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Identify TDS640A 'hackable' options via serial number?

 

Hi Teksperts,
Is it possible to identify which options are locked within a Tektronix TDS640A from the serial number?
I understand that many options are present but 'locked' from access on lower spec models and are unlockable with a hardware/software 'hack'? I am particularly interested in the FFT math function...
I am aware that there is often an extra 'sticker' on the rear of the instrument declaring enabled options like (1F floppy drive) etc but is there a database that explains what hidden options are available?
Secondly:-
Does anyone know if the VGA output displays in colour even if the oscilloscope is shipped with a monochrome screen (and if VGA colour), can the screen be substituted for a colour LCD like the "CRT and shutter" swap previously described in this forum?
Thanks
Dave
 

You might try asking in the Test Equipment section of the eevblog forums <>

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Dave B via groups.io
Sent: 11 March 2025 08:54
To: [email protected]
Subject: [TekScopes] Identify TDS640A 'hackable' options via serial number?

Hi Teksperts,
Is it possible to identify which options are locked within a Tektronix TDS640A from the serial number?
I understand that many options are present but 'locked' from access on lower spec models and are unlockable with a hardware/software 'hack'? I am particularly interested in the FFT math function...
I am aware that there is often an extra 'sticker' on the rear of the instrument declaring enabled options like (1F floppy drive) etc but is there a database that explains what hidden options are available?
Secondly:-
Does anyone know if the VGA output displays in colour even if the oscilloscope is shipped with a monochrome screen (and if VGA colour), can the screen be substituted for a colour LCD like the "CRT and shutter" swap previously described in this forum?
Thanks
Dave
 

Hi Dave,

You can unlock the options via GPIB. They are locked in EEPROM. See

for example. You need 2F option.

Regarding VGA,
Yes, somebody did it.

Regarding NuColor,
Is more simple, do it via VGA. NuColor uses a specific signals with
different frequencies.

Regards,
Peter

вт, 11 мар. 2025?г. в 11:54, Dave B via groups.io <davebullockmbe=
[email protected]>:

Hi Teksperts,
Is it possible to identify which options are locked within a Tektronix
TDS640A from the serial number?
I understand that many options are present but 'locked' from access on
lower spec models and are unlockable with a hardware/software 'hack'? I am
particularly interested in the FFT math function...
I am aware that there is often an extra 'sticker' on the rear of the
instrument declaring enabled options like (1F floppy drive) etc but is
there a database that explains what hidden options are available?
Secondly:-
Does anyone know if the VGA output displays in colour even if the
oscilloscope is shipped with a monochrome screen (and if VGA colour), can
the screen be substituted for a colour LCD like the "CRT and shutter" swap
previously described in this forum?
Thanks
Dave
 

HI,
Thanks for your swift reply.
So what you are saying is that :-
1). The FFT math function will already be installed and just needs 'unlocking' via one of the two methods you describe (2F Advanced DSP math)
so I don't need any additional hardware fitting? (like would be needed to increase recording capacity)

2). It's easiest to fit a new backlit LCD display and just drive it from the VGA output that is available on the rear panel?
I had seen the article on removing the degrading gel/'shutter' and CRT and this inspired me to wonder if a monochrome TDS640A could be modified to colour simply with a screen 'transplant'.

Looks very interesting.
Many thanks for the information, it is greatly appreciated.
Dave
 

Dave,

Yes, for 2F no any hw changes needed, only unlock by EEPROM modifying
(don't forget to unlock EEPROM when modifying EEPROM ;).

The color TDS with NuColor using non-VGA signals on the connector attached
to color CRT board. I have a TDS544 Proc board, but w/o color CRT & CRT
board, only monochrome from TDS540. I tried to convert the video signals to
connect the monochrome set, but it didn't work out. Then I connected VGA
pins. It works. As i remember, the problem in clock frequencies. But keep
in mind that with this connection, you will not be able to directly connect
both the internal LCD and the monitor. You will need some kind of VGA
splitter.

Peter

вт, 11 мар. 2025?г. в 16:16, Dave B via groups.io <davebullockmbe=
[email protected]>:

HI,
Thanks for your swift reply.
So what you are saying is that :-
1). The FFT math function will already be installed and just needs
'unlocking' via one of the two methods you describe (2F Advanced DSP
math)
so I don't need any additional hardware fitting? (like would be needed to
increase recording capacity)

2). It's easiest to fit a new backlit LCD display and just drive it from
the VGA output that is available on the rear panel?
I had seen the article on removing the degrading gel/'shutter' and CRT and
this inspired me to wonder if a monochrome TDS640A could be modified to
colour simply with a screen 'transplant'.

