Flashing Updated Firmware to Preproduction Tektronix TDS-210 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Feath3rblade
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2024, 12:13:19 am
content: I recently got my hands on a preproduction Tektronix TDS-210 and was looking to update it's firmware from 0.03031 to something more modern, since the preproduction firmware is missing quite a few features. Does anyone here know what the latest firmware that this might support is?Interestingly, rather than the OTP EPROM chips that I've read that production units have for the firmware, this comes with a 29F040 flash memory chip in the same socket. I do want to keep the old firmware around if only as a novelty, so I'm planning on getting another flash chip that I can put the newer firmware onto, but these chips seem to be out of production. I've found some listings on Ebay, but I was also curious if anyone knew any fully compatible modern alternatives. The firmware also reports itself as a TDS-220 rather than a 210, but I'm not sure if that's just due to the firmware not having that check in place yet, or if the scope is actually a 220 with a 210 faceplate. I haven't had the chance to test and see what the actual bandwidth of this thing is yet, so we'll see.If anyone has any other tips or just wants to ask questions about the old firmware on this thing, go ahead!

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2024, 05:38:30 am
content: Would a 27C040 in the plcc32 package (like a 27C040-70JU) work? I can't remember what I used to reflash firmware in my scopes, it was a while ago..If you have a reflashable chip, why not copy out the firmware, verify it a few times then flash in the later firmware?I have put a few versions up on tekwiki. Just flash the latest to the newest until you find one that works. (TDS210 and TDS220 firmware is the same)https://w140.com/tekwiki/wiki/TDS220As for the TDS210/TDS220 thing, all of these scopes are capable of TDS-220 performance. What differs is the sticker on the front and how it was programmed and calibrated.It is possible to upgrade a scope by sending the following GPIB commands:Code:PASSWORD PITBULLMODEL TDS220Followed by a full calibration to turn a TDS210 into a TDS220 and make the change stick.(You can also downgrade if you wanted for some reason too)If cal fails, the scope will revert to its previous model, so the entire proces will need to be repeated.I'm not surprised that a preproduction unit would be configured as a TDS220 to allow for more complete testing.Also, do you mind taking some nice photos of the unit inside and out? Including the main PCB?I'm interested in seeing how it is different...

author: Feath3rblade
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2024, 06:40:30 am
content: Quote from: TERRA Operative on October 21, 2024, 05:38:30 amPretty sure that those are what the production scopes used, I might see what it'd cost to grab a few of those to test with, but I might just stick with the current flash chip and dump the current firmware too.Interesting that the 210 and 220 are the exact same hardware. Can't say that I'm too surprised, but I still maybe would've expected something to be different, even just down to the amount of memory or some random IC. Good to know that I can get this running as a 220 on production firmware.Took a bunch of photos, the exterior photos are with the handle and stand taken off, since it makes it easier to quickly get in and out, but those were on the scope when I got it, link below due to file size limitations:https://imgur.com/a/L2KdKOl

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2024, 11:39:06 pm
content: Interesting. It looks like a pretty late in the testing cycle, just a couple bodge wires there.That firmware has diagnostic stuff I've never seen before too.I say go for it, copy out the existing firmware and then stick v1.19 in and see what happens.Nothing a flash back to original and factory reset can't fix.

author: Feath3rblade
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2024, 10:18:13 pm
content: TL866 just arrived and I tried flashing both 1.06 and 1.19, sadly neither worked. Scope didn't boot, with just random noise patterns showing up on the LCD. Flashed it back to 0.03031 for the time being. If you have any other ideas that'd be great, but there might be some other changes under the hood that aren't playing nicely with the production firmware.I'll also leave the bin file I dumped of the preproduction firmware too if anyone wants to play around with it or upload it somewhere else.

author: edmaul69
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 03:17:49 am
content: I have a tds210. It is on firmware 1.16. I have one of the firmware updater expansion modules with a v2.03 firmware. My scope doesn’t recognize it as an expansion module. I opened up my scope and the chip is marked with the right number for v1.16. I took the chip out and put the 2.03 in. It didnt boot at all. Is the v.1.19 the latest that can be updated and what chip do i need to program for the scope and will v1.19 work?

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 06:28:21 am
content: I've only ever seen the v2.x firmwares on the later TDS200 scopes that have an intel flash chip for the firmware. This would allow for the firmware programmer to load in the new firmware.I've also never seen later than v2.03 on these scopes.IIRC, to update the earlier scope versions, you need to pop out the EPROM and flash a new chip to then install in the socket (Or reflash the existing chip if you were lucky enough to get one with an EEPROM). That's how I've updated firmware on earlier scopes.The latest I've ever found for the earlier types is v1.19, uploaded here:https://w140.com/tekwiki/wiki/TDS220As an aside, can you take some nice photos of your firmware programmer? I've never come across one and I'm intrigued to get a closer look.