[michjefca]

Hi all,

After a move cross country our 9200 PVR (purchased) is now not working. It comes on by itself, records programs we have not scheduled and bounces around channels when we have turned it on -- in other words it's possessed!

There is no visible physical damage to the receiver so we need to hire a technician to determine the cause of the problem before the moving co. will consider if they will pay to replace the receiver.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a technician in the Ottawa area who could do this for us?

TIA

 

[Pinza]

First thing I would do is change the Remote Address, it sounds like someone close by has a Remote on the exact same frequency.

 

[michjefca]

Not likely our nearest neighbour is the better part of a football field away.

 

[Pinza]

Still it would not hurt, as it could be some kind of stray IR from another source.

 

[michjefca]

I did go through the process with Bell on the phone -- they determined it is most likely a problem with the receiver itself.

 

[Princie1]

It comes on by itself, records programs we have not scheduled and bounces around channels when we have turned it on -- in other words it's possessed!

My 9242 used to do that before I moved it from an upstairs bedroom that had a lot of light from a large window to a room downstairs with no windows. Removing the antenna for remote 2 from the back of the receiver used to stop the problem. I know mine wasn't caused by someone nearby having a remote, because we live in a rural area with no close to us, so I'm thinking it was some kind of interference (IR maybe?) coming in from outside (but I'll defer that to someone like Pinza who knows much more on the problem to possibly diagnois).

 

[michjefca]

I should add -- we have two other receivers in the house. Along with a 6131 (rented - think this is the model #) the possessed 9200 receives its signal from a dish on the east side of the house. We are also having a problem (very different than the problems with the 9200) with the 6131 and Bell is sending us a new receiver. A second dish on the west side of the house is for a 9241 receiver (rented) and it works just fine.

 

[Costa]

What kind of remote are you using? or better yet, whats the number/colour of the tab on the bottom?

If you're using the #1/green one, take the antenna off the back of the receiver. If you're using the #2/blue one, push the menu button twice, pull the battery cover off, switch the A/B tab over to the other one, and finally hit the record button to save the new band onto your receiver.'

edit: Actually; dont hit the menu button twice, push the system Info button from the front panel. This is where you'll save the new code, and not affect another uhf controlled receiver.

 

[michjefca]

While I had Bell on the phone I did try to change remotes - the screen/picture wouldn't stay still long enough to be able to do it -- thus they determined there was a problem with the receiver.

 

[Princie1]

Have you tried removing the antenna for the second remote?

 

[michjefca]

Please, I want to thank you all for your help in trying to "fix" the problem however it has been determined by Bell after HOURS on the phone with them there is a problem with the receiver (I suspect because it has been shaken to death) -- I am just looking for suggestions for a technician in the Ottawa area so I can maybe get this unit replaced by the moving co.

 

[Princie1]

I only asked because:

a) if your problem is the same as mine, which it sounds like it is, removing the antenna (something that takes 5-10 seconds and little to no effort) will fix your problem

and

b) no matter how many hours you spend on the phone with Bell, they will get you to do stuff that they know won't work (they have sheets of "fixes" that they will walk you through, no matter what your problem actually is), then tell you that the problem is "with the receiver" and will send you out a refurbed replacement if you rent or sell you a refurb if you own. Remember, the people you talk to on the phone are not technicians - they are telemarketers.

 

[57]

Just as an FYI, here's the thread on IR interference in case that's the real problem since this is often the cause of possessed STBs if the neighbour has been ruled out by removing the antenna and the remote address has been changed.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=64463

however it has been determined by Bell after HOURS on the phone with them there is a problem with the receiver

Although this may be the case, the assistance you get on this forum will far exceed the assistance you get from the vast majority of BTV CSRs who have a "cheat sheet" on their computer and almost always say it's an issue with the equipment, even if it's not. We have threads and threads of similar comments on this forum.

I am just looking for suggestions for a technician in the Ottawa area so I can maybe get this unit replaced by the moving co.

I strongly suggest you investigate all the suggestions in this thread, especially the IR interference one. You'll be really angry with yourself if you get a new/repaired unit and the same thing happens.

Have you tried moving the "possessed" 9200 to the west side where the 9241 is? Make sure you remove the antenna from the back of the unit if you try this.


Here's a post useful for those new to the forum - FAQs, Search Tips, Optimization, etc:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741

 

[Costa]

If it took a 'HOURS' to figured out your issue, than their was probably a bigger problem.

P.S. I'm not referring to the equipment.

 

[Pinza]

If Bell determined there was a problem then call them for a Technician, there are no indipendents that can offer repairs to these units to the best of my knowledge.

As for being 'shaken to death', I know of HD PVR's that have been in the rear of Technicians Trucks for months, they have covered thousands of km's and still function when plugged in. If the Hard drive is spinning and the machine is moved, yes you can kill it, but unplugged, not so easy.

I am still NOT convinced you have changed the Remote Address, you said you tried to "Change Remotes".

Just call Bell.