file: readMeFx.txt - FixFuzzy utility, 12/28/00

This file describes a utility, "FixFuzzy", which corrects the
version number in certain ESG "Base Band Fuzzy" boards. A
manufacturing error caused certain boards to be written with
an old version number, one implying that the board was less
capable than it was.  This utility examines the board's
ID information for its manufacturing site, year of manufacture,
and the possibly suspect version number.  If the combination of
those items suggests the board was mistakenly written, this
utility will correct the version number.

This utility requires that the ESG be on the GPIB bus, at 
address 19.  FixFuzzy will ignore any instruments which are
not of the ESG-D family.

FixFuzzy will try for up to 45 seconds to establish communications
with an ESG.  The instrument does not have to be warmed up.

The criteria for fixing are:
- the instrument's description of itself must begin with "ESG-D".
- the serial number must begin with 300 or 301 (manufacturing site
  3, year 2000 or 2001)
- the version number must start with the letter, 'A'.
- the numeric portion of the version number must be less than 120.

System Requirements
-------------------
The computer must contain an Agilent GPIB interface board. The
card tested is 82341C/D. This utility does not work with the 
RS-232 connection.

The HP CDROM entitled "HP I/O Libraries for Instrument Control"
must have been installed on the computer. This puts needed
"driver" software on the computer so RemH98 (and other programs)
can communicate via GPIB.  The installer described by this note
does ___NOT___ install the HP Libraries.


How to Install this utility
---------------------------
If you've downloaded these files off the web, you should:
- "Go" to the directory contained the downloaded files.
  If you're unsure where that is, use Windows' Start Bar|
  Find to locate the file "FixFuzzy.exe".  Make Windows
  Explorer "go" to that directory.
   
  When "in" the utility's directory, double click on the batch 
  file, "install.bat"; it will create any needed directories and move
  files into their directories. 
  When the batch file finishes, installation will be complete. 

If you've obtained the utility on a floppy, you should:
- put the diskette into drive A:
  Select Windows' Start Bar|Run
  Into Run's little window, type "A:install"

After installation, Windows Explorer may not immediately show
any new directories. Select View|Refresh to have Explorer 
update its presentation of the current directories.


How to run FixFuzzy
-----------------
- Get Windows Explorer to "go" (select) C:\Hp_svc
- double click on FixFuzzy.exe

- If you're using Windows 3.x, find the "Run" selection
  under the Program Manager's "File" menu. Type
  C:\Hp_svc\FixFuzzy
  into Run's window.


Troubleshooting
---------------
- SICL error message "timeout"
  The utility could not access a device at address 19. Perhaps the
  ESG is at a different address. Perhaps the GPIB connection is
  not plugged in properly. 

- "Could not open port 'hpib7,19'
  The following error was returned by SICL. 'No error' "
  SICL (the communications library for the GPIB
  board) says something major is missing - probably the
  GPIB interface board !  Or, perhaps, the wrong drivers
  were loaded from the HP I/O Library CD ??

- takes a long time. seems to "go away". Finally says 
  "Instrument (at address 19) did not respond".  
  The "long time" should be about 45 seconds.
  The message could result from 
	- no instrument at GPIB address 19
	- a hardware error on the GPIB board. 

- "Instrument's identity information is unfamiliar (no ESG-D, ......)".
  Utility asked the instrument at address 19 to identify itself and
  the response didn't say the device was a digital type ("-D")
  ESG.  So utility will exit without touching anything. 
  Utility will only work on ESG's at address 19.

- "Error reading instrument's identity". see below.
- "Error requesting Base Band Fuzzy board's information (header)". see below
- "Error reading Base Band Fuzzy board's information (header)". see below
- "Cannot locate Base Band Fuzzy board's serial number"
   The utility has received an instrument response in an
   unexpected format. For safety sake, the utility will
   not try to change things on the board.

- "Manufacturing site & date suggest no changes needed"
   This board was not changed because either the site or 
   date of manufacture did not meet the criteria necessary
   for further scrutiny (and possible changes).

- "Base Band Fuzzy board's version number is unfamiliar ...."
   The utility has encountered a version number in an
   unexpected format. For safety sake, the utility will
   not try to change things on the board.

- "This Base Band Fuzzy board's version number does not need fixing"
   The manufacturing site and year of manufacture
   matched the criteria of interest but the version number
   is acceptable. (perhaps this board had been previously
   fixed?)

- "Error rewriting Base Band Fuzzy board's information (header)"
   The utility identified this board as needing the fix but
   was failed in its attempt to change the board's "header".

- "Base Band Fuzzy board's version number has been fixed"
   The utility identified this board as needing the change.