Many Horrible Problems Fixed

[Mugatu]

My HR20 went from HORRIBLE to GREAT! My issues are fixed. I hope this helps others.

I have an HR20-700 since about one month ago. Since day one I had many of the problems that are listed elsewhere in this forum such as: 1) Play a recorded show and it was just black. 2) Play a recorded show and it immediately asked me to Delete. 3) FF/REW wouldn't work on some channels. 4) Skip ahead and back would not work on some channels. 5) Restart the HR20 and some recorded shows would just disappear. 6) It would freeze up.

This was really frustrating. I called DirecTV many times. I learned that restarting it each day would at least temporarily fix some of the problems. But the problems would return later that day.

I called DirecTV on 2-7-2007 (or there about.) They suggested that I do a Reset Everything. I put it off for a day or two until I watched the shows that I would miss if I deleted them. Plus I really didn't think that it would fix the issues.

So about a week ago (software was at 0x120) I wrote down all the channels that I have in my Favorites 1. Then I wrote down the series that I record. Then I Reset Everything. This is not just restarting or rebooting but is reinitializing everything. Doing so made me go through the system setup again.

The Reset Everything went well. I then set up my Favorites 1 channels. Then I tried to setup the series but since the guide info wasn't there, I waited until the next day to do that.

The next morning I added the series. Then I restarted the system (just a reboot.)

Since then, I have not had any issues!!! This is HUGE for me!!! Was it just dumb luck? It is possible but I just don't see how it could have been. I Reset Everything, set it up, restarted it (reboot), and all the problems went away.

That isn't to say that I am absolutely happy with the operation of 0x12a. But the HUGE problems that EVERYONE is talking about and that I listed at the top of this post went away completely. Seriously, this fixed everything.

My setup is this: HR20-700 currently on 0x12a, 5 LNB, HDMI, Native Off, Screen Format Stretch, Bar Color Black, Banner Time 4 seconds, TV Type Widescreen, Resolutions: 480p 720p 1080i. I am a 49 year old software engineer for a large software company.

Let me know if this works for you or if it was a fluke for me.

I have a few smaller issues with 0x12a but they are NOTHING like the many problems I was having before I did a Reset Everything.

Mugatu

[Tom Robertson]

My HR20 went from HORRIBLE to GREAT! My issues are fixed. I hope this helps others.

I have an HR20-700 since about one month ago. Since day one I had many of the problems that are listed elsewhere in this forum such as: 1) Play a recorded show and it was just black. 2) Play a recorded show and it immediately asked me to Delete. 3) FF/REW wouldn't work on some channels. 4) Skip ahead and back would not work on some channels. 5) Restart the HR20 and some recorded shows would just disappear. 6) It would freeze up.

This was really frustrating. I called DirecTV many times. I learned that restarting it each day would at least temporarily fix some of the problems. But the problems would return later that day.

I called DirecTV on 2-7-2007 (or there about.) They suggested that I do a Reset Everything. I put it off for a day or two until I watched the shows that I would miss if I deleted them. Plus I really didn't think that it would fix the issues.

So about a week ago (software was at 0x120) I wrote down all the channels that I have in my Favorites 1. Then I wrote down the series that I record. Then I Reset Everything. This is not just restarting or rebooting but is reinitializing everything. Doing so made me go through the system setup again.

The Reset Everything went well. I then set up my Favorites 1 channels. Then I tried to setup the series but since the guide info wasn't there, I waited until the next day to do that.

The next morning I added the series. Then I restarted the system (just a reboot.)

Since then, I have not had any issues!!! This is HUGE for me!!! Was it just dumb luck? It is possible but I just don't see how it could have been. I Reset Everything, set it up, restarted it (reboot), and all the problems went away.

That isn't to say that I am absolutely happy with the operation of 0x12a. But the HUGE problems that EVERYONE is talking about and that I listed at the top of this post went away completely. Seriously, this fixed everything.

My setup is this: HR20-700 currently on 0x12a, 5 LNB, HDMI, Native Off, Screen Format Stretch, Bar Color Black, Banner Time 4 seconds, TV Type Widescreen, Resolutions: 480p 720p 1080i. I am a 49 year old software engineer for a large software company.

