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Amiko Alien2 / SAB / GM / ST7162 ** ENIGMA ** Discussion Thread

16791112140

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 474 ✭✭Technofobe


    Seems your not the only one
    seen a post #34 in the 7162 & spark thread on here and also on the linux sat support site
    where the vFD is failing looks like a hardware issue
    is your box still under warranty ?

    Last option would be if you were in any way good with a screwdriver you may be able to dissasemble the box and replace the VFD with one from ebay as its unlikley the display was only made for the amiko box

    Could also be an assembly issue cant find any pictures of the inside of an AA2 to see if the vfd is on a seperate board
    could be loose or somethin daft like that
    Bummer


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,787 ✭✭✭hallo dare


    Yeah, i opened it this morning, there's a board just behind the vfd with ribbon cable running to another board on the box itself. Out of warranty at this stage, may just try ebay or somewhere and order a new display. Hope it's not too expensive!

    EDIT: just checked ebay, no parts. Contacted amiko via email, so will wait ti see if they can supply the part.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 474 ✭✭Technofobe


    hallo dare wrote: »
    Yeah, i opened it this morning, there's a board just behind the vfd with ribbon cable running to another board on the box itself. Out of warranty at this stage, may just try ebay or somewhere and order a new display. Hope it's not too expensive!

    if you get a chance to take some piccies of it and any model numbers
    I could have a look also if it helps


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,787 ✭✭✭hallo dare


    Technofobe wrote: »
    if you get a chance to take some piccies of it and any model numbers
    I could have a look also if it helps


    Cool, will get at it


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 474 ✭✭Technofobe


    hallo dare wrote: »
    Cool, will get at it

    maybe somewhere like this crowd
    noritake-vfd.com


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,787 ✭✭✭hallo dare


    Here's a few pics.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 474 ✭✭Technofobe


    hallo dare wrote: »
    Here's a few pics.

    could be 1 of them capacitors going duff how are your soldering skills
    If you havent put it back togeather you could take some closeups of the caps
    they would be cheap as chips on fleabay


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,787 ✭✭✭hallo dare


    Technofobe wrote: »
    could be 1 of them capacitors going duff how are your soldering skills
    If you havent put it back togeather you could take some closeups of the caps
    they would be cheap as chips on fleabay

    Seems like a heap of hassle me thinks! I've just now contacted where i go it from, but i have it over a year, so i doubt they'll entertain the issue. Wl have a look late today and see.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 474 ✭✭Technofobe


    hallo dare wrote: »
    Seems like a heap of hassle me thinks! I've just now contacted where i go it from, but i have it over a year, so i doubt they'll entertain the issue. Wl have a look late today and see.
    Yep cant do any harm would be great if they would sell you a new board or even put you on to somewhere that sells them

    The display looks good from the picture
    see the spot like a smudge in the top right hand corner near the red led this is the built in indicator that the vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) is good if it was white it would be fecked

    Taken from a wiki
    Fading is sometimes a problem with VFD displays. Light output drops over time due to falling emission and reduction of phosphor efficiency. How quickly and how far this falls depends on the construction and operation of the VFD. In some equipment, loss of VFD output can render the equipment inoperable.

    Emission may usually be restored by raising filament voltage. Thirty-three percent voltage boost can rectify moderate fade, and 66% boost severe fade. This can make the filaments visible in use, though the usual green-blue VFD filter helps reduce any such red or orange light from the filament.

    Some people would get great fun out of trying to fix that
    keep them entertained for hours

    You could maybe try mailing retailer's like tvtrade or swords satelite
    see if the have any broken AA2's that have come back
    they might sell you a board as I dont think it would be worth their while sending them back to china


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,787 ✭✭✭hallo dare


    Technofobe wrote: »
    Yep cant do any harm would be great if they would sell you a new board or even put you on to somewhere that sells them

    The display looks good from the picture
    see the spot like a smudge in the top right hand corner near the red led this is the built in indicator that the vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) is good if it was white it would be fecked

    Taken from a wiki
    Fading is sometimes a problem with VFD displays. Light output drops over time due to falling emission and reduction of phosphor efficiency. How quickly and how far this falls depends on the construction and operation of the VFD. In some equipment, loss of VFD output can render the equipment inoperable.

