Oh dear

[csutak40]

I went to turn the T4 on and nothing happened. So, I tried the on button on the unit - nothing. So, I turned it off at the back. It started booting up but stopped, tried several times but never finished the booting up sequence.
So, eventually decided to write here and thought I'd do the reboot again and film it to demonstrate what happens. This time it succeeded, and started playing.
I stopped filming, but decided to write here anyway to ask if it was time to start worrying. As I stared writing, it blacked out. (maybe played for a minute)
Am I to presume it is FUBAR?
P.S. As I was about to click the send button the Wiz icon showed up for a second, but disappeared immediately
FWIW, when I press the on/off button the blue light does show up on the unit.
This is about the worse possible time this could happen. Not that i know anyone in Melbourne who knows anything about the Wiz, we have a 5km limit we're allowed to travel.
I do have the T2 as well, but there is hardly anything on there, most of my stuff is on the T4, now I have nothing to do except reading books

[MrQuade]

Most of the T4's that were produced have a hardware fault that causes a chemical on the power regulator heatsinks to flow and damage the T4's motherboard.

Usually, the problem manifests as the sudden loss of two of the tuners, bit it can just as easily just take out the whole T4 in one hit.

If you haven't already had that fault rectified, then I'd say it is very likely you are suffering from that.

I've had my T4 fixed from that tuner issue, but it has only recently just died again, probably as a result of the damage sustained during that time (or could be completely unrelated!)

Your best bet would be to turn off the T4 now to prevent further damage, and contact Warkus for repair. Though I have recently sent that he may be discouraging people from sending their Wiz interstate at the moment due to the covid situation and general lack of spare parts.

You can use the T2, and plug the T4's hard-disk into it using USB if you want.
It would tequire that you get a bit down and dirty worth a screwdriver to open the T4 and extract the drive. You would then need a USB hard drive enclosure to put the T4's into so you can then plug it into the T2. That would let you access all your old recordings.

[Paul_oz53]

Two thoughts Judy.

First, there was a period when my T4 wouldn't boot and nothing seemed to work to fix it. I was about to send it off for repairs when I turned it on one last time and lo and behold, it worked. That was over a year ago!

Second, it may be a sign you have the tuner regulator fault. I opened mine and there was no sign of damage. As a precaution mine has a USB fan sitting on top blowing down on the heatsinks for the tuner regulators.

The only way to sort this out is to open the box and look carefully at the heatsinks for any signs of deterioration. If so, stop using the machine and get it repaired immediately. I realize this may be difficult for you at the moment. Better not to use it if you can't check yourself.

It could be ok or maybe not. Yesterday Warkus told me that he wasn't keen on doing work for the eastern states as MrQuade notes.

[csutak40]

You can use the T2, and plug the T4's hard-disk into it using USB if you want.
It would tequire that you get a bit down and dirty worth a screwdriver to open the T4 and extract the drive. You would then need a USB hard drive enclosure to put the T4's into so you can then plug it into the T2. That would let you access all your old recordings.

Oh dear! All of this is way above my paygrade. My friend (AKA IT person) lives miles away from me, so he can't come and help
It was playing up a while back, was in touch with Warkus, I asked him if I should send it, but he didn't seem to think so. He hasn't answered my last email. Will try to phone him, but this does seem to be the worse possible time for this to happen
This is really depressing. Life has been full of drama for me lately, watching stuff is about the only thing that stops me from going nuts. Seems my life if the definition of Murphy's law

[csutak40]

Could someone please give me Warkus' phone number? I thought phoning him may be easier than messaging back and forth

[MrQuade]

Could someone please give me Warkus' phone number? I thought phoning him may be easier than messaging back and forth

Link to his website's contact page .

[csutak40]

Thank you

[peteru]

I know that when it comes to reporting problems with the T4, everyone is quick to blame the regulators, but there is at least some basic troubleshooting you should do before jumping to that conclusion.

First thing to try is to disconnect and reconnect all cables, making sure that they are firmly pushed in and that there isn't any undue stress on the cables or connectors when the T4 is in it's place. Do the same at the other end of each of the cables connected to the T4.

If the symptoms change as a result of fiddling with the cables, consider replacing those cables that appear to affect the behaviour.

