Rigol DSA 815-TG upgrade/ hack ?

[VE7XDT]

Hi to all

I am new to this forum but I read a lot of the postings.
I just purchased an used Rigol DSA 815-TG that has 23 hours left of the free trial.
I am not sure what is the best way to upgrade to the new software or do the clock mod?
It is confusing from all different answer and compatibility issues.
I tried the Rigol keygen and entered the codes but got the "invalid codes " message
I tried with space ( no "-" available) then all together with no spaces , same message
I hope some one can help.

Here is what I have:

Main board  04
RF FPGA    05
Dig. FPGA  04
Firmware   01.08
Boot          01.03

What would be the best approach?
I also included few pics from the DSA menu

Thanks
Dino

[Helix70]

Did you try this?

[VE7XDT]

Thanks for the prompt replay.

I saw the video, very simple mod to do.
I am wondering about software upgrade and then hack the codes if that is a better alternative?
In case for the mod above I have to reverse the mod in order to upgrade but then I lost the free trial time according to some..
I noticed my screen shots are not the same as others...?!

Dino

[Helix70]

I have read that it is not possible if you have 1.04 of the bootloader (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/hack-of-rigol-dsa815-tg/msg795794/#msg795794) but you have 1.03, so perhaps you should be able to. I maybe wouldn't upgrade firmware though if you do it, you might lose it. What keygen did you use?

[VE7XDT]

This is the one I used:

http://gotroot.ca/rigol/riglol/

I tried several ways of entering the codes but no luck.

I also wondered if there is something valuable in upgrading to a newer rev software?
I have 100 Hz BW not the 10 Hz .. not a big deal for me..

On the clock mod : some people lift pin & and short to pin 8, others just short them together.
Which is the correct way to do the mod?!

[Helix70]

Sorry, not sure. The video just shorts them. Seems to work.

[VE7XDT]

Here is a better link for another video of the clock mod, very nice video

[VE7XDT]

Even a better video so far for the clock mod.
Unfortunately is in Russian but it well presented so you don't need
to speak Russian to understand it ( I am lucky that I do )
He replaced the fan on the PS and installed a switch for the pin 7 and 8.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxmtnYjkX4c&feature=youtu.be

[TurboTom]

You don't need to lift pin 7 of U1105 (FRAM) in order to activate the write protection, the pad isn't connected anywhere else on the pcb, see photo. Just short it with a blob of solder (or a switch if you prefer) to pin 8.

[VE7XDT]

Thanks !

The picture is worth a million words..as they say

Dino

[ted572]

Hello  VE7XDT:  Downgrade your firmware to 00.01.07, or previous, then use the Keygen and it will work on your unit. Do NOT install the Tracking Generator option, or the 10 Hz RBW option.  Then install the latest firmware (00.01.19.00.03).  You don't need to install all the individual firmware, just go to the latest and you will get 10 Hz RBW automatically.  Tracking Generator isn't needed if you have a DSA815-TG, so if you install the 10 Hz RBW or Tracking Gen. option you will just add un-necessary garbage in your firmware (it will work Ok, but you will see tracks of it when you check your Option License info).

When you install the License codes for the options do NOT use any 'hyphens' (-) or 'spaces' between characters. You just want one lone long string of characters.

To downgrade your firmware add the 00.01.07 or earlier firmware to the root directory of a clean USB Pen drive and insert it in the DSA815 (with it OFF) front panel USB connector.  Now turn ON the DSA815, watch the screen closely and follow the prompts on the screen to boot from this USB Pen drive.  When the installation is done (be very sure it is done) remove the Pen drive and reboot the DSA815.  If all is OK and you have the older firmware installed, then use the Keygen to add what you wand (e.g. AMK, EMI, VSWR), but NOT Tracking Gen. or 10 Hz RBW.  Check your installed Options.  If all is Ok, then go ahead and install the latest firmware  (00.01.19.00.03).  See -> https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/spectrum-analyzer-rigol-dsa815/msg2579409/#msg2579409.  If you have questions or a problem send me a PM.  Ted
PS:  This only works on units with Boot Loader 01.02, or 01.0.  It will NOT work with Boot Loader .01.04.

Edit: In the last sentence of first paragraph I changed - From: ''firmware info'  To: 'Option License info'.
Note:  Just so you know - you will NOT loose any of the Options you added using the Keygen later by installing the newer firmware.  You are very lucky to have an older unit with Boot Loader 00.01.02 or 00.01.03. B, because even if the Options had expired, you would be able to get them back with the Keygen.  Although you do need to have firmware 00.01.07 or earlier installed to use the Keygen successfully.

[VE7XDT]

Thanks Ted

PM sent

Dino

[ted572]

Thanks Ted

Great  You did it!  Congratulations with having all the Official Options and the very latest firmware.  Cheers, Ted

[VE7XDT]

Thank you Ted,

I would've never done it without your help and guidance !!
Thank you for the amazing support!!

Take care
Dino

[ssaenek]

Hello Ted,

I have an DSA815TG:
mainboard: 00.04
radioFPGA: 00.05
digitalboardFPGA: 00.04
firmware: 00.01.09
boot: 00.01.04

1) I still have time left for the trials
2) I would like to upgrade the SA firmware to get the 10Hz RBW but there is no other firmware available on the Rigol's website than 00.01.19.02 and after reading the Installation Instructions I realize that this latest firmware doesn't suit my FPGA and MOBO version (applicable model versions are 00.05 instead of my 00.04 for both MOBO and FPGA)

Could you or someone else, please, message me copies of previous firmwares? (i hope they will be compatible with my mobo and digi boards)

I am not very skilled and I am not sure this is the best way to choose.
My idea is to upgrade first for the free 10Hz RBW and then if i wouldn't lose the TRIAL period go to perform the hardware MOD to keep this trial forever.

I will hightly apreciate any help,

Thank you very much in advance,

Toño,

[ted572]

Hello Ted, I will hightly apreciate any help, Thank you very much in advance,  Toño,

See my reply to your request here: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/spectrum-analyzer-rigol-dsa815/msg2792704/#msg2792704

[fcb]

I'll have to try this one - I have an 815TG that is out of warranty!

[genugeo85]

Hello everybody and happy New Year!

If I don't have time left for the trials(0h 00min), it is possible to reactivate trial forever?

Thanks in advance for advice!

[genugeo85]

Any opinion, please?

[genugeo85]

Hello everybody and happy New Year!

If I don't have time left for the trials(0h 00min), it is possible to reactivate trial forever?

Thanks in advance for advice!

I tried... It doesn't work.
So, if the time has expired, there is no solution to activate all the options by the known method.