Tektronix TDS784C HDD  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: stcoso
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2021, 05:02:42 pm
content: Hi... I recently acquired a TDS784C which came with HD option but no working HDD. Can it be replaced? I've searched on google about this but found nothing.I can hear that poor HDD clacking on startupThank you in advance.

author: stcoso
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2021, 11:07:25 am
content: UP

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2021, 12:48:10 pm
content: Quote from: stcoso on January 25, 2021, 05:02:42 pmSure it can, I didi for an other Tek, an AWG, it was not that bad in the en, use this document to properly remove it:https://download.tek.com/manual/071044202.pdfin conjunction with the service manual:https://download.tek.com/manual/070987504.pdfThen post clear pictures of it and get yourself a cheap USB/P-ATA enclosure to try to make an image with ddrescue and determine what kind of partition it had.Cheers,DC1MC

author: stcoso
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2021, 07:30:39 pm
content: My biggest concern is about the HDD model.

author: fzabkar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2021, 08:26:43 pm
content: What model is the original HDD?Does it remain spinning after clicking, or does it spin down?If the scope really needs to see the original model, there are free DIY methods to make a WD HDD look like other makes and models. You may even be able to use a SATA HDD with a suitable PATA-SATA bridge PCB.Edit:After reading the manual, it appears that the original drive was a 170MB model. Those were CHS drives. Later models use LBA mode.

author: picburner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2021, 08:31:29 pm
content: I also have a TSD684C and as HD I used a CF with an adapter and it works perfectly.

author: Tantratron
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2021, 09:55:41 am
content: The HDD unit in my TDS754D shows this referenceSanDisk PCMCIA CARD ATASDP3B - Flash Disk 175 Mb

author: G10mar3xp10r3r
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 20, 2021, 06:18:51 am
content: Hi TDS HDD users.. This is an interesting thread as I was the original designer of the TDS's HDD option. This option evolved quite a bit from PCMCIA into second generation 2.5" PATA drives. Did you know you can insert a NE2000 PCMCIA network card into your instruments PCMCIA slot and get a full network stack? I've been contemplating writing up some of of the stupid TDS500/600/700 tricks but have no idea if there are enough folks out here that have any residual interest in these instruments. I've been contemplating building a contemporary storage/nic card as a replacement to the original HDD option card. I wonder how many interested users would be interested in this?Regards

author: m k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2021, 09:06:47 am
content: This goes other way around, you will create that interest, if it's not yet there.Do you know any possibilities of other lines having similar options?This place has a tendency to adapt and side track past obstacles.

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2021, 09:29:41 am
content: Quote from: G10mar3xp10r3r on November 20, 2021, 06:18:51 amABSOLUTELY !!! There is so little actual information and, unfortunately, so much dis-information regarding the storage options and other capabilities of Tek devices, personally I would LOVE to hear about the tips and tricksCheers,DC1MC

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2021, 10:22:48 am
content: Quote from: G10mar3xp10r3r on November 20, 2021, 06:18:51 amI am so interested it hurts!Please teach us your knowledge!Also, I'm on the hunt for a HDD option for my TDS784C too.

author: Wallace Gasiewicz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2021, 02:11:19 pm
content: I do not know if this is of any help but here goes:I purchased an Agilent 54810 scope from someone on this blog. The seller had installed a SSD Drive. I think the original HDs on this unit were none too good.The SSD is partitioned to be of an acceptable size for the CPU. The thing works just fine.

author: EduardGede
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 23, 2024, 09:44:48 pm
content: Hi,...is this still alive !!!!Sounds good.

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2024, 03:07:42 am
content: Do you have a HDD option in your scope?

author: Tantratron
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2025, 08:09:00 am
content: Quote from: TERRA Operative on November 20, 2021, 10:22:48 amWhat do you mean by I'm on the hunt, what are you looking for exactly ?

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2025, 04:26:23 pm
content: 3-and-a-bit years later and I have collected four HDD option 'assemblies', most of which work.I don't need any more now...

author: CaptDon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2025, 08:30:56 pm
content: I have a TDS644B. Can it accept a HDD daughter board? My TDS644B does not have the leaky electrolytics. I am thankful for that!!

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2025, 08:45:36 pm
content: It looks like only the C and D models officially support the HDD option unfortunately.I've never tried installing the HDD option into an A or B, or no prefix letter version scope to check.

author: Tantratron
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2025, 05:37:25 am
content: Quote from: TERRA Operative on February 22, 2025, 04:26:23 pmWhat storage memory card model and part number have you been using ?

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2025, 06:40:49 am
content: For the PCMCIA type, I use any PCMCIA-CF Card Adapter, and a 2Gb Transcend TS2GCF133 CF card as (I think?) it supports fixed disk mode, at least it 'just works' flawlessly anyway.For the Parallel HDD type, I use the same CF card in a CF card to 2.5 inch IDE HDD adapter like this:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007029696031.htmlJust be sure to format the CF card as FAT,notFAT32.