Anritsu MT8801A/B/C & MT8802A

[Howardlong]

Folks

I believe that there is a lot of similarity between these test sets, I have had an MT8802A for about four years now with the spectrum analyser (option 07).

Over the past three years, although the analogue receiver tester has been working perfectly, the analogue transmitter tester and spectrum analyser have been misbehaving intermittently to the extent where I'd stopped using them. Most notably the tx tester worked increasingly intermittently or was terribly deaf, and the spectrum analyser was unstable or otherwise significantly off frequency, and it did not measure levels accurately.

Although the symptoms weren't specifically mentioned here http://www.kolumbus.fi/oh5iy/HW/MT8802A.html I decided to bite the bullet and do an electrolytic transplant over the past day and a half.



The results have been superb, all of those intermittent problems appear to have gone.

I wouldn't recommend doing it unless you have a lot of patience and you can accept having the unit out of action for a couple of days. There are tons of screws to keep track of, and about twenty boards to get through. The power supply and A10 converter seemed to fix most of my problems, and I did those first anyway, but I thought as I'd already started I might as well do the lot.

Removing some of the caps wasn't always easy. I used a Weller DSX80 on a WMD-3: they've been in a box for about four or five years as I only really do SMD on boards these days for projects, it's very rare that I need a through hole on a board. While it worked, much of the time I found that touching up the exposed cap pin stubs on the underside of the board with a bit of full fat solder helped with the heat transfer and suction on the (mostly) multilayer boards.

If you have one of these test sets and are experiencing odd problems, I can recommend the cap replacement procedure, but unfortunately there aren't many short cuts to replacing electrolytic caps.

[G0HZU]

ough the symptoms weren't specifically mentioned here http://www.kolumbus.fi/oh5iy/HW/MT8802A.html, I decided to bite the bullet and do an electrolytic transplant over the past day and a half.

Hi Howard
Your link doesn't work because there is a comma at the end

Hope the one below works OK ...

http://www.kolumbus.fi/oh5iy/HW/MT8802A.html

[nctnico]

Intermittant problems are often poor contacts. Taking everything apart probably solved the problem.

[G0HZU]

Maybe... but the insides of something like this can run quite hot and this can shorten the capacitor life and cause multiple failures after many years' service.

I've had to replace a few dead caps in my old HP8566B analyser and they caused similar symptoms. In my case I used a simple homemade in circuit ESR tester (function gen + sense resistor + 100kHz receiver) and tested all the caps in the suspect areas.

I found several dead caps that had gone high ESR.

I'm not a fan of blindly recapping complete units mainly because of the time and cost and also the risk of causing damage or fitting inferior performing parts. To replace that many caps that is shown by Howard (with new high grade ones) would have cost me more than I paid for my complete HP8568B analyser about 7-10 years ago (£125). I tend to wait for an obvious failure or issue and then try and find the cause. I'm too much of a tightwad I guess

[Howardlong]

I did also clean up a couple of dozen trimmer pots which could also have had an effect.

Some of those caps had ESRs in excess of 20 ohms, most were between 7 and 10 ohms. They were all past their prime that's for sure.

Had I had a service manual for it, I would have done a rather more analytic approach, but I've been unable to locate one.

In fact, documentation for the analogue rx/tx and spectrum analyser parts online seems lacking. There is documentation available for the GSM/CDMA etc functions for what that is worth. The UI isn't the best I've had the pleasure of using, but I've used worse.

The MT8802A is pretty useful, as as well as a 3GHz spectrum analyser, it has a 3GHz RF signal generator and power and modulation measurement, again to 3GHz, although the modulation capablities are limited to FM, and there is no tracking generator. But light it ain't.

[KJDS]

I keep an MT8801B on my bench as a general purpose tool. Lovely bit of kit though the display is a week design and it's useful to know that they suffer from poor caps.

[Howardlong]

I keep an MT8801B on my bench as a general purpose tool. Lovely bit of kit though the display is a week design and it's useful to know that they suffer from poor caps.

Do you by any chance know what the differences are between the '01A/B/C and '02A?

