http://sine.ni.com/nips/cds/view/p/lang/en/nid/201586 I was hoping to remove the chip, read the data with a usb programer and wright the data back into a new chip before installing it. Then do a full calibration. If the 16k chip has the cal vars what do the other 32k chips have? Thanks for the input. I should be able to read to read the data from a good meter with the MREAD and wright it with a programer. I have been using excl to read program 3458As I will see if I can get MREAD to work there. On Wed, Aug 20, 2014 at 5:33 PM, Mark Sims <holrum@hotmail.com> wrote: > You REALLY don't want to mess with that 24 pin NVRAM chip... it > contains the calibration memory. If you bugger the data in it, you > get to spend a couple of grand getting the meter back into working > order. I know a couple of people that did just that. > > The solution is to first make a backup copy of the memory contents > using the (undocumented) MREAD command over the GPIB bus. > Poul-Henning Kamp figured out how to do it... buy the man a beer... even better a case of > beer... Search the archives for details. > > I just backed up all the memory in my 3 HP3458A's for when the inevitable > BIG BAD DAY comes and the backup batteries go bye-bye. If you happen to > have a NI GPIB-232CV-A (or possibly a Prologix) RS-232 to GPIB > converter and can run a DOS or WIN98 program, I have a program that > dumps the memory chips. It has code for the Prologix in it, but I've > only used it with my a Prologix compatible unit I built... I don't > have a real Prologix to test it with. > > > _______________________________________________ > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to > https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts > and follow the instructions there. > -- *John Phillips* _______________________________________________ volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts and follow the instructions there.

Thanks On Wed, Aug 20, 2014 at 7:08 PM, J. L. Trantham <jltran@att.net> wrote: > John, > > I don't think I would worry too much about messing up the 'CALRAM'. If you > 'mess up' the 'CALRAM', and your meter is, otherwise, OK, you will spend > about $500 with Keysight for a 'Keysight' calibration, which I would > recommend. > > If they get your meter and it is not 'suitable' for calibration (meaning > that, in some way, it's 'broken'), you will be notified and offered the > option of having them 'repair' the meter (for about $2700, which includes > the 'Keysight' calibration) or returning the meter to you for your repair > at > a cost of half the calibration charge, IIRC. > > The key point about reading these NVRAM's is to, first and foremost, let > the > chips cool after removal before trying to read them. I learned about that > the hard way. > > Second, make sure your programmer specifically supports the chip you are > trying to read and program. If so, reading then archiving the data should > be straight forward and programming a new chip should be equally straight > forward. > > I am not familiar with the 'Mem test 1 high' issue but I suspect the > Assembly Level Repair Manual or the Component Level Repair Manual should > address the issue. I agree with others that this likely means that, in > some > way, your meter is 'broken'. If you can chase that down to a simple > problem > and repair it, getting the calibration with Keysight would be the next > order > of business. Once it passes calibration, you would be able to purchase the > 'Repair Agreement' for a couple hundred dollars per year, with a discount > for multiple year purchases up to a maximum of 5, IIRC, which gives you a > meter with a 'factory warranty' for that time period. > > Personally, I would look for a 'professional' programmer rather than one of > the 'cheaper' ones, especially if you are anticipating getting into vintage > equipment and programming EPROM's, etc. BP Micro, Advin, DATA I/O, Elnec, > etc., would ones I would look for. I'm sure others on the list would have > their own recommendations. The prices on theBay right now are particularly > ridiculous but good deals can be had. The majority of these units use > parallel port connections and need WinXP as the OS. The later versions, > starting around $500 will connect via USB and be able to utilize Win7 or > Win8. > > Good luck. > > Joe > > -----Original Message----- > From: volt-nuts-bounces@febo.com [mailto:volt-nuts-bounces@febo.com] On > Behalf Of John Phillips > Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2014 8:41 PM > To: Discussion of precise voltage measurement > Subject: Re: [volt-nuts] HP 3458A Mem test 1 hight. How do you read 32K > memory chips? > > I do have a ni gpib-usb-hs > http://sine.ni.com/nips/cds/view/p/lang/en/nid/201586 > I was hoping to remove the chip, read the data with a usb programer and > wright the data back into a new chip before installing it. > Then do a full calibration. > If the 16k chip has the cal vars what do the other 32k chips have? > Thanks for the input. > I should be able to read to read the data from a good meter with the MREAD > and wright it with a programer. > > I have been using excl to read program 3458As I will see if I can get > MREAD > to work there. > > > > > On Wed, Aug 20, 2014 at 5:33 PM, Mark Sims <holrum@hotmail.com> wrote: > > > You REALLY don't want to mess with that 24 pin NVRAM chip... it > > contains the calibration memory. If you bugger the data in it, you > > get to spend a couple of grand getting the meter back into working > > order. I know a couple of people that did just that. > > > > The solution is to first make a backup copy of the memory contents > > using the (undocumented) MREAD command over the GPIB bus. > > Poul-Henning Kamp figured out how to do it... buy the man a beer... even > better a case of > > beer... Search the archives for details. > > > > I just backed up all the memory in my 3 HP3458A's for when the inevitable > > BIG BAD DAY comes and the backup batteries go bye-bye. If you happen to > > have a NI GPIB-232CV-A (or possibly a Prologix) RS-232 to GPIB > > converter and can run a DOS or WIN98 program, I have a program that > > dumps the memory chips. It has code for the Prologix in it, but I've > > only used it with my a Prologix compatible unit I built... I don't > > have a real Prologix to test it with. > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to > > https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts > > and follow the instructions there. > > > > > > -- > > *John Phillips* > _______________________________________________ > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts > and follow the instructions there. > > _______________________________________________ > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts > and follow the instructions there. > -- *John Phillips*

Mark, I just ordered the ProLogix USB-GPIB converter specifically to read the contents of my 3458A. Would it be possible to get a copy of your program that you wrote to read the memory contents. It would be greatly appreciated and save me a lot of work and frustration. thanks, Randy On Wed, Aug 20, 2014 at 5:33 PM, Mark Sims <holrum@hotmail.com> wrote: > You REALLY don't want to mess with that 24 pin NVRAM chip... it contains > the calibration memory. If you bugger the data in it, you get to spend a > couple of grand getting the meter back into working order. I know a couple > of people that did just that. > > The solution is to first make a backup copy of the memory contents using > the (undocumented) MREAD command over the GPIB bus. Poul-Henning Kamp > figured out how to do it... buy the man a beer... even better a case of > beer... Search the archives for details. > > I just backed up all the memory in my 3 HP3458A's for when the inevitable > BIG BAD DAY comes and the backup batteries go bye-bye. If you happen to > have a NI GPIB-232CV-A (or possibly a Prologix) RS-232 to GPIB converter > and can run a DOS or WIN98 program, I have a program that dumps the memory > chips. It has code for the Prologix in it, but I've only used it with my > a Prologix compatible unit I built... I don't have a real Prologix to test > it with. > > > _______________________________________________ > volt-nuts mailing list -- volt-nuts@febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/volt-nuts > and follow the instructions there. >