Let me know if this works for you or if it was a fluke for me.

I have a few smaller issues with 0x12a but they are NOTHING like the many problems I was having before I did a Reset Everything.

Mugatu

Awesome first post! Welcome to the forums. :welcome_s

And thanks for such great detail, it should help or at least encourage many.

Cheers,
Tom

[veryoldschool]

This was the best way to "flush out" your unit. I've done this many times. I'm very happy for you and sure this will help. Time will be the true test, as for me [and I truly hope not you] small problems have crept back in within the a few weeks. It's has happened with every unit I've had. Now these are minor & haven't require a complete reset everything. The software is "still in work". :)

[john18]

Congrats!!

[jkc120]

I was having issues constantly, and did a "Reset Everything" over 2 weeks ago. Not a single glitch. No reboots, no lockups, not black screen recordings. Been working flawlessly, *knock on wood*

So the real question is, is the format fixing things permanently, or is it going to get corrupted again and require another format 2-3 software versions down the road?

[cygnusloop]

So the real question is, is the format fixing things permanently, or is it going to get corrupted again and require another format 2-3 software versions down the road?

We are actually keeping time in units of SW versions.:bang

[missparker10]

If I just got mine on Monday, would this be something I could try? Or was it basically just done at first setup?

[tony4d]

If you get a brand new box I would do a reset everything before you start customizing it and recording stuff.

I had a ton of problems with my R15 after a software upgrade. A reset everything has left the box in a faster more stable state. I haven't had a single problem or had to red button reset it since I did it, about a month ago.

It seems like software upgrades wig things out, and its better to have a completely clean unit that downloads the latest available software version to start with.

[bret4]

I've mentioned that this is what helped my HR20 a number of times only to have people say they will never try it. They do not want to lose their recordings. If they want to keep having problems then do nothing. It may not help all the time but if your HR20 is having a lot of problems give a try. I hope this thread gets more people that haven't tried the full reset to give it a try.

My last full reset was done like this. I did a full reset then I forced a download of the software, then I did one more full reset. From that day on my HR20 has never had the big problems others have had.

No Black screen bugs, no lost recordings, nothing. Only thing I have now, and it is getting rare is some audio drop outs and a little pixelation. Those from what people are saying is caused more by the data stream from D*.

[hasan]

I've mentioned that this is what helped my HR20 a number of times only to have people say they will never try it. They do not want to lose their recordings. If they want to keep having problems then do nothing. It may not help all the time but if your HR20 is having a lot of problems give a try. I hope this thread gets more people that haven't tried the full reset to give it a try.

My last full reset was done like this. I did a full reset then I forced a download of the software, then I did one more full reset. From that day on my HR20 has never had the big problems others have had.

No Black screen bugs, no lost recordings, nothing. Only thing I have now, and it is getting rare is some audio drop outs and a little pixelation. Those from what people are saying is caused more by the data stream from D*.

The frequent pixellation/audio drop-outs on OTA are not datastream problems...they are related to one of the more recent firmware releases.

And...I agree a problematic box should be "reset all" before giving up on it.

[veryoldschool]

The frequent pixilation/audio drop-outs on OTA are not datastream problems...they are related to one of the more recent firmware releases.
And...I agree a problematic box should be "reset all" before giving up on it.
I have been promoting people to do a reset everything for some time now. If you're having problems, why not try to do something to fix it? Going through the setup guide again isn't that hard is it? Series links don't take that much to set up either. If your unit works better, then it definitely is worth it.
If it doesn't fix it, then you know you've done the most you can & need to wait for the new software, which is my case. I have followed these steps & haven't had to do a RBR for some time. I still have missed a recording [or two] that is a software issue, but using two units setup as "twins" allows me to watch what one misses [as the other didn't].