    Emission may usually be restored by raising filament voltage. Thirty-three percent voltage boost can rectify moderate fade, and 66% boost severe fade. This can make the filaments visible in use, though the usual green-blue VFD filter helps reduce any such red or orange light from the filament.

    Some people would get great fun out of trying to fix that
    keep them entertained for hours

    You could maybe try mailing retailer's like tvtrade or swords satelite
    see if the have any broken AA2's that have come back
    they might sell you a board as I dont think it would be worth their while sending them back to china

    True true! Just got word back rom retailer, new board supplied is only E20,but thet also said they'd sooner look at the box as it may be a different issue. Interesting. They wouldn't elaborate anymore than that.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 474 ✭✭Technofobe


    hallo dare wrote: »
    True true! Just got word back rom retailer, new board supplied is only E20,but thet also said they'd sooner look at the box as it may be a different issue. Interesting. They wouldn't elaborate anymore than that.

    For €20 I would take a chance and get a new board as it would cost more than that to post it back

    Just out of curiosity
    How old is your box and do you leave it on all the time
    what kind of standby do you do do you shut it down or just false stand by with the display on
    :-)


  • Registered Users Posts: 269 ✭✭cyndale


    hallo dare wrote: »
    True true! Just got word back rom retailer, new board supplied is only E20,but thet also said they'd sooner look at the box as it may be a different issue. Interesting. They wouldn't elaborate anymore than that.

    And you wouldn't expect them to either! Personally you are safer getting it repaired by them if you don't know EXACTLY what the problem is and how to fix it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,787 ✭✭✭hallo dare


    cyndale wrote: »
    And you wouldn't expect them to either!.

    Why? If it's something that they are aware of and is a handy fix I'd like to know instead of having to bring it with me to Dublin someday, when it could possibly be fixed on the kitchen table.

    Fair enough it's probably a handy €50 for them, but it would be nice to know if this is some sort of common issue that may happen to many a receiver.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,787 ✭✭✭hallo dare


    Technofobe wrote: »
    For €20 I would take a chance and get a new board as it would cost more than that to post it back

    Just out of curiosity
    How old is your box and do you leave it on all the time
    what kind of standby do you do do you shut it down or just false stand by with the display on
    :-)

    Yeah the chap said to just call into the shop the next time i'm in Dublin and he'll do a swap out straight away, so not so bad.

    My box is just over a year old, and i leave it on false standby every night. It's never off off. Maybe it burned itself out????? who knows!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,049 ✭✭✭gazzer


    Anybody any ideas on how to get the hard drive I have connected to my amiko box working again? I'm using the PKTeam image for the last two months. Everything has been working fine until this morning.

    I turned on the box and pressed play to get to my HDD folders so I could watch some shows I had recorded and downloaded. Nothing was appearing, only the internal memory folder. I have rebooted and restarted but still nothing. I have a rake of movies and shows on it that I have yet to watch.

    Just wondering if anything can be done to get the hard drive back working? I have connected a couple of usb sticks and they are all working.

    Thanks in advance


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,837 ✭✭✭same ol sh1te


    gazzer wrote: »
    Anybody any ideas on how to get the hard drive I have connected to my amiko box working again? I'm using the PKTeam image for the last two months. Everything has been working fine until this morning.

    I turned on the box and pressed play to get to my HDD folders so I could watch some shows I had recorded and downloaded. Nothing was appearing, only the internal memory folder. I have rebooted and restarted but still nothing. I have a rake of movies and shows on it that I have yet to watch.

    Just wondering if anything can be done to get the hard drive back working? I have connected a couple of usb sticks and they are all working.

    Thanks in advance

    Try formatting it on your pc


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,049 ✭✭✭gazzer


    Try formatting it on your pc

    Would I not lose everything though doing that?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,837 ✭✭✭same ol sh1te


    gazzer wrote: »
    Would I not lose everything though doing that?

    Yes, If it mounts ok, back it up to your pc first then copy back after
    http://www.ext2fsd.com/


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,234 ✭✭✭Fresh Pots


    gazzer wrote: »
    Anybody any ideas on how to get the hard drive I have connected to my amiko box working again? I'm using the PKTeam image for the last two months. Everything has been working fine until this morning.

    I turned on the box and pressed play to get to my HDD folders so I could watch some shows I had recorded and downloaded. Nothing was appearing, only the internal memory folder. I have rebooted and restarted but still nothing. I have a rake of movies and shows on it that I have yet to watch.

