If the Agilent fault is only repeatable when turned off and on again quickly, I would (software hat on) expect it to be a power issue with the micro-controller not being properly reset - clearly a hardware issue.
Neil
I had never played with range switch of my Fluke 28II or 87V , so to see if it has issues, after repeatable reboots.
When working on the field , you just turn on the meter normally and you just work with it.
If the meter goes crazy , when it boots it's and every time , it is damaged.
If this happens ones every 100 boot up , it's a small issue .
Most people had said so far, that when or if, it happens , an simple power off , restores it for operation.
The most unacceptable would be to act crazy , when it boots normally and after.
One of my own personal tests , would be to test both ( Fluke 28II and the U1272A ) by having them connected to mains for four complete days.
That's an true electrical test .
In my eyes even the Fluke 28II is untested by me, about electrical robustness,
and so at my own score board,
the game Fluke VS Agilent is 0-0 .
I am not specialist about the software,
all that I can tell about that, is that I have do five firmware updates, in my mobile phone,
and some times , it does collapses too.
And it was had 400$ retail price.