Coolsat 6000 Problem

**vanalex** · 11-12-2009 01:22 PM

I have a Coolsat 6000 that was working fine up to last weekend (Sat, 11/7). All still works normally except for the blind scan. I went to blind scan a C-band sat (NSS806) and I set up for 3400-4200, Detailed, both Polaities and all channels. I hit ok and it went to the scan page and the search frequency in the upper left corner went very light color 00.000 and flashed for 10 seconds maybe, went black and then went to the last channel I was watching.

The satellite is setup properly with LO, switches and 22kz and I have checked several time. It will not blind scan any sat now, C or Ku. It will do the transponder scan of transponders already in the memory. It will not allow me to add a new transponder in C or Ku on any satellite. Firmware is latest factory firmware.

Two new things since Tuesday, 11/3 in the set up. I got my AZBox Elite and added on 11/3. On 11/7 I changed out a California Amp C-Band LNBF for the Geo Sat Pro2 with Di-eletric Plate to get NSS 806.

Can this be fixed or do I get the back up receiver out?

Thanks,
Dan.

**brentb636** · 11-12-2009 01:36 PM

Why not download the channels into a file on your PC and do a factory default on the CS6000. Maybe you simply have too much in memory. You don't have much to lose.

**Anole** · 11-12-2009 01:37 PM

I would reload the firmware, and try it on a dedicated dish (no switches).
You should check LNB voltage out, and for both polarities while you are at it.
And probe the voltages on the power supply.
As I recall, you should find 24, 12, 5, 3.3.... I'd have to look, but they're labeled on the PS board if you look carefully.
See any capacitors with bulged tops in the PS or on the main board?
Sure something you hooked to the receiver didn't cause a surge or something?

Just try reloading firmware first.
edit: no, do what Brent said above - I forgot about that! -

There's an alternate non-hacker version out there, too. (it's listed on our forum - give a search).

**vanalex** · 11-12-2009 02:10 PM

Thanks Brent/Anole,

I think I will try copying the channels and factory reset first. That is the easiest to start with. Should have thought of that but when it's your own patient I guess you don't think of everything and this is what the forum is for.

Dan.

**AcWxRadar** · 11-12-2009 03:23 PM

Dan,

You say you are using the latest factory firmware... Does that mean version COOLSAT6000_100_20060308? This is the original factory firmware and as far as I am aware, the factory did not release any other firmware revisions.

There are new firmwares available which are versions 0.001 through 0.004 from this site:

FTAFirmware for Coolsat

These are after-market, third party firmware revisions for FTA (no hacks involved - this is for legal and legitimate FTA use).

If you have further problems, you might want to check these firmware revisions out if you have not already done so. I currently use version 0.004 for my Coolsat 5K.

I suspect that you may simply have too many sats or too many TPs stored in memory and are out of allocation space. This is possible, especially if you are being creative with your satellite entries and Wild Feeds. You might investigate and clear out some of the junk to free up some space.

RADAR

**Comptech** · 11-12-2009 03:36 PM

I had one do similar to me once.It required me to clear the non votile ram after installing factory firmware.Here is how it is done.The NVRAM reset procedure is as follows:

1. Flash the receiver with the factory flash (Bin 1.00)
2. Turn off the receiver in Standby Mode
3. Press and hold down the [Channel Up] button on the front panel of the receiver and simultanaeously press the power [ON] button on front panel.
4. Release all buttons
5. Using the remote, navigate to the [NVRAM Clear] option in the lower right corner of the screen. Exercise care to NOT select any other option. When [NVRAM Clear] is highlighted, press the [OK] button and acknowledge the procedure if prompted.

Give it a try and see if it helps.

**vanalex** · 11-12-2009 03:45 PM

RADAR,

Yes using the COOLSAT6000_100_20060308 firmware. Will load .0004 while I have it hooked to the computer tonight. I like the firmware just for the fact the time will be right. Will try the NVRAM if other procedures do not pan out.

Thanks,
Dan.