    Just wondering if anything can be done to get the hard drive back working? I have connected a couple of usb sticks and they are all working.

    Thanks in advance
    Can you see the files on your hdd in filezilla? If so copy them over to your laptop and format the hdd.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,049 ✭✭✭gazzer


    Fresh Pots wrote: »
    Can you see the files on your hdd in filezilla? If so copy them over to your laptop and format the hdd.

    No. The HDD is not showing on Filezilla:(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,049 ✭✭✭gazzer


    Yes, If it mounts ok, back it up to your pc first then copy back after
    http://www.ext2fsd.com/

    Thanks for that. I connected the hard drive to my laptop but nothing came on screen though the icon that comes up when a device is connected (bottom right of screen) appeared.

    I installed the software from the link above and the hard drive is being recognised. However it is saying that the total size and used space are the same even though there should be 40GB free. I have attached a screen shot


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,837 ✭✭✭same ol sh1te


    Copy your files and format it


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,049 ✭✭✭gazzer


    Copy your files and format it

    The only copy option I can see is "Copy to Clipboard" when I right click on the EXT3 drive. When I do that and then select the drive to copy to I am not getting an option to paste. Is there some other process I should be doing instead?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,837 ✭✭✭same ol sh1te


    gazzer wrote: »
    The only copy option I can see is "Copy to Clipboard" when I right click on the EXT3 drive. When I do that and then select the drive to copy to I am not getting an option to paste. Is there some other process I should be doing instead?

    Can you not browse the drive and then drag and drop


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,049 ✭✭✭gazzer


    Can you not browse the drive and then drag and drop

    Do you mean in Windows Explorer? If so no I cant. If I click on Drive D i get a pop up message that I need to format the drive.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,837 ✭✭✭same ol sh1te


    gazzer wrote: »
    Do you mean in Windows Explorer? If so no I cant. If I click on Drive D i get a pop up message that I need to format the drive.

    Looks like something happened the drive. Do you have a Linux pc you could check with? You could bit Ubuntu or done other Linux distro from cd or usb to check before you format it


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,049 ✭✭✭gazzer


    Looks like something happened the drive. Do you have a Linux pc you could check with? You could bit Ubuntu or done other Linux distro from cd or usb to check before you format it

    A friend of mine has a linux pc so I will check with him tomorrow. Thanks very much for your help.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 424 ✭✭FlexMcMurphy


    I recently installed a Linux OS on my Laptop and can run it from within Windows 7. If anyone is interested it opens up all the handy tools and software of Linux to Windows users such as partitioning software (gparted) and ability to view the contents of Linux (ext) formatted drives.

    Basically you install software called Oracle Virtual Box which is a 'Virtual Machine'. It lets you to run an OS within an OS. You download an image of a Linux OS such as xUbuntu and run it in Virtual Box. All the while Windows is still running so no need to dual boot.

    Step by step instructions are in these two guides on YouTube:

    Download and Install VirtualBox in Windows 7

    Install Xubuntu 14.04 32 bit into VirtualBox

    Flex


  • Registered Users Posts: 269 ✭✭cyndale


    hallo dare wrote: »
    Why? If it's something that they are aware of and is a handy fix I'd like to know instead of having to bring it with me to Dublin someday, when it could possibly be fixed on the kitchen table.

    Fair enough it's probably a handy €50 for them, but it would be nice to know if this is some sort of common issue that may happen to many a receiver.

    Just about a month ago my Panasonic Plasma (2 and a half years old) packed up, the power light (red light) kept flashing and then would die. I googled it and I found that the number of times the red light flashed gave a clue as to what was wrong (mine flashed ten times) and it said that was the scanboard. Unfortunately I didn't have the 'knowledge' to figure out where the scanboard was so I had to bring it to a repair shop. They were able to figure out what was wrong so that is what I had to pay for. After the repair he showed me the part (the scanboard) that caused the problem. Had I known that I could have repaired it myself.

    My point being I'm sure there are a lot of things I could have fixed over the years had I the 'knowledge' of what was wrong, because I'm pretty handy at fixing stuff. So you are paying (unfortunately) for their knowledge to solve the problem.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,181 ✭✭✭championc


    They also have the ability to work by process of elimination so they may swap around 3 bits and find the one which is required - and charge you for one (unlike a garage which keep swapping parts until the problem is resolved, and you pay for the lot - for all those parts which did not solve the issue).

