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December 2007

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Subject:
From:
"Croslin, Robert" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
TechNet E-Mail Forum <[log in to unmask]>, Croslin, Robert
Date:
Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:44:47 -0500
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Hi TechNetters,

Before everybody drifts away for the holidays, I thought I'd do an
update on the problem I presented to this forum back in early November.
Our main metering platform device contains an off-the-shelf PC
motherboard and uses two SIMM sticks plugged into it.  Since March,
we've seen numerous problems with the devices faulting in the field and
finally came to the conclusion that some sort of oxidation in the
sockets was our problem.  One big clue came from an article written by
Rudy Sedlak in 2005 that we found on the web.  We had indications of
this being the problem, but had been unable to replicate it in the lab.
We finally received a unit back from the field that would repeat the
failure at will.  From that unit we learned that by putting the
slightest pressure in one particular place on just one of the sticks, we
could fault the unit every time.  Better still, we were then able to do
it on other units as well.

I posted a TechNet request for information about lubricants and Brian
Ellis and Bill Kenyon responded with suggestions.  We've evaluated
solutions from the vendors Bill suggested along with some others and now
have units beginning HALT testing.  We've also begun a four market field
trial having selected reps go into the homes where the offending devices
are, remove the sticks, and apply the lubricant/cleaners.  We're really
pleased because in our environmental chamber in our lab, after
application of one of the lubricants, DeoxIT from Caig Laboratories,  we
can not make a previously "bad" unit fail again.

I just wanted to thank everyone who responded for contributing to a
solution to a problem that had evaded us for a long time, and at the
same time, wishing everyone a Warm and Happy Holiday Season.

Thanks!

Bob Croslin
Nielsen Media Research

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