Fallen Angel
10-15-2008, 09:10 AM
This is a C&P from another site..I thought it was great for some of the newer users...If they would just read it...
Trouble Shooting Guide
________________________________________
Troubleshooting and Tips
Thanks to Merog for this guide
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At on time or another when we got into fta we have all run into some problems in one form or another.and we have seen the posts in various forums asking help.
In an effort to help as many as I can ,came up with this list, hope it helps at least one person.
1. The very first and I think most important thing is if your unit is down,-stop think log in to your favorite site (hopefully here at XXXXX.com) take a look see if people post the same problems.
another great tool is the search button for finding almost anything you need and search for help
Try this first:
turn the box off from the rear switch, leave it off for a few minutes turn it back on
(this will cure 90% of all problems. if not keep reading), its often called the magic button
2. Problem
No Picture
Don’t panic , things to look at are; are the keys current? Are the keys rolling? Most newer units have auto roll processing screens, others do not.
Tip= download a good key grabber this will get you the keys. Make sure auto/roll is turned on.
Tip =auto roll seems to work fastest on certain channel's 150/200 (DN)
217/214 other guy (BEV)
Ok the keys are correct what next? Time to check your signal and quality levels, are they acceptable? Have your antenna settings changed?
Check make sure LNB type is correct?(simple change here can mean loss of certain channels) make sure switch ports (if any) are correct.
Next time check hardware=is cable ok no nicks cuts etc. Is switch working? Is LNB ok? Did dish move?
Tip-run cable straight to receiver by passing switch
to see if lnb or switch is the problem
Tip-if you suspect switch/port problem ,move ports to see if on or more has gone bad
Do a visual check of all lines and switches, LNB's, and dish angles, verify the dish hasn't moved
Tip -
Take a marker after you have confirmed the alignment and mark a straight line over all adjustment points (azimuth, and elevation) This is a reference of a KNOWN WORKING ALIGNMENT, and if does get out of alignment, its just a matter of moving it back to where the marks line up and you have an aligned dish, and you can visually check to see if the dish has moved.
3. Problem
Missing channels (or scanning very little )
Now here’s a common problem
First are you aimed at the right sat.? Are antenna settings correct to your setup-correct LNB type?
Correct frequency correct transponder switch and port settings?
Some other things to look at are-is your sat file updated? Are you running a new channel list?
Do a factory reset from within the menus
...or just delete all channels, then rescan channels.
Tip-When setting up your antenna use 12224 as transponder frequency for most dish sat with the exception of 119(12239)and 121(11724)
Tip-on 119 scan on 12239 but it will revert to 12224 as default(24) is a spotbeamed
DID YOU UPLOAD A CHANNEL LIST? Maybe its not correct, different areas, different lists, so be sure to do a scan of all satelittes.
Do a factory reset from within the menus remember to reset your settings again
another thing to look at is what style of LNB you have if it doesn’t match your antenna setup will miss many channels.
LNB’s can and will fail. One symptom is receiving only vertical or horizontal TP’s. Or if it’s a major failure lose of total signal and quality
Swap the LNB’s to see if the problem is the LNB.
Another thing too look at but, might sound silly, Did you plug your RG6 cable in the correct spot in the back of your STB?
4. Problem
Wait for Picture or Standby
Maybe your bin is out of date and time to load latest and greatest. Is Auto roll on? It works best on certain channels - allow it to work. It may take time
Tip- auto roll seems to work fastest on channels 150/200 on **** and 212/417 for the guy up north
Check above -auto roll/keys issue
5. Problem
No EPG displaying
1) What time is it? Make sure your Date/ time and GMT is correct. (Note that GMT should be set to reflect Daylight savings time make sure EPG is selected for the number of hours. Try “receive guide” on some models
make sure your sat file is current and correct
If you can choose how many hours your guide is, cut that number in half to allow more memory to the other channels
If using a Pansat (may work for others) and you cant get the guide to work properly with provider up north then you need to rename the nimq1 satellite to Echostar1 91.
Tip- EPG populates on certain channels on the providers look in the facts and question section for EPG for some good pointers
6. Problem
Glitches
1) Factory file time, this restores unit to near virgin status. Download the factory Bin. It will clean those glitches up. Then download the Current bin right after.
Remember, this also changes all your settings back to original so have to reset all your settings
Tip - see if signal and quality levels are acceptable anything less then 50% quality is susceptible to weather problems
7.Problem
"Night Rider" (Flashing Lights): (----)
Usually a sign of a bad or corrupt flash or even in some cases interrupted process.
1. Try re-flashing the factory flash again using the correct procedure for your unit.
Failure to wait for the all ZERO display interrupts the STB's processing of the data transferred. Interrupting the data processing may leave the STB with a corrupted file this is also sign of wrong file for wrong unit -make sure you are using correct file for your unit
Tip -Let the unit complete flash and reboot. Don't interrupt process.