[retiredcaps]

Some of those caps had ESRs in excess of 20 ohms, most were between 7 and 10 ohms. They were all past their prime that's for sure.

From your photo, I can't tell the date code on any of the capacitors?  Can you tell us what age they are?

[Howardlong]

Not sure about cap date codes, but the latest chip code I've found on one of the documentation photos I took was 9937.

[Howardlong]

I keep an MT8801B on my bench as a general purpose tool. Lovely bit of kit though the display is a week design and it's useful to know that they suffer from poor caps.

I've been using it with some venom this morning for the first time since doing a cap repalcement. i wasn't sure when I was doing the cap replacement, but I felt that the display was markedly clearer, right after the cap replacement on the main PSU, which happened to be the first board I did.

Note: Good bit of advice, test the unit after each board's been recapped, or else it could end in tears: the last boards I did were the two SG boards, and I'd forgotten to re-solder the dozen or so feed-throughs underneath a screening plate. Had I just recapped all twenty or so boards and switched it on, I could have had a fun time tracking that down. I recommend doing both an analogue RX and TX test plus a spectrum analyser test after each board if that option's installed for a minimally comprehensive test.

Now I've used it for a few hours, I am absolutely certain that the screen is significantly clearer. Note that I didn't recap anything on the screen itself, or its backlight inverter. Originally the screen seemed a bit washed out without much contrast, now it seems pretty reasonable.

[KJDS]

I keep an MT8801B on my bench as a general purpose tool. Lovely bit of kit though the display is a week design and it's useful to know that they suffer from poor caps.

Do you by any chance know what the differences are between the '01A/B/C and '02A?

I've not noted any significant differences, however I've not played much with the 02A or the 01A

[Howardlong]

I guess what I'm alluding to is do they have the following functionality...

A) Analogue receiver tester, to 3GHz

B) Analogue transmitter tester, to 3GHz

C) Full span spectrum analyser, to 3GHz

The cellular stuff for me is just an irritation to bypass when you first switch on, or is there a way to go straight to, say, the analogue receiver tester? I'm not really interested in a floppy-based setup solution, by the time you've done that you could have already manually pushed the buttons yourself! The settings themselves for the spec an and analogue tests are maintained through power down.

The other irritation is the boot time, about five minutes or so. When I first switched on my MT8802A, I thought it had crashed, as much of the boot time is with a blank screen after the first CPU and memory self tests.

But it is a good all round unit. If I could find some documentation for the analogue and spectrum analyser sections that would be a bonus.

By the way, after re-capping the CPU board I had to do a full reset by holding the Preset button while turning it on, a bit frustrating as I had to spend a while trying to remember how I'd configured the rx tester SINAD settings correctly.

[KJDS]

I guess what I'm alluding to is do they have the following functionality...

A) Analogue receiver tester, to 3GHz

B) Analogue transmitter tester, to 3GHz

C) Full span spectrum analyser, to 3GHz

From memory, The 8801A/B/C, then A) and B) is only if option 01, analog tester is installed.
For the spectrum analyzer, this is option 07. The all have the same basic functionality with those options installed.

With both those options, then you have a box with spectrum analyzer, signal generator, frequency counter, modulation meter all up to 3GHz, as well as some simple audio input and output functions.

Without those, then it's just a way of testing whatever mobile phone that the system has been installed. I've not noticed a long boot time, however I've just done a fresh power up on a MT8801B and an MT8801C and the B booted quickly and the C took a few minutes, most of which was with a blank screen. It seems like Anritsu has taken some lessons from Microsoft.

Quick advert time, but both are available for sale, the B has options 01 and 07 installed, the C is just for GSM measurements. PM me for details.

[pa3weg]

Hi Howard,

I finally registered at this forum as well. I am in the process of recapping.
Did you also do the small 1uF electrolytics in the power supply on the boards that are soldered into the main PSU board?

So far the power supply and Reference are done, the rest to follow later.

Mine boots fairly quickly, under 30s. Maybe yours has a bigger base image for more complicated standards!?
I get DECT and GSM as options installed. I was thinking of backing up the compact flash card in case that wears out. If you want, I can send you the card image if I get round to dumping it into a file. it may speed up booting!

Wouter

[Howardlong]

I can't honestly remember, but I don't think I knowingly left any out.

Meanwhile mine has a couple of other faults, I managed to blow up the N port but have no idea how, using the TNC aux connectors for now until I get around to taking it apart again.

Then at the weekend after it'd been on for half an hour or so the screen started getting snow on it with apparently bad writes to the screen buffer. It was particularly warm and humid at the time, it hasn't repeated this since.

[oh2ftu]

Sorry for digging up an old thread, but the I have quite similar issues.
I purchased today an Anritsu MT8801B which I was able to test as it powers up and opens all test apps.
However, when I started testing it to measure analogue FM-radios, I noticed it will freeze. No keyboard input will have any affect. The clock will continue to run, but that's it. No variation in measured power or whatever.
The unit is in decent shape, but all these problems are reappearing in analogue test sets, which are why I bought the unit in the first place.
Naturally, I will give the vendor a call tomorrow to see if there's anything to be done (it was the only MT880x there).

There were other symptoms too; the rf modulation measured at 100kHz (should be <5kHz) and there was no visible indication on the spectrum analyzer either.

Apparently, all these should be solved by changing the caps, but that'll be a few days work + parts.

[bozidarms]

Till now, my unit is top-notch.
I am quite amazed how powerful and reliable analyzer  is.
Analog measurement option is very precise and capable
to measure down to a few uVolts (very useful in measurements of hiss in audio preamps).
Also, RF generator is extraordinary useful in testing ham receivers (down to -143dBm)!
I am also thinking about back up the compact flash card,
unfortunately, haven't enough  software knowledge to manage that.

[Mosaic]

Are these units good for assessing RF amplifier performance, RF power, modulation  etc. on the 88-108Mhz FM bands?
What about wifi bands 2.4ghz etc?

[KJDS]

Are these units good for assessing RF amplifier performance, RF power, modulation  etc. on the 88-108Mhz FM bands?
What about wifi bands 2.4ghz etc?

They're fine for that, with the proviso that they won't demodulate the complex mod of the wifi

[Mosaic]

Ok I ordered a 'tested' unit off ebay for $600 with the S.A.  I hope all is well when it arrives.
thx

[Monolith]

I got here a sick MT8802A with SA option 07 on my bench. It boots to an error "System error! 33". I followed the service manual and enabled on the back of the front panel one dip switch for verbose mode and this showed more Information: The ATA card error (see pic) revealed that the 20 MB PCMCIA ATA card is obviously dead. Looks like this card contains some very important files for the boot process. The PCMCIA card is hidden under a small metal cover fixed with 2 screws and easy accessible from outside on the rear of the device.

I have a reliable PCMCIA Reader with my PC and this PCMCIA card is definitly dead. I have some other PCMCIA ATA flash cards with similar age and they are all working properly.

It would be a great help, if MT8802a owners could create a disk image (I use Win32diskimager) of his working card and could share it. A backup is always useful. I dont want to abandon this great TE already now...

Thanks in advance for your Support.

PS: Yahoo Groups holds already an old thread regarding MT8802, but i didn't got a reply yet.

[Wuerstchenhund]

It would be a great help, if MT8802a owners could create a disk image (I use Win32diskimager) of his working card and could share it. A backup is always useful. I dont want to abandon this great TE already now...

I don't have an MT8802A but if it works like on other Anritsu gear then the card will not only contain the software but also the license codes that enables the software to work on your specific unit.

Good luck!

[Howardlong]

I got here a sick MT8802A with SA option 07 on my bench. It boots to an error "System error! 33". I followed the service manual and enabled on the back of the front panel one dip switch for verbose mode and this showed more Information: The ATA card error (see pic) revealed that the 20 MB PCMCIA ATA card is obviously dead. Looks like this card contains some very important files for the boot process. The PCMCIA card is hidden under a small metal cover fixed with 2 screws and easy accessible from outside on the rear of the device.

I have a reliable PCMCIA Reader with my PC and this PCMCIA card is definitly dead. I have some other PCMCIA ATA flash cards with similar age and they are all working properly.

It would be a great help, if MT8802a owners could create a disk image (I use Win32diskimager) of his working card and could share it. A backup is always useful. I dont want to abandon this great TE already now...

Thanks in advance for your Support.

PS: Yahoo Groups holds already an old thread regarding MT8802, but i didn't got a reply yet.

Let me see if I can do that this weekend. I have an old Dell D820 laptop that has a PC card slot, hopefully that will be able to read the instrument's PCMCIA card.

[Monolith]

@howardlong: That would be really great! Thanks for spending your time in this! I hope file size after compression is not too big. What brand of flash Card is in your MT8802a? I have a IOdata PCFCA 20m Pcmcia flash ata card. It's from 1999 and basically based on Sandisk.

[Howardlong]

@howardlong: That would be really great! Thanks for spending your time in this! I hope file size after compression is not too big. What brand of flash Card is in your MT8802a? I have a IOdata PCFCA 20m Pcmcia flash ata card. It's from 1999 and basically based on Sandisk.

My card is a 20MB Sandisk. Win32DiskImager used, v0.9.5.

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ak3HU3AygNouhJEh2B61S_9hoOdGxg

[Monolith]

@howardlong: Thank you so much! Your PCMCIA image revived it! At first it didn't startup correctly (after loading all modules the display just went blank). Booting with holding the PRESET button brought it back to live. I haven't done any verification tests yet, but i hope calibration data is not stored on the PCMICA ATA card. I hope calibration is held somewhere on the cpu board. otherwise the unit needs a full calibration. Filesystem of the PCMCIA card is just FAT16, so easy handling with MS Windows clients..

Display is a bit dim at the moment, looks like this will be a backlight replacement project for the future (beside cap replacements). At the moment time for hobby stuff is really rare, i hope i can start this after new year..

It seems, that the most important SA option is working (see pic)!   

[Howardlong]

I have two, one that I re-capped has a great display (after re-capping) but has a u/s main port after I inadvertently Tx'd into it (I don't actually ever remember transmitting, but it was directly after testing a transcevier on it). There is an expensive attenuator on the main port that's broken that I can't figure out how to replace (can't undo screws). The aux port works fine for my use.

The display on the first unit has developed a more recent fault where, particularly in warm weather, it randomly writes to the screen, but otherwise works fine. I can still control it perfectly via GPIB once I figure out the commands, which are much easier to figure out when you have a working display! Reseating the cards seems to fix the display random writes for a few days, only for it to return later. Of course, with the lid off the problem never happens.

The other unit has a very dim display plus its signal generator seems to be kaput (about 20dB down) on both ports, but I've never had it apart to fix it.

Edit: more recently I switched to using an Agilent 8935 for most of the measurements I'd been using the Anritsus for as part of a production test suite process. A shame, as the Anritsus offer significantly greater bandwidth over the Agilent, but the reliability of the Anritsus is none too special.

[rskron11]

Hello All,

Thank you Howardlong as I was also able to load the OS that you supplied to a new card for a MT8802a that also had a failed PCMCIA card.

The OS seems to load fully (I have it in verbose mode) but I get a indecipherable system error as it is about to load the user interface. Unfortunately I do not have the service manual and I can't make heads or tails of it.

Would any of you have experience with this error or have some tips on how I can further troubleshoot?

Thanks in advance,

Scott

[Monolith]

How did you write the image to the PCMCIA Card? I have used Win32diskimager. It is crucial to unmount the memory card before you pull it out of the PC after the writing process. Otherwise it could be that not all data has been written to the card as the OS sometimes still caches data which still has not been written to the memory card (Windows and Linux). What's the brand and model of the card? Try a different one if possible..

[rskron11]

Thank you @Monolith for your reply.

I am using a SanDisk PCMCIA compact flash adapter with a 32 MB CF card. I did rewrite the card per your advice and unmount it properly (ddn't do that before) after using Win32diskimager to write it. It does appear to write successfully and shows no errors when checked. It does of course write a 20 mb card, but it appears intact.

