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Since the latest STB software push (00.05.5C) some of us have experienced an increased number of lockups. At this point I cannot say for sure whether the increase is caused by the new software itself, or simply by the fact that we are "clicking" much more frequently after the update while exploring the new features of the software. In any case, it seems the lockup pattern has changed (for me, anyway), and it might be worth documenting. I hope this detailed description will help engineers at VOOM and Motorola.
Since I received the software update yesterday morning, I had 8 lockups. All of them happened when I was pressing buttons on the remote (and yes, I was pressing them a lot!) So, this doesn't look like a hardware-type lockup of a dying box, but rather like a software bug. The number of lockups is unusually high. In the past, I would see only 1-2 lockups a week on average.
Symptoms
At least half of my recent lockups resulted in a black screen with a small window in the upper-right corner showing the latest tuned channel. This is the same window that you see when you press the VOOM button, except that the rest of the screen is black. And as far as I remember, in all these cases this problem was caused by me pressing either the VOOM button or the Help button. Both of these buttons are indeed supposed to bring a small window in the corner, but then they are supposed to show the menu. It looks like the program dies just before showing that menu.
In some other cases the lockup happened when I was navigating with the Surf Bar. In these cases, I didn't get the small window, instead, the current channel simply stayed on.
Once the STB is locked, buttons stop responding (buttons on the remote and buttons on the STB too). If I press any button, I can see the amber dot on the STB blink as usual (single blink for some buttons, double-blink for others), though nothing changes on the screen. With one exception. If I press the power button on my remote - the screen goes black, as if the STB goes standby, but the green icon stays on. If I press the power button again - the picture re-appears (the same small window in the corner), while the icon turns red (!). If I press again the screen turns black and the icon turns green (!) And so on. I was able to repeat this cycle several times.
The symptoms seem to be slightly different from those I experienced in the past with the old software. For example, I don't remember seeing this small window in the corner (but then again, I didn't use the VOOM button too often in the past). Also, I don't remember being able to turn off the screen by pressing the power button after a lockup. Lockups in the past would freeze my STB completely, so that only a 6-second front-button reset or a power cycle would make any effect.
I might be wrong, but it seems to me the more often I use the remote (PG, Surf Bar, etc.) the more often I get the lockups. This morning VOOM was on for 3 hours or so, but I didn't play with the PG too much, and I didn't have any lockups. It's hard for me to establish any pattern at this point, but intensive channel-surfing might have preceded every lockup. Another factor that may or may not have any importance here: I have turned off the screen saver yesterday, and didn't have any lockups since then. It is probably a coincidence, but you never know...
If you are experiencing similar lockups since the software update, please post your observations. Also it would be interesting to know if someone has experienced the exact same symptoms as I described above (including the small window in the corner and the STB responding to the Power button on the remote) in the older versions of the software.
So, what should you do if your STB has locked up?
Either press and hold the power button on the front panel of the STB for 6 seconds, or unplug the STB for a few seconds.
Since I received the software update yesterday morning, I had 8 lockups. All of them happened when I was pressing buttons on the remote (and yes, I was pressing them a lot!) So, this doesn't look like a hardware-type lockup of a dying box, but rather like a software bug. The number of lockups is unusually high. In the past, I would see only 1-2 lockups a week on average.
Symptoms
At least half of my recent lockups resulted in a black screen with a small window in the upper-right corner showing the latest tuned channel. This is the same window that you see when you press the VOOM button, except that the rest of the screen is black. And as far as I remember, in all these cases this problem was caused by me pressing either the VOOM button or the Help button. Both of these buttons are indeed supposed to bring a small window in the corner, but then they are supposed to show the menu. It looks like the program dies just before showing that menu.
In some other cases the lockup happened when I was navigating with the Surf Bar. In these cases, I didn't get the small window, instead, the current channel simply stayed on.
Once the STB is locked, buttons stop responding (buttons on the remote and buttons on the STB too). If I press any button, I can see the amber dot on the STB blink as usual (single blink for some buttons, double-blink for others), though nothing changes on the screen. With one exception. If I press the power button on my remote - the screen goes black, as if the STB goes standby, but the green icon stays on. If I press the power button again - the picture re-appears (the same small window in the corner), while the icon turns red (!). If I press again the screen turns black and the icon turns green (!) And so on. I was able to repeat this cycle several times.
The symptoms seem to be slightly different from those I experienced in the past with the old software. For example, I don't remember seeing this small window in the corner (but then again, I didn't use the VOOM button too often in the past). Also, I don't remember being able to turn off the screen by pressing the power button after a lockup. Lockups in the past would freeze my STB completely, so that only a 6-second front-button reset or a power cycle would make any effect.
