Troubleshooting guide:

Try this first:

Turn the box off from the rear switch, leave it off for a few minutes turn it back on
(this will cure 90% of all problems. if not keep reading) .its often called the magic button.

Problem No Picture

Check your signal and quality levels, are they acceptable? have your antenna settings changed?
Check make sure lnb type is correct(simple change here can mean loss of certain channels) make sure switch ports (if any) are correct.
Next time check hardware=is cable ok no kinks cuts etc. is switch working? is lnb ok? did D!ish move?

Tip = run cable straight to receiver by passing switch to see if lnb or switch is the problem
Tip = if you suspect switch/port problem ,move ports to see if on or more has gone bad
Do a visual check of all lines and switches, LNB's, and D!ish angles, verify the D!ish hasn’t moved
Tip = Take a marker after you have confirmed the alignment and mark a straight line over all adjustment points (azimuth, and elevation) This is a reference of a KNOWN WORKING ALIGNMENT, and if does get out of alignment, its just a matter of moving it back to where the marks line up and you have an aligned D!ish, and you can visually check to see if the D!ish has moved.

No Signal?

1) Is your signal Quality good? You may need to move your D!ish
2) How’s your wiring? Check for loose connectors, kinks etc
3) Maybe a dead diseqC switch? Connect the main line directly to the LnB and see if that’s the culprit. A bad DiseqC will sometimes refuse to change satellites for you.
4) Bad LnB? An LnB that’s going bad can refuse to give you a good signal. Expect a sudden massive drop in Signal quality
5) Wrong settings? Check your installation settings. (Lnb type, Lnb Freq, DiseqC # etc) and confirm that they are correct. May also cause a Bad or Scrambled message too.
6) Was I drinking? Maybe you hooked up (for example) 119 to diseqC switch 1 but your Installation Menu on the receiver has 119 to DiseqC number 2.
7) Human Error? Did you plug your RG6 cable in the correct spot in the back of your STB?

Bad or scrambled channel?

1) Did that channel move Frequencies? Sometimes Auto TP won’t pick that up. Rescanning can sometimes help.
2) Weather Maybe? It is possible. Can also cause a “No Signal” problem too.
3) Is the Key EMU set to ON? Check with your receiver how to’s on how to check that.

Wait for Picture or Standby download? Never ending Auto roll?

1) Latest Bin? Sometimes a current Bin is needed to fix a fake key roll
2) Change channel? Auto roll works better on a strong signal channel. You might want to try that.

My Receiver has these strange Glitches

1) Factory Time!! Download the factory Bin. It will clean those glitches up. Then download the Current bin right after.
2) Factory time again!! Factory Reset will fix other problems and give you a fresh start.

How to scan:

Some guy have used all scanning methods and personally recommend either the Auto-Scan or the Manual Scan . (Viewsat the F1 scan)

Some guy actually prefer the results from the Manual Scan the best, but it is a bit tedious if you have numerous satellites in your system. The Auto-Scan, with Network Search option turned OFF is by far the most convenient and functional.

Blind Scanning works BUT as a rule not recommended (as used for finding FTA channels only), and has several drawbacks. For instance some extra duplicate channels and all the channels being renumbered with SID of '0' until you cycle power to the unit. Although it will provide a benefit if you wish to scan a sat that doesn't have all of the TP's listed in the Coolsat bin version (such as a sat that shows only C band TPs in memory, when it actually does have Ku band TPs as well).

Hints for a clean flash:

Avoid common problems .....

1. This may sound stupid but it happens more then you think.
a. Know what kind of receiver you have. Model, Type and Date of manufacture.

2. Read the guides and FAQ’s for your model receiver.

3. Download the proper software and loaders required.
a. Remember to Unzip the files before you attempt to flash.

4. Check that you have the correct type of serial cable for your receiver. examples....
a. Fortec and Pansat straight through w/ DB9 female on each end.
b. Viewsat uses null cable. (swaps pins 2 and 3)

5. Connect receiver to TV and turn on. Make sure receiver works before you Continue.

6. Connect serial cable to receiver and computer.

7. Flash your receiver.
a. Check that the correct box is checked off. (Boot, flash or channel list)
b. Make sure the loader is configured to the correct serial port.
c. Start your download.
d. Wait for download to complete. Receiver will turn off and reboot.
e. Again wait for download to complete (completed message on loader)

8. If you have a new computer with no serial port you will need to purchase a
USB to serial port adapter and install the proper drivers for it.

Problem Missing Channels (or scanning very little )

Now heres a common problem
First are you aimed at the right sat.?Are antenna settings correct to your setup-correct lnb type?
Correct ferquency correct transponder switch and port settings?
Some other things to look at are-is your sat file updated?are you running a new channel list?

