my 501's flaking out...any ideas???

[shilton]

Just about 3 days ago, my 501 started flaking out. Just every once in a while (often after being shut off for a while) I will get just a grey screen and the whole thing locks up. You can't power down, you can't do anything with the menu, etc. If I pull the card and reinsert it, all is ok again. Does anyone know if there have been any new software releases that may be flaky or something? I never had this trouble before so I just bet its a software issue. Can anyone offer any insight???

[music_beans]

I am not very bright on PVR Software, but it sounds like a software problem to me. If it was a hard drive prob, YOU WOULD KNOW!! :D

[TopCat99]

What version do you have? If it's only when it's off, I wonder if it's a failed download.

Can you do a regular reboot (hold the power button for several seconds) instead of yanking the card?

Next time it does it, try unplugging it from the sat and the electrical outlet for 15 minutes. I had a 3900 do stuff like that (only it was just a black screen) and a brief hibernation fixed it :) If it keeps up, call Dish.

[Steve Mehs]

Yep it's a software issue, my moms 508 did that yesterday, and now my 508 did it about 30 minutes ago when channel surfing. Very annoying!

[shilton]

Originally posted by Steve Mehs
Yep it's a software issue, my moms 508 did that yesterday, and now my 508 did it about 30 minutes ago when channel surfing. Very annoying! Any ideas if Dish is aware if this and if so, what is being done about it? Could be a good topic for the tech chat EXCEPT I DON'T WANT TO WAIT THAT LONG TO GET IT FIXED!!!

[Jacob S]

Even if you do a receiver swap it may not solve the problem, and they could say that it was a no problem found charging you on top of the shipping and if not that then you would at least have a shipping charge if the until was returned under warranty with Dish Network.

There has been a software issue with the 501 and 508 receivers locking up or rebooting lately.

[awax]

how much is the extended warranty for PVRs and can you apply them to used recievers bought off of someone else?

[DarrellP]

Shilton, this is normal behaviour for a 501 if you don't reboot it periodically. After about a week of not rebooting mine, it will start hanging up when I exit a PVR or Timer screen. Push down the Power button for about 5 seconds to reset the machine. Do this weekly and it will behave. If it doesn't, then you have a serious problem.

[Jacob S]

The extended warranty is $1.99 but you can get a $4.99 warranty that covers costs of Dish Network Services coming out and providing the labor such as diagnosing the problem and fixing it in case the system quits working or a loss of signal occurs.

If you put a used receiver on the account it will be covered on the warranty. All receivers on the account is under the warranty that is provided for $1.99 and $4.99 per month. It also covers pvr receivers, or any other receiver for the same price.

[JohnL]

Originally posted by Jacob S
The extended warranty is $1.99 but you can get a $4.99 warranty that covers costs of Dish Network Services coming out and providing the labor such as diagnosing the problem and fixing it in case the system quits working or a loss of signal occurs.

If you put a used receiver on the account it will be covered on the warranty. All receivers on the account is under the warranty that is provided for $1.99 and $4.99 per month. It also covers pvr receivers, or any other receiver for the same price.

Yes thought I would mention that the Dish Warranty also covers Dish, LNBF's and Dish Network switches as well as remotes.

John

[Jacob S]

Remote do tend to wear out, although they are much cheaper than they used to be. The lnbf that has the internal switch can be pretty expensive if it needs replaced, around $80+ unless you shop around in which is just as expensive as the receivers. Most of the time the receiver or remote is what goes bad or experiences problems. Some would need a new remote every year or two, especially those with multiple receivers and children, in which pays for the warranty itself seeing what they cost compared to the warranty during that time frame.