Acuson Antares Third Party Diagnostics

[Youdsy]

Hi all,

I have just won service contracts on several Acuson Antares machines. When my customers called Siemens for them to enable diagnostics; they refused until we can prove that we are competent to work on the machines. This basically means that we have to attend all the Siemens service classes! Is there any way around this? We hope to attend a class at Sonora on this unit but in the meantime I don't want to remove the covers and find that the system has locked me out! (Like the Sequoia).
Any feedback will be greatly recieved!

Best regards,

Paul.:confused:

[Vanhanen]

The big companies are not nice to 3rd party service. I know, worked for both Siemens and 3rd party.
The original Antares was designed so that the card cage cover was not to be removed by service and if you had a electronic problem then you changed the whole box (expensive). Your Acuson Antares may still be that way. The plastic covers should be OK to remove.
To get 3rd party access to the diagnostics try to contact Siemens USA or Canada for the information. You may want to get someone in the USA or Canada to call on your behalf with the model, serial number and SW level. Conquest may do it for you. If Siemens requires a service call to enable diagnostics then you may have no choise.

[Youdsy]

Vanhanen, should we ever meet up, I owe you a few beers!
That is exactly the information I have been looking for. Do you know when Siemens removed the card cage switch? Was it from a certain S/No. etc..?
Will be signing up for the May course either this week or next week, what's Stockton like? Only been to the States once before.

Paul :)

[Vanhanen]

Do not have any info on s/n card cage changes. Your newer Acuson Antares may have a card cage switch.
Been to San Franciso but never to Stockton. You will need to rent a car to get around.

[pwstires]

Good Morning, Youdsy
Unless they moved, you'll be staying and schooling near the airport. The up scale eateries are up by the shopping mall. Ask for directions at the hotel. Definitely allow time for a trip to the Lodi vineyards. If you can stay an extra weekend, you're a day's drive from Yosemite, which is well worth the trip. Drive carefully!