Rigol MSO4000 and DS4000. Tests, bugs, firmware, questions, etc...

[nbritton]

I got curious so I tried all the codes for the second position (Rx39), below are the results. Also noticed in the key entry options setup page that the 0, 1, I, and O keys are missing, so I wasn't able to test those combinations. Another interesting thing I found was that after I entered in 32 keys the system wouldn't let me enter in anymore, when I pressed the apply button noting happened. I tried uninstalling the keys but that still wouldn't let me enter more keys, I ended up having to do a factory reset before it would start accepting more keys. I didn't notice anything special after trying all these keys. I did retry RA39 after the factory reset and that option code did install everything just like RS39 did. I reset the device again and used code RZ99 and that code also gave me every option, RZ99 has a bit pattern of 01111-10111-11111-11111.

Code: [Select]

Code: Bits: Action:
RA39 00000 Option Installed!
RB39 00001 The option has been installed!
RC39 00010 Option Installed!
RD39 00011 The option has been installed!
RE39 00100 The option has been installed!
RF39 00101 The option has been installed!
RG39 00110 The option has been installed!
RH39 00111 Option Installed!
RJ39 01000 License is unavailable!
RK39 01001 License is unavailable!
RL39 01010 License is unavailable!
RM39 01011 License is unavailable!
RN39 01100 License is unavailable!
RP39 01101 License is unavailable!
RQ39 01110 License is unavailable!
RR39 01111 License is unavailable!
RS39 10000 Option Installed!
RT39 10001 Option Installed!
RU39 10010 The option has been installed!
RV39 10011 The option has been installed!
RW39 10100 The option has been installed!
RX39 10101 The option has been installed!
RY39 10110 The option has been installed!
RZ39 10111 Option Installed!
R239 11000 License is unavailable!
R339 11001 License is unavailable!
R439 11010 License is unavailable!
R539 11011 License is unavailable!
R639 11100 License is unavailable!
R739 11101 License is unavailable!
R839 11110 License is unavailable!
R939 11111 License is unavailable!

[mrpackethead]

Kind of congincing me to buy the 4 channel and be done with it.

[alank2]

The best feature about the DS4000 series is the 4 channels!

[dr.diesel]

New firmware just posted:

[alank2]

It has a bug - you can't save and then load setups.  It gives a version error.  Even if you delete it, save a new one, it won't load it.   

Also, their font size increase for measurements runs into the waveform area.

Also, also, the counter is still freaking huge...

[dr.diesel]

Yeah, this is a total fail.

I can't get my measurements size to even change, my counter is huge as well.

 

[alank2]

I can't get my measurements size to even change, my counter is huge as well.

It is for the measurements at the BOTTOM selected from the left menu.  Change the size with them present and you'll see it change.

[dr.diesel]

Ha, the one I don't even use.  Have you reported the save/load bug?

Thanks Alan.

[alank2]

Yep, and I complained about the insane counter size again as well.

[Hydrawerk]

And this is an expensive scope, not for hobbyists. 

[rsjsouza]

It has a bug - you can't save and then load setups.  It gives a version error.  Even if you delete it, save a new one, it won't load it.   

Yes, I can confirm that...
 

Also, their font size increase for measurements runs into the waveform area.

This happens only on the Ultra large setting, and it mostly covers the grid delimiter... I personally don't care and would be much more annoyed if either the grid area or the channel voltage settings were reduced in size to accommodate that.

Also, also, the counter is still freaking huge...

Yes, that is very strange.

[gigasampler]

I've just become a proud owner of a used DS4014 and have been busy testing the scope which seems to work well.

While doing that, I have encountered some problems with RS232 protocol decoding and on one occasion a specific key sequence caused the instrument to freeze and I had to powercycle.

My Firmware is Version "00.02.00" and my Hardware is Version "1.2" as seen when pressing Utility > System > System Info

I'm wondering if it is wise to upgrade to a later/latest firmware, but I don't know if my hardware version is compatible with the latest firmware.

I don't want to brick the scope as I have to use it for project, but it would be nice to upgrade and get rid of the accumulated bugs.

Has anyone got the latest firmware running on a DS4014 with hardware version1.2 ?
Is it required to upgrade in steps or straight to the latest version?
Has anyone bricked a DS4014 or similar by performing a firmware upgrade?

Any infos would be much appreciated. Many thanks!

[hendorog]

I've just become a proud owner of a used DS4014 and have been busy testing the scope which seems to work well.

While doing that, I have encountered some problems with RS232 protocol decoding and on one occasion a specific key sequence caused the instrument to freeze and I had to powercycle.

My Firmware is Version "00.02.00" and my Hardware is Version "1.2" as seen when pressing Utility > System > System Info

I'm wondering if it is wise to upgrade to a later/latest firmware, but I don't know if my hardware version is compatible with the latest firmware.

I don't want to brick the scope as I have to use it for project, but it would be nice to upgrade and get rid of the accumulated bugs.

Has anyone got the latest firmware running on a DS4014 with hardware version1.2 ?
Is it required to upgrade in steps or straight to the latest version?
Has anyone bricked a DS4014 or similar by performing a firmware upgrade?

Any infos would be much appreciated. Many thanks!

I haven't heard of any DS4k scopes being bricked by an upgrade, and I've done a few with no problems. However my scope is version 1.3 FWIW.

When you request the firmware on the rigolna www site they ask for the firmware information.
http://beyondmeasure.rigoltech.com/acton/form/1579/001e:d-0001/0/-/-/-/-/index.htm
If you have any doubts just reply to the email linking to the firmware. I have always had quick responses from them.


