"Why My Panasonic PVRs [Almost] Never Get U99 Errors." Part 2: My Anti-U99 Protocol. Pretty much every U99 crash I had on either Panny machine before I updated the firmware and before I started noticing the DVD drive status included *most* of the following conditions: 1. Drive reached over Half Full. I have read on many threads over the last year that the Pannys become very unstable as the drive fills up--probably due to limited RAM for directory entries. 2. Multiple titles were deleted--but not all. My guess is, deleting files does not free up *all* of the RAM that creating them uses, so eventually you use it all up and crash--like a typical Windows program. I use Eudora, and that is a common problem with it, which is why it's on my mind. *AND* 3. Hard disk was not subsequently reformatted (nor was system fully reset). I have discovered that I can slide through the 1-2-3 combination by simply doing a soft reset (see earlier post today)--including a 30-second unplug--before putting the unit in Stand-by. This seems to clean up the data fragments left by filling and deleting (or free RAM, or...). It is *possible* that these crashes also had in common: 4. DVD in Drive while System was OFF or in Stand-by. A few other items that caused early crashes, that my Protocol eliminates: 5. Unit Overheats. This happens when you place it in a sealed cabinet or when you stack them with other components without adequate spacing between units. The feet are far too thin. You need at least an inch and a half between units to allow for convection cooling. I originally discovered this with my *very* heat-sensitive RCA, and cured it by using Vienna Sausage cans as spacers both above and below the unit. When I added these spacers to my Pannys, crashes went almost completly away--from daily to monthly. Also, don't pile a lot of stuff on your PVR--it holds the heat in. 6. Listings Guide enabled on power up. As crazy as it seems, this was the first thing I did to cut down crashes, and it cut them significantly on both units. I disabled that option on my E-85 to prevent Green-Screen crashes before the firmware update, and it reduced all crashes by 75% and completely eliminated the Green-Screen ones. 7. Poor Connections. Thishas bit me three times. Once, I was too far from a splitter (50 feet before splitting off six more times) and the signal was weak and unreliable. Sometimes the magic worked and sometimes it didn't. I added a Radio Shack signal booster at the first splice and the problems disappeared. The second time I got bit was at my new house. I went down to the 99-cent store and bought a handful of splitters. Two days after installation, I still didn't have any new listings (the old ones survived the move--same provider, different house). I noticed that the signal on some stations was a little snowy and weak, so I tuned to the worst station and wired the PVR directly to the wall. Perfect signal. I started adding splitters and discovered my OLD splitters were fine, but all of the new ones degenerated the signal considerably. I trashed the new ones and it started working. I also discovered that a 5-way splitter was a lot better than multiple 2- and 3-way splitters, daisy chained. Just this week, I got bit again, when--after fighting no listings alternating with partial listings for two weeks, I noticed that NBS had a poor signal. I wiggled the cabling and it got better/worse. I found two "finger tight" connections that had come loose, so the ground wasn't solid. I tightened them down and my listings are now filling back up, a day at a time. If you have *intermittent* Listings problems that aren't explained by other factors (such as the unit being on or recording during download time--or interrupting a download), check your connections. I eliminate this problem by tightening the connectors (lightly) with pliers and by using *quality* splitters and minimul breaks between the PVR and the cable box. If you daisy-chain units, put the PVR *upstream* from the VCR and TV--as it has to decode digital data. A bad connection could lead to corrupt data--which could lead to U99 errors. After all, isn't that *really* a "Communication Error"? My Anti-U99 Protocol is simply to make sure that *none* of the above conditions exist--especially in the presence of others. Anytime I delete more than a half-dozen shows during a day (i.e. between Stand-by cycles), I do a soft reset for insurance. Also, I never record between midnight and 8:00 am, simply because--far too often--doing so loses me a day's listings that don't come back for a week. I use one of my other recorders for this and dub the shows I want to save over the S-Video cable. If I can ever get a *reliable* program of download times/segment contents for my area, I'll program around them. Until then, overnight is a dead zone. bob