Do a factory reset from within the menus...or just delete all channels, then rescan channels.

Tip = When setting up your antenne use 12224 as transponder frequecy for most D!ish satwith the execption of 119(12239)and 121(11724)
Tip = On 119 scan on 12239 but it will revert to 12224 as default(24) is a spotbeamed.

DID YOU UPLOAD A CHANNEL LIST? maybe its not correct, diffrent areas, differnt lists, so be sure to do a scan of all sats.
Do a factory reset from within the menus remember to reset your settings again.
Another thing to look at is what style of lnb you have if it doesn t match your anteena setup will miss many channels.

LNB's can and will fail-one sympton is recieving only vertical or horizontal tps. or if a major failure lose of total signal and quality. Swap the LNBs to see if the problem is the LNB's.

Another thing too look at but might sound silly-Did you plug your RG6 cable in the correct spot in the back of your STB?

Problem Wait for Picture or Standby

Maybe your bin is out of date and time to load latest and greatest.auto roll on? It works best on certain channels - allow it to work . It may take time
Tip = Auto roll sems to work fastest on channells 150/200 on dick and 212/417 for the guy up north, check above -auto roll/keys issue

Problem No EPG Displaying?

1) What time is it? Make sure your Date/ time and GMT is correct. (Note that GMT should be set to reflect Daylight savings time make sure epg is selected for the number of hours. Try recieve guide on some models, make sure your sat file is current and correct.

If you can choose how many hours your guide is, cut that number in half to allow more memory to the other channels.

If using a pansat (may work for others) and you cant get the guide to work properly with provider up north then you need to rename the satellite to appropriate name.

Tip = epg populates on certain channels on the providers look in the facts and question section for epg for some good pointers

Here's more:

Still see a little confusion about getting the GUIDE to fill.
Getting questions like "why does Dish 119 info fill up, but 110 doesn't"?

To get a 7-Day Guide on 110 and 119, press the SAT button on your remote.
Highlight "Dish Package" and press "OK".
If you don't have both 110 and 119, then select the Dish Sat that you do have.
Exit out of the menu and Press the Guide button.
Press the "FIND" button while in the guide and leave it sit on that channel for a few minutes.
The longer it sits, the more EPG will fill up, 7-Days max.

The EPG can NOT fill up if you've selected "All SAT" from the SAT LIST button.
Also, it can not fill the (her)EPG while watching the provider and vice-versa..
that is just NOT possible, because the EPG fills GUIDE data ONLY from the
provider you are watching.

Problem Glitches

1) Factory file time, this restores unit to near virgin status Download the factory Bin. It will clean those glitches up. Then download the Current bin right after.
remember this also changes all your settings back to original so have to rest all your settings

Tip = see if signal and quality levels are acceptable anything less then 50% quality is suseptical to weather problems

Problem "Night Rider" (flashing lights):

Usually a sign of bad or corrupt flash or even in some cases interrupted process.
1. Try re-flashing the factory flash again using the correct procedures, for your unit.
Failure to wait for the all ZERO display interrupts the STB's processing of the data transferred. Interrupting the data processing may leave the STB w/ a corrupted file this is also sign of wrong file for wrong unit -make sure you are using correct file for your unit
tip-let unit complete flash and reboot don’t interrupt process.

2. Then, when that works use the latest flash to get the scrambled channels.

Tip = may take several attempts to reload factory flash
Tip = after reloading latest bin re set your antenna settings as they will revert to factory with factory flash

When flashing, be sure to wait not only until is says done. But you need to wait until it reboots and actually goes to a channel number.
cables:
What's the difference?

NULL MODEM cable: (called a "cross-over" or "twisted pair")--USED FOR VIEWSAT!!!
Has 9 pins, but only these are required:
Pin 2 to Pin 3
Pin 3 to Pin 2
Pin 5 to Pin 5

Straight through serial cable:
Has 9 pins, but only these are required:
Pin 2 to Pin 2
Pin 3 to Pin 3

Problem Seeing One Sat But Not The Other

Here’s a possible switch problem again things to check
1. if ports are partially stuck or shorted try switching ports
2. run cable direct from that lnb to receiver and see if switch or lnb is gone bad
3 replace the switch
4. reboot the unit as switch can be simply stuck and not shifting

Problem Loading/Flashing Your Unit(the ----- and 8888 and on)
now here’s an area where many people at one time or another fail

Things to look at:
1. make sure you have correct cable for the unit your flashing(two basic types here straight and null, they look the same but are different)
2.make sure when you download the correct file that you
unzip or extract it to a folder
3.loader-use the right one for the right unit as there are many different units out there and most have their own loader
com port should be set to ?in tools you have 1-4 options
4.was download interrupted?
5.are we loading right file to right unit

Tip = finding right com port=go into my computer
view system info
click on hardware
open device manger
then look for com port
Tip = in each section there’s usually a good sticky with loading procedures for your particular unit

Problem Black and White Issues

you tried to adjust settings and now screen is black and white
one solution is using the rear switch to re boot unit -once or twice should be good.