    So unless a problem is obvious and you know the specific part which will solve your problem, there are times when you need to pass it out to the retailer


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,787 ✭✭✭hallo dare


    They can swap out the whole box for all i care. What im saying is that i have to take them at their word as to what they "change out". When they wouldn't explain to me what they thought of it to be it just makes me think that it's something handy enough for anyone to swap out. Plus, it's not their first box they have sorted with the same issue they said. It's just a handy few quid for them at the end of the day.

    Plus wouldn't it be nice to know for others here also the exact cause, should they ever run into the same problem.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,181 ✭✭✭championc


    100% agree with you. No reason for them to be secretive.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 474 ✭✭Technofobe


    hallo dare wrote: »
    Plus wouldn't it be nice to know for others here also the exact cause, should they ever run into the same problem.
    It would indeed be nice to know that if same happens to my box it may be a simple board swap


  • Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 11,144 Mod ✭✭✭✭MarkR


    You can create a bootable linux usb drive, and use that to browse the hard drive that won't connect through windows. The bootable usb should allow you then to copy it to the hard drive of the machine you are booting with, or another usb drive.

    Very easy to do.

    http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/


    Best of luck.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,049 ✭✭✭gazzer


    MarkR wrote: »
    You can create a bootable linux usb drive, and use that to browse the hard drive that won't connect through windows. The bootable usb should allow you then to copy it to the hard drive of the machine you are booting with, or another usb drive.

    Very easy to do.

    http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/


    Best of luck.

    Thanks for that. Will give it a shot when I get home from work.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,234 ✭✭✭Fresh Pots


    Latest word from the openatv forums is that v4.2 is being released in the next few days. First for mips, then sh4 boxes.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,234 ✭✭✭Fresh Pots


    Latest word from the openatv forums is that v4.2 is being released in the next few days. First for mips, then sh4 boxes.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,878 ✭✭✭Zardoz


    Fresh Pots wrote: »
    Latest word from the openatv forums is that v4.2 is being released in the next few days. First for mips, then sh4 boxes.

    I'm not sure if that is a good or a bad thing.
    Would prefer to see a stable SH4 4.1 image out before they move to 4.2 .


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,234 ✭✭✭Fresh Pots


    Zardoz wrote: »
    I'm not sure if that is a good or a bad thing.
    Would prefer to see a stable SH4 4.1 image out before they move to 4.2 .

    I see it as a good thing, at least in the long run anyway. If I remember correctly hyperion v3.5 was worked on for a short time before it was scrapped and v4 came out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,032 ✭✭✭FrankGrimes


    Fresh Pots wrote: »
    Latest word from the openatv forums is that v4.2 is being released in the next few days. First for mips, then sh4 boxes.

    Thanks for the heads-up. What forums are good for keeping up to date on openatv news, finding out about plugins etc?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,234 ✭✭✭Fresh Pots


    Thanks for the heads-up. What forums are good for keeping up to date on openatv news, finding out about plugins etc?

    For open ATV news their own opena.tv/forum is good. As for plugins etc, I get most of mine from sattvhelp.com. Great little community on there.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,878 ✭✭✭Zardoz


    Thanks for the heads-up. What forums are good for keeping up to date on openatv news, finding out about plugins etc?

    Easiest place to find all plugins together is here
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=91218557&postcount=3
    Its regularly updated


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,049 ✭✭✭gazzer


    Looks like something happened the drive. Do you have a Linux pc you could check with? You could bit Ubuntu or done other Linux distro from cd or usb to check before you format it

    Just an update on my hard drive issue. I set up a PC with Linux using a bootable USB Key.

    Turns out the drive is not working so I have formatted a new drive to EXT3 to use with the box.

    Thanks for all the advice and help I got here.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,049 ✭✭✭gazzer


    Just wondering if anybody else has noticed this issue with their Amiko Alien when it is connected to the net and when it isnt.

    I find (when the box is connected to the net) that a lot of the FTA channels (e.g CBS Drama, Horror Channel) are always freezing and can be very hard to watch. I presumed that it was just a weak frequency for these channels or that my dish was not aligned properly. It has gotten so bad that I was in the process of getting the ladder out this weekend to check all the connections and alignment of the dish.