Here is some basic error info from my DMR-E500 manual that could help. Self-Diagnosis and Special Mode Setting Self-Diagnosis Functions Self-Diagnosis Function provides information for errors to service personnel by “Self-Diagnosis Display” when any error has occurred. U14, H** and F** are stored in memory and held. Display on FL will be cancelled when the power is turned off or AC input is turned off during self-diagnosis display is ON. Error/Mode Diagnosis contents Description Monitor Display Automatic FL display U12 Remote control code error Display appears when main unit and remote controller codes are not matched. No display “*” is remote controller code of the main unit. Display for 5 seconds. U14 Abnormal inner temperature detected Display appears when the drive temperature exceeds 70°C. The power is turned off forcibly. For 30 minutes after this, all key entries are disabled. (Fan motor operates at the highest speedfor the first 5 minutes. For the remaining 25 minutes, fan motor is also stopped.) The event is saved in memory as well. No display “U14” is displayed for 30 minutes. U99 Hang-up Displayed when communication error has occurred between Main microprocessor and Timer microprocessor. No display Displayed is left until the [POWER] key is pressed. H01 Inoperative fan motor When inoperative fan motor is detected after powered on, the power is turned off when detecting. No display No display F00 No error information Initial setting for error code in memory (Error code Initialization is possible with error code initialization and main unit initialization.) No display No display F01 Drive hardware error When drive unit error is detected, the event is saved in memory. No display No display F12 Initialization error when main microprocessor is started up for program recording When initialization error is detected after starting up main microprocessor for program recording. The event is saved in memory. The power is turned off when detecting. No display No display UNSUPPORT Unsupported disc error *An unsupported format disc was played, although the drive starts normally. *The data format is not supported, although the media type is supported. *Exceptionally incase of the disc is dirty. “This disc is incompatible.” Display for 5 seconds. NO READ Disc read error *A disc is flawed or dirty. *A poor quality failed to start. *The track information could not be read. “Cannot read. Please check the disc.” HARD ERR Drive error The drive detected a hard error. “DVD drive error.” Display for 5 seconds. SELF CHECK Restoration operation Since the power cord fell out during a power failure or operation, it is under restoration operation. *It will OK, if a display disappears automatically. If a display does not disappear, thereis the possibility that defective Digital P.C.B. / RAM drive. No display Full Program 32 programs are already set. 32 programs are already set. No display HDD SLEEP In order to extend HDD life, the HDD is in SLEEP (not activated) mode. If there is no disc in the unit, the HDD will go into SLEEP mode after there has been no operation for 30 minutes or longer. *While in SLEEP mode play or recording may not begin rightaway because the HDD takes time to be re-activated. Special Modes Setting Item FL display Key operation Mode name Description Front Key TEST Mode *All the main unit's parameters (include tuner) are initialized. Press [SKIP (REV)], [TIME SLIP] and [OPEN/CLOSE] keys simultaneously for five seconds when power is off. Service Mode Setting every kind of modes for servicing. *Details are described in “10.3. Service Mode ”. When the power is off, press [STOP], [TIME SLIP] and [OPEN/CLOSE] keys simultaneously for 5 seconds. Rating password The audiovisual level setting password is initialized to “Level 8”. Open the tray, and press [SKIP (REV)] and [SKIP (FWD)] simultaneously for five seconds. Forced disc eject Removing a disc that cannot be ejected. The tray will open and unit will shift to P-off mode. *When Timer REC is ON or EXT-LINK is ON, execute " Forced disc eject " after releasing TimerREC or EXT-LINK. *This command is not effective during "Child lock" is ON. The display before execution leaves. When the power is off, press [STOP] and [CH UP] keys simultaneously for five seconds. Forced power-off When the power button is not effective while power is ON, turn off the power forcibly.