I'll see if I can get an exact replacement (SanDisk 20 mb card), though my feeling is something else is happening. It does get all the way through to the TX/RX module test - there is a relay click, and the error occurs. The rest of the OS loads fine and all testing of processor, memory, battery, etc passses.

I took a look at voltages off of the PSU and each of the cards (where supplied) and they do check out.

There area few caps here and there (I did not do a systematic check) that had a slightly high ESR - I did replace those. Didn't go into the RF boards as  I felt this was more of a digital problem.

I am wondering if the OS is looking for something that is not there or if there is a ROM somewhere that this OS is not talking to (different version?)

Thanks again for your reply and any help that anyone might be able to offer.

ScottK

[Monolith]

OK, don't bother buying additional 20MB PCMCIA cards. I can confirm, that a 512MB CF Card with a PCMCIA CF Adapter is working nicely with my MT8802A. CF Card handling is definitly more convinient.

Did the MT8802A was functioning when you obtained it, or did you get it already faulty? I would check if nothing important is missing inside eg. a board?

Try to:

- Check on missing parts, boards etc.
- Reseat all boards, check for visible defects
- Probably do the Howardlong way and replace all caps. Start with the PSU and progress board by board. Be sure to check functionality (new behavior or messages on the screen in your case) after each board cap replacement.
- check the lithium battery voltage on one of the boards

It could be also that you experience a hardware/software mismatch. It's just a guess! It could be that Howardlong's image is not compatible with your hardware revision. To confirm this would take more effort and experience from all MT8802A owners here collecting this information. I was lucky, that Howardlongs version worked nicely with the first try. I still have my faulty 20 MB PCMCIA card, which was originally in the device. I googled some time ago a chinese user forum where somebody had the same problem with a dying PCMCIA card. He purchased the exactly same Sandisk card and transplanted the memory chip from the old to the new card and was able to access the data again. I am planning to do the same task but lacking time to do this at the moment.

[Monolith]

Here are some Pictures, which i made during cleaning and CCFL backlight tube replacement...

[Monolith]

Backside and cage cover removed..

[Monolith]

A30 board removed

[rskron11]

Thank you @Monolith for your information and good advice. I think I am  going to take your advice and methodically recap the unit in hopes that it is an issue based on that. There were a few caps that I checked that were out of spec, so maybe I'll get lucky. Battery is good and I tried reseating all cards and connectors.

If the recapping doesn't work, I might get brave and dissect the old PCMCIA card and try a transplant of the memory to a new card.

I the meantime, if there is anyone out there who happens to have a digital copy of the service manual, I would greatly appreciate it.

ScottK

[xmo]

Hi.  New user here.  I thought I would add my experience to the topic.

I have an Anritsu MT8801B.  When it developed display problems I bought a parts unit  MT8801C that was listed as not booting.

FYI #1 - the displays do not interchange between the B and C versions.

I solved the display problem when I found a B version front panel listed for sale.  That left me with a complete non-working MT8801C.

When I found this forum topic I decided to try the image provided by @howardlong.

FYI #2 - the MT8802A image won't work in the MT8801C. 

The card from my C version was definitely defective - I get the same start-up error message whether the card is in place or not.
If I try the card from the B version in the C machine I get a "File Not Found" error message.
I get the same message if I try the 8802A image in the C version machine.

Apparently these instruments are hard coded to look for a specific file on the card - a file unique to each version.

So unless someone has an MT8801C image file - it looks like my parts unit is back to being a parts unit.

[rskron11]

Thank you for that - I have an 8802A and the files were derived from a 8801A. This explains my lack of finding any significant hardware issues thus far.

If anyone happens to have the 8802A files archived somewhere, or better yet a disk image of this machine, I would appreciate it!

ScottK

[F5HII]

I had got a MT8801C with option 01 and 07 since 3 years, it was constructed in 2000 . It boots to an error "System error! 33" like monolith . The 20 Mo card PCMCIA ATA is dead too !!!