[missparker10]

Well, as soon as I watch Heroes again this week, I'm going to try it. Anything is worth a shot to clear up any little problems. Thanks.:)

[HolmesCo]

Support gal had me do this the 2nd day I had my HR20. Was having numerouos problems, that was late november. Once I did that, I am one of those with very few problems. I haven't had any problems except remote stop wroking twice, in at least 3 or 4 weeks, and prior to that, very few problems. Could be blind luck, who knows. But I think its worth a shot for anyone having chronic problems

[bret4]

The frequent pixellation/audio drop-outs on OTA are not datastream problems...they are related to one of the more recent firmware releases.

And...I agree a problematic box should be "reset all" before giving up on it.

There have been a few post lately about D* doing something with the signal they are getting OTA from the Networks. It has been said that this has caused some of these problems. That is where I got my information from. I would think I would still have audio drop outs and pixelation if it was in the software. In the last week they have all gone away. Could be that they will come back right after this post.:lol:

[westernamerican]

Wait until the next upgrade and you will have a brand new set of bugs to worry with!

[Doug Brott]

Hmm ... I wonder if the drive is not being properly initialized at the factory? Would it make sense for the DirecTV installers to do a Reset Everything as part of the install process? It would, unfortunately make the install take longer, though.

[bret4]

I think they should do a reset everything at the time of the install. With static and other things that can happen in shipping it would be a good idea. Plus the version that comes with a new HR20 is so old who knows how long ago it was loaded in memory.

[Doug Brott]

I think they should do a reset everything at the time of the install. With static and other things that can happen in shipping it would be a good idea. Plus the version that comes with a new HR20 is so old who knows how long ago it was loaded in memory.

I know that they force a download, so that shouldn't be the problem. However, a Reset Everything my be better since it should reformat the disk (or am I thinking wrong?).

[veryoldschool]

Hmm ... I wonder if the drive is not being properly initialized at the factory? Would it make sense for the DirecTV installers to do a Reset Everything as part of the install process? It would, unfortunately make the install take longer, though.
Just a little more Hmmm...
A week ago Monday, I setup my "twins". One was an older "new" box & the other was "brand new". The older [#2] I did a reset everything & then put it on line. It found 0120.
Later that day the installer delivered #1.
On day eight: #2 had a problem [minor] coming out of standby with the live [buffer/channel] but has not missed a recording. #1 decided to miss number four of the nights recording [all one at a time] & went on to record number five.
In the past I've done a reset everything & still had my unwatchable recording problems, which makes me think that this "isn't it".
But still Hmmm....

[quickfire]

The only problem I have....is the lag with the channel banner.It takes about a full second for the title to catch up to the channel #.Can this be fixed?

[Tiger Tony]

OK,

If I do a "reset everything" will I still have my current CE download software (0x12a) or will it search and find the latest national release version?

I want to try a "reset everything" and see if it solves my OTA Tuner-1 problem. But I don't want to do it right after a new CE software release because I would hate to lose that and revert back to the national release.

[tony4d]

0x12a is the latest national release:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=79369

If you had a CE that wasn't national release yet, then yes, you would lose that and get the latest national release. In your case it doesn't matter.

[Tiger Tony]

0x12a is the latest national release:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=79369

If you had a CE that wasn't national release yet, then yes, you would lose that and get the latest national release. In your case it doesn't matter.

Thanks for the info!

I think I'll go ahead and "reset everything" right now before the next software release. Looks like the next CE realease will be real soon. Sounds like it's gonna be a good one too.

Thanks again!

[bret4]

Reset everything does not force a download. You will have the same version you had before you reset everything.

[bret4]

I know that they force a download, so that shouldn't be the problem. However, a Reset Everything my be better since it should reformat the disk (or am I thinking wrong?).

Yes, reset everything would be better. You never know what has happened to the disk during shipping. If it has seen unusual static for some unknown reason or whatever. If reset scans the disk for errors and fixes any bad sectors then it would be the best thing you could do.

Another reason to reset everything and load the latest software would be if they format the harddrives and load the software in memory before they install them in the HR20, the drives and memory could get corrupted due to handling before they are installed. Formatting and loading new software when everything is installed in the HR20, from my computer experience, would give you a better install than installing the drive formatted and the software pre-loaded.

To me loading the latest software when the HR20 in installed over a really old release (My original version was oxbe) and not reformatting to make it as clean as possible before the download is asking for trouble.