I might be wrong, but it seems to me the more often I use the remote (PG, Surf Bar, etc.) the more often I get the lockups. This morning VOOM was on for 3 hours or so, but I didn't play with the PG too much, and I didn't have any lockups. It's hard for me to establish any pattern at this point, but intensive channel-surfing might have preceded every lockup. Another factor that may or may not have any importance here: I have turned off the screen saver yesterday, and didn't have any lockups since then. It is probably a coincidence, but you never know...
If you are experiencing similar lockups since the software update, please post your observations. Also it would be interesting to know if someone has experienced the exact same symptoms as I described above (including the small window in the corner and the STB responding to the Power button on the remote) in the older versions of the software.
So, what should you do if your STB has locked up?
Either press and hold the power button on the front panel of the STB for 6 seconds, or unplug the STB for a few seconds.
47 Replies
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5803 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Wasn't exactly sure where to post this. Just had a customer come in inquiring about internet. He has HughesNet and had heard good things about mine. He asked if we provided email addresses and it kinda caught me off guard. I said he should be able to keep whatever email he had been using....my sister in law is still using a BellSouth email addy and they haven't been around here for many years. He said he had gotten a letter from HughesNet stating that they had until Nov 16th to save, move, forward, whatever, their Hughesnet emails because they would lose them after that date.
I have never heard of a company simply mass-deleting email accounts (the customer still has his HughesNet service). From what I understand, in the past, the company who was ditching their email service simply sold the customer base to a company like Google.
Anyone else getting this letter. He said he would show it to me tomorrow when I go out there and set up his internet.
I have never heard of a company simply mass-deleting email accounts (the customer still has his HughesNet service). From what I understand, in the past, the company who was ditching their email service simply sold the customer base to a company like Google.
Anyone else getting this letter. He said he would show it to me tomorrow when I go out there and set up his internet.
7 Replies
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105 views
Still the same number of years, just more Sunsets…Wouldn't we then die of old age sooner?
Lifetime Supporter
Starting a thread klang !
After an amazing first 2 seasons and an 8 episode 3rd season still coming this year, season 4 has now been greenlit.
After an amazing first 2 seasons and an 8 episode 3rd season still coming this year, season 4 has now been greenlit.
9 Replies
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926 views
One episode into season 4 that dropped today...
Supporting Founder
Lifetime Supporter
This thread is a place to discuss the 4K events that appear on channel 540. We are getting, at this point, one college football game a week. Let's hope there is more coming.
1930 Replies
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298810 views
Hmmm, I'm not seeing anything like those events in our Hopper 3 guide for tonight or Saturday.
I went into the Tools menu and requested a Guide Update. I'll try looking at it after the update completes.
edit — I now have the 148-01 4KFox events for Saturday, but not anything for 148-02 or 148-03 which don't even show as available channels. I do have 148-04 4KUSA.
As I recall you have the Flex package. Do you sub to multisport? -02 is FS1 and -03 is ESPN. -01 is Fox so you would get that if you sub to locals.Hmmm, I'm not seeing anything like those events in our Hopper 3 guide for tonight or Saturday.
I went into the Tools menu and requested a Guide Update. I'll try looking at it after the update completes.
edit — I now have the 148-01 4KFox events for Saturday, but not anything for 148-02 or 148-03 which don't even show as available channels. I do have 148-04 4KUSA.
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5R5Aw27yr0
Direct YouTube Link - A State Cyber-emergency in Japan
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5R5Aw27yr0
Direct YouTube Link - A State Cyber-emergency in Japan
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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4 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEmNun8Ms4s
Direct YouTube Link - AI and Mathematicians
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEmNun8Ms4s
Direct YouTube Link - AI and Mathematicians
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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2 views
Supporting Founder
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Apple has finally released their Apple TV 4K with built-in Siri and a microphone so it can respond to your queries even if you don't have the remote. It also increases in price, to $299. I had been planning on updating my current Apple TV 4K streamers, but that's $600 for the two of them, and that's a pass at this point.
