Unbrick Tektronix RSA3308 RSA3303 WCA280 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: imett
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2020, 10:43:18 pm
content: Hi to everyone,i wanna open this thread about restore of a Tek RSA3308A RSA3303A, WCA280 realtime spectrum analyzer.If the hard disk dead, the instrument became impossible to recover.It use a special Windows XP distribution from Tektronix ad is very difficult to find one.I receive from an user an image of its WCA280 (the same family) but the instrument not recognize the calibration/configuration files and no trace appearsMy question: someone could send me an image of its RSA3308 (if possible) or a example of calibration files?To share i have the image of WCA280.Thanks in advance matteo

author: NikiG
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 08, 2020, 04:26:11 pm
content: Hello Mateo, it's me, Niki, i have also image of HDD from RSA3308 (Win XP), but result will be the same like WCA280(, also i have calibration data.Regards.NikiG

author: imett
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2020, 10:39:26 pm
content: HI Niki, nice to see you!Now my instruments with your wca280 image, start up and the application run but no trace. i suspect that the instruments not recognize the calibration files, or maybe the correct headers of that files.Please leave me the calibration files, i want see if the header are the correct.Thanks again, happy easter!

author: LateLesley
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2020, 11:57:30 pm
content: Hi, I take it you have tried installing the firmware for that particular device, direct from Tek??https://www.tek.com/wca230a-software/rsa3000b-and-rsa3000a-series-firmware-v420009It looks like you need to create a log in to get it, but i'd assume after that, that you could download it and then install it on the device?

author: imett
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2020, 06:39:49 am
content: Yes i tried different version but the system, not recongnize as 33008 due to the calibration/configuration files (they are in the same folder). In fact there is a configuration file where it recongnize the option and the type ( in my case a wrong wca280), i add in this file the tag 3308A insted of wca280 but nothing . It someone could leave this files i try.There is also a small memory in dip format, l've a dump, but nothing to undestand insideThanks Matteo

author: LateLesley
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2020, 04:06:59 pm
content: OK - I do not have this machine, so I don't know it apart from a cursory glance at online info. I'm coming more from a PC repair tech side of things, and since this thing runs just like a computer... I'm just trying to help from a perspective of see if it boots, see if it has the right software, and go from there.Now it strikes me, that there must be some way to do an initial set up of the calibration on this thing. Prerequisites i'd imagine is that windows is installed and working, the firmware (application) is installed for your particular model, and that we have the service manual to follow calibration procedures.Now, assuming you've covered the first two here's the third.https://www.opweb.de/english/company/Tektronix/RSA3303ANow you say it's not recognising the machine as the right model. So first, i'd make a backup folder, move those config/cal files into the backup folder, make sure the config/cal folder is empty, then try reinstalling the firmware. There's a chance it may ask you what model and what options you have, and set it up as part of the install process. If not, then you may need someone to post a sample config file for your model to start with, and modify.You might want to try the initialize step on page 4-4 (p114) of the manual i linked. It might just get you into a basic factory config. If it's not booting that far, we have other problems to fix first.

author: imett
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2020, 06:20:03 pm
content: HI, i've some news, i try to reinstall the software as suggested, the software search the file "option.cal"in this file there is hardware=WCA280 .. product=WCA280A ...option=2,3...If i put product=RSA3308a before the software istallation it recognize the RSA3308A but the application starts and report "no variablenamed startup" ...i suppose that it search a file or a key not used in wca280 (i've only an image of WCA280)For that reason i need a copy of the folder in D:\ __RtsaCalData__ of a working RSA3308aSomeone could help me and provide that folder?Happy easter, Matteo

author: imett
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2020, 03:18:43 pm
content: Hi, i've the news, the final news!!I found that one of DC/DC converters doesn't work! and for that reason the application in my case doesn't start.It was hard to find beacuse there are 12 leds for the voltage check,in my case two of that are a little deep, and with a dmm i found that the 6.8V used for the RF circuits are at 3.3V.it is very strange, tektronix (japan!)use two DC/DC UWR-3.3/4250-d24A to create the 6.8V from the 24V, each 3.3V. This dc/dc are very expencive for a 15W, the very problem was fix it. With a little luck they are incaspuled with silicon rubber and find the broken mos was simple (FDS6680)..The converter works with 2 mos (sync bridge) and works ony if the mos are the same.To summirize, the application run , know my work is to restore the calibration files.For unbrick, the only file that need the system is the option.cal with the hardware key.Now i change my RSA3308A to RSA3408A!! with more decoding optionAgain thank for your support. Have a nice test

author: LateLesley
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2020, 05:02:13 am
content: So it was a hardware fault all along. :-) I'm glad you managed to find it, and repair it. Awesome. Congratulations on getting it up and running again.

