[BuLL]

HR24-200 currently with 0x5cb.

The last five mornings, my HR24 has been frozen and unresponsive to commands from the remote or front panel. A quick unplug, or RBR puts it into some kind of power cycle loop, where I can hear the exhaust fan kick on for a second, and then off, repeatedly but it never boots up. The only thing that brings it back to life is to unplug it for 10 minutes. Also, the back right side of the dvr is very warm to the touch, to the point that it becomes painful when touching the metal part where the coax plugs in longer then 5 seconds.
It seems to happen more often when I turn the dvr off. But it was frozen again this moring after I left it on when I went to bed.
It also doesn't happen when watching TV or recorded shows. It was in use all day Saturday with no issues.

Recommendations? Time to call for a replacement?

 

[BuLL]

It was frozen after I got home from work yesterday, and again this morning. Yet after leaving it unplugged for a bit, it ran fine all evening. I checked the internal temp multiple times throughout the evening, and it was always 120º.

Any more troubleshooting I can do?

 

[harsh]

This is a problem that has shown up recently. The power cycle seems to be the only reliable solution.

Do you put the DVR in standby when you aren't using it?

 

[BuLL]

Yes, but I have also left it on to see if that would help. It did initially, but not anymore. I also verified that the power save mode was off.

When it freezes while left on, it will continue to display live TV, but nothing else works and scheduled recordings are missed with no entries logged in history.

 

[harsh]

When it freezes while left on, it will continue to display live TV, but nothing else works and scheduled recordings are missed with no entries logged in history.

Do the recordings happen if the DVR is in standby and locked up?

 

[The Merg]

Since it sounds like you've tried to pull the power and let it sit and that is not working, plus you have the the power cycle issue which is a big indicator of a failing receiver, your best bet would be to contact DirecTV and see about getting a replacement. As you have a HR24, they should replace it with another HR24.

- Merg

 

[Scott Kocourek]

Let us know how it works out. Replacement receivers usually come pretty fast.

 

[BuLL]

Do the recordings happen if the DVR is in standby and locked up?

No, they do not work then either.

Last night I set it to record shows on different channels every other hour, and interestingly enough it was still working this morning. So, it appears the lockup happens after a certain period of inactivity.

 

[BuLL]

Since it sounds like you've tried to pull the power and let it sit and that is not working, plus you have the the power cycle issue which is a big indicator of a failing receiver, your best bet would be to contact DirecTV and see about getting a replacement. As you have a HR24, they should replace it with another HR24.

- Merg

I believe the power cycle issue is a result of the DVR locking up and overheating. When it is frozen, the internal fans are not running either. Although I do recall a couple weeks ago when I rebooted via the menu and it did the same thing (power cycle) so that must not be it.

Any idea how long I have to watch recorded shows after I activate the replacement DVR? I would guess the old one is disabled immediately?

Debating if I should just order a second DVR for the time being. I am out of contract, and my online loyalty promotion is a free DVR.

 

[Scott Kocourek]

You have to call and deactivate the bad receiver, if you get the new one you have a certain amount of time to send the defective one back. (I think 21 days) You can activate the new one as soon as you get it and leave the defective one on until the 21 days is up.

Don't quote me on the 21 days, I'm going from memory from a year and a half ago but you will have some time. You will pay for both receivers until you deactivate the defective one.

Please keep us informed on how it works.

 

[BuLL]

Thanks for the information.

After recording shows around the clock for a few days, I didn't schedule any yesterday, and oddly enough it hasn't locked up yet. I'll give it a few more days, but so far it appears to be working again. :shrug:

 

[bearcat250]

HR24-200 currently with 0x5cb.

The last five mornings, my HR24 has been frozen and unresponsive to commands from the remote or front panel. A quick unplug, or RBR puts it into some kind of power cycle loop, where I can hear the exhaust fan kick on for a second, and then off, repeatedly but it never boots up. The only thing that brings it back to life is to unplug it for 10 minutes. Also, the back right side of the dvr is very warm to the touch, to the point that it becomes painful when touching the metal part where the coax plugs in longer then 5 seconds.
It seems to happen more often when I turn the dvr off. But it was frozen again this moring after I left it on when I went to bed.
It also doesn't happen when watching TV or recorded shows. It was in use all day Saturday with no issues.

Recommendations? Time to call for a replacement?

I have the same problems with one of my HR21's. After several call's to D tech support and as many reboot's, D has finally agreed to send a replacement. The HR21 freezes in both the on and stand by mode, video will freeze randomly, the recording seem to skip frames, the unit will suddenly reboot while I'm watching. What a pain!.