EEVblog #147 - Agilent 3000 $12000 Smoke

OFFICIAL RESPONSE FROM AGILENT:

"We have determined that a short on our LAN/VGA module is what caused the EEVblog unit to stop working. The short caused a resister on the acquisition board to fail, bringing down our 3.3V supply path and causing the unit to no longer boot. After further investigation, it was determined that a small run of early production LAN/VGA modules were susceptible to this short. Although the issue is relegated to this small initial run of LAN/VGA modules, we are replacing all LAN/VGA modules in customer hands and have implemented additional testing procedures on our LAN/VGA manufacturing line to eliminate this issue from happening again."

What does $12000 magic smoke smell like?
Murphy ensures that Dave always gets the outliers on the production bell curve for review!

[EEVblog]

@ncrdisabled It took Agilent 5 *HOURS* to replace the scope! From when I sent the email, to having it on my doorstep. Phenomenal. But granted, I ain't a regular customer, and this isn't an ordinary scenario. But the stories about Agilent service are good.

[EEVblog]

@maxsnts They might be pissed, I don't know, I don't think about it. But often the companies have gotten HUGE publicity over fixing and resolving problems like this quickly in the public eye, and end up with a better reputation as a result.
It's an initial pilot run scope, and everyone knows that stuff like this happens occasionally. How well they deal with it is what sets companies apart. In this case Agilent replaced it within 5 HOURS and are very keen to thoroughly investigate = awesome.

[OKBCK]

your tv must have antenna to work, duuuh

[FennecTECH]

i love how agilent   actually said  exactly what happened  with the hardware   nintendo just says   weve determined that the problem is not covered by your warenty and sends a link so you can pay LOL

[iamdarkyoshi]

"I popped it! No more scope"

[jtandrews]

After working with Agilent equipment in my lab for almost eight years, I've found them unreliable. I've had an E5250A catch fire (while idle), an expansion box for my 4156C failed twice. The power supply for our 4073A failed. The 81110A failed. And a power supply for an HP C3600 failed, but they only used to be the same company. And before I took over the lab, our expansion box for the 4156A failed, and the 4156A's VMU failed, The list of Agilent equipment in my lab that didn't fail is shorter.

[EEVblog]

@crobc1 No need for concern. Both model scopes have a full 3 year warranty, and if there are any issues, I am fully confident Agilent will work them out.

[EEVblog]

@EEVblog On top of that, these are Agilents new flagship scopes to take on the education/mid level market, they will pull out all stops to ensure they are a success.

[ObviousSchism]

It's interesting that Agilent seem to have a never ending supply of LAN/VGA smoke. I wonder where they get it all from?

[EEVblog]

@First2ner Go look at the options available. 100MHz to 500MHz, logic analyser, waveform gen, software decoders etc

[EEVblog]

@hitachi088 That has all the software and hardware options. The base model unit is under $3000

[EEVblog]

@TheChipmunk2008 It's already on the way back, and they will thoroughly investigate and get back to us. I'll keep everyone posted on what went wrong.

[neanderthalextinct]

the smoke is put in at the factory--it's what makes the parts work

[EcliptechI]

I've held off on upgrading my scope for >6 months, because I just couldn't find one I liked... without spending big bucks. Come the 15th, saw the specs and contacted the rep for a quote. I've already got a 200MHz 3000 series on order :-) Agilent have put a lot into this scope, and not phased by seeing this one release it's magic smoke - given Agilents warranty reputation. I've also got a new bench meter and power supply on order - couldn't help myself hahaa... Thanks for the reviews Dave!

[FennecTECH]

Well Agilent made things right in the end but its most certinly an annoyance for someone with only one scope. reputable manufactures make good products. and when something goes wrong there quick to fix it :3

[EEVblog]

@Bushougoma The software wasn't buggy, this was a hardware failure of some sort that lead to the lockup.

[EEVblog]

@ryanstewart86 Nope, it was straight out of the box.

[KitCox]

WOW!!!! The Big Bang residue on a scope!! You've done it, Dave. Your $12, 000 Agilent has been humbled by the face of God...

[EEVblog]

@38911bytefree The scope eventually went into the booting LED pattern you saw. It didn't do this initially, it was just dead.

[RadioFollies]

I hope that was under warranty. Every Time I told My boss a Piece of S**t Agilent Test equipment went down do to a firmware crash, He would almost pass out. Because he knew it would cost $2K U.S. for Agilent just to look at it!