4 ms·
Ask HN: How can I revitalize a device that has lost support?
Hi there,
I've got a situation that's been bugging me and could use your help. My dad, who's a medical expert, bought a 3M machine about eight years ago, and it was doing great until it suddenly stopped working. He reached out to 3M, but they dropped the bombshell that they no longer support it. The kicker is that the software needs to connect to an external API to do its thing, but all the processing is done directly on the device.
Now, we're talking about a hefty investment of around $30,000 here, so I'm determined to find a way to get this machine back up and running. The problem is, I'm a total newbie when it comes to this stuff. That's why I'm turning to you guys for any pointers, guides, or even stories about similar cases that might shed some light on what to do.
Thanks a bunch in advance for your help!
- jgrahamc 3y agoIt might be possible to revitalize it by spying on what it is doing on the wire. Although if 3M has dropped the API then it might be tough. What's the machine?
- jaimebw 3y agoHi jgrahamc, this is the machine(https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/984589O/3m-true-definition-scanner-brochure-cart-edition.pdf https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/984589O/3m-true-definiti...). It is a mouth scanner. The mouths scanner works but when it has to upload the results to the PC, it fails. My main guess is that there must be some shady connection to 3M that is rejecting the operation. About what you told me, thats my main guess, try to spy on the connection and fake it in some way but idk where to start.
- GianFabien 3y agoIs the machine is connected to the PC and then the PC to the internet? I'm guessing the PC is running Windows - what version? Anyway, the first step might be to install WireShark on the PC and look at what sort outgoing message is being sent. And whether anything is coming back from 3M, or just no response. Would you be in the position to place a Linux system with 2 NICs into the connection, so that various forms of spoofing could be attempted? Of course, the biggest problem is that the snooping would have been best done back when the connection to 3M was working and you were able to upload to the PC. Looking at the data plan descriptions, I suspect that the scanned data was transformed by servers hosted by 3M and not by the PC. Of course, that is my guess. At $200 / mth, 3M could be expected to perform some sort of on-going service. BTW the brochure shows the price as $17,000 but you said it cost $30,000. Perhaps you are including the cost of the data plans. As I see it, 3M planned on the machine having an 8 year life. As a business the machine was expected to be amortized 12.5% p.a. with an OPEX of $2400 p.a. Good value considering how much dentists charge.
- jgrahamc 3y agoOf course, the biggest problem is that the snooping would have been best done back when the connection to 3M was working and you were able to upload to the PC. Yeah, I agree. That's the hardest part. Unless it was doing something super trivial (like check a license or something) then it would be hard to reverse engineer.
- GianFabien 3y ago"stopped working" is a vague description of the problem. Do the lights come on? etc. Have you tried Googling the machine's name, model number? There's a chance that that there might be a copy of service manuals somewhere. Could you fix a broken VCR, DVD player, desktop computer? If not, then it might be better to find a technician who has the essential skills to take a look.
- jaimebw 3y agoHi Fabien, I apologize for the vague description earlier. The machine in question is a mouth scanner used for taking digital impressions of the mouth (you can find more information about it here: https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/984589O/3m-true-definition-scanner-brochure-cart-edition.pdf https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/984589O/3m-true-definiti...). The machine itself works fine - it powers on and allows you to scan mouths. However, the issue arises when attempting to transfer the scanned results to a PC. It seems that the machine is no longer supported by 3M, as my dad was informed when he contacted them. Consequently, we are unable to use it, suspecting that it somehow relies on a connection to 3M. Now, my question is related to finding resources or methods to simulate or monitor the machine's external connections when uploading the results to a PC."
- GianFabien 3y agoI just downloaded and read: https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/921859O/3m-true-definition-scanner-faq.pdf https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/921859O/3m-true-definiti... I get the impression that 3M provided a range of services in conjunction with the scanner product. From that I assume that most of the processing was being performed on 3M SaaS servers. Which in turn suggests that raw scan data was being sent to 3M and various outputs sent back. So I think you have yet another example of planned obsolescence, just like your iPhone, etc.