Resuscitate Vu duo clone

[trance]

Evening all, Last night whilst watching tv, my vu duo clone decided to reboot by itself. Fine I thought, but it would load up and I could view 1-2 second of tv before it would go into the reboot cycle. this continued 3 times before I cut the power via the switch on the back of the box.
So I decided to switch the box on after 10-15 mins . all I get now is a red dot on the front screen [ my screen was not working from before] nothing loads up or anything. however the red light does react to remote control input.
Then I decided to open the vu up for a nose about, disconnected and reconnected all connections, the psu looks fine to me no signs of damage.
I have read maybe I can bring it back from the brink using some ferrari tools. Anybody have any advice
Its a vu duo clone on blackhole 1.73

[meggiedude]

Evening all, Last night whilst watching tv, my vu duo clone decided to reboot by itself. Fine I thought, but it would load up and I could view 1-2 second of tv before it would go into the reboot cycle. this continued 3 times before I cut the power via the switch on the back of the box.
So I decided to switch the box on after 10-15 mins . all I get now is a red dot on the front screen [ my screen was not working from before] nothing loads up or anything. however the red light does react to remote control input.
Then I decided to open the vu up for a nose about, disconnected and reconnected all connections, the psu looks fine to me no signs of damage.
I have read maybe I can bring it back from the brink using some ferrari tools. Anybody have any advice
Its a vu duo clone on blackhole 1.73
Dunno about it not being a psu issue. When my red dot only fail mode first happened there was no physical indication of a problem with the psu.
It only became a physical issue many reboots later. You may have psu issue. How of is it?

[trance]

Dunno about it not being a psu issue. When my red dot only fail mode first happened there was no physical indication of a problem with the psu.
It only became a physical issue many reboots later. You may have psu issue. How of is it?

true could be a psu issue, I've found something about bringing boxes back from the red light problem over on ferrari forums but I think they are bricked due to kernal issues.
So did you get yours sorted?

[cactikid]

is there a v2 sticker underneath box?think thats what they call the new one.

[the man]

if v2 put vix 2.4 OpenViX Downloads (http://www.world-of-satellite.com/enigma2/openvix/index.php?dir=Vu%2BDuo/)
on a formated usb , the turn box off at the back add usb turn box on , then wait , now if theres only a red ligth on the vdf leave box for 5.mins then take out usb and box off and on at the back of the box

when i had red ligth befor the vdf just stayed blank , but my usb was blinking so i know something was happening ,
good luck

[meggiedude]

true could be a psu issue, I've found something about bringing boxes back from the red light problem over on ferrari forums but I think they are bricked due to kernal issues.
So did you get yours sorted?
No not yet mate.
In dispute with clone seller via Paypal (replacement PSU has yet to arrive)
If reloading the image via USB does not work (I had no power to the USB for instance) one thing I would try is to try and connect to the box via the serial cable (supplied) and see if you can connect that way. The fail mode for me here was that I could not reflash the firmware/image here, it just would not connect. On one occasion it looked like it was going though the motions, but wasn't. Ther are instructions on the Ferrari forums and linuxsat-support forums where you can try this. If you can connect and get some info back from the box then you may be OK. If you can't they I suspect, like me, you have a PSU issue.

MD

[IAmATeaf]

If you look at this the thread below, post 58 show a pic of a capacitor that people have replaced in order to get their red light Vu Duo working. No idea it it would work for you but the component is cheap from places like Maplins and if you can solder it should be a quick 5 minute job.

Vu-duo is Dead | Page 3 | VuPlus Community (http://www.vuplus-community.net/board/threads/vu-duo-is-dead.3616/page-3)

[IAmATeaf]

Forgot to add, if you have a HDD installed it might be worth trying the box with everything unplugged, so HDD and any USBs.

[trance]

thanks for the replys people.
I'll have a crack at the serial cable way tonight if that dont work, looks like I'll have to order a psu

[DOUGALMCD]

A lot of people seem to have had success with changing the capacitor it would definately be cheaper option. Keep us updated mate.

