Software for the TDS500-600-700 series scopes - Here it is!!! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2024, 03:11:01 pm
content: Hi all,I've just finished collating and testing a bunch of software applications for the TDS500/600/700 series scopes.Some of this (that which isn't technologically obsolete anyway) seems to be rather sought after, so here it is. I bought a CD from a seller on ebay to add to the few apps I already had, so I'll release it for free to give back to the community.I have installed and tested it all on my TDS784D and TDS794D, but check the included readme files for specific compatibility with your scope. You will also need the 'HD' HDD option to install these.Installation is simply a matter of copying the file structure in the zipped file directly to your scope's HDD. Check that readme for details.There are two uploads to grab. I split it due to forum limitations. The first is all the good stuff, the actual apps and readme's and stuff.The second in the following post is all the pdf user manuals.If anyone finds any missing softwares, documentation, different versions, or anything else at all, please do upload it to the linked folder or add it as an attachment to a post here and let me know so I can check it, update the archive and make it available for easy use by anyone.I'm particularly interested in a non-Demo version of the Power Analysis software (TDSPWR1) and the Communications Pulse Measurements software (TDSCPM1), also any documentation on the Optical Eye Pattern Measurements software (TDSEYE1)Enjoy!

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2024, 03:13:38 pm
content: And the user manuals are here.

author: 44kgk1lkf6u
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2024, 12:50:10 pm
content: Here is the script I used to copy the files via GPIB in case anyone else does not want to take out the hard drive or insert a floppy disk and press buttons lots of times. It copies all files in the computer's current working directory to the oscilloscope's hard drive root. The speed is about 3.15 KB/s using a Xyphro GPIB adapter.Code:#!/usr/bin/python3import pathlibimport reimport sysimport pyvisamatch_filename_byte = "[-0-9A-Z !#$%&'()@^_`{}~]"match_filename_basename = (match_filename_byte + r"{1,8}(?:\." + match_filename_byte + "{,3})?")match_filename = re.compile(match_filename_basename + "(?:/" + match_filename_basename + ")*")def query_id(log=False):idn = handle.query("*IDN?").rstrip()if log:print("idn", idn, file=sys.stderr)assert re.match(r"\Atektronix,\s*tds [5-7][0-9]{2}d,", idn, re.I)resources = pyvisa.ResourceManager()devices = resources.list_resources()print("available", devices, file=sys.stderr)devices = [name for name in devices if name.find("::TEKTRONIX_TDS_") >= 0]assert len(devices) == 1handle = resources.open_resource(devices)query_id(True)handle.write("FILESYSTEM:OVERWRITE OFF")query_id()for root, dirs, files in pathlib.Path(".").walk():for basename in dirs:name = str(root / basename)print("dir", name, file=sys.stderr)assert match_filename.fullmatch(name,)handle.write(f'FILESYSTEM:MKDIR "hd0:/{name}"')query_id()for basename in files:path = root / basenamename = str(path)print("write", name, file=sys.stderr)assert match_filename.fullmatch(name)with path.open("rb") as fh:content = fh.read()size = str(len(content))handle.write_raw(f'FILESYSTEM:WRITEFILE "hd0:/{name}", #{len(size)}{size}'.encode("us-ascii")+ content)query_id()

author: 44kgk1lkf6u
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2024, 02:44:14 pm
content: In the demo power measurement software, the start button does not seem to do anything. Does demo mean that it only shows what the menus are like?

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2024, 03:42:59 pm
content: I'm not sure, I still have to hook it up to something to test.So far I have only verified that the software loads and the menus respond. I haven't done any actual operational checks yet.

author: 44kgk1lkf6u
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 03:03:43 pm
content: Actually the demo power measurement application does work. One just has to make sure that the DPO mode is turned off before pressing start.

author: max-bit
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2025, 08:40:47 am
content: I have a question, how to upload these files to the oscilloscope disk from Windows(10)?I would need advice on what and how to use (software)Unfortunately, I have no idea how to do it.I have a GPIB interface (Ni)

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2025, 08:53:05 am
content: I have always just pulled the HDD from my scopes (in my case I used a CF card adapter and a 2Gb CF Card in my scopes) and simply plug them into my PC, drag and drop the files across respecting the file structure in the zip file, then plug it back into the scope. It 'just works' if all done properly. You can tell if it worked in you get the Java splash screen on boot.Then just try loading up the apps and see if they work.Windows does like to add it's own hidden 'system volume information' folder on removable media that the scope can see but won't touch (You can't delete it in the scope even), but a quick google will show how to stop windows doing that.Or just copy the files using Linux to avoid it.

author: max-bit
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2025, 09:05:00 am
content: Well, I don't want to dismantle it (I don't have any CF cards and probably an old disk with a 44-pin connector and I don't have an adapter either)Okay, and under Linux (e.g. Ubuntu) how do I do it step by step (plus what soft install ?)If you could write a (full) manual, it would probably be useful to othersThanks

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2025, 03:19:49 pm
content: Literally just copy the files like you would to a USB stick or memory card or USB HDD.4x T-20 screws to remove the rear plastic panel, then 2x T-15 screws to remove the Centronics/RS-232 board and you can pull out the HDD to then plug into your PC with an adapter from ebay or aliexpress.If that's too hard, then I can't help you.

author: 44kgk1lkf6u
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2025, 02:35:29 am
content: Since you said that you only have a GPIB adapter but not a computer with an IDE interface, did you try the script I posted above?You can also copy just a single app using a floppy disk and the builtin file manager.

author: max-bit
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2025, 05:00:15 am
content: I disassembled it and uploaded the files to a flashdrivepictures bellow.But that's not what I wanted to do, I wanted to work through the GPIB mode.OK, the script is there but honestly, I don't know where and how to run it.If you could provide a full manual for using the script, it would be useful for "posteriors"Overall, the apps are OK and work.It would be great if we could still hunt down newer versions.

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2025, 06:50:25 am
content: I'm not sure about the script, but I can take a look 'sometime'. No promises when as I have lots of other projects to do too.Good to hear the apps work! At least you only need to pull the HDD out once, unless you decide to do a PCMCIA - CD Card adapter swap to remove the possibility of an old HDD failing.Just be sure to use a FAT formatted 2Gb CF Card, preferably an 'industrial' rated one that can work in IDE mode. I use Transcend TS2GCF133 cards and they work perfectly, both using PCMCIA and 2.5" IDE HDD adapters, depending on your HDD option type.I am still keeping an eye out for other app versions and missing apps. If any are found let me know and I'll add them to the bundle.

author: max-bit
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2025, 11:01:48 am
content: As you can see I use a disk like thisThis was the original "monster" from 1995