Author Topic: Spectrum Analyzer - Rigol DSA815 (Read 620037 times)

gandalfg8 · « **Reply #1050 on:** April 03, 2020, 11:09:59 pm »

I've been out of action for much of last year but now trying to catch up again, and having some fun with that....

My 815TG has Main Board Version - 00.08, RF Board FPGA Version - 00.05, Firmware Version - 00.01.13, Boot Loader Version - 00.01.04, and the soldered link to keep the trials running.
Trial versions are showing as AMK, EMI, and VSWR, with two entries for each of 33 and 36 hours remaining, yup guess I screwed up on that but don't ask me how:-)

So far so good, but the firmware is well out of date and I'd like to upgrade that to 1.19.03, which I've got, in order to activate the 10Hz RBW, but reading through the archives I'm not to sure what this will do to the trials. Some posts seem to suggest it will remove them, others that it has but then they returned, or perhaps I'm not reading it right, so would appreciate an update on what to expect if I just go for it.

Nigel, GM8PZR

egonotto · « **Reply #1051 on:** April 03, 2020, 11:55:14 pm »

Hello,

when I remember right I have lost my trial.

Best regards
egonotto

YZEPT · « **Reply #1052 on:** April 17, 2020, 08:21:24 pm »

Does the trial reset utility fix that?

ytterligare · « **Reply #1053 on:** May 12, 2020, 03:27:02 am »

Quote from: gandalfg8 on April 03, 2020, 11:09:59 pm

I've been out of action for much of last year but now trying to catch up again, and having some fun with that....

My 815TG has Main Board Version - 00.08, RF Board FPGA Version - 00.05, Firmware Version - 00.01.13, Boot Loader Version - 00.01.04, and the soldered link to keep the trials running.

So far so good, but the firmware is well out of date and I'd like to upgrade that to 1.19.03, which I've got, in order to activate the 10Hz RBW, but reading through the archives I'm not to sure what this will do to the trials. Some posts seem to suggest it will remove them, others that it has but then they returned, or perhaps I'm not reading it right, so would appreciate an update on what to expect if I just go for it.

Nigel, I’m pretty in the same situation as yours...old firmware and soldered link to keep, trials running.
I’m not sure if egonotto replied to you with a sad info, but I’d like to know it as well.
At least it would nice to know which could be the last firmware we can load without losing the "forever trial"....I’m sure there’s a bunch of people that did it before us, hopefully they’ll read this...

‘73
A.

0xFFFF · « **Reply #1054 on:** May 18, 2020, 11:32:07 pm »

Hi All,

Another guinea pig here with a DSA815-TG.
Version of Main board: 00.09 Version of Radio Frequency Board FPGA: 00.05 Version of Digital Board FPGA: 00.05 Version of Firmware: 00.01.19 Version of Boot: 00.01.04

Currently using "forever trial" mod which is giving me time trials for the following:
AMK-DSA800 EMI-DSA800 VSWR-DSA800
Lost this license somehow:
SSC-DSA

As far as I can tell, those with 1.04 boot are only able to use the "forever trial"?
Is there anything I can contribute perhaps?

0xFFFF

gskular · « **Reply #1055 on:** June 17, 2020, 05:59:24 pm »

I just did a upgrade to 01.19 firmware from 01.16.

I don't have a modified/opened DSA815 in any way. I had around 20 original hours left with a trial licences on old 01.16 firmware.

But now, after a upgrade, they are gone. 'N' and 0 hours left. I sent an email to info-europe at rigo.com..

Hope I'll get them back as a lot of others with 01.18 firmware upgrade. Now it's left on, and I will keep you posted in 20 hours.

HW version 00.09

forgoden · « **Reply #1056 on:** August 22, 2020, 04:58:35 pm »

Hello,

I bought used Rigol DSA815 without TG from ebay and it has still 8h and 40 mins trial left

Model: DSA815
mainboard: 00.09
radioFPGA: 00.05
digitalboardFPGA: 00.05
firmware: 00.01.18
boot: 00.01.04

gotroot serials will not work.