[csutak40]

Well, maybe someone up there is trying to tell me something. Seems I am forced to go cold turkey off my TV addiction.
I’ve had a bulging disk, which is no fun, especially when you live in your own. I was on a walking frame and just making a cup of coffee (high on pain killers) was agony. So, crawling on the floor checking cables behind the Wiz is not something I am game to try ATM.
I haven’t had a reply from Mark, so obviously the answer from him is no.
I suppose I have been spoilt, being able to FF commercials but streaming stuff, having to watch commercials is driving me bonkers.
I do have enough recorded stuff to last a lifetime, which I can watch in a convoluted way, but decided that I can’t be bothered – it is just sick to be this addicted, to get this upset about a stupid machine breaking. Maybe (given everything else that has happened lately, which you don’t want to hear about) this is just the straw that broke the camel’s back.
So, looks like it is back to books. As I said, maybe someone up there is sending a message

[Brainz]

Hi Judy!

As I have tried to tell my kids, a little less screen time is good for you.
But seriously, please tell me you have someone to look in on you when things get you down.
I see you live in Melbourne and it can't be a great time at the moment but it is only TV.
Keep in contact with this forum if you need help.

Brian

[csutak40]

Thank you for caring. Well, actually I don't have anyone... I have a mentally ill son, who is in the middle of florid psychosis. He refuses to pay rent, so the only reason he hasn't yet been evicted is because of Covid. He usually drives a taxi, (broke his windshield - which is probably a good thing) so has no income. When this happens, I become his enemy everything is my fault, so been ordered by his doctors to keep away from him and call 000 if he comes over here.
Wake up every morning, looking to see if he is on the news having been shot by the police (as he has "rights" he has the right to refuse to take medication or to get help, until/unless he does something newsworthy. He has the "right" to burn all his bridges, lose all his friends, his home, his income...)
Anyway, when this happens, your "friends" keep away from you, as they just don't know what to say, what to do. (can't really blame them)

[Half Round]

I haven’t had a reply from Mark, so obviously the answer from him is no.

Hi Judy,

I read round one of the forums that Warkus (Mark) has been snowed under during this lockdown and 'Eastern Aus' jobs are at the bottom of the list at present. Keep trying

[Paul_oz53]

I haven’t had a reply from Mark, so obviously the answer from him is no.

Hi Judy,

I read round one of the forums that Warkus (Mark) has been snowed under during this lockdown and 'Eastern Aus' jobs are at the bottom of the list at present. Keep trying

Hi guys,

I've been in contact with Warkus today over my problem T3. He has sent Judy an email and intends to call if he doesn't hear from Judy soon.

[csutak40]

OK Spoke to Mark. He doesn't think the T4 is repairable, may be worth sending it to him when/if things are back to normal
So, looks like I need to buy a V2 (and find a person who is willing/able to remove the hard drive from the T4 etc)
So, I have some questions (or favour to ask) I really don't feel up to researching anything. I do have a NAS drive, but not sure if it would work (being an old one) A friend was going to come over and test it for me, but Covid got in the way. Had a look at its website for other reason, seems it is no longer supported, so I am not very optimistic
Mark tells me I need to buy a hard drive enclosure to put the hard drive from the T4 in and then I can use it with the V2. So, having done a quick Google, there are millions... Could you please recommend one?
Also, what exactly do I need to buy from Beyonwiz along with the V2 (to be able to use 4 tuners like I do/did now)
I presume I need:
BEYONWIZ V2: $249
DUAL USB TUNER: $100
$349.00
Available on backorder (ouch!)
So, what optional extras do I need?

Do I need the 4 Port USB 3.0 Hub with External Power Supply or HDMI Splitter? Anything else? I would hate to order what ever, hire someone to put it together for me, only to discover that some component is missing (can't even run to Officeworks to get it - only has click and collect)

[prl]

Also, what exactly do I need to buy from Beyonwiz along with the V2 (to be able to use 4 tuners like I do/did now)
I presume I need:
BEYONWIZ V2: $249
DUAL USB TUNER: $100
$349.00
Available on backorder (ouch!)

Correct. Also, the USB tuner doesn't have an antenna feedthrough, so you need an antenna splitter if your TV's antenna is connected to the tuner OUT on the T4.

Do I need the 4 Port USB 3.0 Hub with External Power Supply or HDMI Splitter? Anything else? I would hate to order what ever, hire someone to put it together for me, only to discover that some component is missing (can't even run to Officeworks to get it - only has click and collect)

It depends on what USB devices you want to connect to the V2.

The V2 only has 2 USB ports, so with a HDD and dual tuner, that uses all the available ports. Recommended: the HDD in the USB3 (blue) port and the tuner in the USB2 (white) port.

If you want to connect other USB devices (e.g. a USB WiFi dongle), then you will need a USB hub. If you need a USB hub, you'll also need a USB cable between the hub and the computer, as well any cables for the devices that are connected. A suitable cable might be included with the hub.

