These tools allow you to backup and restore the NVRAM contents 
of the Tektronix TDS500/600/700 series using the internal
floppy disk.

By default, all scripts are set to an export size of 640kB (0xA0000),
which corresponds to the memory range of a 128kB DS1486 plus a 
512kB DS1250Y in th -C/-D scope models. Early models like the TDS524A
A-series, only have 0x80000 size of NVRAM, so you should adapt it
accordingly.

Extract the contents of each script folder, according to your
requirement, to the root of an error-free FAT (not exFAT nor FAT32!) 
formatted floppy disk. For best compatibility, format it on
the scope itself.


The scripts:


tdsNvramFloppyDumper:

Puts interactive messages on screen, dumps the nvram to a file called
dump.bin. This script uses an intermediate buffer and takes a fast 
snapshot of the NVRAM, so  other processes cannot interfere with the 
procedure while writing to disk. Is reported to work only on more 
recent scopes and firmwares such as the -C and -D series.


tdsNvramFloppyWriter:

Puts interactive messages on screen, writes the nvram from a file 
called WRITEDMP.BIN. This script uses an intermediate loading buffer 
and only writes data to the NVRAM at the very last moment before 
automatic reboot, so chances are minimal other processes can interfere
with the procedure. Is reported to work only on more recent scopes and
firmwares such as the -C and -D series.
Due to several regions of the NVRAM being write protected, on some scopes 
(like -A series) is it necessary to flip the calibration switch to 
enable writing. It must be done at the exact moment the floppy light 
comes on, as booting with the switch set may only start the device 
in bootloader mode and it will not proceed to execute the script.


tdsNvramMinimalFloppyDumper:

Same as the above dumper, with a very minimal set of commands and no 
warnings. Should work on any scope including the early -A series, and 
performs the dump right during the booting process.


tdsNvramMinimalFloppyWriter:


Same as the above writer, with a very minimal set of commands, no 
buffering and no warnings. Should work on any scope including the early 
-A series, and performs the writing right during the booting process. 
May yield incomplete or bad writing due to the import from floppy disk 
not being buffered. Remove disk upon automatic reboot. The device may
also hang instead of reboot upon completion of the writing. Due to
several regions of the NVRAM being write protected, on some scopes 
(like -A series) is it necessary to flip the calibration switch to 
enable writing. It must be done at the exact moment the floppy light 
comes on, as booting with the switch set may only start the device 
in bootloader mode and it will not proceed to execute the script.


tdsAcqEEPROMFloppyDumper and tdsAcqEEPROMMinimalFloppyDumper:


Dumps the contents of the calibration constants 24C02 EEPROMs located
on the acquisition boards of the -B, -C and -D series scopes, to a file.
-A series scopes have no such EEPROMs on the acquisition board and
store these constants in regular NVRAM, albeit in a hardware-protected
region. Both 24C02 EEPROMs are read as 0x200 bytes in a single file,
where the first EEPROM is the top 0x100 half of the file, and the second
one the bottom half.


tdsAcqEEPROMFloppyWriter and tdsAcqEEPROMMinimalFloppyWriter:

Writes the contents of the given file EEWRDMP.BIN back into the 24C02
EEPROMs found on the acquisition boards of the -B, -C and -D series scopes.
The tool expects 0x200 bytes of dump data in this file, as produced
by the corresponding read tool above. During the procedure, the calibration
or write protection switch of the scope must be flipped. Follow the
on-screen instructions. Do not forget to flip the switch back when done,
or the scope will stay into bootloader mode and it won't start up.

CAUTION: This tool may permanently destroy your scope. If the file is
not present, the EEPROM will be erased with 0x00 data bytes!

CAUTION: The minimal version of this tool is DANGEROUS as it attempts
to write the EEPROMs without confirmation and then reboots. The write-
protection switch must be flipped when device boots up, approximately
when the display tests run. Use only as a last resort.



Checksum verifier tool:


A checksum verifier tool is included which enables you to verify if the
dumps taken are valid. The tool verifies sections of the dumps, and 
computes the checksums which the firmware expects to be present. The 
tool will automatically detect whether the file is an NVRAM dump or 
acquisition EEPROM dump. Java runtime needs to be installed in order to 
use it.

In general, always use this tool to make sure the dumps you've made are
actually valid backups!

Command line usage:  

java -cp TDSNvrCV_2_1.jar TDSNvramChecksumVerifier MY-DUMP.bin




No warranties and full disclaimer apply, be careful, these tools might 
permanently disable an oscilloscope if errors occur or if used improperly!
Use at your own risk!


You can use and/or modify these tools as you wish, but please be 
responsible and inform your buyer when "repairing" a scope with a dump 
from a different device, as measurements will no longer be accurate as 
calibrated.


- flyte at eevblog.com forum