[IAmATeaf]

If your problem is PSU related then reading that thread that I linked to it seems to indicate that if you keep on playing with the box with a bad PSU then it can eventually destroy the other component that the thread mentions, a component that's very difficult to obtain.

[cactikid]

not knowing anything about the cap problem,i will ask is there a + and - on them and fitting in them in reverse may damage your box more?when the early starview boxes had caps going they were replaced with a higher rated one,is this the same here also or use the same?replacement boards have they been modified? all valid and important details and insurance for house upto date?

[trance]

If your problem is PSU related then reading that thread that I linked to it seems to indicate that if you keep on playing with the box with a bad PSU then it can eventually destroy the other component that the thread mentions, a component that's very difficult to obtain.

thanks for the info,
however now im confused as to what i should do
my psu looks ok [ maybe i should take it out and look under it] and the cap people change is on the motherboard. so i dont know which one is at fault + it seems that i should not mess with box using serial cable as this may cause more issues.
oh dear, looks like i'll be watching euro 12 in sd

[cactikid]

i have a similar problem with a car ecu repaired twice and still does not work,that is why electronics can be a nightmare to find problem,if you are not sending box back i would be looking at a replacement board,tell them to get finger out as they may get a special mention on www on dk lol.

[meggiedude]

If you look at this the thread below, post 58 show a pic of a capacitor that people have replaced in order to get their red light Vu Duo working. No idea it it would work for you but the component is cheap from places like Maplins and if you can solder it should be a quick 5 minute job.

Vu-duo is Dead | Page 3 | VuPlus Community (http://www.vuplus-community.net/board/threads/vu-duo-is-dead.3616/page-3)
I would be careful about anyone going down this line. At least without checking the PSU first.
There are a multitude of caps on the motherboard and its the luck of the draw that just replacing one of them will fix any issue.
The guy in the linked thread was lucky as were others that went down this line.
If the PSU is compromised changing a cap on the motherboard is a complete waste of time.
Changing this cap would be a last resort for me. I'd rather ship the box back to the seller.

[IAmATeaf]

It all depends on how old the box is as to whether you'd get support.

The link to the thread and info is just other things to consider.

[meggiedude]

It all depends on how old the box is as to whether you'd get support.

The link to the thread and info is just other things to consider.
True, True. Fair comment

[DOUGALMCD]

The caps are clearly marked so you shouldn't be putting it in the wrong way. Can you test psu with meter to see if voltage coming from board to mainboard. Or get someone qualified to test. If the box isn't that old you should try warranty route first though.

[trance]

bought the box from yaoxin but now trade through mixeshop, bought in january but strted using it in march

[trance]

oh yeah, WAAAH WOOOOOH bubba beybeh!!
Ah hem. It looks as though I resuscitated my vu+duo [All those hours of viewing st elsewhere come in handylol]
I received a replacement psu from yaoxin/mixeshop earlier this week and after replacing the psu [still cant see any visable defects on it] the vu came alive.
However after a reboot the box was stuck on reading usb, taking the usb out sorted this weird problem. [ usb was in back]

[trance]

just like to add, the old and new psu did not have any signs of rust/corrosion on the screws. Like others, who have purchased clones HTH

[trance]

ok seems like I have a new problem,
Previous problems were;
I would lose channels. snr would drop to between 0-10 and I would get the Sid not in Pid message[restart would solve this] this would happen 1-2 times a day.
and of course the psu died.
Since replacing the psu
The tuner issue seems to have vanished,
BUT

now I cant connect my external hd to the box. it seems as though my box dont have enough juice to run the hd.
Every time i cycle the box[with the hd in usb] the box freezes on starting with a buzzing sound coming from the vents.
If I turn the box on from the power switch sometimes it starts with hd[sometimes] . but if I reboot the same buzzing/stuck on starting happens..

