U4 display oddity

[davidmorr]

My U4 display suddenly changed to have all segments turned on all the time. This was a couple of months ago.

I had not been doing anything before it changed. In fact, it had been sitting untouched for months, except possibly for automatic software updates.

I tried powering it off with the switch on the back, but it made no difference.IT still seems to function normally other than this.

Is this a hardware fault or a software fault? Or a feature?

Software version 17.5, build 20190207

[Paul_oz53]

My guess is that it's a hardware problem. Probably the display driver locked up or a test line held high. Maybe worth trying a factory reset - take a backup first though.

Have you tried changing the display brightness settings? I suspect that it won't have an effect but, if it does, it might make it less obvious.

Warkus (Mark Vasile) at Decisive Computer Solutions is the best option for repair advice.

[davidmorr]

This device has been flaky since I got it a couple of years ago. Would not be surprised if it is a hardware fault.

I notice that this unit does not have Autotimers in the Menu as mentioned in the pinned post above. That suggested factory reset, so I might try it.

Thanks

[Grumpy_Geoff]

I notice that this unit does not have Autotimers in the Menu as mentioned in the pinned post above. That suggested factory reset, so I might try it.

In that case flash with 19.3's 20191106 firmware and setup from scratch.
Forget a factory reset.

[davidmorr]

Not available by online update yet?

[Grumpy_Geoff]

Not available by online update yet?

Yes, but not from an old 17.5 series you're likely running.

[MrQuade]

Only incremental updates are available as online updates. Major updates (as identified by a change in the number as opposed to just the date) are USB only.

[davidmorr]

Ok, have downloaded and installed the update. After the system rebooted on the new firmware, the display was normal and everything seemed to be working.

Then I discovered all my recorded files were gone....

So I thought I should do a full reboot just in case. And yes, it did get my files back. But.....

All the display segments are back on again. This would seem to suggest a software problem?

The only things I have changed are the password, the update check time (2 days) and defined the favourites.

[Paul_oz53]

Ok, have downloaded and installed the update. After the system rebooted on the new firmware, the display was normal and everything seemed to be working.

Then I discovered all my recorded files were gone....

So I thought I should do a full reboot just in case. And yes, it did get my files back. But.....

All the display segments are back on again. This would seem to suggest a software problem?

The only things I have changed are the password, the update check time (2 days) and defined the favourites.

The only software setting for the front panel is in Menu > Setup > System > Front Panel Settings and none I tried illuminate all the segments. If it were a software issue, a fresh firmware install would normally fix the problem.

That it was briefly ok until the reboot suggests that at reboot a test line is activated briefly but then resets in normal operation. However, after the reboot it's not resetting in your unit. That will probably be due to a faulty chip but possibly not one easily replaced.

It maybe that a defective bit in memory coincides with the test line. It may even be a poor solder joint means the LCD driver chip is not seeing the reset signal. Sorry to say my money is still on the hardware but, if it is a software issue then the obvious course is to repeat the firmware update.

[MrQuade]

Yep, sounds like intermittent hardware problems that were responsible for a loss of the harddisk and loss of the front panel.

It's possible that there are some loose plugs at play, or cables that are routed inconveniently close to other components, but I suspect the issue runs deeper than that.

[davidmorr]

Bugger! It had minor intermittent issues when I first got it, but nothing I could pin down. Looks like it has come back to bite me now.

[davidmorr]

Ok, so I reinstalled the firmware from a USB stick, and the recorded files were there this time. I have not rebooted it yet and the display is normal.

[Paul_oz53]

Ok, so I reinstalled the firmware from a USB stick, and the recorded files were there this time. I have not rebooted it yet and the display is normal.

So fingers crossed for the big test!

[davidmorr]

So fingers crossed for the big test!

Or do I just not reboot it for as long as possible.....

[Paul_oz53]

So fingers crossed for the big test!

Or do I just not reboot it for as long as possible.....

[davidmorr]

Some time today, all the display segments came on again. And the device was only occasionally responding to the remote. Sometimes I could see the power button flash indicating that it was getting a signal, but often it would do nothing. It got to the point where I had to turn it off at the back because the standby button on the front did nothing.

Oddly, when I turned it on again, the display was normal.

The only unusual thing that happened while all this was going on was that I had the folder mounted by SAMBA so I could watch the videos on another device. Could it have been monopolising the processor to the extent that it could not respond to the remote? I do not usually access the disk from otehr devices.

[MrQuade]

Could it have been monopolising the processor to the extent that it could not respond to the remote? I do not usually access the disk from otehr devices.

No, the network can't affect the CPU that severely.

The remote control possess through the front panel circuitry, so any problems there could potentially affect it.

You need to get your unit repaired.

[davidmorr]

Did I read here somewhere about updating the front panel firmware? Maybe a T series model?

[MrQuade]

Did I read here somewhere about updating the front panel firmware? Maybe a T series model?

Just for the T series.

This is a hardware problem.

[prl]

This is a hardware problem.

+many

[dRdoS7]

Hi,

Bugger! It had minor intermittent issues when I first got it, but nothing I could pin down. Looks like it has come back to bite me now.

I would contact BW now, and lodge a Support Request via their web site. Going by your join date, the U4 may only be a bit older than 12 months. Even that doesn't matter as you would expect it to have no problems, at least for a few years.

dRdoS7

[prl]

Beyonwiz only offers warranty under the Australian Consumer Guarantee, which has no specific time limit.

[davidmorr]

Beyonwiz only offers warranty under the Australian Consumer Guarantee, which has no specific time limit.

Actually, the docs that came with it say 12 months only. But the AGC should cover it since a device as expensive as this should be expected to last several years at least.

[prl]

Beyonwiz only offers warranty under the Australian Consumer Guarantee, which has no specific time limit.

Actually, the docs that came with it say 12 months only. But the AGC should cover it since a device as expensive as this should be expected to last several years at least.

The warranty information for the U4 is something of a mess. There's no mention of a 12-month warranty in my paper manual for the U4, nor in the 121017 electronic version of the manual. The manual has a link to www.beyonwiz.com/Terms, which also makes no mention of a 12-month warranty. It says that if a manufacturer's warranty is supplied, that is the warranty, and if not, the ACG applies.

However, I missed the fact that the U4 Quick Start Guide says that there is a 12-month warranty.

But as you say, the ACG applies in any case, whether a manufacturer's warranty is supplied or not.

[davidmorr]

Before I bought it, I tried to get out of them the terms of the warranty, but they refused to answer a direct question.

[dRdoS7]

Hi,

Before I bought it, I tried to get out of them the terms of the warranty, but they refused to answer a direct question.

What they say (or don't) about any warranty is neither here nor there.

As I said: lodge a Support Request.

If they don't answer in a reasonable time (a week IMO), send them an email (and/or PM "Wiz HQ"). If you still don't don't get a response, lodge a Complaint with NSW Fair Trading.

dRdoS7

[davidmorr]

I did lodge a warranty claim the other day. Will give them until 6 January.

[davidmorr]

They sent my report off to tech support and still waiting....

Meanwhile, yesterday I noticed all the display segments were on again, but today it is normal again. Intermittent fault?

[Paul_oz53]

They sent my report off to tech support and still waiting....

Meanwhile, yesterday I noticed all the display segments were on again, but today it is normal again. Intermittent fault?

It's quite possible that it a poor solder joint, a bit of corrosion or a poor crimp in a connector or a crack in the PCB is causing the problem.

So yes, an intermittent fault is a distinct possibility. If it is, it may be easy to fix.