Using the color button on the remote, write down all the levels under default(all of them). select User, change all the values to match the Default levels. Select EXIT. Turn Receiver OFF from the switch in the rear. Turn receiver back on. Now you will have color on both the Default and User selection. You can now tweak the user levels to there settings that are good for your Fta Box

Problem Sound Is Not Working

If u turn channel and no audio could be a few things- check the obivous mute button, not it chances are its a Dolby issue.
if your not using a Dolby surround system then go to menu, system settings and user options and turn off Auto Dolby Select.
check audio button go thru settings. and also all your cables.
try that magic switch again and reboot.

Problem Dish Moved Due to Weather Conditions

To avoid this problem from ever happening, when you get a very high signal and quality, use a permanent marker and mark it on your D!ish's skew and elevations.

Problem What is a Fresh Download?

***On some occasions I've seen (and read) where a file I received from the SERVER (from the Site) is not complete because it got damaged during my download. When that happens random and strange problems occur or there is no reception at all on the Receiver.***

Trust me, files are NEVER sent directly to you from the originating Server! This is because every File or fix you download goes through many Servers, networks and routers before they finally reach you. On many occasions some files are 'handed-off' to other Servers mid-stream during the download. A simple noise-spike or 'dirty lines' can trash a portion of your file anywhere along the route to you. Even a single lightning strike somewhere near the path is enough to trash part of your file ~ even if it happened in Kansas!

One of the best examples of this is when we are online and we need to 'reload' a page because the page stops half-way completed or is not showing everything we know is there. In fact, it's truly amazing that anything reaches us fully intact when one considers the total global Internet load and traffic occurring every second!

The point is, one can try and try reloading a damaged file, but the end result always remains less than satisfactory. The problems I write of are things like no sound, no menu, part of the setup menus missing or something fails to respond or function, etc.

So IF you've tried that new fix more than three times, delete it and try a fresh download from the SERVER (or Site) again. This usually clears up the problem. This is especially true when others report success, but you get 'doo-doo' ~ (a technical term).

Many people download a fresh fix and install directly over the old fix, but I like to take my Viewsat back to "factory default". Then I install my new fixes because this helps assure that I am starting with 'a clean slate' and possible traces of old fixes are gone.

Also suspect the Loader Program! Sometimes they or other files associated with them get munched during a defrag, a 'hard-shutdown' or because Windows trashed the file while dealing with it. New hard drive errors can also cause you grief.

If you find yourself completely frustrated, get fresh copies of everything you suspect and even some things you may not! ~ Like the Loader!

*** It is also extremely important that you make your programming cable connections to your Receiver 100% seated and secure. Always make it a point to double-check your connectors at BOTH ends BEFORE loading. One loose connector can easily TRASH a Receiver during programming! ***

If for some reason you get locked out of menus

Forgotten password or whatever here is the override codes for a number of receivers

Try these master PIN codes to reset to default password:

Ariza 700 / 750 -0786
Ariza Extreme - 3749
Astrovox-1668, 1010
Bluejay-3742, 3472
Coolsat-0103
Captive Works S-8765,9876
Fortec-1668, 1010
Magnum-1818
Natvision-1668, 1010
Neosat-1631, 6805
Pansat-1668, 1010
Satcruiser-3742
Technosat-3724
Topfield-2606, 2999
Viewsat-0937-3570-2668for new bins

Channel List Alternative....

Most of the newer STB's offer the EchoStar Package and this setup is not required.

1. Delete ALL channels on your STB.(sat receiver)

2. Go into SAT Edit and rename your Echo8.6/Ku to ECHO 110 and rename Echo7/Ku to ECHO 119. (the space between ECHO and 110 is important! The blank space is found in the upper left hand corner of the "letters" menu)

3. Do a BLIND scan on each sat, ECHO 110 & ECHO 119. (Takes At least 10 min per sat)
Dish Pro Note:
A: If you are using Dish Pro TWIN lnb with built in switch, BLIND SCAN Vertical ONLY. This will help eliminate duplicate channels.
B: If you are using Single Dish PRO LNB. Do a SAT SCAN.
Be sure to select "Dish Pro" in the STB installation LNB setup.

