Running HP 4284A Cal Adjustment Software on PC

Started by Hawaii596, 01-15-2015 -- 09:01:05

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Hawaii596

01-15-2015 -- 09:01:05
So I think I've seen somewhere that there are (software) tools that can be loaded on a PC (Windows OS) to allow use of HP software that was designed to be run on an HP 300 series or similar computer.  I have the HP 4284A cal software.  In my spare time (not much of that), I have been looking into getting an old HP computer (I have some of the pieces), along with the various OS, drivers, etc., that the HP 4284A software requires to run on that type of computer.  Does anyone have any experience in installing whatever it is, onto a Windows based platform to enable running the HP software?  Or is anyone able to confirm whether it definitely is or definitely is not feasible to do so?  This is a background project.  I'm getting ready to calibrate a couple of HP 4284A's, andit came to mind.  It sure would be nice to be able to optimize them (the only way to optimize capacitance accuracy is with this software). 

Keysight, at least, appears to have loosened the reins on calibration of some older models.  They discontinued some calibrations for a while.  But it appears since the splitoff from Agilent, they have re-included calibration support for some items previously cut from the list.
"I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meagre and unsatisfactory kind."
Lord Kelvin (1824-1907)
from lecture to the Institute of Civil Engineers, 3 May 1883

CalLabSolutions

#1
01-15-2015 -- 09:29:55
I tried to rewrite this in MET/CAL years ago..
Epic FAIL.. But Now that I  know the RMB does not do Log the same way.. I would like to take another stab at it..

Mike
Michael L. Schwartz
Automation Engineer
Cal Lab Solutions
  Web -  http://www.callabsolutions.com
Phone - 303.317.6670

Hawaii596

#2
01-16-2015 -- 08:46:07 Last Edit: 01-16-2015 -- 08:51:46 by Hawaii596
I guess we'll have to discuss.  I have a spare 4284A and the original software (zip'd onto a server as well).  So, asking the dumb questions....

Is the main issue getting RMB loaded and working on whatever platform?  Along with that, is RMB pretty tolerant of whatever OS is in use?

Followup question...  Are you thinking of trying to embed inside a METCAL procedure?

I found a bunch of the software needed on hpmuseum[dot]net.  Not sure if you are aware of them.  I'm trying to decide whether to invest the time buying the components and building an HP computer to do this.  Or would it be cheaper (when considering the manhour cost) to try and get something working on a Windows platform.  If so, do I need to do it on an old 32 bit XP computer, or can I as easily do it on a Win 7 box?  We have a 32 bit machine with Windows XP dedicated to running NI CalExec.  Maybe we could install what ever is needed to run this software on that computer??
"I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meagre and unsatisfactory kind."
Lord Kelvin (1824-1907)
from lecture to the Institute of Civil Engineers, 3 May 1883

CalLabSolutions

#3
01-16-2015 -- 09:57:14
From what I recall the software was not able to run on Transera Version of RBM.  That was the whole problem.  The customer wanted a Windows Version of the software.  Me working for at the time Intercal suggested we do it in MET/CAL.

The customer had the source code.  So we tried converting it.  Everything seemed to work.  But the Adjustment values where off.  And we could never being instrument into alignment.

About 2 years later I discovered the Log Function in RMB where not the same as in MET/CAL.  I think that was all I needed to do, swap the log functions.

Let me ask this.. Do you have the RMB source code?

Mike
Michael L. Schwartz
Automation Engineer
Cal Lab Solutions
  Web -  http://www.callabsolutions.com
Phone - 303.317.6670

Hawaii596

#4
01-16-2015 -- 14:19:35
If by source code, you mean the original program, I have the original 4284A software that was purchase from HP/Agilent/Keysight.  If it is some sort of special unlocked version, then no.  You can send me an email at my work, and I can email you the zip file if you'd like to take a look at it.
"I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meagre and unsatisfactory kind."
Lord Kelvin (1824-1907)
from lecture to the Institute of Civil Engineers, 3 May 1883

Armypmel

#5
06-16-2015 -- 09:00:46
I know this is an old topic,  but if you still want to run this software for the 4284A, get in touch with me.

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