I had not realised that your equipment manufacturer appears to be running in full "do be evil" mode. It appears, BIMBW, that this loss of capability is a built in "feature", activated when the machines have not been in use for some while and perhaps in other circumstances as well. Certainly SOUNDS like unconscionable gouging or outright theft,. BIMBW. If the people below have no relationship to you, it sounds like there may be a substantial market for an alternative to dealing with these rogues. Service contracts can be an excellent way of buying service, but this sounds far closer to paying 'protection". Certainly people I'll stay clear of and recommend against if the opportunity arises. Russell _______________________ from: http://listserv.ipc.org/scripts/wa.exe?A2=3Dind1011&L=3DTechNet&P=3D3= 298 Subject: Re: APS GF-12 Reflow Oven and Novastar Service From: Ed Popielarski <[log in to unmask]> Reply-To: TechNet E-Mail Forum <[log in to unmask]>, Ed Popielarski <[log in to unmask]> Date: Wed, 3 Nov 2010 11:30:53 -0700 Content-Type: text/plain Have you tried going back to the original owner? This too may be obvious but overlooked, look for handwritten notes within the operator's manuals. Regards, Ed Popielarski Sr. Mfg. Engr. NBS Corporation 2950 Patrick Henry Dr. Santa Clara, Ca. 95054 Ph: 408-654-1100 Fx: 408-654-1107 Cl: 408-234-1497 Cl: 949-581-6601 -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:TechNet@ipc.org] On Behalf Of Stadem, Richard D. Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2010 10:54 AM To: TechNet@IPC.ORG Subject: [TN] APS GF-12 Reflow Oven and Novastar Service I am looking for anyone who has the subject reflow oven. I have two at a client site and both have not been used for more than a year, so they require the "Tune" mode to be performed. In the operation manual for this oven it states not to change anything in the "Tune" mode, but does not give a password like it does for the "Setup" mode. However, in order to run the stored profiles, you need to run the "Tune" mode if it has been awhile since the oven was used. When I asked APS Novastar for the "Tune" password, they responded that the client company purchased the ovens on the used equipment market and therefore they would not give me the password unless the client company purchased not one but two "service contracts" at a cost of $1700 each, good only for one year! Needless to say, the client is shocked and outraged and does not want to spend this money just to get their own ovens up and running. Does anyone know what the code is? Feel free to respond off-forum. Thanks for any help I can get with this. Needless to say, I will not be recommending this company to any of my clients. --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .