ScopePro inactive after starting Scope software

[roy thinnes]

After 5 to 6 minutes it shows 'Missing STDM connection'.
After restarting Scope everything works perfectly.
I've already thoroughly cleaned the connections between the cards (Scope Pro and Pulsar II).
Also, after removing the Pulsar card, Scope Pro still doesn't work, so I think the STDM cable is not the culprit.

Maybe it's time to exchange the caps?

[valis]

Caps, potential solder joints, possibly other components. You can use a search engine to find examples of leaky & bloated caps but not all dry caps are clearly visible.

Have you also cleaned the PCI contacts and reseated the I/o daughterboard?

[roy thinnes]

Reseating the card and cleaning PCI contactsa didn't help.
I didn't see any obvious damage but I'm no technician at all:
back
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The whole mess happened after migrating btw.

[garyb]

the s/tdm message is the only error you get?

it sure looks like the card has given up the ghost. there's no harm in trying to replace the caps, but it should be done by someone with the skill and equipment to solder surface-mount components...

[roy thinnes]

the s/tdm message is the only error you get?

Yes, and only after some minutes. Before that, Scope software is loading properly but Dsp meter is showing zero activity.

it should be done by someone with the skill and equipment to solder surface-mount components...

I know a tech guy who could probably make it. He has already successfully repaired my Tr808, just by replacing all caps.
I'll have a talk with him.

[t_tangent]

By any chance do you still have the old system still up and see if still happens in that old system which was working. Worth a try if so at least to see if it happens now in the old setup

[roy thinnes]

I've got Win XP, Win7 64, and Win7 32 bit; unfortunately it shows the same behaviour with all OSs.
But, as I said, after some minutes Scope wakes up and (still?) works.

[valis]

So electrical connection is eventually made, somehow (thermal expansion in other words).

[roy thinnes]

Exactly. And once it's working, it's working flawlessly.
But maybe a sign for aging caps?

[valis]

Sounds more like solder or a transistor style connection, but could be. Caps are usually to buffer power supply, both to keep the continuous current going (like between DC up & down cycles, or when another component draws quickly) and to prevent fast bursts from affecting other things.