Carlos P., Kyle R.

VBOC's RGA application software was indicating that both of the analyzer's filaments were not working, i.e. were open circuits.  This condradicted my ohmic measurements of the filament pins on the analyzer -> Swapping the RGA's electronics as a troubleshooting comparison revealed a new, unrelated, problem.  The appllication software was unable to "talk" with the newly installed electronics box.  The software version of the appllication software and the firmware on this newly installed electronics should have been compatible -> Long story short, at some point in the past, the wifi on the laptop had been enabled (BAD idea) which, then, allowed the 3-year old (but working) outdated applilcation software to update itself which then required updated "firmware" to be loaded onto the new electronics (...since when has "firmware" been downloadable?)  Anywhoo, this resulted in 4 days worth of wasted time, discovering bugs and working with vendor service techs to wade through workarounds etc.  Ultimately, with Carlos P.'s help, we were able to get the laptop to communicate with the, now updated replacement RGA electronics module. 

I'll send the original electronics back to the vendor to repair the pseudo filament issue.