GE Logiq e9: stuck in demo mode on all probes
What happened
The scanner worked only in demo mode with every probe connected, the screen showed dots instead of an image, and the PC part of the system did not detect the ultrasound engine.
What was checked
- The engineers checked the power indicators and the built-in test information, putting the LV/HV supplies on the suspicion list.
- They inspected the MRX192 and GFI boards as possible culprits.
- They ran diagnostics on the link between the PC block and the ultrasound engine, since the behaviour pointed to that connection being lost.
Cause
The engineers found that the GTX3 and GTX4 channel boards had burned out. The most probable cause reported in the case was a damaged probe cable — pinched or run over — which took the channel boards down with it.
What was done
The faulty GTX3 and GTX4 boards were replaced, and after that the scanner worked normally again on all probes.
Safety
Isolate the system from the mains before any board work, and after replacement run the electrical safety checks, including probe cable integrity, before the unit goes back to patient use — a crushed cable is a hazard in itself.
Lesson: Demo mode on every probe at once means the PC has lost the link with the ultrasound engine, and a damaged probe cable is a real way to burn channel boards.
Covered in the course: Ultrasound 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.