Sorry for being so long winded.

[Doug Brott]

To me loading the latest software when the HR20 in installed over a really old release (My original version was oxbe) and not reformatting to make it as clean as possible before the download is asking for trouble.

It does sound like something that DirecTV should consider for their installers.

[veryoldschool]

If reset scans the disk for errors and fixes any bad sectors then it would be the best thing you could do.
From what I've seen the reformat is a "quick format" and doesn't scan the disk for much of anything. I say this because of the time it takes to do this. The box has a 300 GB drive that compared to my PC's 200 GB, there is no way it does anything but delete the file table(s). FWIW

[bret4]

From what I've seen the reformat is a "quick format" and doesn't scan the disk for much of anything. I say this because of the time it takes to do this. The box has a 300 GB drive that compared to my PC's 200 GB, there is no way it does anything but delete the file table(s). FWIW

I wouldn't think it did any kind of scan either. In fact the format is so fast it almost seems like it couldn't do a quick format so fast. Whatever it does, it seems to work for some people. I wonder if that could be where some problems could come from? Bad sectors on the drive. Sure would be nice if they had a way to download software to do a real format with a disk scan. Just something interesting to see what good it would do.

[veryoldschool]

I wouldn't think it did any kind of scan either. In fact the format is so fast it almost seems like it couldn't do a quick format so fast. Whatever it does, it seems to work for some people. I wonder if that could be where some problems could come from? Bad sectors on the drive. Sure would be nice if they had a way to download software to do a real format with a disk scan. Just something interesting to see what good it would do.
So far for me; I can keep the disk clean, but have problems switching the video stream to the disk. If you haven't followed my testing:
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=79290 or
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=78655
I can keep the box(es) running with no or few lock ups or crashes, but having the video consistently switch to where it should, still seem to have a random "issue".

[bret4]

I did see some of your testing. Interesting threads. I do not have those kinds of problems with lock ups or unwatchable recordings lately. I did have some back when I first got the HR20. That's why I am careful to say a reset with format may help and not that it will help. There are many mysteries with this box. Sure would be interesting to see what the programers at D* know and how they are testing these things.

[veryoldschool]

I did see some of your testing. Interesting threads. I do not have those kinds of problems with lock ups or unwatchable recordings lately. I did have some back when I first got the HR20. That's why I am careful to say a reset with format may help and not that it will help. There are many mysteries with this box. Sure would be interesting to see what the programers at D* know and how they are testing these things.
In my many years... I once had the "joy" to work with the engineers on a new system for my aircraft. They had developed it in the lab. 20 min out in the snow of a new england flightline, and they had some ideas how to improve changing the units [without taking a bath as we had been doing] on the aircraft. They hadn't thought about it while working in the lab [no airplane].
I think the parallel with D* is that they are doing their development with a "perfect" system & should to more testing with something less than "optimal", which would be closer to a real world condition.
If you're not there... you don't know [or think of it].

[bret4]

Your right on that. One thing I would be doing is collecting video from places that people are having the most audio drop outs and pixelation from. Setting up HR20's to record in local markets around the country and using that data to fix those kinds of problems would be one thing they could do.

Then of course testing with as many poor setups as they can would be somthing they should do too. Loose cables and things of that nature should be retested to see what happens. With all that is riding on the HR20 I wouldn't just keep sending out up to 4 replacements to some people as I have read here. I'd send some of my best people to that location to see what they can learn from those sites. Doing that could shed a lot of light on what is going wrong with these things.

[Spanky_Partain]

So is mugatu really from D*?
One post and does not come back when so many replies to his very first post?
Is this something that D* cooked up to see how many HR20's actually do start working from a complete reset?

If I had problems like BSOD, lost recordings, lock-ups, and it just keeps blowing up, what do you have to loose. Blow the HR20 away and start fresh. It would not be the first time I have seen this work. More than once I have done the same thing to servers that act weird. Blow the NVRAM away, update the System ROM, and any other FW present, put a new hard drive in and re-install. System is usually good until about 20 critical updates from YOU know who, then it starts slowing down again. Doesn't seem to be as much of a problem in the Linux world.

