3458A GPIB Connection error - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: AneeshKola
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2025, 06:43:43 am
content: Hi all, I have got a 1989 HP 3458A that I am trying to talk to using a Keysight 82357B.This is where I am stuck:Using Keysight connection expert, I am able to connect to the device but when I send "Id?" command, I just get a time-out error and I get a "103 Syntax" error on the meter.I tried sending "Reset; End" too as a first message but got the same result.Any tips on how to overcome this issue?

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2025, 06:46:39 am
content: that thing has civil rights it can refuse to show you ID

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2025, 07:18:46 am
content: Send the command "END ALWAYS" without the quotes as your first command to tell the instrument to send an EOI on every read so it behaves as expected for normal GPIB commands.It uses HPML (Hewlett Packard Multimeter Language), so it's alittle differentto a standard GPIB instrument...

author: AneeshKola
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2025, 07:24:09 am
content: Quote from: TERRA Operative on March 24, 2025, 07:18:46 amThanks for the response.As soon as I hit the send button on Keysight Interactive IO software, I got the ERR (103 Syntax) message on the meter.

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2025, 09:05:47 am
content: I'll try myself tonight and let you know what works exactly, as I use the Keysight IO software with my 3458A too.What firmware are you running in your 3458A? Maybe a good excuse to update to the latest?

author: AneeshKola
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2025, 09:20:11 am
content: Quote from: TERRA Operative on March 24, 2025, 09:05:47 amThanks for that.I just checked the revision from REV? command and it says 8.2.This meter was sent to Keysight in 2017 and I think they opened it up. It might be then when it got a firmware upgrade too.

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2025, 12:56:22 am
content: Using the 'Interactive IO' function of the Keysight Connection Expert 2024 with default install settings, if I send:Code:END ALWAYSfollowed byCode:ID?I get a response of 'HP3458A' with no errors. It doesn't seem to be case sensitive.

author: AneeshKola
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2025, 12:02:21 pm
content: Quote from: TERRA Operative on March 25, 2025, 12:56:22 amStill does not want to work for me. I have given up for now. Not sure if I am doing it wrong or something else.

author: Grandchuck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2025, 01:51:07 pm
content: There are some counterfeit Keysight 82357Bs out there.

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2025, 03:17:46 pm
content: Try performing a full reset on the 3458A before trying again by pressing the shift key then the reset button.Also, there's aslightpossibility that it has option 700 which adds CIIL language programming that might be confusing things?Can you describe exactly how you are sending the commands, step by step?Also, post a screenshot of the Keysight window like your first post, after you sent 'END ALWAYS' then 'ID?'.

author: faraday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2025, 06:45:56 pm
content: I had similar problem in my case it was bad GPIB adapter.

author: AneeshKola
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2025, 10:42:38 pm
content: Quote from: TERRA Operative on March 28, 2025, 03:17:46 pmPlease see the attached PDF. I have a feeling that it might be a counterfeit adapter. I might try using the adapter on a different device and see what happens.

author: AneeshKola
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2025, 10:43:35 pm
content: Quote from: faraday on March 28, 2025, 06:45:56 pmI see.. How did you fix it or which adapter did you end up using?

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2025, 12:28:48 am
content: It's strange that you see all the disconnected devices, unless you have connected that many devices in the past?Do you have any other visa versions installed (National Instruments, TekVisa, etc?) For best operation, you shouldn't have anything but the one software package installed, in this case the Keysight package.Can you rig up an Arduino into a GPIB adapter, or borrow another adapter to try?

author: AneeshKola
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2025, 09:48:39 am
content: Quote from: TERRA Operative on March 29, 2025, 12:28:48 amI was facing issues with that GPID adapter. Tried talking to Agilent 6632B as well with no luck. I am looking to get a new GPIB adapter. Any pointers on which one to buy?Cheers