Agilent 54831D modernising

[Jwalling]

I did two more calibrations, searched for a file that had a new time stamp, and couldn’t find one.

I can’t figure out where the cal data is stored. Also, which file keeps the last setup so when the scope boots, it goes back to the previous setup (I’m assuming this is where the cal data is stored and why I’m asking).

Set Windows explorer to show hidden and system files. IIRC it's in c:\scope\cal

[ARF]

I have not studied this issue in detail, but as far as I remember, the calibration files and folder have "hidden" attributes. Did you check the "show hidden files" box in explorer?

I also do not quite understand why you need it, I already mentioned that it is better to make an entire image of the configured system. In this case, the calibration settings, options, any installed software will be saved.

[bostonman]

I already unchecked the hide system files and whichever else in Explorer, and still no luck.

As for wanting the calibration data. When I got this scope, channels 2 and 3 had blown 50ohm inputs. Thinking this wasn't an issue, I noticed the 'zero' points were off and decided to perform a calibration.

To my surprise, the scope would abort calibration leaving all four channels to remain uncalibrated. The reason I want the calibration data: should a channel ever blow again, and something happens where I lost a backup image and need to install from scratch, I can copy the calibration file(s) in hopes the scope will remain in a somewhat better state than being completely uncalibrated.

[bostonman]

Just an update.

I found the calibration and self test files. I may have misread about unchecking 'hide system files', however, I was unchecking it in Windows Explorer and think I needed to do it in the search field.

In any case, the scope is fully functional, but the ribbon cable was intermittent, so I bought a replacement and just got it today.

The scope fully loads, has all the options from the license file, it passed calibration and self tests, PDF writer installed, and will soon be fully assembled.

Also, I have a backup hard drive that has the identical setup on it should the primary fail; along with keeping the image files from here.

Moving forward, the only concern (as I've expressed) is whether I may need to re-register XP and Microsoft doesn't support it anymore. I'm a bit concerned over trying to locate a key generator (?) online as I may catch a virus. Does anyone have access to such a key generator or whatever to re-register windows?

[coromonadalix]

what is your windows version  pro vlk oem family ??  do you have a source of your cd ??



you had this utility  removewga 1.2   who get rid  of the activation, it;s a classic one i used many times

and be sure your scope doesn't go to the web,  xp is depreciated an absolutely not safe


as i mentioned     xp keys can be found on the web,  you need the right windows key for you xp version,  no need of keygens

[ARF]

The Key from an Agilent scope. So, I guess it's OEM.

[coromonadalix]

And normally you have the xp sticker on the equipment  loll   but it depends of the version you installed,  Sp2 Sp3 

https://github.com/fuwn/xp
https://gist.github.com/denizssch/72ec2aa1c5d0a84ffb57076f7dbf30d6

with some google search i can find tons of serials   

[ARF]

He already has entered key. It's from my scope. We are discussing ACTIVATION key, not register key.
However, the "WPA Kill" utility will suffice to solve this problem in the future.

[bostonman]

Where do I find WPA Kill?

What I don't get about having the activation key is that Windows generates a register key (?). Is the activation key that is given by Microsoft derived from the register key?

If so, I don't understand how just any activation key would work (I know this isn't a XP thread discussion, but it would help close this should anyone else download the XP image and need to register it).

[coromonadalix]

you need to read about XP activations scheme  .........   inputting the right XP sku serial  will activate windows

But  if you go on the web,  it will try to connect to Msoft servers asking a genuine activation against your serial number, this is what we call  WGA  windows genuine activation
If the serial number was used too often  you'll get an non genuine windows popup

Removewga   kill this process, it does not generate serials,   you still need a serial number according the XP sku IE: Pro, OEM, Family, VLK    Sp2 Sp3 etc ...   

There is a bios trick to automatically activate window XP Win 7 Win 8 ...   SLIC    but i wont venture there

i put a zip file earlier in my answer


its called  removewga   


Normally you install a windows version according to the serial sticker found on your equipment, if it say OEM, you need to have an XP OEM vesrion install disk

You have some google infos how to convert XP editions to suit your needs

[bostonman]

its called  removewga

I tried double clicking this on a junk laptop running XP. I got a pop up that read: Microsoft WGA Notification Tool is not currently active on your system.

Does this mean it has removed the WGA? Anyway to reverse it since I didn't think a simple click would execute it without warning?

If I understood your explanation correctly, any serial number will work providing XP isn't connected to the Internet (I don't plan to ever connect this oscilloscope to the Internet anyway).


On a side note, these two questions are for ARF.

An option exists in the drop down menu to install licenses or something like that. Can I install options here instead of editing the text file (this question isn't really that important since I don't believe I'll be installing any additional stuff).

My other question is regarding the mouse arrow. When the scope boots, the mouse arrow is in the middle of the screen forcing me to have a mouse (wireless in this case) available so I can move the pointer away. Any boxes or options in the scope to make the pointer vanish like the Win98 did? Well, I don't believe it vanished, but it forced the pointer to remain in the top right.