Looks very interesting.
Many thanks for the information, it is greatly appreciated.
Dave
 

I replaced the crt on my 640 w/ an LCD. I smiled for a brief second when
i saw colored text on boot, but it quickly turned back to monochrome within
a few seconds.
I'm guessing this is exactly what we're talking about, the
firmware/settings get bootloaded and it turns off functionalities.

thats all i can offer, but figured i'd mention

--Bill WW1H

On Tue, Mar 11, 2025 at 4:54?AM Dave B via groups.io <davebullockmbe=
[email protected]> wrote:

Hi Teksperts,
Is it possible to identify which options are locked within a Tektronix
TDS640A from the serial number?
I understand that many options are present but 'locked' from access on
lower spec models and are unlockable with a hardware/software 'hack'? I am
particularly interested in the FFT math function...
I am aware that there is often an extra 'sticker' on the rear of the
instrument declaring enabled options like (1F floppy drive) etc but is
there a database that explains what hidden options are available?
Secondly:-
Does anyone know if the VGA output displays in colour even if the
oscilloscope is shipped with a monochrome screen (and if VGA colour), can
the screen be substituted for a colour LCD like the "CRT and shutter" swap
previously described in this forum?
Thanks
Dave
 

As far as I know, the VGA output provides exactly the same image as on the CRT. So a monochrome scope will output a monochrome image via VGA.


As for enabling options, the link provided above by walkerru3 to the info I posted on eevblog forum is everything you need to know.
According to the user manual here (page A-1):

You have the following options available:
1F - Floppy Disk Drive (Requires the floppy drive to be installed)
13 - RS-232/Centronics Hardcopy Interface (Requires the serial interface to be installed)
05 - Video Trigger (Requires the Video Trigger board to be installed)
2F - Advanced DSP Math (No prerequisites, can be software enables with no additional parts)

You can also try enabling option 2M and see if it works. Just reboot the scope and see if it shows up on the boot splash screen. If not, then disable it and try 1M instead, rinse and repeat.


Jared.
 

Yes, color Proc boards are different from monochrome. Thay have additional
color video schematics.
Regarding 1M and 2M,
If we look inside the oscilloscope, we can see which type of memory is
being used: 64K or 1M (on the Acq. board)

Jared, and how i can disable 1F option? (All the 640 have a floppy. I don't
have a floppy and tried to disable it in EEPROM. But, no way: with both
possible values i have an error regarding 1F)

Peter

ср, 12 мар. 2025?г. в 01:48, Jared Cabot via groups.io <jaredcabot=
[email protected]>:

As far as I know, the VGA output provides exactly the same image as on the
CRT. So a monochrome scope will output a monochrome image via VGA.


As for enabling options, the link provided above by walkerru3 to the info
I posted on eevblog forum is everything you need to know.
According to the user manual here (page A-1):


You have the following options available:
1F - Floppy Disk Drive (Requires the floppy drive to be installed)
13 - RS-232/Centronics Hardcopy Interface (Requires the serial interface
to be installed)
05 - Video Trigger (Requires the Video Trigger board to be installed)
2F - Advanced DSP Math (No prerequisites, can be software enables with no
additional parts)

You can also try enabling option 2M and see if it works. Just reboot the
scope and see if it shows up on the boot splash screen. If not, then
disable it and try 1M instead, rinse and repeat.


Jared.
 

The possible options are only the ones which are listed in the datasheet! For example the number of sampling points can not be increased in a TDS6xx because of the other sampling technology of the whole family.
 

HI Bill,
You said " but it quickly turned back to monochrome within a few seconds."
Was that with the LCD screen fed from the VGA signals from the rear panel as I assumed (foolishly) that an external VGA monitor would be in colour ?
Glancing over the 'user' configurable 'hacks' I don't see one to enable colour on the display?
Dave
 

In the aforementioned link to enable options, follow the process as usual, but instead of sending the command 'WORDCONSTANT:ATPUT 327690, 1'. send 'WORDCONSTANT:ATPUT 327690, 0' (without quotation marks) instead.

That should turn the floppy drive option off.


Or you could install a floppy, or even a Gotek Slim Floppy Emulator to provide USB for convenient screenshot transfers etc. :)
(I used this exact one and they work perfectly).



Jared

On Wed, Mar 12, 2025 at 07:16 PM, walkerru3 wrote:


Jared, and how i can disable 1F option? (All the 640 have a floppy. I don't
have a floppy and tried to disable it in EEPROM. But, no way: with both
possible values i have an error regarding 1F)

Peter

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