Yet Another Red Light Story - How can I test the hardware for failures?

Despair

Vu+ Newbie
Dear Forum's Users,

I also have recently experienced my Vu+ Duo stuck on the Red Light on start-up. On start-up it gets stuck on the red light: sometimes for ever, sometimes it starts finally up after 20 minutes or even an hour. When it finally does run, it may crash at any time again, at which stage it often gets stuck, displaying "starting ..." in the front.

I have tried flashing the kernel as well as installing the latest OpenPli (I am currently running on 3.1.1 I think - definitely not 4*). Not sure if any of those succeeded since it then got stuck on black screen. However, I managed to get it running again after those trials, albeit short times only (so there is a currently a functioning software).

It was getting very hot and at some point I realized the fan was not working. After a coupe of weeks I was able to start it again yesterday ... the box on the floor and open. Fan not working, but with the ventilations and cooler outside temperatures in general, it appeared to be running cool. Today in the morning it was stuck again on "starting ..."

After many searches I came across that some of the capacitors may need replacing, but I am reluctant since there are not that many references compared to all the 'red light' threats.

Assuming it is a hardware issue, here is my question: how can I find out whether the fan is broken, or the controller on the board (not sending any signal/current to the fan). Particularly, how can I do this if the box is not starting up - I have tried tinkering around with wires and batteries, but was not very successful - I am not very gifted in this regard.


Many thanks
Tom

PS: As I have currently no access to satellite dishes, I am miss-using the box as a NAS device to store my backups onto the 2T hdd, so usually there is no TV attached to it either; this has been working this way for many many months/years before acting up some 6-8 weeks ago.
 

angelofsky1980

BlackHole Driver Specialist
Dear Forum's Users,

I also have recently experienced my Vu+ Duo stuck on the Red Light on start-up. On start-up it gets stuck on the red light: sometimes for ever, sometimes it starts finally up after 20 minutes or even an hour. When it finally does run, it may crash at any time again, at which stage it often gets stuck, displaying "starting ..." in the front.

I have tried flashing the kernel as well as installing the latest OpenPli (I am currently running on 3.1.1 I think - definitely not 4*). Not sure if any of those succeeded since it then got stuck on black screen. However, I managed to get it running again after those trials, albeit short times only (so there is a currently a functioning software).

It was getting very hot and at some point I realized the fan was not working. After a coupe of weeks I was able to start it again yesterday ... the box on the floor and open. Fan not working, but with the ventilations and cooler outside temperatures in general, it appeared to be running cool. Today in the morning it was stuck again on "starting ..."

After many searches I came across that some of the capacitors may need replacing, but I am reluctant since there are not that many references compared to all the 'red light' threats.

Assuming it is a hardware issue, here is my question: how can I find out whether the fan is broken, or the controller on the board (not sending any signal/current to the fan). Particularly, how can I do this if the box is not starting up - I have tried tinkering around with wires and batteries, but was not very successful - I am not very gifted in this regard.


Many thanks
Tom

PS: As I have currently no access to satellite dishes, I am miss-using the box as a NAS device to store my backups onto the 2T hdd, so usually there is no TV attached to it either; this has been working this way for many many months/years before acting up some 6-8 weeks ago.

Read these URLs:
http://www.vuplus-community.net/board/threads/vu-duo-is-dead.3616/
http://www.vuplus-community.net/board/threads/sostituzione-condensatore-220uf-16v.6522/
 

Despair

Vu+ Newbie
Hi Angelofsky,

many thanks for your quick answer. I have tried flashing and also unplugging the power cord various times before without any real change.

As indicated, I have seen the threads on the hardware parts, but thought I should do more testing before taking the chance of frying my box with a soldering iron. Mind you, I am a little hesitant since there are only very view threads (here or in any other news groups) on the capacitor replacement, which makes me a bit worried (for all I know, somebody could just post a few notes in order to sell parts). Nevertheless, this seems to be the next steps ...
Tom
 

Mick12334

Moderator
Why would anyone start false rumours, to sell parts, that only cost a few pence?

Why not look up a local television repair shop, with a circuit board tester, and have them test, and repair, your receiver for you, it could be a very cheap repair.
 

Despair

Vu+ Newbie
Hi Mick,

I did not want to start a rumour, I just was surprised to see so few (success) stories on the hardware repair when there are many, many links to the actual red light problem. Just made me a bit suspicious, nothing else.
Tom
 

angelofsky1980

BlackHole Driver Specialist
Hi Mick,

I did not want to start a rumour, I just was surprised to see so few (success) stories on the hardware repair when there are many, many links to the actual red light problem. Just made me a bit suspicious, nothing else.
Tom

You are wrong. Many people with "red dot" problem have solved their problems following tips posted in URLs I've posted in my previous post.
 

Despair

Vu+ Newbie
Hi Angelofsky,

I am sure you help many people and I consider myself lucky if I can join that group. All I asked in my first post was whether there are some hardware tests I could perform before trying to replace parts. But I appreciate your help and patience to bear with me on this one. I certainly will continue various suggestions for solutions and post my results here.


Many thanks
Tom

PS: Just to be clear, I did not dispute the validity of any solutions in general, I just did not see many posts on success stories after replacing the capacitor. I probably search with the wrong keywords.
 

Mick12334

Moderator
Closely looking at the capacitors, for any sign of bulging, or leaking, is probably the only thing you can do, without testing equipment.

I have read that it is easier to replace any faulty capacitors by cutting the legs, instead of removing the capacitor, then soldering the new capacitors legs, to the old ones, thus not touching the circuit board.
 

Despair

Vu+ Newbie
Hi Mick,

unfortunately, the capacitors look quite normal and no obvious damage is visible. I guess I will go ahead and just replace them as suggested by you and Angelofsky and see where this takes me.


Many thanks
Tom
 

Mick12334

Moderator
This is not an easy job, and if you don't have the right equipment, a small, light weight, soldering iron, for working on circuit boards, and a steady hand, you could damage the circuit board.
Cutting off the capacitors, near the top, so you leave the legs in place, does make it slightly easier, but not simple.
It might still be worth contacting a local television, DVD, repair shop, to see how much they would charge to test it, and replace any faulty capacitors, if you aren't confident.
If you are good at soldering, and used to this type of work, the capacitors are cheap and you shouldn't have a problem replacing them.
Hopefully this will fix your problem.
Good Luck.
 

Despair

Vu+ Newbie
Hi Mick,

many thanks for the advice. I will check and replace/have replaced the possible damaged part(s). It may take a couple of weeks, but as soon as I am done, I shall report back.


Many thanks
Tom
 

Despair

Vu+ Newbie
I gotta show penitence regarding my suspicions ... I got the capacitor (actually 330 uF, 16V), switched it hands trembling and it started right off without a stutter. It is now running for 30 minutes only, so I can't be sure all problems are solved, but since my Vu+ hasn't been starting this quickly in months, I am quite confident. By the way, I simply cut off the old one and attached the new one to the remaining 1 mm studs ... still tricky. Also, the old capacitor does not show any signs of damage.

The fan is not working (yet), but since the box is still open, it may not me warm enough to be activated.

AngelofSky and Mick, thanks so much for your help!
Tom
 

Mick12334

Moderator
If using Black Hole check the status, of your receiver, press the Blue button, followed by the yellow button.
There also used to be a fan control option, where you could test it.
 
Top