Coolsat 6000 Problem

[vanalex]

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]

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]

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

 

[vanalex]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[Mr Tony]

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]

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

 

[Mr Tony]

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

yep did same thing here. All Eastern and the ones past 61.5W too (not needed for me)...makes the azbox work better

 

[Comptech]

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

You can not back up anything in the reciever itself using those menus there is no usb port. It is the same as the Coolsat loader does you can backup there fine.As far as clearing the nvram goes it will hurt nothing,no reason to call it a last resort. I have reached TP overload many a times and messed up my machine. Even with a fresh bin load it would still mess up. A clear nvram always fixed it.

 

[Comptech]

By the way, if the OP installs a new bin he will have to reset all the sats anyway.

 

[Jim S.]

Is there a way to delete satellites on a Coolsat 7000? I can't figure out how to do it. I can't even figure out how to do it with the channel editor.

(The channel editor seems worthless for just about anything, as a matter of fact, unless it just doesn't like Windows 7. All my channels come up in the all-satellites list, but if I click on an individual satellite nothing comes up. Not only do the channels not come up, the transponders don't even come up. I was hoping to clear out some space because so far the 7000 doesn't seem to blind-scan worth a damn. Maybe that's not even its problem though.)

 

[AcWxRadar]

You can not back up anything in the reciever itself using those menus there is no usb port. It is the same as the Coolsat loader does you can backup there fine.As far as clearing the nvram goes it will hurt nothing,no reason to call it a last resort. I have reached TP overload many a times and messed up my machine. Even with a fresh bin load it would still mess up. A clear nvram always fixed it.

Comptech,

You would not use a USB port or stick to backup the files from a Coolsat 5K or 6K receiver. You use a serial RS-232 cable and a loader program specifically designed for these receivers. The Diagnostic menu is for a totally different purpose, not intended for back-up of files. The NVRAM Clear function is a quick and dirty way to clean house, but if you have loaded the firmware revisions properly, there should be no need to utilize this avenue. It honestly does nothing much more than the DATABASE RESET function. The reason for using the NVRAM is generally because you cannot access the menus to access the DATABASE RESET function. It is basically a back-door access for those worst-case moments.

By the way, if the OP installs a new bin he will have to reset all the sats anyway.

This is not completely correct. If you back-up the files prior to any software or firmware upgrade, you will be able to directly load the channel and motor/lnbf/switch settings directly back to the unit following the upgrade procedure.

The only thing that a Coolsat owner must remember is that you cannot open the back-up file with any program to edit it if you wish to reload it "as-was" back to the STB with all the original settings. Since the editors available are not directly compatible, specific settings will revert to default values (mainly switch, LNBF type and motor settings). If you don't open the file with any application, you may download it directly back to the STB and all the information and data will remain unchanged.

Regardless of saving a back-up file, one specific item will always default to a factory default setting when the firmware is upgraded and that is the Latitude and Longitude coordinates for the USALS motor control. You always have to re-enter this information. There are other settings which will also default to factory settings, but they are insignificant items such as transparency of the menus and master volume control, etc. Not much to worry about.

RADAR

 

[AcWxRadar]

Is there a way to delete satellites on a Coolsat 7000? I can't figure out how to do it. I can't even figure out how to do it with the channel editor.

(The channel editor seems worthless for just about anything, as a matter of fact, unless it just doesn't like Windows 7. All my channels come up in the all-satellites list, but if I click on an individual satellite nothing comes up. Not only do the channels not come up, the transponders don't even come up. I was hoping to clear out some space because so far the 7000 doesn't seem to blind-scan worth a damn. Maybe that's not even its problem though.)

Jim,

Sorry that I cannot assist you with specific instructions on the Coolsat 7000. I know the 5K and 6K models like the back of my hand, but when they brought out the 6100 and above models, that is where I stopped liking them so well. These models seemed to adopt the Jolly Roger features and didn't work so well for FTA anymore.

I was about to purchase a 6100 model myself, but my brother beat me to it and I just learned from his error. He doesn't like his 6100 model very well for the same reasons that are causing you trouble with the 7000 model.

I believe that there is a way to delete sats and do some other mediocre editing with these models, but it isn't as user friendly as with the older models.

If no one responds with precise information, you might try to PM Walrus1957 regarding this issue. Since he has a 6100, he will be able to tell you the nitty gritty. The 7K is almost identical to the 6100. You can tell him that RADAR sent you.

RADAR

 

[Mr Tony]

The 7000 is like a Visionsat and I never could figure out how to remove a satellite on that receiver

 

[vanalex]

Sorry for the delay but we have company the next three days and I could not get the new bin loaded last night. I did just delete some channels and transponders from a few sats, both C and Ku and she works just like she is supposed to. I can add transponders and blind search. Thanks for all the help.

Radar, when you cleared out all the other sats on the AZBox, did you just delete them with the remote or did you use and editor. I used an editor Maz to put in a sat list and it added the file to current list. So for example, I have three 99 West. The one that came in the original load and the two I added, one for C and one for Ku. Am I hijacking my own thread.

 

[AcWxRadar]

Vanalex,

I just used the remote in this case. At the time, I didn't have an editor that worked very well. Now with the latest firmware and editors, I think it would be easier to do it that way as they seem to work for me.

RADAR

 

[Mr Tony]

yeah I used the remote too

it sucks but it worked