    However my internet connection was down for a couple of days (since Sunday) and those FTA channels that usually freeze were perfect. Not one problem with them. This has been the case for 4 days now. This morning an engineer came out and fixed my internet connection. I reconnected my box to the net and low and behold the channels are freezing and skipping again.

    Maybe it is just a coincidence but I would have thought FTA channels would respond the same way regardless of wheter the box was connected to the internet or not?


  • Registered Users Posts: 160 ✭✭Realalemadrid


    gazzer wrote: »
    Just wondering if anybody else has noticed this issue with their Amiko Alien when it is connected to the net and when it isnt.

    I find (when the box is connected to the net) that a lot of the FTA channels (e.g CBS Drama, Horror Channel) are always freezing and can be very hard to watch. I presumed that it was just a weak frequency for these channels or that my dish was not aligned properly. It has gotten so bad that I was in the process of getting the ladder out this weekend to check all the connections and alignment of the dish.

    However my internet connection was down for a couple of days (since Sunday) and those FTA channels that usually freeze were perfect. Not one problem with them. This has been the case for 4 days now. This morning an engineer came out and fixed my internet connection. I reconnected my box to the net and low and behold the channels are freezing and skipping again.

    Maybe it is just a coincidence but I would have thought FTA channels would respond the same way regardless of wheter the box was connected to the internet or not?

    That sounds like interference to me. Is your router beside the alien. Try plugging in the router in a diffenet room or just switch it off for a bit to see if ir works. I have a similar problem with the Channel 4 suite of channels - and its because of the phone line - whenever someone rings the house - they start to skip and freeze!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,049 ✭✭✭gazzer


    That sounds like interference to me. Is your router beside the alien. Try plugging in the router in a diffenet room or just switch it off for a bit to see if ir works. I have a similar problem with the Channel 4 suite of channels - and its because of the phone line - whenever someone rings the house - they start to skip and freeze!

    The router is in a seperate room. I have the Amiko connected using an Ethernet wall plug. I will turn the router off when I get home and see what the channel looks like.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,234 ✭✭✭Fresh Pots


    gazzer wrote: »
    The router is in a seperate room. I have the Amiko connected using an Ethernet wall plug. I will turn the router off when I get home and see what the channel looks like.

    Is the wall plug direct into the wall or have you got it on a extension lead?


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,181 ✭✭✭championc


    Just disconnect the Ethernet cable to your box. Mind you, you don't confirm which Image you're running which may help or rule stuff out. Mind you, it's the bizarrest thing I've ever heard. It shoulds like your box is doing other stuff in the backround. From Telnet, use the TOP command to check your CPU utilization when connected and when not.




    _______________________________________________
    Champions OpenAR-P AA2/7162 Image Download Link - http://goo.gl/2DuVm0
    Champions OpenAR-P SAB Solo/8900 Image Download Link - http://goo.gl/up5tIu

    Champions OpenATV AA2/7162 Image Download Link - http://goo.gl/j8y5fW


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,096 ✭✭✭anoble66


    If you are talking about one of those ethernet powerline adapters I have found they can cause all kinds of interference so it would not surprise me at all if it could effect the alien. There is also evidence out there that these devices can interfere with FM and DAB radio.

    Perhaps unrelated but after having efibre installed my powerline adaptors would interfere so much that it would cause my VDSL connection to drop, I could see the modem SNR dropping to -10. As soon as I unplugged the adaptors it would come back normal.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 474 ✭✭Technofobe


    Technofobe wrote: »
    That worked great Zardoz :-)
    I just did a manual scan & pulled them in using those frequencies
    cheers

    Do you happen to know if there is an AutoBouquets for hyper 4
    & will it work if I have all my channels in 1 favorites bouquet

    Thanks for your help
    Quote: ZardozCBBC has changed frequency
    New frequency is 10773.00MHz, pol.H ,DVB-S, SR:22000 FEC:5/6.
    CBBC HD is 11464 , pol.H ,DVB-S, SR:22000 FEC:5/6.

    Cbbc hd and cbbc
    gone again
    is it just me
    changed freq last month as per zardoz post an all worked fine until yesterday now says service not found in pat
    they couldn't possibly have changed freq again could they
    what would be the point in that
    anyone know where they are now
    thanks


This discussion has been closed.
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