*When Timer REC is ON or EXT-LINK is ON, execute “Forced Power-off” after releasing Timer RECor EXT-LINK. Action: The tray will open, and the power will turn off. Display in P-off mode. Press [Power] key over than 10 seconds. Aging Perform sequence of modes as * Aging Description shown below continually. Display following the then mode. When the power is ON, press [CH DOWN], TIME SLIP] and [OPEN / CLOSE] simultaneously for over five seconds and less than 10 seconds. *The [REC MODE] should be set to EP or LP. *Whenthe unit has hung-up because of pressing keys for over 10 seconds, once turn off the power, and re-execute this command. “When releasing Aging mode, press [POWER] key. Demonstration lock/unlock Ejection of the disc is prohibited. The lock setting is effective until unlocking the tray and not released by “Main unit initialization” of service mode. *When lock the tray. “LOCK” is displayed for 3 seconds. When the power is on, press [STOP] and [POWER] keys simultaneously for five seconds. *When unlock the tray. “UNLOCK” is displayed for 3 seconds. When the power is on, press [STOP] and [POWER] keys simultaneously for five seconds. *When press OPEN/CLOSE key while the tray being locked. Display “LOCK” for 3 seconds. Press [OPEN/CLOSE] key while the tray being locked. ATP Initialization ATP setting is initialized, and the unit turns off automatically. It is same with display in stop mode. When the power is on (E-E mode), press [CH UP] and [CH DOWN] simultaneously for five seconds. Progressive initialization The progressive setting is initialized to Interlace. The display before execution leaves. When the power is on (E-E mode), press [STOP] and [TIME SLIP] simultaneously for five seconds.
Service menu options. Maybe someone more technically inclined can shed some light on some of these options. Service Modes Service mode setting: While the power is off, press TIME SLIP, STOP and OPEN / CLOSE simultaneously for five seconds. Item FL display Key operation Mode name Description (Remote controller key) Release Items Item of Service Mode executing is cancelled. Press [0] [0] or [Return] in service mode. Error Code Display Last Error Code of U14/H/F held by Timer is displayed on FL. *Details are described in “10.1. Self-Diagnosis Functions”. Press [0] [1] in service mode ROM Version Display Region code, MAIN firm version, TIMER firm version and DRIVE firmware versions and ROM version are displayed on FL for five seconds per each version in order, but NET firm version will be left displayed. ‘’’’ are version displays. Press [0] [2] in service mode White Picture Output White picture is output as component Output from AV Decoder. *White picture (Saturation rate : 100%) *It is enable to switch Interlace/Progressive by “I/Pswitch: [1] [4]” *Initial mode is “Interlace”. Press [1] [1] in service mode. Switch Interlace/Progressive Press [1] [4] in White Picture Output mode. *I/P are switched alternately. Magenta Picture Output Magenta picture is output with Component Output from AV Decoder. *Magenta picture (Saturation rate: 100%) *It is enable to switch Interlace/Progressive by “I/Pswitch: [1] [4]” *Initial mode is “Interlace”. Press [1] [2] in service mode. Switch Interlace/Progressive Press [1] [4] in Magenta Picture Output mode. *I/P are switched alternately. RTSC Return in XP (A & V) L1 input signal is encoded (XP), decoded (XP) and output decoded signal to external without DISC recording and DISC playback. Initial mode: EE2/ Interlace/ XP/ Audio 48kHz Press [1] [3] in service mode. Switch Interlace/Progressive Press [1] [4] in RTSC Return XP mode. *I/P are switched alternately. Audio 44.1 kHz/ 48 kHz Switch Press [2] [4] in RTSC Return XP mode. *48 kHz / 44.1 kHz are switched alternately. I/P Switch Switch Interlace and Progressive in EE mode. *Initial setting is “Interlace”. *This command is effective during executing “White Picture Output”, “MagentaPicture Output” and “RTSC Return in XP (A & V)” modes. Initial mode is Interlace Switch Interlace/Progressive Press [1] [4] in I/P Switch mode. *I/P are switched alternately. Audio Mute (XTMUTE) Check whether mute is applied normally by the timer microprocessor. Press [2] [1] in service mode. Audio Mute (XDMUTE) Check whether