I have a reliable PCMCIA Reader with my PC and this PCMCIA card is dead. I have some other PCMCIA  adapter and I can copy an image of divice which works. 

It would be a great help, if MT8801C owners could create a disk image (I use Win32diskimager like monolith ) of his working card and could share it. A backup is always useful.

Thanks in advance for help et many thanks to monolith for explains.

[forstmeister]

Hello,

my 8801B isn't working, too. In fact it's booting and I can see the most screens but the SA don't even show a spectrum, just the plain screen. Also all tx-analog-measurement seems to be not working, as the 8801 locks up and no keys are working anymore.
The SG was working ok, but the next day it also locks up. Is this an capacitor problem ? I would like to change the software first, so if there's an 8801B image available  it would be nice if someone can give me a note.

Thanks a lot
Bernie
DK5BM

[forstmeister]

Still looking for an image for the MT8801B.
The flash card in my tester is now dead and stops during the booting process with an file error (34).

Thanks for any help !

[Chris56000]

Hi!

Thanks for that - guess what's next on my New Year Project List?! - IF I can afford one that is!!

Chris Williams

[flash65]

Hi,
I've an 8801B in working condition and i'm happy to share the image of the flash card but all mode for reading the card was failed.
I've tested with windows 98, Seven in different PC with PCMCIA slot.
the card is detectd as rigth model ( EPSON ATA II flash card 10MB ) but don't see any partition seems unformatted. ( maybe not fat system ? ).
I decided to try the image provided by @howardlong in a compact flash 32MB with adapter but when power up the instrument the self test say error message  "File Not Found".
if anyone help me i'm happy to share the image of my flash card.

[michal.zet]

Did you solved the problem?
If not try HxD then "Open disk" - select the card and write it back to the HDD.

[routerfan]

I have a 8801c, and this is my IMG file. Forgive my English, because it is through Machine Translation.
https://pan.baidu.com/s/18V-e-EYsCmf_Jc2EMu0_0g

[routerfan]

MT8801 service manual  who can share it, thanks!

[ZL1CVD]

FWIW the MT8801C & MT8802B CF images linked in posts can be opened / extracted with PowerISO - standard Fat16 disk images

[michal.zet]

Dear All.
I've dumped the Main ROM (27C4002) of my MT8801. I am wondering it is possible to reverse it to for example provide SDK for writing my own programs.
What OS could it use? There are lot of path references to "/dev/msdos"
Some Linux?
There are also reference to some "Triton95" or "Triton-system".
Main CPU is Motorola MC68340FE16E.

[mura12345]

FYI
http://www.ko4bb.com/getsimple/index.php?id=manuals&dir=Anritsu-Wiltron
 

[Villanueva]

Hello
I also have an Anritsu MT8801B that lacks PCMCIA memory. I got a 128Mb memory in good condition and downloaded the Win32diskimager V0.95.
I have tried with some image without good result. Would you be so kind to share that image of your record?
Thank you very much in advance.

Rafael.
EA7HWX

[CIRO]

Hi,
also I need files on pcmcia 20MB of MT8802A.
the link posted  dont go. Is there anyone that can help me?

thanke you

[Velund]

Hello,

Looks like my 8801B is joined the club of "unbootables". "File error" during boot, and nothing more.

Can anyone share their image to try? Ones that was shared before is not available anymore.

Thank you in advance.

[bozidarms]

Hi,
i have just made an image of my PCMCIA card ( from MT8801B ) in HxD and a copy on one 512MB CF Card.
With PCMCIA adapter everything is fully functional.
I would like to share the image - is still in HxD program, but i don't know how?
The image is only visible with HdX, with Win32diskmanager is not visible at all.

[Howardlong]

I plucked mine out of storage. It took a while to figure out how to image it bearing in mind I have fewer and fewer ways of imaging PCMCIA cards nowadays.

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ak3HU3AygNouiL19QIXOTqwD8QXoRQ?e=Q2d318

There's a readme.txt with some info.