You'll only need the HDMI splitter if you want to send the HDMI from the V2 to more than one TV. The V2 has no HDMI IN: this is the usual reason that people use a HDMI splitter with a T4 or U4, to remove copy protection from the incoming HDMI connection.

[MrQuade]

You can also plug that harddisk into the T2 to gain access to your recordings.

You can use the T2 in the meantime while you wait for the V2, or even use the T2 like that permanently if you don't need it for whatever purpose it is currently serving.

To run a 3.5" harddisk in an external enclosure, you will need something like one of these:
https://www.scorptec.com.au/product/har ... enclosures

You are looking for the following attributes:
USB connection (USB-Type A)
SATA (connection type of harddisk)
3.5" (size of harddisk)
Single bay (only takes a single drive)

And it needs to come with its own power supply.

[Grumpy_Geoff]

Mark tells me I need to buy a hard drive enclosure to put the hard drive from the T4 in and then I can use it with the V2. So, having done a quick Google, there are millions... Could you please recommend one?

Here's some examples of 3.5" HDD enclosures from MSY -
$30 - https://www.msy.com.au/simplecom-se328- ... -enclosure
$26 - https://www.msy.com.au/simplecom-se325- ... -enclosure
$29 - https://www.msy.com.au/unitek-y-3035-25 ... -enclosure

[MrQuade]

Here's some examples of 3.5" HDD enclosures from MSY

Damn. My link was supposed to be to a refined list of 6 enclosures that were around the $30 Mark too.

Looks like the filter wasn't part of the url. My bad!

[csutak40]

Question
Is there a reason why this (and several others like it) are so much more expensive?
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/StarTech-US ... ondition=3
(I can see that they are 3.1, but so are some of the ones in the above links)
My grandmother had a saying that "poor people can't afford to buy cheap things" I used to live by that, but I am no longer sure that this saying holds any longer in every case

[MrQuade]

Just ripping you off.

[IanL-S]

Judy, not sure if this helps. For the purposes of playing back recordings on the T4 HDD you do not need USB 3 speed; USB 2 will be sufficient. However, have not see a USB 2 external enclosure for a long time.

I have a spare USB 2 enclosure that you can have; will send you PM.

Ian

[csutak40]

Thank you very much Ian. Still haven't ordered the V2, trying to find someone who can come here to have a look at what I have, as I am not sure what/if any of the optional extras that come with it I need. I will need someone to help me set it up when it arrives but would hate to be missing something that would prevent them connecting it. OTOH, I don't want to buy stuff I don't need
As I said, I am not even capable of having a look at how the T4 is connected ATM. Not even sure if I need an antenna splitter.
BTW, FWIW, Mark said I will be needing the enclosure for the V2 as well. Does that need USB 3?

[csutak40]

OK. I am back. Had lots of dramas in my life, (ongoing, I'm afraid) the Wiz problem was put on the back burner.
While we are now allowed to travel, the friend that used to be my IT guru, lives very far from here, and seems to have problems of his own, so hasn't been volunteering to come over. I don't want to nag.
Except for purchasing a hard drive enclosure and a USB hub, I haven't done a thing, since I last wrote.
Now the T2 is playing up as well. (my laptop is also sickly, and my desktop is on a go-slow strike... It is no longer PC to say that I must have killed a Chinaman, but it certainly feels like it! )
In another thread, it was suggested that it could be "Bad antenna connection or bad signal" It was also suggested that "performing comprehensive diagnostics that would give conclusive answers would exceed your abilities". I certainly don't disagree
There is also the matter of my (oldish) NAS drive, which I was hoping to use with the V2, but not sure if it is suitable
In other words, simply ordering the V2 is not going to solve my problems.
I seem to remember that one of the gurus here lives in Melbourne? I can't quite remember who that was, except I think he was living on the other side of Melbourne.
Anyway, I wanted to ask if there is anyone here in Melbourne that would be willing to come over and have a look at my mess. I would be eternally grateful and, naturally, would be willing to pay for their time. I live at Chelsea, which is at the end of the world. No need to pack a lunch I'd happily provide that.
I could order the V2, to have it here, ready to go, except I am not sure what/if any optional extras I may need (that I can only get from them, and can't buy locally) I am presuming I should be able to use the hard drive from the T4, if not, I could certainly buy one locally

[Paul_oz53]

Hi Judy. I've sent you a PM.

I am happy to look at your setup and see if we can cure some of the problems.

I assume you'll arrange a reverse mortgage to cover my costs...

Seriously though, I am way too overpaid to need your money.

Paul

[csutak40]

Thank you, Paul