Failing (failed?) 721 drive?

[marshalk]

It looks like my 721 is on the way to being dead meat. For a little while now (about a month) my recordings have been breaking up real bad. Like not enough signal with pixelization and sound pops. But the live signal is excellent and I show about a 90% signal on all transponders except 1, 3, 5 and 7. On those transponders I get 0.0. I can even reproduce the effect by watching something live, it looks excellent, then backup up a bit and watching the same thing. The time delayed part now breaks up and has the same problems. Personally I suspect the drive is going out as it only happens on something that is on the drive while the live signal looks fine. Could this be related to the lack of signal on transponders 1, 3, 5 and 7? I used to get a signal on them. I even replaced my dual LNB just in case that was it.

I called the excellent, sympathetic and responsive Dish tech support. I was told that since I was one of the first to buy that my warranty has expired. I was also told that since I live in Alaska they do not offer the extended warranty. So, the bottom line is the dish rep told me to bad you are outta luck. Does anyone have any ideas on this? Can I fix it? I have done reboots, both warm and cold (power) to no avail.

If in fact I can do nothing and just have a $500 dual receiver with no PVR then I will have to reconsider my options, like a directTivo or (shudder) cable.

Thanks...marshal

[finniganps]

Have you attempted to call E* back and add the warranty plan to your account...don't ask them anything else, just ask them if you can add the monthly plan ($5.99 or $4.99/month I believe) and if it would cover all your receivers including the 721. If they say "Yes", get the persons name and sign up. If your drive fails in a month, call back and use the warranty.

[Bill R]

Marshal,

Transponders 1,3,5, and 7 (from the 119 satellite) are spot beams and they are aren't available in your area.

I would try tech support again and see what they may offer once you tell them you will have to discontinue service if you can't get your problem resolved. If that doesn't help send an e-mail to ceo@echostar.com and tell them about your problem.

[marshalk]

I thought that 1, 3, 5 and 7 might be the spot beams so I was not all that worried about them but wanted to point it out in case someone thought there was a connection.

Do folks think my theory about the hard drive going bad is correct? Can a user replace the drive with a newer drive? This would require that the software be in firmware somewhere so it can reformat and prep the drive.

[Bill R]

Marshal,

You can't replace the drive yourself in your 721. I think the warranty idea is good. It sounds like the cheapest way to get your 721 replaced.

As for what is wrong with you receiver, I don't think anyone here has the expertise to say. We could guess that it is the hard drive; that seems like that could be what is causing the problem you are having but it could be something else.

[jmbrooks]

Marshal,

Here's one to try. I have a 501 that was having similar problems, I deleted all the recorded programs (there was ~ 25hrs.) and rebooted by unplugging the reciever. After that I had no more problems even when the drive gets full. I just erase everything on the drive once in a while (after I've watched everything of course).

I did end up replaceing that receiver (I have the $2.99 warranty plan) but it was for a different problem. Gad those 501's suck, I'm on my 4th one and this one has a noisy hard drive :nono:

[marshalk]

Problem with the warrenty is that Dish will not sell it to me. They claim that they will not sell them to anyone with an address in Alaska or Hawaii. The Dish rep started saying only to folk in the US. I said we are one of the 50 states. Then she tried saying "continential" US and I pointed out Alaska is on the same continent. Then she just said no Alaska and Hawaii.

[cclement]

Then she tried saying "continential" US and I pointed out Alaska is on the same continent. Then she just said no Alaska and Hawaii.

That's a great comeback! My question is "why?" Did they give you a reason why you can't buy it if you don't live in the "continential" US? It makes no sense, way to go E*!

[Bob Haller]

Anyone confirm this? I would try csr roulette. they cant just abandon all those subs in al;aska and hawaii, besides the added shipping isnt much. I hasve shipped laminators and parts to alaska.

[finniganps]

That's just crazy that they won't sell you the warranty plan. Call them back one more time. Assuming you get the same answer, send an e-mail to ceo@echostar.com and tell them you'd like to add the warranty, but have been told you can't...perhaps they can help.

[Jacob S]

The shipping dont cost them much more if anything more considering that they charge the customer for it anyways (unless you have the $5.99 warranty).

I would DEMAND a reason for why you will not be allowed to be sold the warranty.

[finniganps]

The shipping dont cost them much more if anything more considering that they charge the customer for it anyways (unless you have the $5.99 warranty).

That is the ONLY warranty available now (for people who don't have the $1.99 warranty). The $1.99 warranty expires early next year and two CSR's told me that your only option will be the higher priced one at that point.

[marshalk]

The shipping cost is insignficant. I have no idea why they say this. I will try the cdr (some call it csr but it has been more of a disservice than a service as far as I can tell) again and see what happens.

[finniganps]

marshal - did you get this problem resolved?