I dont have a internal hd to test. So what do you guys think/recommend. Get rid? Get a new genuine psu? or is there something more sinister?
btw ive tried all 3 usb's with ext hd. and i have a usb stick plugged in with no probs. the same hd was used before replacing the psu
I realise its a long post but thanks for reading.
Cheers

[contemptx]

what sort of external hard drive do you have?

I usually use 2.5" external hard drives as these draw less power than larger ones.

the previous tuner problems you mentioned were certainly related to the PSU.

I have previously tried to replace a clone PSU with a genuine one, in short it does'nt work mate.

[cactikid]

i hope with external hdd they are self powered by the mains plug and not the usb.

[trance]

what sort of external hard drive do you have?

I usually use 2.5" external hard drives as these draw less power than larger ones.

the previous tuner problems you mentioned were certainly related to the PSU.

I have previously tried to replace a clone PSU with a genuine one, in short it does'nt work mate.
thats a shame, was thinking a geniune psu would sort out my new probs.

i hope with external hdd they are self powered by the mains plug and not the usb.
its a lacie 160gb external hd powered by the usb alone 2.5 inch i believe

dont think internal hd would have the necessary juice/power to boot as ext hd aint starting via usb. or is the int hd totally different as its via sata
So do you think i should get another clone psu.?
cheers

[meggiedude]

thats a shame, was thinking a geniune psu would sort out my new probs.

its a lacie 160gb external hd powered by the usb alone 2.5 inch i believe

dont think internal hd would have the necessary juice/power to boot as ext hd aint starting via usb. or is the int hd totally different as its via sata
So do you think i should get another clone psu.?
cheers
Mate - you've seen the fun I've had with mine.

Even if you got this all working I'm not convinced it would last. I don't think my issue is just with the PSU. You may be off the same batch as mine.

I don't want to burst your bubble, but if I was you I'd get rid.
I'm going non-clone next time. Fingers well and truely singed with this one.

[trance]

meggiedude, I think your right. I think im better off selling it on fleabay or something. Then get myself a genuine vu+duo,
This is dragging out far too long

[digicon]

i hope with external hdd they are self powered by the mains plug and not the usb.

Cactikid spot on you should not even on clone or original be tring to power an external hard drive through the USB they are just not up to the job. Either take it out of the caddy and install internally or get an external power supply for your HD.

[meggiedude]

meggiedude, I think your right. I think im better off selling it on fleabay or something. Then get myself a genuine vu+duo,
This is dragging out far too long
How old is it mate? I beleive its out of warranty yes??
(not that I'm after buying it from you btw ;) )
Its a pity if you have to put it on the bay, as you won't get much for a unit that is probably not easy to resurrect without a degree in microelectronics.

From my own standpoint I'm still going round the houses trying to work out the best way to get mine back without paying a fortune or customs block shipment.
DHL have this info, transglobal-express have something else.
Basically don't want to get into the position where its sat in customs in China and its never seen again. If thats the case then Paypal won't pay out.

At the moment its just sat in the corner of the office in its box (probably grinning at me).
Every now and then I look at it - and think "how about trying ...." then I have to tell myself "No, forget it mate. Don't waste any more of your time".

Still on the plus side, I can add 'Flashing satellite receivers via a serial port' to my CV, as I've done it enough times.

[meggiedude]

BTW, on the subject of shipping to China, the cheapest I have found is Transglobal express via UPS at ?39.39 + ?5 insurance.
Thsi is a lot cheaper than the ?70-?80 I've seen prev quoted.
but they do put this nice little disclaimer on their site for China

transglobalpremium.co.uk/information/countries/china/
(http://www.transglobalpremium.co.uk/information/countries/china/)

[trance]

thanks for the info meggiedude,
sending it back just seems to be too long winded.
have you thought just sending back the main board as this would be whole lot cheaper, and probably where the issue lies.

mine is 4-5 months old bought in early feb

[cactikid]

how can one say its that board that has the problem and not damaged something else.