NOTE: STB may get "hung up" during a BLIND scan, (over 10 min on same TP) if so, stop scanning, exit out and go into "Channel Edit" and delete the partially loaded channel list for that SAT ONLY,(this will prevent duplication of those channels) rescan to 100%, all will be ok.

4. When scanning is complete, exit out to watch TV, push SAT button on remote, you will now have a choice you have not previously had "ECHOSTAR PACKAGE"

5. Select ECHOSTAR PACKAGE and select any channel. This will convert EPG Button to ECHOSTAR PACKAGE and your epg will match provider channels. ( provided you are pointed properly)

After doing this, you will see there is no need to load a channel list and epg works fast on most channels, slow to come up on others.
Note: You can always "refresh" your epg by simply turning your STB ON & OFF with the remote. Also, make sure your time zone, time, date and year are correct in User Setup.

Blind Scan Many people mistakenly assume that you should never do a blind scan. This is based on the fact that alot of people are using DishPro technology and as a result are getting blind scans that consist of duplicated channels.

First, it is important to understand what DishPro does and how it differs from Legacy (or "Standard"). Each satellite has a frequency range of 500 MHz. For D!sh-type satellites, your LNB receives 12200-12700 MHz. For most FTA satellites, the LNB receives 11700-12200 MHz or 3700-4200 MHz. Your LNB converts those frequencies down to the 950-1450 MHz that your receiver operates at.

If you look at the spec sheet in your receiver manual, you'll see that your receiver's input frequency is 950-2150 MHz. So in addition to the standard 950-1450 MHz band, you have a secondary 1650-2150 MHz band that is normally not used unless you have a universal LNB.

Echostar took advantage of this unused frequency band and created a technology that placed all left-hand ("horizontal") polarized frequencies in the upper band and left all right-hand ("vertical") frequencies in the lower band. All frequencies in the upper band are converted in such a way that all frequencies appear to be "vertical".

When you do a blind scan, your receiver searches everything from 12200 to 13500. First it does a horizontal sweep and then a vertical sweep. Since all transponders on a DishPro setup are on one polarity, it picks them up twice when it blind scans, hence the doubles. The way to fix this is to set your scan so that it only scans vertical. That way, it only scans one polarity and doesn't do a second sweep to pick up the same channels again.

Now, if you are not using DishPro, this is not an issue because your receiver will blind scan 12200-12700 (instead of 12200-13500) and will pick up only "horizontal" channels on one sweep and only "vertical" channels on the second. There will not be any duplicates.

So, in a nutshell, here is how you configure your settings:

If using DishPro:
LNB Type (Antenna settings menu) = OCS-DP
Polarization (Blind scan menu) = Vertical

If using Legacy:
LNB Type (Antenna settings menu) = Standard (sometimes called Single)
Polarization (Blind scan menu) = All

Troubleshooting a failed FTA Receiver and system:

Your FTA receiver was working, but has quit working.
The first thing you do is,go under the “ FTA NEWS / FTA ANNOUNCEMENTS” and the “FTA Receiver Discussions” forums look for any complaints that your receivers Manufacture/Model is not working correctly. If Ok then update your receiver with the "factory.bin" and then latest .bin file, DOUBLE CHECK that the file is for YOUR Manufacture and Model receiver, as if you load the incorrect .bin file, you may be sending it back to the factory for repair. Make sure that your "autoroll=ON" in the receivers menu system. Give it 30 minutes to autoroll. If the receiver still does not work. Some receivers require a extra step such as a "patch" being turned on, etc. Please see the How to "stickys" in the Mfg./Model "FTA Receivers discussion" forum. If receiver is still not working, please Proceed to the troubleshooting section below.

Troubleshooting: Read the descriptions below and if they describe your problem go to the appropriate section;

A. My receiver’s digital display works and responds to its remote control, but I do not get ANY video or audio (receivers menus etc.) on the TV/monitor.

B. My receiver’s digital display works and responds to it’s remote control, and I DO GET video, receivers menu system on the monitor/TV, but no channels.

C. My receiver digital display remains dark/dim or displays random characters.

Section “A”:
Is your TV/Monitor working with other input signals, such as regular TV, VCR, DVD or computer input? If your TV/Monitor OK, check the following; if your receiver uses the RF (TV out) to the TV/Monitor. Connect it directly with a known good “screw on “F” connector cable (do not use the push on type cables) to the TV/monitor (no VCR etc.) Check the satellite receivers channel setting, is it the same as the TV/monitors (usually TV’s Channel 3 or 4).
If you are using the receiver’s video/audio outputs, be sure that the TV/monitor is set to the correct input (Video1, Video 2, Component, S-Video etc.) to match the satellite receiver’s output. If the Video/Audio is still not working, try the Receivers RF (TV out) on another TV set, to see if it works.