mute is applied normally by the Digital P.C.B. (GLUE IC). Press [2] [2] in service mode. Audio Pattern Output The audio pattern stored in the internal memory is output (Lch: 1kHz/-18dB) (Rch: 400Hz/-18dB) *Audio sound clock switching operation of DAC can beconfirmed by sub command [2] [4]. Initial mode (Audio 48kHz) Press [2] [3] in service mode. Audio 44.1kHz/48kHz switching Press [2] [4] in Audio Pattern Output mode. *48 kHz / 44.1 kHz are switched alternately. PC card WRITE/ READ Check Check write/read function using the media and PC card adaptor with PC card slot. It is displayed momentarily. When the WRITE check is OK. Whenthe WRITE check is NG. *Note: The image stored in the media will be erased. Insert a PC card adaptor with media to PC card slot, and press [7] [1] in service mode. *Insert PC card adaptor with media while the power is off. *Check for "PC" display on theFL display and execute this procedure. JPEG Decode Check Check Decode function using the media with image and PC card adaptor with PC card slot. When the Decode check is OK, the first image stored in the media is displayed on the monitor TV. When the WRITE check is NG. Insert a PC card adaptor with media to PC card slot, and press [7] [2] in service mode. *Insert PC card adaptor with media while the power is off. *Check for [PC] display on theFL display and execute this procedure. SD card WRITE check Check SD card WRITE function with SD card slot. When the WRITE check is NG. When the WRITE check is OK. *Note:The image stored in the SD card will be erased. Insert a SD card to SD card slot, and press [7] [4] in service mode. *Insert SD card while the power is off. *Check for [SD] display on the FL display and go on the procedure. HDD READ inspection Perform a complete read inspection of the HDD. When the HDD is OK If the HDD is defective Press [3] [1] in the service mode. *When canceling the checking mode while executing, do "forced power-off". Method: Press the "POWER" button on the Front Panel more than 10 seconds. Laser Used Time Indiction Check laser used time (hours) of drive. (*****) is the used time display in hour. Laser used time ofDVD/ CD in Playback/Recording mode is counted. Press [4] [1] in service mode. Delete the Laser Used Time Laser used time stored in the memory of the unit is deleted. Press [9] [5] in service mode. RAM Drive Last Error RAM Drive error code display. *For details about the drive error code, refer to the Service Manual for the specific RAM Drive. *Details are described in “9. Service Explorer ”. 1. Error Number is displayed for 5 seconds. 2. Time when the error has occurred is displayed for 5 seconds. Y: Year MM: Month DD: Day hh: Hour mm: Minute ss: Second 3. Last Drive Error (1/2) is displayed for 5 seconds. 4. Last Drive Error (2/2) is displayed for 5 seconds. 5. Error occurring Disc type is displayedfor 5 seconds. 6. Disc Maker ID is displayed for 5 seconds. 7. Factor of Drive Erroroccurring is left displayed Press [4] [2] in service mode. Then press [0] [1] ~ [9] [9], the past 99 errors are displayed. Incase that the supplier cannot be identified, display is black out. Delete the Last Drive Error Delete the Last Drive Error information stored on the DVD RAM-Drive. Press [9] [6] in service mode. Turn on all FL/LEDs All segments of FL and all LEDs are turned on. All segments are turned on. Press [5] [1] in service mode. S1 signal output Forcibly superimpose the S1 signal (approx. 4.5V DC) on the EE chroma signal, and check the output on the S terminal. Press [5] [2] in service mode. S2 signal output Forcibly superimpose the S2 signal (approx. 2V DC) on the EE chroma signal, and check the output on the S terminal. Press [5] [3] in service mode. Front connection inspection Press all front keys and check the connection between Main P.C.B. and Front P.C.B. (1) Each time a key is pressed, segment turned on increases one by one. (2) Total umber of keys that have been pressed. Press [5] [4] in service mode. Production Date Display Display the date when the unit was produced. YYY: Year MM: Month DD: Day Press [6] [1] in service mode. Display the accumlated working time Display the accumulated unit's working time. (Indicating unit: Second) Press [6] [4] in service mode. Display the Error History Display the Error History stored on the unit. Display reason of error for 5 seconds. Display the time when the error has occurred for 5 seconds.. YY: Year MM: Month DD: Day HH: Hour MM: Minute Display the accumlated