Leica TCRA1101 – Boot stops after MEM / FIL – EEPROM / system initialization lost?

Hello,

I’m reaching out to this forum in the hope that someone may have experience or technical insight into recovering a Leica TCRA1101 total station after a possible loss of system configuration.

Here’s what happened:

I own a used Leica TCRA1101 that I’ve been using a few times per year for personal purposes. Recently, the device showed a compensator error and unusual electronic bubble values (approx. 3.0 gon longitudinal, 0.7 gon transverse). Electronic L/Q adjustment was no longer possible. Suspecting a connection issue inside, I opened a side panel and briefly disconnected a flat ribbon cable between the main board and a small daughterboard in the side housing.

Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that this daughterboard also contained the system backup battery. The battery (Tadiran lithium, 3.67 V) was actually not discharged, but due to the brief disconnection while the battery was still supplying voltage, I believe that critical system configuration was erased or became inaccessible.

Current symptoms:

• On startup, the screen briefly shows “MEM”, then “FIL”, then stays blank.

• No response to CF card containing mSeri221.tps firmware.

• No GeoCOM or serial response via RS232 (tested using original Leica GEV102 cable at 19200 Baud, 8N1).

I have spoken with a service workshop that confirmed: since Leica shut down their internal service server in 2020, there is no official way to reinitialize such devices anymore. They also mentioned that they have several similar “dead” units in storage.

So my questions to the community:

• Has anyone successfully revived a TCRA1101 (or TPS1100 series) from this state?

• Is there an EEPROM dump from a working device available?

• Is reprogramming via JTAG / EEPROM flasher possible?

• Or is this device permanently lost?

I am fully aware of the device’s age and do not expect miracles – I would simply appreciate a clear technical assessment of whether any recovery path still exists.

Any insight, dump file, or referral to a capable technician would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much!
— Geofox