At $299, it had better come with 256 GB of Storage, Gigabit (or better) Ethernet, the latest HDMI tech and standards, and one year of free Apple One. But it probably won't…
At $299, it had better come with 256 GB of Storage, Gigabit (or better) Ethernet, the latest HDMI tech and standards, and one year of free Apple One. But it probably won't…
Apple TV 4K
Apple TV 4K. New Siri AI and hands-free control. Stunning picture and immersive HomePod surround sound. Works with your Apple and smart home devices.
www.apple.com
13 Replies
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154 views
Staff member
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
The TPN Map Excel Presents all DIRECTV Channels:
Understanding the TPN Map
Making Sense of the TPN Map Display Conventions
National (50-States or wide/NAT+PR beams)
Local (Local-Into-Local or narrow/Spot beams)
Local (Local-Into-Local or narrow/Spot beams)
Additional tabs provide:
OTA the (Over-The-Air) Database
VOD (Video On_Demand) Records
Offline Records
Engr Records
Net Decoder a graphic presentation of all satellites and transponders
VOD (Video On_Demand) Records
Offline Records
Engr Records
Net Decoder a graphic presentation of all satellites and transponders
Domestic Satellites
@99W...... D11, D14
@101W.... D16
@103W.... D12, D15
@110W.... D5
@119W.... D8
@99W...... D11, D14
@101W.... D16
@103W.... D12, D15
@110W.... D5
@119W.... D8
Understanding the TPN Map
Making Sense of the TPN Map Display Conventions
2139 Replies
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927036 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Hard getting used to the new younger Gibbs, Mark Harmons son had the right look but I understand he didn't want the role.
Still I'm enjoying, pretty good job with Franks.
Still I'm enjoying, pretty good job with Franks.
64 Replies
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4191 views
Lon.TV
Time for another AWESOME video from Lon Seidman of LON.TV!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skcItfS1TLk
Direct YouTube Link - HP Googlebook 14 Review !
The Official LON.TV Website
Lon on Facebook
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skcItfS1TLk
Direct YouTube Link - HP Googlebook 14 Review !
The Official LON.TV Website
Lon on Facebook
0 Replies
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6 views
For quite a while now, people with a VIP211k have been losing their recordings on their activated external HDDs... even when there's nothing physically wrong with HDD. I believe this is an intentional and underhanded tactic that Dish is pulling in an attempt to force users away from the VIP211k.
They are obviously regretting that they ever let users have a "non-dvr" dvr in the first place. You would think they would be happy charging you a $40 one time fee... and then be happy letting the customer be the one responsible for HDD failures.
Dish clearly hates the 211k bitter-clingers. This recording deletion problem is intentional (IMO), and I think it is just one more tool that they are using. Hopper and a 2-year agreement... that's what they want you to have. Think about that... a 2-year agreement... with a company $30 Billion in debt (that's with a B). What happens when all that debt causes them to drop the channel that may have been your whole reason for having Dish in the first place? Guess who's stuck with a service that no longer suits their needs... for the remainder of the 2-year agreement.
On top of that, they don't want you to install it yourself. I purchased and installed all my equipment myself. That used to be common. Now, they lie to me and tell me that my dish must be updated to use a Hopper. Funny thing is... they don't even know what dish I have because they didn't install it, and I didn't tell them. If you ask what type of dish/LNBs the hopper needs... good luck getting an answer. All they know is that whatever you have needs to be upgraded by an installer.
It is quite apparent to me that they care much more about staying in their box, than they do working with the customer. That's too bad, because it hasn't always been that way. It's like they are totally unaware of the current business environment that they are trying to compete in.
I have been a customer since 2010. I will be cancelling my service before the next period. Yeah, I know, my $1,200 a year won't make a difference to them. It just seems like they have forgotten who needs who, especially when you consider the competition in today's streaming world. But hey, they will have succeed in forcing me off the 211k.
They are obviously regretting that they ever let users have a "non-dvr" dvr in the first place. You would think they would be happy charging you a $40 one time fee... and then be happy letting the customer be the one responsible for HDD failures.
Dish clearly hates the 211k bitter-clingers. This recording deletion problem is intentional (IMO), and I think it is just one more tool that they are using. Hopper and a 2-year agreement... that's what they want you to have. Think about that... a 2-year agreement... with a company $30 Billion in debt (that's with a B). What happens when all that debt causes them to drop the channel that may have been your whole reason for having Dish in the first place? Guess who's stuck with a service that no longer suits their needs... for the remainder of the 2-year agreement.
On top of that, they don't want you to install it yourself. I purchased and installed all my equipment myself. That used to be common. Now, they lie to me and tell me that my dish must be updated to use a Hopper. Funny thing is... they don't even know what dish I have because they didn't install it, and I didn't tell them. If you ask what type of dish/LNBs the hopper needs... good luck getting an answer. All they know is that whatever you have needs to be upgraded by an installer.
It is quite apparent to me that they care much more about staying in their box, than they do working with the customer. That's too bad, because it hasn't always been that way. It's like they are totally unaware of the current business environment that they are trying to compete in.
I have been a customer since 2010. I will be cancelling my service before the next period. Yeah, I know, my $1,200 a year won't make a difference to them. It just seems like they have forgotten who needs who, especially when you consider the competition in today's streaming world. But hey, they will have succeed in forcing me off the 211k.
164 Replies
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7299 views