[CIRO]

Hello, i need flashcard software for Anritsu 8802A.
Can you help me?
Thanks in advance

[Howardlong]

Hello, i need flashcard software for Anritsu 8802A.
Can you help me?
Thanks in advance

This is out of an 8802A even though the folders etc suggest it's an 8801.

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ak3HU3AygNouiL19QIXOTqwD8QXoRQ?e=Q2d318

[CIRO]

i have tried with your software, but don't go.
I have tried also changing the name of folder in MT8802A and don't go.

[CIRO]

thanke you very much!Now all go well.I pressedand hold PRESET taste and all go well.

[PrecisionAnalytic]

The other irritation is the boot time, about five minutes or so. When I first switched on my MT8802A, I thought it had crashed, as much of the boot time is with a blank screen after the first CPU and memory self tests.

By the way, after re-capping the CPU board I had to do a full reset by holding the Preset button while turning it on, a bit frustrating as I had to spend a while trying to remember how I'd configured the rx tester SINAD settings correctly.

I recently brought home a MT8801B with opt 01 & 02 with a missing front panel benzel (outer trim cover).  I thought had read opt 07; though being in a dark basement with a bunch of equipment I've never read about before overwhelming me in regards to what to choose to save from the scrappers, along with allergies, seemed to be the issue.

Is a plugin module required for the opt 07 or can that be enabled via firmware/software possibly?

My unit displays the "SRAM no check" and "SRAM battery empty" and then the "Loading..." appears where then the blank white'ish screen displays for well over 10 minutes with nothing more happening.  I powered down after ~10 minutes.

From what I read, removing the case and verifying all the boards are connected and nothing is loose might be a wishful thinking first step to optimistically try.

Doubting just holding the "Preset" button will do anything, though I am thinking will not hurt anything if I do?

Wondering if anyone has experienced the same and what their suggestive course of action is? 

Any specific MT8801B Service Manuals available online?  I do have the MT8802A manuals and two opt 07 MT8801B manuals found online.  I'll read into those next when I have the time.

In regards to a recap planned; were there specific boards that looking back were most likely the root cause or are known to have failures more-so?

Thanks in advance

 

[imaurente]

Hello everybody!
Guys, I'm having a problem with my MT8801C boot card, I read this whole post, and I used all the files provided by colleagues here, but without success. It simply shows the message System error! (35) and remains in the same place. I asked a friend for a card from an MT8802A for testing, but it hangs in the same place, but no errors.
Is it possible that this model uses different software than previous versions of the MT8801? Can anyone help me?

[NA5B]

Hello Imaurente, I just made an image file from my working MT8801C's 20MB Sandisk ATA with the Winima90 image maker program. The MT8801C image file I made is IMAGEC.vhd
Here is the link: https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ar_BBu4UuhWNhAcjuluq97XenJAU?e=PjsgO9
Do the following:
1-Insert your existing Sandisk ATA cart into the PCMCIA slot. Make sure your pc sees it.
2-Run in admin mode Winima90 on a 32-bit Windows 7.
3-Click Disk at the top and click on "Restore Virtual Hard Disk image on physical drive"
4-Locate the IMAGEC.vhd file you downloaded and continue.
Hope it works.
Let us know

[DatKnight23]

I just picked up a MT8801B for repairs from a radio rally recently, the bloke said it was the PSU that had issues but it seems to power up somewhat, with a cable the standby and power lights turn on, but the screen doesn't and the fans remain off.
Does anyone know what the issue might be? The standby and on lights are on, and change appropriately.

Also, how do I access the screen board to do a diagnostic? I've been trying to get it off with the screws on the side, top, and bottom but there seems to be something stopping the front panel from coming off.

[smdbg]

MT8801B - 2 in 1  software - GSM or IS136 - select in menu,  image  HxD and vhd. + files . all from 1999. if somebody have newer versions (updates) - please share.

revision: Main 3.02 , GSM 3.03 , IS136 3.05 , ROM 1.05
options 01.02.04.07

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1uJGasdO4S3EL8RJCf4LQ26yPg4o9utJ6?usp=drive_link