author: analogRF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2020, 10:50:15 am
content: Quote from: imett on April 26, 2020, 03:18:43 pmwould you mind telling me where did you get those option.cal and hardware key? and did you need to modify the option.cal file?

author: kada
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2023, 05:10:29 pm
content: Hi to everyone. I have RSA3308A without HDD. I would appreciate it if someone can share the HDD image of RSA3308A, RSA3303A, WCA280.

author: NikiG
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 18, 2023, 02:51:49 pm
content: Hello, becuse i lost one archive, but finded another one, i'll post two images that made with Winhex program like raw image.First WCA280A win 98, second - RSA3408 Win XP.https://mega.nz/file/Y7IxnJpD#DsYebOhmkoJGMtXwna9g2cocV8btuvs0mbE0VzZZRGghttps://mega.nz/file/JuJAzCSJ#VF0YQalruN_xqfXG6sg_RB5T4oFSai6joF37caN44KQBest regards and success!

author: smaultre
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2023, 07:10:43 am
content: Hello, and thanks for the ISO images.After a few try's to prevent XP BSOD on booting. I reinsall XP on existing HDD image. And SA boots well.But it seems it have some problems with calibration procedure.It shows "uncal" message. On my research there's no 100MHz cal signal output from A100 Cal Generator board.25MHz cal signal is present from the same board.Anybody have the same problem? On the first look all DC supply voltage is OK..There's Omron RF relay on the output on A100 board.33MHzon "25" switch position input is present.But on input 100MHz relay leg there-is 100Mhz and on latch pin there always 12V,independently what input i choose on "input" menu 25 or 100MHz..

author: smaultre
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2023, 04:28:24 am
content: update it looks like the 100MHz cal signal is present, but offset-ed by around 32,05MHz and SA can not lock to it.When connect 100 MHz from gen it shows 132.05MHz300M-333MHz500M-534Mhzand so on..Looks like it need calibration or cal files files on this ISO is incorrect for a 3408A model.Who have the correct working cal files for 3408a?

author: smaultre
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2023, 07:38:16 am
content: It's good news it' worked! But need new calibration. On debug mode there's A100 module was disabled in config.I enabled it, rewrite cal files, reconfigure YTF constants as wrote on the module. And it's work OK now!

author: wn1fju
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2023, 04:56:15 pm
content: Glad you are getting your machine to work. Here's a sad tale of what happened (at my job) to our WCA280A.I really liked the WCA280A and I used it a lot at work. One day it malfunctioned. Being a work machine, I wasn't about to try and fix it, so our company sent it to Tektronix for repair (it was out of warranty).Tektronix called a couple of weeks later and said that they identified the problem and it would cost approximately $5,000 USD to repair. We told them to go ahead. About a week later, Tektronix called back and said that they found a second problem with the unit. They told us that it would cost another $5,000 USD to repair that.But get this - Tektronix said that we had two choices: 1) Fix the second problem (for a combined cost of about $10,000 USD, or 2) Tektronix will return the broken WCA280A to us but we STILL had to pay them $5,000 for fixing the first problem.Kind of had us over a barrel and we paid them the $10,000 USD.Needless to say, when it was time to purchase new test equipment, I made sure Tektronix was last on the list.

author: Vit G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2025, 07:59:11 am
content: Hi! is it possible to install an ssd drive in the wca280a instead of an ide using a regular adapter? will it work? i think try to install an ssd drive without waiting for the old drive to fail.

author: squadchannel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2025, 09:24:41 am
content: it is just a Windows system, so of course it will work.Be careful, do not bend the motherboard. It has a long, thin shape with a total length of about 300 mm.IDE connector is also located near the middle, so be careful when removing it.Also, the capacitors around the CPU on that motherboard are prone to blown up.they are the furthest away from the chassis fan, so they tend to heat up, and the RTSA software is always using the CPU at full.good idea to check the capacitors as well.I also have an RSA3308A and maybe able to help if you need anything.already extracted the FPGA/PIC firmware and backed up system drive.

