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Electronics => Repair => Topic started by: salvagedcircuitry on August 19, 2018, 01:27:27 am

Title: For Parts Agilent MSOX 4154A 1.5ghz scope ebay listing - Fishy
Post by: salvagedcircuitry on August 19, 2018, 01:27:27 am
Hey everybody!
I was doing my rounds searching ebay for interesting broken stuff to repair, when I bumped into a MSOX4154A "for parts" oscilloscope on ebay.
I am familiar with the 2000/3000 agilent oscilloscope series and have previously invested several days reading the 2000 / 3000 hack thread, but I have never seen a 2000 / 3000 / 4000 oscilloscope that throws up so many question marks.

ebay listing in question: https://www.ebay.com/itm/202405774744 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/202405774744)

Oddball issues:
-model number unset
-serial number unset
-black plastic lcd boarder is glossy not matte, like every other 3000x / 4000x I've seen
-claims to be a demo unit
-unsealed instrument

I can understand the scope not passing calibration because the instrument is unsealed, but that doesn't explain why there is no model or serial number present on the unit. I can imagine that the demo units still have a model number and serial number designated to them. The seller so graciously blocked out the agilent label on the back photo.
The fact that a plastic molding is different also seems a bit odd. Why would someone make a fake part?

What do you guys think? Sure would be nice scope to get working, but man I think there's too many red flags on this one.
Title: Re: For Parts Agilent MSOX 4154A 1.5ghz scope ebay listing - Fishy
Post by: TheSteve on August 19, 2018, 01:39:31 am
It is way overpriced and the secure area of flash is gone, don't even consider it.
Title: Re: For Parts Agilent MSOX 4154A 1.5ghz scope ebay listing - Fishy
Post by: salvagedcircuitry on August 19, 2018, 01:45:02 am
Arn't the keys / model+serial and bootloader info stored in secure flash? I'm guessing this scope "fell off the truck" and someone needed to wipe some entries...
Title: Re: For Parts Agilent MSOX 4154A 1.5ghz scope ebay listing - Fishy
Post by: Mr. Scram on August 19, 2018, 01:53:03 am
They blacked out the serial number and MAC address, but not the QR codes containing the serial number and MAC address. The serial number of this unit is MY52060112 and the MAC address is 00-30-D3-16-11-60. If it did fall off the back of a truck, someone should be able to find this thread when he Google searches for either.
Title: Re: For Parts Agilent MSOX 4154A 1.5ghz scope ebay listing - Fishy
Post by: Mr. Scram on August 19, 2018, 01:59:49 am
Is that even an original Keysight serial sticker? "Made in Malaysia may contain foreign or dosmetic components." Dosmetic? None of the installed options are listed on the sticker either.
Title: Re: For Parts Agilent MSOX 4154A 1.5ghz scope ebay listing - Fishy
Post by: salvagedcircuitry on August 19, 2018, 02:06:29 am
Sticker looks mostly legitimate. Identical layout and wording as a sticker on a 2000 / 3000 series oscilloscope. But yeah, no option info and no 4 digit code under QR code
Title: Re: For Parts Agilent MSOX 4154A 1.5ghz scope ebay listing - Fishy
Post by: coromonadalix on August 19, 2018, 05:24:14 am
I Dont like the Unsealed Instrument message ??? way overpriced
Title: Re: For Parts Agilent MSOX 4154A 1.5ghz scope ebay listing - Fishy
Post by: abraxa on August 19, 2018, 08:00:02 am
> Item location: GD, China

I'm guessing someone took this thing apart to do some reverse engineering, physically broke stuff in the process and borked it while trying to figure out how the system works. I wonder what it looks like inside.
Title: Re: For Parts Agilent MSOX 4154A 1.5ghz scope ebay listing - Fishy
Post by: TiN on August 19, 2018, 12:03:13 pm
And their counteroffer was 4990$  :-DD
Title: Re: For Parts Agilent MSOX 4154A 1.5ghz scope ebay listing - Fishy
Post by: Chris56000 on August 20, 2018, 12:25:41 pm
Hi!

. . .And look at all the Chinglish in the description. . .!!!

I bet it's been either filched from somewhere or bolloxfied trying to disguise it's parentage!!! As another Member said, somebody's nobbled the secured flash ares on it somehow – do you need special utilities from Keysight only to do that?

Chris Williams
Title: Re: For Parts Agilent MSOX 4154A 1.5ghz scope ebay listing - Fishy
Post by: krish2487 on August 20, 2018, 02:25:20 pm
I made an offer for 100 USD just for kicks..  >:D
Title: Re: For Parts Agilent MSOX 4154A 1.5ghz scope ebay listing - Fishy
Post by: Samogon on August 20, 2018, 08:47:58 pm
1k was rejected as i know
Title: Re: For Parts Agilent MSOX 4154A 1.5ghz scope ebay listing - Fishy
Post by: ddcc on August 20, 2018, 08:59:20 pm
Another suspicious flag is that this unit doesn't show up on Keysight Infoline. I don't know if that's because the unit is too old (e.g. older HP units can't be looked up either), or if there's a more nefarious reason.
Title: Re: For Parts Agilent MSOX 4154A 1.5ghz scope ebay listing - Fishy
Post by: salvagedcircuitry on August 21, 2018, 06:20:30 pm
I saw that too! I used the model and serial number that Mr. Scram mentioned and nothing came up. Definitely odd for sure.
Title: Re: For Parts Agilent MSOX 4154A 1.5ghz scope ebay listing - Fishy
Post by: TheSteve on August 21, 2018, 06:31:04 pm
It may have been a demo once upon a time, they often don't show up. Or perhaps it was removed as it was supposed to be destroyed.