**AcWxRadar** · 11-12-2009 04:00 PM

Vanalex,

Regarding what Comptech has stated... He is referring to the diagnostics menu. I have written the procedure to access this below, but keep in mind that the NVRAM CLEAR option is a very last resort measure and usually doesn't need to be and shouldn't be used unless all other avenues have failed you. There are some really neat options available within this diagnostic menu, so check it out, but be careful what you play with. Make sure that you save a backup of your channel list before entering this mode - just in case.

You won't harm anything, but if you aren't aware of what you are doing, you might erase all your setups, satellites and channels stored and have to start over from scratch. That can be a lot of work to repeat if you haven't saved a backup.

Here are the methods to enter the diagnostic menus:

From the STANDBY mode (no channel being viewed – just the clock displayed):

DIAGNOSTIC MENU: Press channel UP button on front of STB and hold, then press power button on front of STB and hold until menu appears, then release the power button and then release the channel up button.

STB COPY – FIRMWARE: Press power button on front of STB and hold, then press channel DOWN button on front of STB and hold until menu appears, then release the power button, then release the channel down button.

STB COPY – CHANNEL DATA: Press power button on front of STB and hold, then press channel UP button on front of STB and hold until menu appears, then release the power button, then release the channel up button.

From the ON mode (STB fully powered up and channel being viewed):

DIAGNOSTIC MENU: Press power button on front of STB and hold, then press channel UP button on front of STB and hold until menu appears, then release the power button, then release the channel up button.

STB COPY – FIRMWARE: Press channel DOWN button on front of STB and hold, then press power button on front of STB and hold until menu appears, then release the power button and then release the channel down button.

STB COPY – CHANNEL DATA: Press channel UP button on front of STB and hold, then press power button on front of STB and hold until menu appears, then release the power button, and then the channel up button.

NOTE:

The DIAGNOSTIC menu has the NVRAM clear function within it. If you wish to clear the NVRAM, once you are in the diagnostic menu, just use the volume and channel buttons on the remote to highlight the NVRAM Clear box and press OK.

To add, there are some neat features in the diagnostic menu that can benefit all users! The color BAR menu and the password option are quite interesting and helpful! The color bar isn't as great as an NTSC generator, but, it is quite handy for setting up your TV colors.

RADAR

**Iceberg** · 11-12-2009 08:49 PM

is it possible you have too many transponders loaded into it? I've seen other receivers do that where it starts doing wacky things when you have done too many blind scans

try and delete some TP's or sats first that you dont need

**AcWxRadar** · 11-12-2009 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by Iceberg

is it possible you have too many transponders loaded into it? I've seen other receivers do that where it starts doing wacky things when you have done too many blind scans

try and delete some TP's or sats first that you dont need

Ice,

Yes, if you have too many TPs loaded, it will lock you out or crash or get weird on you. There seems to be no method or way to predict what will happen, but having multliple and random sats disappear from your list is a general indication. Especially when, as you stated, you have performed many, many blind scans. The Coolsat receiver doesn't seem to like that too well.

Walrus and I have found that it is a good idea to back up your channel list frequently if you are doing a lot of Blind Scans.

The issue with the number of TPs is not clear, but I swear that it exists, just the same as the total number of sats or channels or the total number of channels inserted into a favorite list. If that rule which applies to all of these limits exists, it seems logical that it would also apply to the total number of TPs, too. Although, no one makes mention of this as it probably doesn't occur for very many users. I think you would reach the limit on sats before the limit on TPs, but the idea is the same - memory space allocation.

I think you would have to try very hard to exceed these limitations.

While I am discussing this issue for the Coolsat, please allow me to add a note regarding a similar issue with the AZBox. (Just a quick one). I found that if I delete all the "stock" listed sats from the list that I have no need for (i.e. any European or Asian sats) that my AZBox functions better and doesn't get confused and doesn't delete or rename or renumber the sats that I DO want. Theoretically it shouldn't make any difference, but I think that it is a glitch and it certainly does help me when I navigate between the sats that are usable to me. I deleted all sats with an EASTERN hemisphere notation. That cleared and cleaned up my list quite immensely. No need to wade or step through them if you don't need them.

RADAR