People said that I should connect pin 7 with 8, but I dont like it, because that means that all the store functions are not working after the mod, this is a big disadvantage of this mod.

I read that it will work on 1.08. Where can I get firmware 1.08? I get totaly confused when I am reading this long topic here.

Can someone make more clear steps here?

chronos42 · « **Reply #1057 on:** August 23, 2020, 06:56:54 pm »

Quote from: PeDre on August 22, 2020, 05:11:51 pm

Quote from: forgoden on August 22, 2020, 04:58:35 pm
People said that I should connect pin 7 with 8, but I dont like it, because that means that all the store functions are not working after the mod, this is a big disadvantage of this mod.

System Setups will not work, only user setup-files, that is a big disadvantage. I am also not sure if the self-calibration works. I have to live with this disadvantage because I am not willing to spend 500 Euro for the math option. This is more than 50% of the price that I paid for the whole instrument. Without this option the instrument is very crippled in my opinion.

chronos42 · « **Reply #1058 on:** August 23, 2020, 07:44:02 pm »

Quote from: PeDre on August 23, 2020, 07:23:06 pm

I used the write protection on the FRAM myself for some time. I did not notice any errors. The self-calibration works, the calibration data are in the flash memory.
I only had problems with the SSC option, firmware 01.19 and write protection.

There are no errors, but you only can setup the instrument temporarily. All new system setups are gone after a reboot, you have the last state before the modification forever. Unfortunately the system setups (like network, usb etc.) are not stored in the user setup files.

jtray · « **Reply #1059 on:** September 16, 2020, 01:23:02 am »

Hello Folks,

Here is my setup:

Model: DSA815
mainboard: 00.09
radioFPGA: 00.05
digitalboardFPGA: 00.05
firmware: 00.01.18
boot: 00.01.04

TG-DSA800 Official Y
AMK-DSA800 Trial Y
EMI-DSA800 Trial Y
VSWR-DSA800 Trial Y
SSC-DSA None N

I see a lot of informatiion but 43 page worth. Where should I start for my situation? Am I screwed?

DD4DA · « **Reply #1060 on:** September 19, 2020, 11:46:19 pm »

You paid for an analyser that misses the required features ?

BRigolix · « **Reply #1061 on:** October 29, 2020, 11:25:10 pm »

Hello everyone,

the other day I bought a DSA815-TG. So I have read this whole thread and unfortunately had to realize that there is no way to activate the options (AMK, EMI, VSWR, SSC) from boot version 1.04 on, except the unlimited trial hack.

Currently I have 8 hours left of trial.
How likely is it that a keygen will be found in the next years and will my trial time be lost if I do the unlimited trial hack and upgrade the firmware from version 00.01.18 to 00.01.19?

If there is still a chance that a keygen might be found I would rather leave the device unopened...

Thanks for your help!

0xFFFF · « **Reply #1062 on:** October 30, 2020, 01:21:10 am »

I modded mine. Not sure how you feel about warranty but I purchased mine knowing that I'd be removing the cover.

I have boot 00.01.04. Upgrading from 00.01.18 to 00.01.19 did not appear to change the licenses.

Everything is working fine for me with the exception of the SSC-DSA license.
Still keen on getting that one unlocked.

BRigolix · « **Reply #1063 on:** October 30, 2020, 08:15:55 am »

Thank you for the quick answer! The warranty period of my device has already expired, because I took it over used and it was bought in 2017.
You encouraged me to open the device, connect pin 7&8 and replace the fan with a quieter one

Did you only connect the pins or did you also lift them?
And what would happen if I left the device turned on longer than the rest of the trial time after the hack? I guess then all licenses would be irrevocably lost, or am I wrong?
Otherwise I should do the hack right away to be able to use the device for max 8 hours at a time.

Btw. does anyone have a tip on which Noctua fan is best suited for the job?

Thanks a lot!

TurboTom · « **Reply #1064 on:** October 30, 2020, 08:28:56 am »

It's not necessary to lift pin 7, the pad isn't connected to anything. Just put a solder blob over 7 & 8.

0xFFFF · « **Reply #1065 on:** October 30, 2020, 11:49:49 am »

Can't comment on the fan. I never thought it was a problem. Just for sake of curiosity, I'd like to know what fan you end up with though.

