Windows Based Signal Analyzer Preventative Maintenance Considerations

Instruments that run on a Windows operating system have a list of preventitive maintenance and security issues of their own that need to be considered. Issues such as:

• Windows Security
• Hard Drive
• User Data Backup
• Calibration Data Backup
• Instrument Shutdown
• Things Not To Do

Windows Security

It is recommended that the following three steps be taken to ensure the instrument's operating system is protected:

• Use an internet firewall
• Get the latest Windows updates
• Install and use up-to-date antivirus software

To check the status of, or make changes to the security settings for you instrument, open the Windows Security Center (Start, Control Panel, Security Center)

Hard Drive

Over time the instrument’s hard disk drive will become fragmented. Windows XP has a Disk Defragmenter utility that you can use to defragment the hard disk. This can be accessed from Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools. See the Microsoft Windows XP Help and Support Center for more information on this utility.

PLEASE NOTE: It is recommended that all measurement applications be closed prior to running the Disk Defragmenter program. Measurement throughput will be significantly impacted while disk defragmentation is in process.

Two other utilities to maintain a hard drive are also provided with Windows XP. They are Check Disk and Disk Cleanup.

Check Disk can be found by going to Start, My Computer, then right clicking on the drive you would like to check and selecting Properties. From the Tools tab select Check Now... under the Error-checking section.

Disk Cleanup can be found at Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools.

User Data Backup

It is recommended that all user data be regularly backed up to an external memory device. This could be done across a network or to a USB storage device.

User data backup should be done on regular intervals. It should also be done just prior to sending an instrument in for servicing; if in the event data is lost during the servicing process (for example... due to a hard drive replacement) the data can be restored once the instrument is returned.

By default, instruments such as the N9020A MXA Signal Analyzer stores all user data to the D: drive, making the backup process very simple. All that will need to be done is to backup the entire contents of the D: drive.

Calibration Data Backup

It is recommended that the instrument calibration data be backed up to an external memory device. This could be done across a network or to a USB storage device.

Calibration data backup should be done on regular intervals. It should also be done right after an instrument is received back from servicing so that if the data is lost, or accidentally deleted, during operation (for example... due to a hard drive failure) the data can be restored without having to run all of the different adjustments.

By default, instruments such as the N9020A MXA Signal Analyzer stores all calibration data to the E: drive, making the backup process very simple. All that will need to be done is to backup the file named E:\AlignDataStorage\CurrentDataSet.xml

Instrument Shutdown

Unlike past Keysight/HP spectrum analyzers the new Windows based instruments should not be shutdown by either turning off the power via an external power source or by pulling the power plug out from the rear panel, as this could corrupt the operating system, applications, and data files.

The only approved ways to shutdown one of these instruments is to either use the front panel On/Off button or execute the Windows shutdown process, which will then turn off the instrument once the shutdown process completes.

Things Not To Do

In the world of Windows based PCs there are a lot of system level settings and files that you don't want to change, move, or delete as this could cause an untold number of difficulties. While we could not possibly address all of these areas, we would like to address a few specific to a Windows based signal analyzer.

Windows Registry

Do not manually make any changes to the registry unless you know exactly what you are doing. Making changes here could affect the instruments ability to boot-up, programs to execute, and to display the desired information.

Application Software

Do not remove any files under the C:Program Files folder by any means other than by using the Add or Remove Programs utility found on the Control Panel. Also, do not remove any software application that was preinstalled on the instrument by Keysight, even with the use of the Add or Remove Programs utility, unless you are instructed by Keysight to do so while performing an update.

Display Settings

Do not change any of the settings on the Settings tab of the Display settings window. Decreasing the screen resolution will make it so that the Signal Analyzer application window cannot be fully displayed, while increasing it may exceed the ability of the internal display.

Drives

Do not repartition the hard drive or rename any of the hard drive partitions. Doing so could cause the instrument to either not have the disk space required or to not be able to find needed calibration or user data.