Hughes E86 HDTV question/problem

[bluebino]

I purchased a Hughes E86 HD Receiver second hand(almost new) from somebody on ebay. It came with his P4 card. I don't presently have everything hooked up (dish,cables,etc) so I checked the receiver's operation at a friend that does have DirectV to make sure it worked,etc.

The P4 card when inserted obviously gave message, "please insert valid access card." My neighbor/friend had a brand new HU card he had never used, since he decided not to hook up a second receiver. However, when inserted in the new receiver, still gives the same message: "please insert valid access card."

I was told by DirecTV that this receiver will accept either card...hu or P4. Any ideas on why this message would come up on a new card? Additionally, I tried to go to the new card setup in the setup menu. Upon starting the process, it says to insert old card. So, I inserted P4 card and clicked ok to proceed. It then says that "no card inserted".

I'm a novice to all this satellite stuff, but have been trying to learn via these forums,etc. Does the receiver need to be reset/rebooted when a new card is used?

Any advice would be appreciated, as I have this very expensive HD receiver I can't seem to get to work.

[HarryD]

The P4 access card has been deactivated when the recv was taken out of service. You probably can't use it again.

If you try activating it with that P4, D* may force you to get a new card.

To save some time (shipping of new P4 card), I'm sure you could use the HU card because that card has never been in D* system.

You can't swap non-activated cards. Doesn't work that way.

When you finally hook up everything, and call D* to activate your recv, it will "marry" the HU card to the recv. No reboot needed.

Hope this makes some sense...

[bluebino]

I'm not sure if you got my personal message question earlier today, but I'll restate my question.

So that I'm clear....the HU card I'm attempting to test with...if it hasn't been activated, it will be incapable of receiving channels(even preview)? I'll have to ask my friend as to whether the card was ever activated....but if it was, then should it be able to work and tell me if this receiver is working properly? I'm especially anxious to test how the HD works(friend does have multi satellite dish).

I think I understand the "marrying" more or less. Is this marrying something that will happen between the card and receiver automatically, or does DTV have to send some type of special signal to make this happen. Conversely, if this receiver was married to the P4 card, is it "unmarried" since the previous owner's account was closed...or if not, what "unmarries" them so that I can "remarry" my receiver to a new card?

I"m sure I'll eventually get the satellite concepts and lingo down, but I appreciate your "schooling"..lol. Thanks again.

David

[boba]

The receiver won't recognize another access card until Directv marries the card and the receiver. That will happen when you subscribe to a service package.

[bluebino]

Thanks again for your assistance. I finally came across the problem. Probably not a common starting point for trouble shooting, but just a lucky observation on my part when I was ready to give up.

Looking down from the top of the receiver onto the circuit board, I noticed that the "jumper"(don't know if that's the technical term obviously) from the back of the access card bay to the circuit board was not connected. This "jumper" is a thin, filmlike strip, obviously carrying info from the card to the circuit board,etc. It must have become dislodged during shipping I guess. Oh well, just glad it's fixed. Thanks again.

[HarryD]

Great catch Dave!