working time to occurring of the error for 5 seconds.. (Indicating unit: Second) Press [6] [5] in service mode. Then press [0] [1] ~ [1] [9], the past 19 error histories are displayed. Delete the Error History Delete Error History information stored on the unit. Press [9] [7] in service mode. Tray OPEN/CLOSE Test The RAM drive tray is opened and closed repeatedly. “*” is number of open/close cycle times. Press [9] [1] in service mode *When releasing this mode, press the [POWER] button on Front Panel more than 10 seconds. Error code initialization Initialization of the last error code held by timer (Write in F00) Press [9] [8] in service mode. Initialize Service Last Drive Error, Error history and Error Codes stored on the unit are initialized to factory setting. Press [9] [9] in service mode. Finishing service mode Release Service Mode. Display in STOP (E-E) mode. Press power button on the front panel in service mode.
[bold]To all[/bold]: Thanks for the updates on the "proposed" TVGOS update. BE PATIENT. [bold]FU99[/bold]: There WILL be a gap in succsessive timer recordings, as detailed on page 21 of the E85H manual: Besides the "lag time" stated above, I have never had any other problem associated with back-to-back recordings with the original firmware on my E85H (KV4DA...April 04). After this problem was intially discussed over a week ago, I tested this one afternoon, recording back-to-back with various configurations: HD then HD, HD then DVDROM, DVDROM then HD, and DVDROM then DVDROM with no problems other than the stated lag. Granted, this was a brief, one-time test one afternoon, but it seems to be an intermittant problem with back-to-back recordings. [bold]keriah[/bold]: Re: Download times. We are determining the download times by the TVGOS diagnostics screen (see prior posts on how to access it). The first page lists the CURRENT time at the top (all times are "UTC" time, look at your clock to determine the conversion (amount of hours to subtract to get "local" time) as daylight savings is a factor right now, too. This page further down in the left column lists the time of the next data download, as well as the next channel lineup download. [bold]VideoBob[/bold]: Thanks for all the anti-U99 suggestions. I just have a few things to note about your suggestions pertaining to what I have seen: 1. About "no DVD in tray"--this MAY be a factor. I've always had a DVD-ROM in the tray since I bought the unit a year ago, usually just ONE (panasonic brand) that I re-wrote over and over. Since the advent of the U99s in September, I have always had a FRESH DVD-ROM in the tray, one with recordings but not TONS of re-writes, and have not seen as many U99s, but this could be coincidence. 2. I have always had a lot of ads, even before the U99s. Well, maybe not QUITE as many as I did before the U99s started. Even after a U99, my ads always seem to populate at the same rate as the grid. Perhaps certain ads are paired with certain grid days of downloading? 3. I have NEVER had TVGOS enabled on power-up, as I think it's annoying to have as the first screen. This was both before and during the U99 period. 4. About reformatting the hard drive: I did one reformat after the start of the U99s (maybe it was 60% full) but it did not have a noticeable effect on the U99s. 5. I agree that users should avoid recording programs and using their unit between midnight and 8AM. I think this is when the "major" listings download occurs. Even so, after my last U99, it took FIVE full nights to have FULL listings. After FOUR nights, I had full listings save for ONE day. It seems to me that it used to re-populate a lot faster, and that was even BEFORE I started pruning channels to OFF. 6. Faulty connections/long coaxial cable runs: A good thing to check, but I have had the same splitter and coax since last year, with no U99 problems until the time everyone else saw them in September. [bold]RX7Fan[/bold]: An interesting fact: my RCA Guide+ asked for the "correct channel lineup" on Thursday morning, after having complete listings for DAYS and not asking for it except upon inital setup. Since I'm thinking that this indicates a TVGOS update, it's odd that an update was applied to the OLD Guide+ system and NOT the TVGOS (no changes at all there, asking for channel lineup or otherwise). Another aside: I have not had a U99 for one week +12 hours. In this time, I have been recording a BUNCH of shows set for daily and weekly, but have not had time to