Rigol DS1102 Black screen Problem - Fails to boot - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: BobbyK
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 10:46:11 am
content: Hi everyone,I bought a Rigol DS1102 a few months ago. It has been used very lightly and worked perfectly - until yesterday.When I turned it on, all button lights came on and stayed on. Additionally, the boot screen flashed in weakly for half a second. Then the screen went black and stayed black. The fan works fine, and after a few minutes of staying in this faulty condition, even revs up - so it seems quiet a few things are working in there - but the screen just won't show anything except the deepest black!Leaving it on for a few minutes won't help. Neither does power cycling help. I am out of ideas!Has anyone had any similar experience? Is this a known problem (with hopefully a known solution short of sending it somewhere for repair?)Any help is appreciated.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 11:18:00 am
content: If you have warranty then return it as this does't seem to be an easy repair (if possible at all). Maybe firmware broken or faulty mainboard.

author: BobbyK
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 11:28:11 am
content: It does have a warranty - got it from TEquipment.net, but I was wondering if it's a known issue. Turning it off an on a few more times lead to completely random results. It even came on once and booted up, but the LCD was really weak and I could barely see the waveform. The next time around only some of the button lights came on and it locked up - it all looks like a supply issue to me - but I'd like to know from people who have had similar problems before opening her up, or sending her in for repair/replacement/etc.BTW. does anyone know if TEquipment repairs or replaces items under warranty?

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 11:42:03 am
content: TEquipment seems to be a very responsible company from my experience and from what I've seen. I would try to contact them first before contacting Rigol, who are more or less the oposite.Good luck.-Ivan

author: BobbyK
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 02:29:39 pm
content: They Told me to send it in for repair. Couldn't wait though, so I went ahead and opened her up. Checked regulators and solder joint as far as I could. No problems there. But then, pushing down on the FPGA and starting the scope, I noticed it comes on and acts normally. The same seemed to have happened earlier under thermal stress (leaving it on for a long time). So... there is a good chance the FPGA needs to be resoldered (I don't have a reflow station or heatgun). Has anyone tried this before - is there a good chance I will break the thing? and what's the best way to go about it?

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 03:58:33 pm
content: Quote from: BobbyK on November 05, 2013, 02:29:39 pmBest way was to send it back. Soldering BGA without expierience = 90% dead board. You cant just heat it, need to take it off and reball. And you need right equipment for it, preferably not crappy hot air.

author: BobbyK
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2015, 01:10:09 am
content: OK, quick update:Last time the Rigol 1102 failed, I sent it back for repair. They swapped out boards, and sent it back to me and it worked, for another three or four days. I put it aside, as I was busy with my software work, and multiple international moves. Eventually I got it out last week, used it for a few hours, and again today, when I turned it on, I got the same issue: black screen, lit buttons, and no response! I am starting to seriously doubt Rigol's quality!! I have used the scope for a total of 100 hours and already it has failed twice! I ordered the TOP247 (that's the integrated switcher chip in my power supply) and will attempt a repair. I checked the voltages on the power board, and they are all over the place - none seem to be correct, and none (except the 50Hz AC) match the voltages people here have extracted - many of the DC voltages are carrying AC rather than DC! I will let you know if the repair goes well. Note to myself - in the future, be less of a cheap-ass, and buy proper test equipment, rather than Rigol cheapies!!!