For reference, there is a more detailed Sys Info page available as well, the following process should get you there:
Press Trigger Menu and set edge trigger (then leave the menu open)
Press the following buttons quickly: F7 F6 F7 Utility

Then go into the System Info menu again and you should see more details.
In that menu my scope shows this when the extra detail is enabled:

Software version: 00.02.02.04.03
Hardware version: 0.1.3.1
{etc}

And this when it is disabled:

Software version: 00.02.02.SP4
Hardware version: 1.3

Note:- I haven't installed the very latest firmware which is mentioned in this thread due to the comments about it having a bug.

Hope that helps, enjoy the scope

[gigasampler]

Hi Hendorog,

That sounds promising, many thanks for your infos.

I have contacted Rigol as well and they have been quick to reply and were very helpful.
Apparently all DS4 hardware is compatible with the latest revisions of the firmware.

I will attempt to upgrade to 00.02.02.04.03 shortly, fingers crossed. 

[gigasampler]

All good, firmware updated easily on HW version 0.1.2.3 (detailed system info).

Thanks again!

[Gunb]

Hi there!

Anybody around who can attach the latest firmware?


Rgds
Gunb

[gigasampler]

See  Reply #328, there's a link...

[Gunb]

See  Reply #328, there's a link...

The link links to the firmware release notes, not the firmware itself. Would like to get the firmware update file attached.

[alank2]

Don't update to the 00.02.02.05.02 version, there is a bug that doesn't allow you to load/save a setup.  Waiting for a new version to fix this.

[gigasampler]

Sorry Gunb, maximum attachment size is 1MB, not enough for firmware file.
Contact Rigol and request it here:
http://beyondmeasure.rigoltech.com/acton/form/1579/001e:d-0001/0/-/-/-/-/index.htm

[Gunb]

Don't update to the 00.02.02.05.02 version, there is a bug that doesn't allow you to load/save a setup.  Waiting for a new version to fix this.

OK, good to know, thx.

Sorry Gunb, maximum attachment size is 1MB, not enough for firmware file.
Contact Rigol and request it here:
http://beyondmeasure.rigoltech.com/acton/form/1579/001e:d-0001/0/-/-/-/-/index.htm

Yes, I know. I wanted to get it earlier. Don't like the RIGOL way of asking for firmware always. But as long as the latest release is buggy I'm won't update.
Thank so far, too.


Rgds
Gunb

[H.O]

In my experience you no longer have to ask for it always.
After a certain point in time it seems like they set up a mailing list / subscription thing. From time to time I get emails from them with links to the latest firmware for the instruments I've previously requested the firmware for. I don't even have to go looking for it, when there's a new version they tell me about it. Of course, if you're using disposable email adresses and that kind of stuff it won't work.

If you're not going to update untill the firmware is free of bugs you're not ever going to update. I haven't updated to the latest because I haven't had any issues with what I have and I never save/load setups so that particular bug wouldn't bother me much. YMMV of course.

[Gunb]

In my experience you no longer have to ask for it always.
After a certain point in time it seems like they set up a mailing list / subscription thing. From time to time I get emails from them with links to the latest firmware for the instruments I've previously requested the firmware for. I don't even have to go looking for it, when there's a new version they tell me about it. Of course, if you're using disposable email adresses and that kind of stuff it won't work.

If you're not going to update untill the firmware is free of bugs you're not ever going to update. I haven't updated to the latest because I haven't had any issues with what I have and I never save/load setups so that particular bug wouldn't bother me much. YMMV of course.

Who said I'd never have updated the scope? I'm one of the first owners of the DS4000. And I fixed a few bugs in the ealier releases by reporting bugs to the German Rigol support in the past. The point is that it would be easier to offer free download as Hameg is doing instead of cumbersome registration. In the past my contact at Rigol sent it to me directly. But of course you're right, it's not a big deal to registrate.

The 2nd point is that me current version is 02.02.SP3 and 3 HMOs are also in my office which are used more often. A few users above reported that the firmware seems to be a step back instead of providing real improvements. That's the reason why I thought about waiting for a better release. So, the question is what are the pros and cons to update or not?

[H.O]

Who said I'd never have updated the scope?

No one said that. All I'm saying is that if you're waiting for a bug free version before updating you're going to be stuck where you are because every version will be "buggy". If the bugs in that particular version hurts you or not is of course up to each and every one to decide. The revision history included in the firmware download isn't all that great (but better than nothing) and does of course not include any newly introduced bugs...

BTW, I looked at the release notes for the HMO3000, IMHO it's not much better (ie more detailed) than for the DS4k except for the fact that it includes a "section" with known issues.

I agree that a simple download might be "easier" but then I'd have to go check regularily. Now I just get an email when there is a new version - with a link to download it. I can certainly live with that - if they don't break it of course....

So, the question is what are the pros and cons to update or not?

Well, the pros are listed in the release notes. The cons, apparently, is that save/load setups are broken. I don't know of anything else but I'm sure there is.

I'm one of the first owners of the DS4000. And I fixed a few bugs in the ealier releases by reporting bugs to the German Rigol support in the past.

I've had my DS4k for a while too, May 2012 to be precise, so I've gone thru a couple of versions and reported some bugs as well. I won't take credit for actually fixing them though.

At one point (when they went to fixing the decoding issues on the lesser DS2k and left the DS4k hanging) I had the feeling they'd dropped the DS4k all together but was assured that wasn't the case. I now feel they are making progress with a couple (3) updates this year.

[jboard146]

I did the 00.02.02.05.02 yesterday.
I previously had one of the hacked firmware images that made it a 500Mhz scope.

I successfully upgraded the firmware. Then of course my scope reverted back to the DS4014 model.

I then did a key generation at http://www.gotroot.ca/rigol/riglol-103d/
using the RS39 Option code which is the "everything" code.

I didn't have a chance to see if they fixed the decoding or is that still broken and basically useless.