Section “B”:
You are getting the satellite receiver menus and can control them with your remote control. The receiver has no Strenth or Quality indicated or says “weak signal”, this indicates that your receiver is not getting a signal strong enough to operate it, or it can not decode the signal it is receiving. Incorrect receiver settings, Bad Diseqc or other switch, faulty cables/connectors, LNB, or bad dish aiming can cause this.
Receiver settings; the satellite setup menu, It should be set for the satellite that your dish is aimed at. For circular satellites 61.5/82/91/110/119/129/148 The satellite setup should be; LNB Power=”ON”, LNB Type = For Legacy LNB type =“Standard” or "Single", For DishPro LNB Type = “OCS/DP” or “DP”, LNB Frequency =”11250”, 22kHz=”Off”, DISEqC Switch = (If used, should be the port that hosts the dish for the target satellite), if single satellite= none/off, Motor = “Off” or “None”, Legacy switch= ‘off”. For Linear satellites the LNB frequency should be set to 10750 and the LNB type Should Be "Standard" or "Single". Check your receiver to the above. IMPORTANT: If you have to make any changes to your receivers setup write the “old” setup down BEFORE you make ANY changes, so you can alway go back. You MUST have your receiver set to the satellite and the LNB type that you are using.
For troubleshooting purposes, remove power from the receiver and hook the receiver directly to the LNB (by passing the external switch, if used) of the satellite dish you want to test with a known good RG-6 cable. Power up and set the receiver to receive that satellite, Observe the signal strength indicators, you should have “S”trength that is greater than 40 and “Q”uality greater than 35. If you have no “S”trength you need to check your cable/connections, LNB and receiver LNB setup. If you have “S”trength and no “Q”uality, in the receivers satellite setup menu change the Transponder (TP) frequency while watching the “Q”uality indicator, scan through all the TP frequencies, if still no “Q”uality check the dish aiming, if the cable is connected to the receiver and LNB you will get a weak signal (5 to 20%) if the dish is NOT aimed at a Satellite, once you have found the satellite signal, Peak the dish using a weak transponder frequency (the strong ones will not need it), if still bad (have Strength but no Quality) this means your receiver is receiving the signal but can not decode the signal, re-load the software, the factory.bin and then the current.bin, still bad the dish is not aimed at the correct satellite, scan through the transponder frequencys, if on a decodeable satellite your receiver will indicate the satellite on it's satellite setup screen. Still bad substitute the LNB and re-test.


Section “C” My receiver digital display remains dark/dim or displays random characters.
With power OFF (unplugged from wall), Disconnect the Dish LNB cable connection, let receiver cool down 20 minutes.
Power the receiver up, if the display goes back to normal give the connectors and cable a real good visual inspection. Disconnect both cable ends and look for scrapes sharp bends on the exterior of the cable, look for small hair wires inside the connectors shorting to the center conductor. Check the cable/connections and LNB for shorts from the cable center conductor to the shield or outer shell on the connector with an Ohmmeter, it should read open. If cable checks good, reconnect it to the receiver, leaving the LNB's end NOT connected, Power up the receiver if its display is bad, replace the cable, if OK, Power down and connect the cable directly to the LNB (no switches, if used). If receiver display is bad, substitute the LNB, if OK add switch and test. If bad, replace the switch, or you can try another port on the switch, it MAY work.

Updating Your Receiver via USB - Safe Practice Guidelines

More and more receivers are able to update via USB sticks or thumbdrives. Here are some basic tips on preventing any issues when updating through your receiver's USB port

• Always format the USB stick before you put a file on it

• Make sure you extract (unzip) the file before you put it on the USB stick. Do not extract directly to your USB stick. i.e. extract first to your PC desktop then cut and paste to your USB stick

• NEVER pull out or insert the USB stick without turning the receiver's main power off (back switch)

• DO NOT pull out the USB stick during the the updating process. This includes if there is an automatic reboot process after the update is complete

• Only keep one file on the USB at a time (thats just my opinion)

• Remove any other USB devices from your receiver before updating your receiver via USB i.e. remove any external hard drives or other thumbdrives

• Dedicate a USB stick for your STB (receiver) and dont put any other non-STB files on it

• It has been reported that the smaller the USB stick's memory size the better

• Ensure your USB stick is not an autoloading one. A lot of USB sticks nowadays come with pre-installed autoboot files. Some also may have more than one partition. These things may cause issues. Reformat your USB stick to remove them

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