Back to topic.

So blow your system away and see if it works. I would call D* and make them give something up for any lost recordings, like PPV movies.

Glad it all worked for you Mugatu!

And boy do I like throwing a rock at a bee hive or poking an ant bed!:D

[Mugatu]

So is mugatu really from D*?
One post and does not come back when so many replies to his very first post?
Is this something that D* cooked up to see how many HR20's actually do start working from a complete reset?


OMG! Someone thinks I am from D*! What a laugh!

I left my message because I had horrible problems and I was able to fix them. I passed on this info hoping to help someone else and to document what happened. What would you have me post?

I was VERY frustrated with all the problems and after the Reset Everything it is working great. BTW, the original post was on 2/12/2007 and it is now 2/25/2007. None of the problems have come back. When I reset it the HR20 was on 0x120 and is now on 0x12a so it has gone thru one upgrade process without problems coming back. It will be interesting to see if problems arise when the next upgrade happens.

Now for a little hypothesizing: My guess is that the DVR software engineers have a problem with their upgrade process. I am guessing that some data is not being upgraded or not being referenced properly after an upgrade. Perhaps they are packing their data differently with different compiles or different modules are being compiled with different packing directives. If that isn't the case, perhaps some data is not being migrated properly. But all this hypothesizing is worthless since I have very little data to base it on. As I already mentioned, I am very interested to see if problems come back after the next upgrade happens. Then we will see! ;)

If my system is acting up after the next upgrade, I will do the same Reset Everything trick and see if it fixes the problems. I will NOT be happy to do so. Resetting everything is painful and certainly should not be required. But the pain of resetting everything is less than the pain of having a messed up HR20.

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Mugatu]

I was having issues constantly, and did a "Reset Everything" over 2 weeks ago. Not a single glitch. No reboots, no lockups, not black screen recordings. Been working flawlessly, *knock on wood*

So the real question is, is the format fixing things permanently, or is it going to get corrupted again and require another format 2-3 software versions down the road?

Excellent! This is my experience too. Do you think people who are having problems are trying this fix? If not, why not?

I would like to hear reports from people who have these problems, who perform a Reset Everything, and then still have problems. The problems may come back, but my guess it is only after specific upgrades. Am I wrong?

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Mugatu]

If you get a brand new box I would do a reset everything before you start customizing it and recording stuff.

I had a ton of problems with my R15 after a software upgrade. A reset everything has left the box in a faster more stable state. I haven't had a single problem or had to red button reset it since I did it, about a month ago.

It seems like software upgrades wig things out, and its better to have a completely clean unit that downloads the latest available software version to start with.

My experience too. Thanks for replying!

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[finaldiet]

Installed 2 HR20's last week. No problems what-so-ever with anything. Have both set up through HDMI. Very happy as I thought I would have some problems after reading the forum.

[Mugatu]

Installed 2 HR20's last week. No problems what-so-ever with anything. Have both set up through HDMI. Very happy as I thought I would have some problems after reading the forum.

It is interesting that mine didn't work well from day one and continued to have problems until it got a Reset Everything treatment. At least by reading this, if yours starts having troubles, you will know to try a Reset Everything.

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Mugatu]

So is mugatu really from D*?
One post and does not come back when so many replies to his very first post?
Is this something that D* cooked up to see how many HR20's actually do start working from a complete reset?


I did the "Reset Everything" on 2/12/2007. It is now 3/4/2007 and it is still working great!!! It has upgraded twice, from 120 to 12A to 134.

I'll tell you one thing, when I go to another room and watch my Series II TiVo, I just LOVE using the TiVo. I wish using my HR20-700 were as enjoyable. On the TiVo unit I am watching a live show and when a commercial comes on I pause that show and switch to the other tuner and surf a little. Then I go back to my paused show and keep watching. I really love how the TiVo skips instantly.

Of course there are quite a few things that are better with the HR20. For example, 1) Continuing to view your show (up in the corner) when looking at the guide or list or settings 2) The speed at adding a series or editing series 3) High Definition of course!

[Spanky_Partain]

Glad to hear it!

Have Fun...

Spanky