watch them, so have been powering the unit on VERY INFREQUENTLY and for spans shorter than 1/2 hour in this week. Coincidence? Yet another aside/[bold]anomaly[/bold] I came across looking at the TVGOS-specific manual: Regarding the "listings" (grid) page, it states: We all know this is NOT true. If you schedule a recording from the grid, the bottom of the box changes and you can select "frequency" or "cancel." Perhaps this was added after the manual was printed, as it would be inconvenient to have to go over to the Scedule tab to change the frequency from "once." The Panasonic manual reflects this--it shows that you CAN select frequency from the listings grid. Just to be safe, AFTER my last reset, I have ONLY been changing the frequency of recording a show from the SCHEDULE tab. I'd still like to know WHAT TVGOS/Gemstar code they mucked about with in September. Since we have a definite timeframe, you'd think it would be relatively easy for Cheryl to see exactly WHAT changed at that time, unless it was something MAJOR, covering many aspects of the TVGOS software.
Hmm, that's interesting Coyote24, my E95 did the EXACT same thing as your RCA (and it was on Thursday morning also) and I haven't had any U99's since then. I never really thought much about it at the time.
shaolin00: I have SC-HT1500 model - recordable dvd home theater system. But it's possible (as I read one review found by Mossler) that it is a combination of DMR-E95H and SC-HT1000.
Well I hate to jinx myself, but I haven't gotten a U99 for the past several days. As of Thursday night, all my listings were current and I was getting about a dozen ads. I'm not sure why they are targeting the OKC area for the modifications, but if they did something new a few days ago in this area, it worked. Hopefully the new changes due in the next day or so won't make the problem worse. This machine is truly a joy when the listings load and it is nice to have it back up and running again. I only hope it lasts.
Still up and running. Now 7 days and schedules fully populated and 6 or 7 adds. Cheryl did mention that the ones that seem to be fixed from the U99s are getting both listings and adds. The U99 issues seem to arrise when you get adds and no listings or when you get listings but no adds. One big difference I have seen since the Ch-up Ch-down then 30 sec plug out is there is a lot less channel searching when in standby. Before in standby it was constantly switching channels going to 2 or 3 PBS channels as well as MSNBC (53 in the Boston area). Now it goes mostly (could even be exclusively) to MSNBC. Often it will be on MSNBC and it keeps changing channels but always to MSNBC (you can tell it is changing channels because the cable info come on the screen but doesn't actually change because it is already on MSNBC). The other channel it switches to frequently is ch 4 (CBS in Boston). Before when having U99 problems, it was always switching channels and my wife would be frustrated and keep switching back to Home and Garden Channel (probably when only part of the data was downloaded). So besides having no U99s, it is a big releif that at present time it seems to go to MSNBC and stay a 15 or 20 minutes and then goes to Channel CBS (4 in Boston) and stays for an hour or so or until I change the channel. Anyone know how long it takes to download data? Could I have been getting faulty data from the PBS new Hampshire channel? Would this data from NH PBS corrupt the Local PBS or MSNBC data? It seems to me a fix may be to tell the TCGOS that one channel is the correct one to get the data from and to not go to the multiple channels that may be be sending conflicting information. Thus depending on your Zip code there should be a limit on which channels it needs to go to to get the correct data stream. Bonus2
When I get a glitch (from not following my protocol and leaving a DVD in or forgetting to reset after massive deletions) the first symptoms are *not* a U99 error, but a failure to record. This shows up a couple of ways. One is a random second show not recording, and another is a scheduled recording showing up in the Guide window as "Recording..." but neither the recording light on the control panel nor the icon in the direct navigator are initialized. Also, edit functions such as "Properties" and "Erase" *appear* to be enabled, but are actually noop (nul) functions (They appear to be selected, but don't call the next window). I solve these simply by doing a soft reset (Hold