Upgraded/jailbreaked(?) Rigol scope - updating software/firmware safe?... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Rax
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2023, 03:36:47 pm
content: I've just been handed an upgraded Rigol 1052E which effectively became a 1102E. There's tons of posts and videos on this, including one from Dave.I'm positive this has been discussed at length, but what's the situation with the scope at this point? Can I use the Rigol software freely (I'm apprehensive about some sort of reports back to Rigol this was hacked), can I mess with the firmware (such as upgrading it), can I take this online and hook up my computer to it and all that good stuff? Will I get in any trouble, and secondly, will anything get disabled on the scope?Thank you very much for your input.

author: wasedadoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2023, 04:56:19 pm
content: Stop being paranoid.

author: Rax
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2023, 05:25:17 pm
content: Quote from: wasedadoc on May 14, 2023, 04:56:19 pmIf it'd only be so easy...But seriously, I am concerned about hooking up the scope to their software to maybe find it disables something, or won't communicate or whatnot. Probably still paranoid to ask these questions, but I guess my overall question is if there's any limitations at all with running an "upgraded" scope with all available software and also online.Can I freely upgrade the firmware?Can I run selfcalibration with not concern it bricks or whatever?Etc.

author: tv84
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2023, 05:44:17 pm
content: 1. Take it to Cheyenne Mountain together with an UPS and turn it on only at night. Don't say nothing to anybody!2. Use it galore.Your choice.

author: Rax
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2023, 06:12:53 pm
content: Quote from: tv84 on May 14, 2023, 05:44:17 pmHumbly, I don't think you understand how different the countries we live in (you and I) truly are.Regardless, my question is of a more practical nature than that.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2023, 07:11:39 pm
content: You claim to have read "tons of posts and videos" on the subject.Did you find a single one where the Rigol police knocked on somebody's door at 4am? (or whatever)Quote from: Rax on May 14, 2023, 03:36:47 pmDid Dave mention any problems?

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2023, 07:23:28 pm
content: I have been using my upgraded Rigol DS1054 for about 7 years. No problem. In fact, as I recall, Rigol seemingly but not officially approved the upgrade as a great marketing tool. I love it when a company's bosses can actually think. Later they offered the fully upgraded scope at about the same price. I suspect the same philosophy will apply in your case.Of course, absence of reports of Rigol being malicious to upgraders is not proof it it isn't or won't be. I think it is pretty unlikely, though.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2023, 07:32:06 pm
content: Quote from: jpanhalt on May 14, 2023, 07:23:28 pmespecially for such an old scope model as the 1052E ...

author: tv84
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2023, 07:36:42 pm
content: Quote from: Rax on May 14, 2023, 05:25:17 pmQuote from: Rax on May 14, 2023, 06:12:53 pmI think the major differences in using that device, in both our countries, are: 110V/60Hz and 230V/50Hz.

author: Rax
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2023, 10:51:59 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on May 14, 2023, 07:11:39 pmNot at all.

author: Rax
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2023, 10:53:09 pm
content: Quote from: jpanhalt on May 14, 2023, 07:23:28 pmExcellent, thank you. Very helpful input and what I was hoping my OP would harvest.

author: Rax
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2023, 11:00:48 pm
content: Quote from: tv84 on May 14, 2023, 07:36:42 pmWell, I'll take your input as hopeful, though with a whiff of spicy humor... (which I appreciate). Thank you.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2023, 03:15:48 am
content: Quote from: Rax on May 14, 2023, 10:53:09 pmThe clue was in the fact the the entire world does it...

author: Rax
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2023, 03:19:20 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on May 15, 2023, 03:15:48 amThat's never stopped me from taking a closer look and doing my due diligence. YMMV.

author: Rax
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2023, 03:29:12 am
content: ....interestingly, installing the driver and other software components for the scope seems to rely on some "compliance package" from NI. Is there some known affiliation between Rigol and National Instruments? I wasn't aware this is the case. Does sound potentially quite a bit more... enforcey. At least in the US.

author: .RC.
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2023, 04:20:03 am
content: If a manufacturer sells a product whereby the end user can click a setting with the already installed software that enables something that the product already has installed would be nothing wrong with that. They cannot come around with the SWAT team bash the door down screaming software infringement as you did not install anything like pirated software on the device. All you did was essentially change a setting in the software. You were doodling around and tapped a random string of charactors you thought up into the device and it seemed to do something.Now if the change required new software to be installed that had to be bought from the supplier and you did not buy it but rather "found" a copy. Then that is copyright infringement.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2023, 04:59:28 am
content: Quote from: Rax on May 15, 2023, 03:29:12 amOh, no... you didn't install that NI junk did you? It's absolutely not needed.

author: Rax
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2023, 05:01:09 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on May 15, 2023, 04:59:28 amThe scope driver, at least in its current iteration, would refuse to install without the NI components.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2023, 05:03:29 am
content: Quote from: Rax on May 15, 2023, 05:01:09 amWhy exactly do you need a "driver"?

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2023, 06:39:42 am
content: I think you should have stayed in the already made threads about rigols models hacks,Your OP harvest thingI still dont know where you're going to ?? Useless post ...I have some Rigols at my job, Rigols do have some softwares .. And they mostly work without adding the NI stuff since they have some in themthey are Hacked / Upgraded and they still work with Rigol softwares, absolutely no problems.You should do some reading about your driver thingFrom NI:NI-VISA provides support for customers using Ethernet, GPIB, serial, USB, and other types of instruments.NI-VISA is an NI instrument driver that is an implementation of the Virtual Instrument Software Architecture (VISA) I/O standard. VISA is a standard for configuring, programming, and troubleshooting instrumentation systems comprising GPIB, VXI, PXI, serial (RS232/RS485), Ethernet/LXI, and/or USB interfaces. NI-VISA includes utilities, low-level control features, and examples to help you create your application.VISA allows for the development of programs to be bus independent ....

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2023, 07:46:13 am
content: Quote from: coromonadalix on May 15, 2023, 06:39:42 amYeah, but only horrible industrial software tries to use VISA.Everybody else uses SCPI which doesn't need any drivers - it's just an IP connection.https://www.batronix.com/pdf/Rigol/ProgrammingGuide/DS1000DE_ProgrammingGuide_EN.pdf

author: Miti
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2023, 08:28:34 am
content: Quote from: Rax on May 15, 2023, 03:19:20 amYou may need a patent lawyer …The land of the free!

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2023, 10:37:04 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on May 15, 2023, 07:46:13 amBut sadly some brand are poorly documented ... trials and errors .... i would prefer SCPI tooGetting rid of NI visa stuff, bad compatibility etc ... had problems with Keysight ones, ended up using R&S packages and worked better with a smaller footprintAnd yes using Labview to create a front end for an Siglent generator was a nightmare, way outdated help or examples on the web, i created an labview executable, need basic Labview packages to run itBut i need it to save tons of manipulations on the generator itself, i have an TTI generator showing wear and tear on the encoder wheel ... have to generate tons of different frequencies and levels to test very specific boardsTo have an fully independant executable outside Labview cost $$$