[coromonadalix]

YOU did not read carefully,  you have understanding issues ...   you need the correct serial number to activate Windows XP

You have different editions of windows ... you need to match it against your OEM sticker on the back panel when you have one

If WGA is not active on you XP   Fine it's perfect, do not let it go to the web  that's all

Upgrade to sp3  if the installed  XP is not Sp3  .... thats all   have fun with your scope


and some questions directed to ARF

The mouse pointer on some touch screen, is or are seen as an HID device or else, simply put, an interface   .. the pointer is sometimes put at the center while windows is booting, you see the mouse pointer flickering  and it could be seen as a good sign that it works ...

It does that on a TEK scope i have, i absolutely dont care,  but it tells you windows is getting ready to operate  .....

[bostonman]

I don't believe I have understanding issues. It's a matter of some confusion because I can't (or don't want to) install SP2 or 3 on the system, nor does my OEM sticker have any meaning since it's for Win98 and this system is XP (from a CD that I don't have).

I simply asked what that program did when I double clicked it because it showed: Microsoft WGA Notification Tool is not currently active on your system.

As for the mouse pointer, on Win98, the mouse was locked in the corner. With this, the mouse is blocking the screen. Should I want to take a quick measurement, I need to get a mouse, move the pointer, etc.... and was wondering if I overlooked an area where it would allow me to lock the pointer somewhere to avoid the above steps.

[coromonadalix]

Sp2 and Sp3 pack resolved some OS and driver issues,  i would install it right away, that's your choice

Wga Remover will do nothing, if it is not running inside XP

For the mouse pointer check in the mouse settings properties if anything can help

This ?

http://www.snakebytestudios.com/projects/apps/cursor-lock/

[bostonman]

So where does it need to be placed to be running inside XP?

[coromonadalix]

well my bad   if wga services is not running in XP    wga remover will do nothing

[bostonman]

Oh, so the message I got meant it didn’t install anything?

[bostonman]

well my bad   if wga services is not running in XP    wga remover will do nothing

I'm still confused (and have read about XP activation schemes). I don't plan to or have a need to ever connect my scope to the Internet. If sometime down the road I reinstall WinXP, my understanding is the scope generates a register key based on the properties of the "computer" (i.e. the hardware, RAM, hard drive, etc...).

Currently it generates the same register key from the XP image and I have the activation key (from MS) to legally register XP, however, let's assume down the road the register key changes for whatever reason. I can't use just any activation key, or can I?

I downloaded a list of keys (from a posting in this thread that led me to Github), but, since the scope will not be connected to the Internet, does this mean any activation key will work from that list?

Also, if I need to resort to WGA Remover, where do I place the file? As I mentioned, I clicked on it using a legit XP machine (i.e. registered) and it displayed: Microsoft WGA Notification Tool is not currently active on your system

[coromonadalix]

No   Xp  did not use the hardware id's     thats why i told you about your understanding problems  and they way you say things  ... my side too  since im native french

you put a serial number and that's it,  no problemo

on some updates Msfoft played some tricks and implemented the Wga feature and cross check on Msoft servers

because piracy got higher / increased, and they implemented hardware id's later in other windows

for the last time, if the serial number match   the Xp version you have installed, you wont get problems, no internet  means safety and no updates who could add problems

and finally  if your scope works     good for you,  make an hdd clone / backup as safety and have fun 

[gslick]

Moving forward, the only concern (as I've expressed) is whether I may need to re-register XP and Microsoft doesn't support it anymore. I'm a bit concerned over trying to locate a key generator (?) online as I may catch a virus. Does anyone have access to such a key generator or whatever to re-register windows?

Article posted on Ars Technica today, 5/26/2023:

Green hills forever: Windows XP activation algorithm cracked after 21 years
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/05/a-decade-after-it-mattered-windows-xps-activation-algorithm-is-cracked/

Windows XP Activation: GAME OVER
https://tinyapps.org/blog/202304230700_xp_wpa.html

Windows XP web activation is finally dead…
https://old.reddit.com/r/windowsxp/comments/wwjy5j/windows_xp_web_activation_is_finally_dead/

Scroll down to a Google Drive link to xp_activate32.7z

Extract xp_activate32.exe
18432 bytes with a SHA-256 hash of 5a4bcac5a50eb5113dd6a2f88c35ebdb709c4df8a792c71ad03ea347afaced52

I haven't tried running xp_activate32.exe myself on a Windows XP system yet.

[coromonadalix]

there was some dll hacks too,  you could enter an universal serial number  ...

[bostonman]

Extract xp_activate32.exe
18432 bytes with a SHA-256 hash of 5a4bcac5a50eb5113dd6a2f88c35ebdb709c4df8a792c71ad03ea347afaced52

I tried this on an old XP laptop using the installation ID the scope provided when I registered that version of XP. It provided a confirmation ID, however, it was different than the one provided by Microsoft (which allowed XP on the scope to register legally).

[ARF]

Of course, it will be different due to other hardware set in the laptop. Everything is correct.

[bostonman]

This is what I assumed, but the number I entered to generate the confirmation ID was already generated by the scope based on the hardware. When I gave this number to Microsoft, they gave me the activation ID to register XP based on the confirmation ID.

Using that same confirmation ID in this program should have resulted in the same number Microsoft provided because neither one would know what the hardware is except based on the confirmation ID already generated.

[coromonadalix]

a confirmation id is not at the same level than HW ID   but it was a beginning  ....  but now   we have some tools   loll