Time resets on power on. I have not lost a time restricted license.

BRigolix · « **Reply #1066 on:** October 30, 2020, 12:14:04 pm »

Thanks! Just to make sure, do I have to connect pin 7&8 first and then do the firmware upgrade from 00.01.18 to 00.01.19 or first do the upgrade and then connect the two pins? I don't want to lose the trial time with firmware upgrade...

One other question: Which additional data is written to the memory brick? Some install a switch instead so they are still able to disable the write protection afterwards. What are the advantages of this mod?

@0xFFFF: I'll tell you then. Mine is quite loud

BRigolix · « **Reply #1067 on:** October 30, 2020, 04:14:21 pm »

I have just upgraded to version 00.01.19 and my trial options are still there. Now I just have to connect the two pins.

Would you do this with a switch or directly? I read somewhere that pin 7&8 need to be disconnected to upgrade firmware and when setting new defaults. If it is correct I think I would prefer the switch solution as I dont want to open the device every time Rigol releases new firmware versions.
Is that true?

BRigolix · « **Reply #1068 on:** November 01, 2020, 05:47:34 pm »

I have now decided for the solution with the switch. Everything works perfectly! You can even reach the switch from the outside with a small pin through the plastic grid.

For the fan I will use a "Noctua NF-A6x25". I've already measured that the new fan with its one centimeter more width will fit.

Thanks again for all contributions in this thread!

DD4DA · « **Reply #1069 on:** November 11, 2020, 08:29:12 am »

Hope you remind, that a fan replacement has needs to fit more that just the mechanical dimensions. The noise of the fan is often reasoned by the air pressure and volume of them. I would not replace them, if not required.

Zucca · « **Reply #1070 on:** November 11, 2020, 10:30:41 am »

Quote from: DD4DA on November 11, 2020, 08:29:12 am

Hope you remind, that a fan replacement has needs to fit more that just the mechanical dimensions. The noise of the fan is often reasoned by the air pressure and volume of them. I would not replace them, if not required.

Normally they are overdimensioned by design. If you are in a cool enviroment (25°C) you can turn safely the noise down.

DD4DA · « **Reply #1071 on:** November 12, 2020, 12:50:37 am »

Quote from: Zucca on November 11, 2020, 10:30:41 am

Quote from: DD4DA on November 11, 2020, 08:29:12 am
Hope you remind, that a fan replacement has needs to fit more that just the mechanical dimensions. The noise of the fan is often reasoned by the air pressure and volume of them. I would not replace them, if not required.

Normally they are overdimensioned by design. If you are in a cool enviroment (25°C) you can turn safely the noise down.

The fan noise doesn't bother me because I don't use the device very often. I would only change the fan in the event of a defect.

Spirex · « **Reply #1072 on:** February 14, 2021, 11:48:34 am »

Rigol DSA815-TG Dump Firmware for chip programmer.

sergei.mo · « **Reply #1073 on:** February 21, 2021, 09:18:19 pm »

Hi folks!
Just bought DSA815-TG hoping I could just follow Ted's steps with FW downgrade

mainboard: 00.09
radioFPGA: 00.05
digitalboardFPGA: 00.05
firmware: 00.01.19
boot: 00.01.04

TG-DSA800 Official Y
AMK-DSA800 Trial Y
EMI-DSA800 Trial Y
VSWR-DSA800 Trial Y
SSC-DSA None N

But seem now it doesn't accept lower FW - tried 1.17.

Do I understand correctly I only need *.sys file in the root of the flash disk?
In fact I tried both with formatting disk first and even using save removal to keep the file system ok, but still failed to downgrade the FW.

sergei.mo · « **Reply #1074 on:** February 21, 2021, 09:25:46 pm »

Quote from: sergei.mo on February 21, 2021, 09:18:19 pm

... tried 1.17...

.

Spotted error - DSA800_FW_00.01.07.zip was the file suggested to be used for downgrade and I did try this file.


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Author Topic: Spectrum Analyzer - Rigol DSA815 (Read 620037 times)

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