New 721 refuses to work

[gtkop]

I just "upgraded" to a Superdish (for local channels) with a DP34 switch and had my old 3900 receiver working fine with it. When I replaced it with the 721, I got no signal AND a 020 error stating that my card doesn't work. With a little trial & error (CSR weren't much help after 2+hours on the phone) I finally got it to receive good strong signals and it actually downloaded the latest software version.

Now for the "refuses" part ... it STILL gives me the 020 error and just sits there - won't let me do anything else. With CSR guidance, they RE-authorized my card and my receiver and I've re-booted the thing 3 times. No luck. CSR is stumped -- wants to send a tech out ... in about 2 weeks!

Is there something I'm missing? Is there anything I can do to troubleshoot in the meantime? Thanks in advance for the help!
Gil

[boba]

Get a credit from DISH for the two weeks and threaten to call cable so you can have something to watch.

[SimpleSimon]

IIRC, this 020 error has been reported recently - if you don't find it here with a search, try again over at satelliteguys.us

[crodgers79]

I just "upgraded" to a Superdish (for local channels) with a DP34 switch and had my old 3900 receiver working fine with it. When I replaced it with the 721, I got no signal AND a 020 error stating that my card doesn't work. With a little trial & error (CSR weren't much help after 2+hours on the phone) I finally got it to receive good strong signals and it actually downloaded the latest software version.

Now for the "refuses" part ... it STILL gives me the 020 error and just sits there - won't let me do anything else. With CSR guidance, they RE-authorized my card and my receiver and I've re-booted the thing 3 times. No luck. CSR is stumped -- wants to send a tech out ... in about 2 weeks!

Is there something I'm missing? Is there anything I can do to troubleshoot in the meantime? Thanks in advance for the help!
Gil

Gil,

I, too, got a SuperDish for locals and recently added a 721 to my collection of two 508s. All heck broke loose, kept getting no signal, acquiring signal, blank screens, hung 721, then one of the 508s started acting the same way. First problem was the dish was not tuned properly to receive the 105 sat for locals, but even after the second tech came and fine-tuned the dish I still had some flaky acquiring signal, or the 508 would report only seeing the 110 sat..really flaky. They sent a third tech out and all the guy did was pull the AC power on all three receivers to force the DP34 switch to reset. Then he powered each one up, one-by-one, did a check swtich to make sure it was OK, then he'd move on to the next receiver. That methodical full power down of all Dish components and then one-by-one power-up apparently reset the DP34 swtich and all of the problems then disappeared. I don't know if this would apply to your card problem, but it can't hurt to try!

Let us know how you make out!

Good luck!

Chris R.

[larrystotler]

I have had to do that before, but it has been a while since i have ran into that particular problem. Powering down all receivers and turning them back on 1 at a time with a check switch is a good idea for that kind of problem. Good call.

[gtkop]

I tried your suggestion of pulling the plug on all 3 receivers to reset the switch -- it appeared to have worked...... uh, sorta .... I now have TWO receivers (a 2800 and a 3900) working great with the SuperDish and Sats 105, 110, & 119 to include my local channels et. al.

Unfortunately, my PVR721 is NOT cooperating. Check switch returns correct info for all 3 Sats and I have strong signals from all of them. I can display the guide and use the system menu, but when I try to select a channel to view, I get Error 020 "The smart card currently inserted is not valid for use with this receiver." It blinks on and off and there's not getting around it.

The CSR I talked to tonight went through checking all my settings and the switch and even rebooted the thing twice. He was stumped. He said I can wait for a tech to come out (not till Sept 2nd), or I can take it to a technician in the next town over for testing.

Does any of this dribble sound familiar to anyone? Do I have a bad card? A bad receiver? Or perhaps just WAY too high expectations of the equipment -- actually expecting to SEE a channel ?!?!

Thanks everyone !
:D

[SimpleSimon]

I saw a thread on this somewhere and I think the resolution was to replace the unit.

No way you should have to wait over a week for a tech - time to escalate!

[finniganps]

Escalate this to advanced tech support - I'd guess that they'll get you a new unit. This is under warranty right? If not, add the warranty before you call and complain about this.

[garypen]

Aren't 721's picky about which outputs you use from certain switches? Also, don't they sometimes have trouble with certain LNB's until after the software is updated?

Mine worked out of the box with a DP34, DP Twin, and DP Dual. I use outs 1 and 2 from the DP34 for the 721.

[larrystotler]

Correct. With Dual Tuners and DP, dish recommends using either 1&2 or 3&4. Have no idea why.

[gtkop]

Hi guys - thanks for the helpful suggestions. I'm officially connected and operating! Turns out it was a bad card reader in that first unit Dish sent me a replacement and it's working great. We had some trouble getting the new unit & card authorized because (of ALL things) they had me scheduled for a technician visit and when there's an appointment on their system, it won't let then send me any new info or authorization packets. Just FYI for the future. Overall the tech people were very helpful, but the 6 or 7 times I talked to them I got a very WIDE range of experience levels. And these were all supposed to be "advanced" techs.

Anyway - thanks again! This is a very valuable resource.