author: Vit G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2025, 05:06:23 pm
content: Hi! Sorry for the completely noob question.I forgot how to handle Windows98. :'( Tell me which driver necessary to download so that USB external drives and HDD usb boxes are detected in this system?my attempts were unsuccessful. I'm afraid of accidentally breaking the operating system and I don't have enough knowledge to restore itAnd one more question. My 280a has firmware 2.21.00 but the user manual is for version 3.10. I can't find where to download update to version 3.10. Help me find it please.

author: squadchannel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2025, 01:23:40 am
content: I thought it was a WinXP system with PROX1640 motherboard, but it seems old.first, Backup. Connect your current working hard drive to another computer and back it up with backup software. Then think about it.There are drivers to make USB MSD (mass storage device) work on Win9x, but they are not practical.you can buy an adapter to convert from 2.5" IDE drive to USB and back it up on another computer.tek.com has V4.20.009, but it seems to apply only to XP, thus I don't think it exists.

author: Vit G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2025, 05:23:09 am
content: Hi, Squadchannel!Thanks for helping me understand what I need to try to improve the functionality of the device. I think that it won't be possible to simply update the system to XP because the installed software is not compatible with it. It's a pity that there is no disk image from the same device with the winXP system. Then I would try to upgrade my 280a. The software for XP has interesting functions such as measuring phase noise. It would be interesting to install the same function on my 280a.

author: squadchannel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2025, 06:03:00 am
content: it would be possible to upgrade to XP, depending on the CPU and motherboard used.all work should be done later, once the current system is backup.

author: squadchannel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2025, 06:08:02 am
content: compared to the RSA3308A service manual, it appears that the same motherboard is used.I believe it is possible to upgrade to XP.once the backup is complete, it may be possible to install XP on the new SSD, install the new RTSA software, and copy the adjustment data from the original hard disk.In any case, I have not done this.

author: Vit G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2025, 08:10:10 am
content: Thanks for the help, squadchannel!Then first i will buy adapters for disks to make copies and then i will try to do something with it. )But where can I find full RTSA software for 280? I understand that only partial updates are on the Tectronics website?It might be possible to apply the official update 98 to XP with saving installed software and drivers, but I'm not sure that it will work (50/50).

author: squadchannel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2025, 09:40:07 am
content: I have not checked to see what is in the software, but I believe it is a complete image of the RTSA software.drivers are not compatible between 9x and NT, so you will need to get them from another machine.I believe the calibration data can be retrieved from the HDD running on the current 98.

author: Vit G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2025, 05:43:32 am
content: I transferred the "Tektronix" folder from the 280a to my computer with Windows 7 32 and tried to run it just out of interest. and it started.However, the installation files from the official site did not start on my computer with Windows 7 32. I received an error message

author: Vit G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2025, 04:32:12 pm
content: Hi!finally i got the adapter and transferred the system to the ssd disk. i tried to update the system to xp but i can't do it. after starting the installation i get the error which i attach here in the picture. i need help because i don't understand what the problem is. maybe someone has already updated the system in this device to xp? or is there an image with xp installed at the factory?

author: Vit G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2025, 09:20:30 am
content: Hi!I created a installation disk image so that XP could be installed (unompress necesarry files in iso), but after installation I still get a blue screen because the image can't be mounted on the SSD for some reason. Clean installation didn't help either, same BSOD error. Apparently the adapter and incorrect file system operation are to blame. I'll try to find an old IDE disk and install on it, and then transfer the system to the SSD. Or maybe I'll be able to find a disk image from this device with XP

author: squadchannel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2025, 09:33:29 am
content: My XP system backup. if possible, rewrite the license. wpa.dbl in system32 should be deleted or rewritten to .bak, etc.https://mega.nz/file/TT4wkBab#dxUxuXm5F_GnJD0tyW2RgzG4yw3s1GbyO6oBlcTPYz0http://www.partition-saving.com/using patition-saving software. run spartwin.exe with administrator, select "Restore an element.", select files with extension ".000" and so on up to ".005", select the drive and execute restore.There is a directory in drive D that contains calibration data. Replace it with the one copied from the 98 system. It will probably work.The update file on tek.com seems to be a networked update, according to the manual.

author: Vit G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2025, 10:44:07 am
content: HI, squadchannel!Big thanks to you! I'm downloading it now and trying it out. Do I need to replace the license file with the file from my device?