2. Then, when that works use the latest flash to get the scrambled channels.
Tip -May take several attempts to reload factory flash
Tip -After reloading latest bin, set your antenna settings as they will revert to factory with factory flash
When flashing, be sure to wait not only until is says done. But you need to wait until it reboots and actually goes to a channel number.
Cables:
What's the difference?
NULL MODEM cable: (called a "cross-over" or "twisted pair")--USED FOR VIEWSAT!!!
Has 9 pins, but only these are required:
Pin 2 to Pin 3
Pin 3 to Pin 2
Pin 5 to Pin 5
Straight through serial cable:
Has 9 pins, but only these are required:
Pin 2 to Pin 2
Pin 3 to Pin 3
8. Problem
Seeing one sat but not the other
Here’s a possible switch problem. Here are some things to check for.
1. If ports are partially stuck or shorted try switching ports
2. Run cable direct from that LNB to receiver and see if switch or LNB is gone bad
3. Replace the switch
4. Reboot the unit as switch can be simply stuck and not shifting
9. Problem
Loading/flashing your unit(the ----- and 8888 and on)
Now here’s an area where many people at one time or another fail
Things to look at:
1. Make sure you have correct cable for the unit your flashing(two basic types here straight and null, they look the same but are different)
2.Make sure when you download the correct file that you
unzip or extract it to a folder.
3. Loader-use the right one for the right unit as there are many different units out there and most have their own loader.
com port should be set to ? In tools you have 1-4 options
4.Was download interrupted?
5. Are we loading right file to right unit
Tip -Finding right com port=go into my computer
view system info
click on hardware
open device manger
then look for com port
Tip - in each section there’s usually a good sticky with loading procedures for your particular unit
10. Problem
Black and White issues
You’ve tried to adjust settings and now screen is black and white.
One solution is using the rear switch to re boot unit -once or twice should be good.
Using the color button on the remote, write down all the levels under default (all of them). Select User; change all the values to match the Default levels. Select EXIT. Turn Receiver OFF from the switch in the rear. Turn receiver back on. Now you will have color on both the Default and User selection. You can now tweak the user levels to their settings that are good for your Fta Box
11. Problem
Sound is not working
If you turn the channel and there is no audio, it could be a few things- check the obvious mute button, if it’s not that, then chances are it’s a Dolby issue.
If you’re not using a Dolby surround system then go to menu, system settings and user options and turn off Auto Dolby Select.
Check audio button go thru settings and also all your cables.
Try that magic switch again and reboot.
Trouble Shooting Guide
________________________________________
Troubleshooting and Tips
Thanks to Merog for this guide
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At on time or another when we got into fta we have all run into some problems in one form or another.and we have seen the posts in various forums asking help.
In an effort to help as many as I can ,came up with this list, hope it helps at least one person.
1. The very first and I think most important thing is if your unit is down,-stop think log in to your favorite site (hopefully here at XXXXX.com) take a look see if people post the same problems.
another great tool is the search button for finding almost anything you need and search for help
Try this first:
turn the box off from the rear switch, leave it off for a few minutes turn it back on
(this will cure 90% of all problems. if not keep reading), its often called the magic button
2. Problem
No Picture
Don’t panic , things to look at are; are the keys current? Are the keys rolling? Most newer units have auto roll processing screens, others do not.
Tip= download a good key grabber this will get you the keys. Make sure auto/roll is turned on.
Tip =auto roll seems to work fastest on certain channel's 150/200 (DN)
217/214 other guy (BEV)
Ok the keys are correct what next? Time to check your signal and quality levels, are they acceptable? Have your antenna settings changed?
Check make sure LNB type is correct?(simple change here can mean loss of certain channels) make sure switch ports (if any) are correct.
Next time check hardware=is cable ok no nicks cuts etc. Is switch working? Is LNB ok? Did dish move?
Tip-run cable straight to receiver by passing switch
to see if lnb or switch is the problem
Tip-if you suspect switch/port problem ,move ports to see if on or more has gone bad
Do a visual check of all lines and switches, LNB's, and dish angles, verify the dish hasn't moved
Tip -
Take a marker after you have confirmed the alignment and mark a straight line over all adjustment points (azimuth, and elevation) This is a reference of a KNOWN WORKING ALIGNMENT, and if does get out of alignment, its just a matter of moving it back to where the marks line up and you have an aligned dish, and you can visually check to see if the dish has moved.
3. Problem
Missing channels (or scanning very little )
Now here’s a common problem
First are you aimed at the right sat.? Are antenna settings correct to your setup-correct LNB type?
Correct frequency correct transponder switch and port settings?
Some other things to look at are-is your sat file updated? Are you running a new channel list?
Do a factory reset from within the menus
...or just delete all channels, then rescan channels.
