TDS5104 (NONB) Considerations - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: nicnac117
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2024, 01:52:52 pm
content: I recently acquired a TDS5104 early serial 0204-- with the Intel 810 motherboard and Millennium OS.The scope was in "not working" condition but was going for £180 so I took a punt on it. I occasionally need a High bandwidth scope but usually use my R&S RTB2004 fully loaded for most things.Anyway it just needed a MB battery and then started millennium , but not Tekscope.I reloaded the early scope application and up she came .I immediately shut down and removed and imaged the hard drive to an msata/ide adapter. The SSD was then fitted.I put 2x 256 Sd ram PC133 Total 512Mb and the hard drive into the machine and started.The boot up time had halved to 50 seconds total , which is pretty good for a scope like this.With the help of Calibrationfixture I then enabled ALL the available options and software for the NON "B" version using a DISC posted by xDEV .The drive has now been reimaged to include the fully loaded version as a backup .I have used the scope for a few days and it works as expected, with no BSOD or other freezes /shutdowns.I have read a lot of posts mostly appertaining to the TDs5054B model on motherboard upgrades etc , which is all very interesting .My question would be ?Is it worth doing any of this to a NON "B" version as the performance seems adequate on this dinasoar . ?Upgrading the motherboard to the later version and using Windows 2000 is tempting but I am not sure if the PCI interface in the 810 version is the same as the later versions.This early version has a Celeron 800 . I have a P3 1000 somewhere which i will slot in when I find it .In think thats as far as the bios/MB takes.Comments and suggestions welcome

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2024, 03:47:42 pm
content: I wouldn't try too hard to upgrade the OS. It won't gain you much and you may have trouble finding PCI drivers. A faster processor could help but only if the software runs the CPU at 100%. So open the task manager and see whether the CPU load is high.Probably the best upgrade for a scope like this is putting an SSD in it and add a USB interface to save screenshots to.

author: colorburst
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2024, 10:29:11 pm
content: I wouldn't recommend it, changing the 810 motherboard is known to result in a "PCI IRQ routing table error", seethis thread. In addition, anything newer than Pentium III will require a P4 connector, which your PPC board doesn't provide. With some trial and error you might be able to find a fitting board, get a P4 adapter and figure out the rear IO situation, but I see little point considering the scope works fine as it is.Upgrading the CPU is more worthwhile, especially if you intend on using math waveforms, FFT etc. If you get a 1.2GHz or faster processor you'll be able to install the latest 1.2.1 version of the software.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2024, 01:06:38 am
content: same here there is a limit .... find the fastest cpu you can put with the right FSB without going to a Tualatin, mobo chipset will not take itthe maximum ram you can addon windows Me you can uninstall AOL and other crapif the spc tests are good, be happy and don't do more tweak loll, make an image of your drive and be happy

author: nicnac117
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2024, 06:38:44 pm
content: I put a Pentium 3 1Ghz in it that I had , 512 MB SDram PC133, Msata SSD Hard drive and imaged it with all the optiois and software , so its gone as far as it will go . Boot time now is 45 seconds . Its not bad for a Dinasaor!!!.Just an update for those who may have a 810 motherboard. I put a p3 /1Ghz(Coppermine) in it with 512MB /PC133 memory and SSD . This appears to be enough for the 1.2.1 software which I loaded with no problems whatsoever . If anything it feels more responsive than the old version1.1.5.