[audiophile84]

Hey Guys,

Recently bought a used 8300HD that claims to be never been used but when I hook it up, I don't hear the hard drive start up and once I press the power button, I get all these weird letters and numbers show up continuously changing on the front display. Does anyone have an idea of what the problem could be? Is it a hard drive issue? I had even called Videotron before hand to verify the serial number and even Videotron has confirmed that, that unit has never been activated before.

Any idea's?

Thanks alot

Cheers

 

[InMontreal]

The hexadecimal junk you see on the display is the OS upgrade. It should normally take up to a maximum of 20 minutes. Just plug the cable in to the receiver, plug the power, and let it run for a while (go do something else while waiting, do NOT unplug it!)

If after 1 hour it's still doing it's OS upgrade over and over, plug your terminal in another cable outlet in the house, preferably closer to the main cable entrance point. Otherwise, call the technical support service so they'll send a tech to verify the signal or change the box.

 

[audiophile84]

Now What?????

Hey Guys, ok, I activated the receiver with Videotron and works like a charm. Only thing is now, when I power up my PVR, I don't hear the hard drive boot up. I get a message stating: Video Recorder Not Ready..."Your Recording Device is being checked." Once it actually does the check after 20-30 mins, I get this message: "There are problems with the program storage disk...". Does anyone have an idea of what this means. I've tried reformatting it, cold boot, hard boot even with Videotron Tech Support and I still get this message. Does this mean a defective unit or defective hard drive? Should I attempt opening it up?

 

[InMontreal]

Defective unit, could be the power or data ribbon or the printed circuit.

Call Technical Support Service for a technician visit who will exchange the box.

Opening the box will void your warranty.

 

[audiophile84]

Well I called Videotron this morning, and I'm having a technician come and check it out tomorrow. Although I do think its a waste of time considering I bought it used even though the seller claimed he never activated it. I'm starting to think that it will be a waste of time if it's a used receiver. I doubt very much Videotron will exchange the unit, I'm not going to hold my breath on that one. I guess I'll wait and see what the tech guys will have to say about it tomorrow and take it from there. I only hope it is simply a defective hard drive or something.

 

[InMontreal]

The warranty starts at the date of first activation date, not at purchase date from original owner. So it may sound "used", but from Videotron's computers it's a brand new PVR that was left on a shelf for years.

Since the techs are not opening the cover in front of the customer, they'll simply exchange the machine when it's still under warranty, otherwise an offer could be made to sell you a used PVR.

 

[audiophile84]

Thanks InMontreal, I appreciate all your help. I'll hope for the best for tomorrow morning.

 

[audiophile84]

Ok, so the receiver worked on the week-end. Videotron tech came over to check the box, it was not under warranty anymore. So I went to the nearest IT store and got the WD5000AAKB HD that was recommended by all and worked like a charm. Thanks for the help.

Cheers