author: squadchannel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2025, 11:03:13 am
content: it does not affect the operation of the RSA. If you have an XP Professional license key, I would like you to delete the wpa.dbl and reactivate it, but if you don't have one, either is fine.

author: squadchannel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2025, 11:21:47 am
content: apparently, simply deleting the wpa.dbl is not enough.https://luke.geek.nz/2012/03/05/deactivating-winxp/of course, NT is completely different from 9x. The license is also useless.

author: Vit G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2025, 02:15:20 pm
content: Hi squadchannel!I installed the image on my SSD but XP still get a blue screen when booting. I suspect that this SATA to IDE adapter is not working properly (though it works in Win98, oddly enough). I have 256 megabytes of RAM, should that be enough? I'll try to do a detailed RAM memory check for errors just in case. I can only boot in safe mode but that doesn't clarify much for me. I tried to brutally copy the folder with the Tektronix program to my disk with 98 but it hung, as expected. I'll look for another adapter and at the same time try to find an IDEA disk in order to understand what's going on.different сmos settings didn't help either. I don't know if it's possible to update bios in this device. I remember that earlier, to install XP on some motherboards, you had to update the bios. I hope that's not the issue in this case.

author: squadchannel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2025, 02:23:15 pm
content: Just to confirm, is the motherboard ProX-1640?I will test if I can recover it tomorrow.

author: Vit G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2025, 03:11:40 pm
content: Yes, it's 1640

author: squadchannel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2025, 03:53:38 pm
content: I was curious so I tested it now. I have recovered it and it boots normally.Could it be that the motherboard capacitors have blown up?My RSA also had a symptom when I bought it that windows would stop booting halfway through.The capacitors around the CPU on the motherboard had blown up. I replaced all of them just to be sure and solved the problem.This may be the condition. Is there anything wrong with the capacitors visually?

author: Vit G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2025, 05:43:11 pm
content: Hi!If you are using a normal ide hdd so you have no problems. I have an ssd sata connected via an ide to sata adapter. apparently the problem is in it. allcapacitors were recently changed by previous owner. I'll try to find a standard ide hdd and try to install the image on it.

author: Vit G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2025, 07:12:58 pm
content: Memtest86+ - no errors.

author: Vit G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2025, 06:21:59 pm
content: Hi!I have almost succeeded and I launched the WCA280 with the XP system and updated the software to 4.xx. (In order to defeat the BSOD, I deleted the disk drivers in protected mode and installed them from a floppy disk with the XP drivers for this motherboard. (https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/protech-prox-1640#driver)) There is one small problem left. The GPIB controller is installed on the same IRQ as the WCA board. This is strange, because it should be PNP. In the old system, the WCA board was on IRQ 10 and the GPIB on 5. Now the WCA is installed on IRQ 5 and the GPIB too. I tried to move the GPIB to IRQ 10 but then it does not initialize. There are no jumpers on the GPIB controller board, so I think that it is still PnP. I cannot move the WCA board to another IRQ because the IRQ/DMA settings tab is not active for it. What should I do in this situation?P.S. for the sake of interest, I installed 512 MB SDRAM PC133 module and it was fully identified and passed the test normally. despite the fact that in the specifications for the motherboard, only 256 MB can be installed in 1 slot. but since the memory module had chips on both sides, perhaps this is the reason that they were able to be successfully identified by the system

author: squadchannel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2025, 12:34:26 am
content: GPIB board is based on the NI AT-GPIB design, but jumpers are omitted.I have not checked, but the problem does not occur in my RSA, so it is most likely a configuration. I believe you can change the IRQ/DMA resources on the BIOS.RAM can be installed up to the chipset memory capacity limit for older systems. can install more than the limit of the motherboard. but depends on motherboard design.don't forget to edit Option.cal and OptionKey.cal in the folder in drive D.Anyway, well done.

author: Vit G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2025, 12:56:22 pm
content: Hi!I transferred the entire folder with calibrations from my wca280a. I guess in this case nothing needs to be changed? I also have an idea to install a Tualatin 1266/512/133 processor. Maybe it will work.

author: Vit G
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2025, 10:05:24 am
content: Hi!I also noticed that the latest version of the WCA280 software and Windows XP work a little slower. I could not determine the reason for this. Perhaps the Windows XP software is heavier for this device. I'll try to replace the CPU with a more powerful one.