Tip-When setting up your antenna use 12224 as transponder frequency for most dish sat with the exception of 119(12239)and 121(11724)
Tip-on 119 scan on 12239 but it will revert to 12224 as default(24) is a spotbeamed
DID YOU UPLOAD A CHANNEL LIST? Maybe its not correct, different areas, different lists, so be sure to do a scan of all satelittes.
Do a factory reset from within the menus remember to reset your settings again
another thing to look at is what style of LNB you have if it doesn’t match your antenna setup will miss many channels.
LNB’s can and will fail. One symptom is receiving only vertical or horizontal TP’s. Or if it’s a major failure lose of total signal and quality
Swap the LNB’s to see if the problem is the LNB.
Another thing too look at but, might sound silly, Did you plug your RG6 cable in the correct spot in the back of your STB?
4. Problem
Wait for Picture or Standby
Maybe your bin is out of date and time to load latest and greatest. Is Auto roll on? It works best on certain channels - allow it to work. It may take time
Tip- auto roll seems to work fastest on channels 150/200 on **** and 212/417 for the guy up north
Check above -auto roll/keys issue
5. Problem
No EPG displaying
1) What time is it? Make sure your Date/ time and GMT is correct. (Note that GMT should be set to reflect Daylight savings time make sure EPG is selected for the number of hours. Try “receive guide” on some models
make sure your sat file is current and correct
If you can choose how many hours your guide is, cut that number in half to allow more memory to the other channels
If using a Pansat (may work for others) and you cant get the guide to work properly with provider up north then you need to rename the nimq1 satellite to Echostar1 91.
Tip- EPG populates on certain channels on the providers look in the facts and question section for EPG for some good pointers
6. Problem
Glitches
1) Factory file time, this restores unit to near virgin status. Download the factory Bin. It will clean those glitches up. Then download the Current bin right after.
Remember, this also changes all your settings back to original so have to reset all your settings
Tip - see if signal and quality levels are acceptable anything less then 50% quality is susceptible to weather problems
7.Problem
"Night Rider" (Flashing Lights): (----)
Usually a sign of a bad or corrupt flash or even in some cases interrupted process.
1. Try re-flashing the factory flash again using the correct procedure for your unit.
Failure to wait for the all ZERO display interrupts the STB's processing of the data transferred. Interrupting the data processing may leave the STB with a corrupted file this is also sign of wrong file for wrong unit -make sure you are using correct file for your unit
Tip -Let the unit complete flash and reboot. Don't interrupt process.
2. Then, when that works use the latest flash to get the scrambled channels.
Tip -May take several attempts to reload factory flash
Tip -After reloading latest bin, set your antenna settings as they will revert to factory with factory flash
When flashing, be sure to wait not only until is says done. But you need to wait until it reboots and actually goes to a channel number.
Cables:
What's the difference?
NULL MODEM cable: (called a "cross-over" or "twisted pair")--USED FOR VIEWSAT!!!
Has 9 pins, but only these are required:
Pin 2 to Pin 3
Pin 3 to Pin 2
Pin 5 to Pin 5
Straight through serial cable:
Has 9 pins, but only these are required:
Pin 2 to Pin 2
Pin 3 to Pin 3
8. Problem
Seeing one sat but not the other
Here’s a possible switch problem. Here are some things to check for.
1. If ports are partially stuck or shorted try switching ports
2. Run cable direct from that LNB to receiver and see if switch or LNB is gone bad
3. Replace the switch
4. Reboot the unit as switch can be simply stuck and not shifting
9. Problem
Loading/flashing your unit(the ----- and 8888 and on)
Now here’s an area where many people at one time or another fail
Things to look at:
1. Make sure you have correct cable for the unit your flashing(two basic types here straight and null, they look the same but are different)
2.Make sure when you download the correct file that you
unzip or extract it to a folder.
3. Loader-use the right one for the right unit as there are many different units out there and most have their own loader.
com port should be set to ? In tools you have 1-4 options
4.Was download interrupted?
5. Are we loading right file to right unit
Tip -Finding right com port=go into my computer
view system info
click on hardware
open device manger
then look for com port
Tip - in each section there’s usually a good sticky with loading procedures for your particular unit
10. Problem
Black and White issues
You’ve tried to adjust settings and now screen is black and white.
One solution is using the rear switch to re boot unit -once or twice should be good.
Using the color button on the remote, write down all the levels under default (all of them). Select User; change all the values to match the Default levels. Select EXIT. Turn Receiver OFF from the switch in the rear. Turn receiver back on. Now you will have color on both the Default and User selection. You can now tweak the user levels to their settings that are good for your Fta Box
11. Problem
Sound is not working
If you turn the channel and there is no audio, it could be a few things- check the obvious mute button, if it’s not that, then chances are it’s a Dolby issue.
If you’re not using a Dolby surround system then go to menu, system settings and user options and turn off Auto Dolby Select.
Check audio button go thru settings and also all your cables.
Try that magic switch again and reboot.