🚀 go-pugleaf

I have a problem with our Biorad MRC-600 confocal microscope, one that
renders it useless.  When I boot the COMOS, MPL or similar software, I
receive the following error message:

ERROR1: SCAN CARD UNAVAILABLE OR NOT RESPONDING CORRECTLY.

This error was initially intermittent, got progressively worse, and now
appears every time the software is booted.  It is now impossible to control
the microscope or acquire images. Given the PC is about 8 years old, I've
tried switching ISA bus slots, cleaned the bus edge connectors on both
cards (scan card and video card), and transferred it to a newer
computer.  When all this failed I removed, cleaned (IC cleaning solvent),
and replaced all the chips that were in IC sockets.  Still no improvement.

Has anyone experienced similar problems with their scan card? Can anyone
help me with:

(i) any other things I could try to "repair" the card, such as replacing
the generic bus interface chips on the scan card? The Biorad techs. simply
replace the whole card, and will not repair the card - despite the symptoms
suggesting just a dirty contact, broken track or fried component.

(ii) anyone have a card they don't need or use, and are willing to sell?
I'm hoping there's one lying around somewhere attached to a defunct laser
or 'scope, that somebody might be willing to sell. Biorad is yet to give me
a quote, but it looks like costing big $$$$ to replace.

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

Tim Blanche
Ophthalmology Research Grp.
University of British Columbia