I have been posting problems with the TDS620A scopes and having great results from the responses. Here is another challenge! I have a TDS620A (Not the one in the previous post) that came in with the usual problems, with the leaky capacitors. Start up tests indicated Fail for Acq. Acq. Interface, and SPC. First thing I did was to re-cap both boards, wash and retry. The Acq. and Acq. Interface problems were gone. Further checking showed a couple of the IC's, the O74 op amps were bad, replaced these IC's and SPC error disappeared.
Here is the problem. The first power up after setting for 24 hours, the log will display a Fail on the Acq. If one then runs the Diag. again, it will always Pass. Even if powered down, and then powered up it will pass. Can even let it set for hours 4-8, and turn it back on and it will pass. But, let it set for 24 hours, and it will always Fail on the initial start up. I have not determined the 'Magic time' between 8 and 24 that is the turning point, but do not see that is useful information. The next strange feature which should be a clue is in the error log, which always, on the first start up Fail is: digACCal Diag**AC Calibrator Failed - Freq.< 66.67 MHz. There is a 71 MHz oscillator in this scope which is switched into the input during the testing, and I have monitored that oscillator. It is 71 MHz, and I can see that it is switched in during the start up test sequence. There appears to be no difference in frequency, timing of switch in, or anything else, during the first test sequence after setting for 24 hours, and the subsequent test sequence, but only the first one indicates a 'Fail' in the log.
Other than this the scope operates great, offsets calibrate to zero, and signals all look normal. May not sound like much of an issue, but am not one to be satisfied without finding the cause, can anyone help, Please!