the power button on the unit--not the remote--down until the timer icon turns off and then unplug for 30+ seconds). Immediately upon powering up, the unit goes into normal timer record function, capturing the rest of any program scheduled to record (and all subsequent programs). I visualize these symptoms as trying to write to a write-protected hard disk, but without an error message. If each of these functions were to simply say "Hard disk is not recoradble" everything would *seem* fine and it would be obvious that the system needed resetting. So the *real* problem here is lack of an error-trapping subroutine under conditions where the hard disk is locked. (I, too have spent a lifetime in Tech support and engineering). One Note to those who do not get their programming repopulated the first day after a reset: After a hard or factory reset, the first power up cycle (>>>>> Please Wait <<<<<) does *NOT* turn the unit ON--it turns it OFF. You have to turn it on *twice* to enable stand-by mode. Otherwise, you simply waste your first day. Make sure that you go all the way into the setup menu before shutting down. bob
last night i did the factory reset and took out the DVD that was in the drive. woke up and no U99, plus i have listings until Monday and ads. i'm keeping my fingers crossed for now!
Mornin' folks, ... short re-cap of my adventures, Thursday 4pm dis a CH up/dn reset, friday morning no u99 no listing, but had channel line-up, got home yesterday, u99 present, cleared it by power on only, and had listing through saturday partially, ... still no promos, got up today (saturday AM, asked me to pick a channel line-up, and didn't have listings at first, bout 15 minuts later, it shows some listings again. Strange to say the least, however, still no promos. [bold]Bob[/bold]: lots of good advice there, thanks a bunch!! [bold]Shaolin[/bold]: it looks like the numbers listed [0] [0] stuff like that are the 2 digit codes you punch in like Roger Amidon's "Snafu" recomended for checking the firmware versions : [bold]Note[/bold] don't try the codes Sholin posted unless you have a 500, codes could be different on differnet models, could "fry" your panny. O.K., that's enough for me for now, the downloads of TVGOS data appear to be around (in my area)2or3AM and 2or3PM, so I'll probably be back in here a little afte that with an update (hopefully)
[bold]Coyote24:[/bold] I think the last couple of weeks (along with a week in June and the latter part of August) was a special case, where Gemstar changed their download parameters. It looks to me like almost everyone who has had multi-day listing problems had them in the last two weeks, during that window. Lack of reliable data (and the presence of inreliable data) can *cause* the U99 errors. The fact that MSNBC has started showing up as a selection on many cable boxes during download is significant. I have disabled that channel on the unit that has the most problems with listings. The fact that my area code now populates 1/3 of my real channels and only 2/3 of them are right is another factor (when in the past, it populated all channels and only got two of them wrong). The fact that my E85 (which allows all channels) is not having problems and the E95 (which had a very limited channel selction, but includes *all* PBS stations) is having major problems is another telltale. Finally, I looked at my diagnostic screen and *both* channels it lists as program download channels are disable on this unit; they have been for two weeks; I can't even manually select them on the remote; and yet, *IT STILL POPULATES NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM SCHEDULE*! So where *is* it downloading from? I have noticed in the past that programming loads faster and more complete when the PBS stations are first in the line-up. For those hanging up on MSNBC, try moving it to your first channel and see if things improve. It may take so long to find it that it runs out of time to download--or starts in the middle of a data stream. I have also noticed that changing the order in which the three PBS stations are listed also effect the depth and reliability of subsequent downloads. It would be nice if Gemstar would actually release a simple block diagram of their program download algorythm (what it downloads, when, and on which stations). I think different download windows download different data, with some things being done in more windows than others. However, I don't think they will ever do this as they vigorously protect their Guide+ algorythm from those of us who would love a simple code calculator to generate Guide+ codes for shows in the far future (i.e. next month). I wish Gemstar would tell us a simple code that would ask our units to repopulate the listings--without destroying the data we already have. I hate to sacrifice the four days I do have to try and fill in the three missing days in the middle--but I also hate having to wait three days to set up scheduled recordings for those blank periods (and for them to show up on the <SORT> menu. If the code doesn't exist, they should *create* one! bob
