Awareness Technology Stat Fax 1904 Plus: all programmed tests lost
What happened
On a benchtop chemistry analyzer, every programmed test disappeared from memory: when the operator entered a test number in the test-selection menu, the unit no longer offered any test and the measurement would not start.
What was checked
- Confirmed the symptom: entering a test number in the selection menu gave no test and no run started.
- Reviewed the stored settings and established that the whole set of programmed tests was gone, not a single entry — pointing to loss of the battery-backed memory rather than one corrupted test.
Cause
The engineers found the cause to be loss of the contents of the non-volatile memory (the timekeeper chip) that stores the programmed tests, most likely because its backup cell had failed.
What was done
The timekeeper chip was replaced (fitting an external backup battery to it was discussed as an alternative), after which all programmed tests had to be re-entered from scratch; the fault was reported solved after this repair.
Safety
Unplug the analyzer from the mains before opening the case and remember the backup battery and power-supply capacitors can hold charge; after any board-level repair, repeat earth-continuity and leakage-current tests before returning the unit to use.
Lesson: When an analyzer loses its entire stored configuration at once, suspect the battery-backed memory chip rather than the software, and expect to re-enter all settings after replacing it.
Covered in the course: Lab Analyser Service — Level 2: Fault-Finding →
Written from an anonymised case shared by service engineers. It is not a manufacturer instruction and grants no authorisation. Independent note; names are trademarks of their owners.