An electronic instrument system uses a "DualPlay" concept comprising first and second mutually-exclusive modes of operation. The system includes an instrument module having first and second communications channels, each for linking the instrument module to one or more processors. The first communications channel comprises a first connector attached to the instrument module for mating to a backplane connector electrically connected to traces. The system operates in the first mode when the instrument module communicates through the first communications channel. Additionally, the system operates in the second mode when the instrument module communicates through the second communications channel, the first connector is disengaged from the backplane connector and the electronic instrument is not communicating through the first communications channel.