This is a vestigial tail left over from the 3-day systems (like my RCA) where it *was* true (only, there, the green button was the number three). If you hit it once, it recorded once, If you hit it again, it opened <Schedule> and toggled it to weekly. On the old RCA, you could see the updates ripple down the screen *TWICE* each time you pushed the button. Hitting any control before the second repainting of the page *could* cause the unit to lock up (and reboot in an unreliable mode until unplugged after a reset). This "bug" has been carried over into the 7-day versions except that with the newer technology, the double-paining cycle is no longer visible on the screen. However, hitting buttons in rapid succession on the Guide screens is anothe *major* cause of glitches. In fact, a parto of my Anti-crash protocol that I omitted was to wait a minimum of two seconds between keypresses in the Guide. The fact that this problem (and others) followed from 3-day Gemstar to 7-day Gemstar implementations across manufacturers--and yet the older Panasonics that used ReplayTV show none of these symptoms--is *very* supportive of the theory that the problems are native to Gemstar and not Panasonic. bob
Sat morning... No U99 Full listings until Monday, partial listing through Saturday Ads are alive and well I'm confident that the problem is fixed. I'm also pretty sure that someone at Gemstar had a sudden epiphany (was that redundant?), thus ending all of this. Bob, Is it possible to delete and rearrange the listings on the 85HS? I've tried to do that in the past but had no luck. I've got about 20 channel listings for premium channels that I don't even subscribe to. Bummer... My thanks goes out to all who were active in getting this thing solved :^)
hi bob. on my DMR-E85HS, every time (and it has been frequent lately) i use the ch up ch dn reset i lose all scheduled programs, all of the guide and have to re set up time and zip, etc. interesting comments about a dvd in the machine. i will try to keep a check on that and let you know if i find any connection with u99 if you want. i too have been in contact with cheryl and she says it may take a couple of weeks before roll out downloads are done depending on test area results.will also keep a track on the ads.
bob, i too would like to know if there is a way to rearrange the listings order on the 85, if you know. thanks.
Welcome back Video Bob I have had either a DVD-Ram or DVD-R in the tray and like everyone else I have been getting the U99. I did start to notice that the hard drive was not going to sleep like it used to. After reading the manual it said that the hard drive will not go to sleep if there is a disk in the tray. So out come the disk. This makes no sense to me but thats the way it is. This morning no U99. I'm going to do some recording today while I'm away but I left the unit on and turned the timer setting to off. My next step may be to do the reset for TVGOS and then unplug the unit like you suggest. I have not done this since I updated the firmware several months ago. Keith
VOILA!! I figured out how to turn off and rearrange the channels on the channel listing. While on the Guide, move to the menu on top. Scroll to "setup" Scroll down to "change channel display" Then simply follow directions to turn channels off/on or to rearrange. I'd still like to figure out a way to add channels that don't show up on the TVGOS. Namely DIY, my favorite.
I got another U99 this morning so I don't know what caused it to ask me to pick a channel lineup last Thursday out of the blue like that but whatever it was it didn't stop me from getting the U99.
timothyg. you can add channels that you get but are not listed on tvgos but tvgos will never have any data for it. i have turned channels on or off but i have not seen how to rearrange them. can you enlighten.
