Here is one I haven't found the answer to anywhere. I have the DMR-E85H with the latest firmware installed. Recently a thunderstorm went through the area. After which the DMR-E85H was stuck on channel 35, a news channel I often watch. Using the remote I could change the channel number but the station itself would not change. When the unit was turned off and on, channel 35 would again appear. I couldn't get into any of the menus or view what was on the hard drive. I tried to reset the system and even tried getting into test mode. Nothing worked. I then did the reset to factory default settings by holding down the "Skip Rev”, “Time Slip" and "Open/Close" for 5 seconds with the machine off. The system came up with the self-check and then displayed "TEST */* L1" with the HDD LED on and the DVD LED flashing. It is now stuck in this state and nothing I do will change it. Anyone know what is going on here? Thanks Dick
Sounds to me like a board component was partially fried due to a power surge. Did you have your unit plugged into a surge protector or power strip integrating one or just into the wall? If you did, was it newer, or past its prime? Surge protectors lose their effectiveness over time. It's always a good idea to protect expensive electronics with a good surge protector. I'm not an authority on the electronics in the E85H, but there are others who are. Read the last several pages of posts in this thread: http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/64/143317 If you have any electronics experience whatsoever, a replacement board MIGHT be available for you to purchase and replace yourself. Otherwise, I believe there is a $130 flat service fee from Panasonic for repair of out-of-warranty units. Please see the last several pages of posts in the above thread for details. Hope this helps!
Thank you for the reply. I had the unit plugged into an UPS/surge suppressor. I also have the Panasonic DMR-E75V (VHS/DVD recorder). It also locked up that afternoon but I was able to get it to come out of it and it is working fine. I was hoping there was a code entry to get it out of this TEST mode it is in. I am an electronic technician for 37 years now. I would have no problem replacing the main board. I have noticed that once I went DVR I feel lost without one. I picked up a Motorola DVR from the cable company for now. It doesn't have a DVD drive and the compression rate is locked into the best quality. I can only get 30 hours on a 160 GB drive. But it does have dual tuners so I can record 2 shows at once. Thanks for the link. I had read through the capacitor replacement info. This is good to know. My partner at work also has the DMR-E85H. Now if I can only convince him to let me use his to trouble shoot mine. Fat chance I know. Thanks Dick
I TOO AM HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM WHERE THE UNIT IS LOCKED IN PERPETUAL TEST * L1 MODE. WOULD LOVE A SOLUTION TOO THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE GOOD PEOPLE OVER AT PANASONIC SEEM TOTALLY IGNORANT OF THE SITUATION. SHAME THOUGH IT WAS A GREAT MACHINE WHEN IT WORKED AND NOW I'M HAVING A TOUGH TIME TRYING TO FIND A REPLACEMENT. IT SEEMS WE ARE HEADING BACK IN TIME TO THE DAYS OF THE VCR. THEY SEEM TO BE MORE READILY AVAILABLE.
fusking I ROCK! I FUCKINBG TOTALLY FIGURED OUT THE fusking SOLUTION!IT IS AS FOLLOWS.INSTEAD OF HOLDING DOWN THE POWER BUTTON LIKE ALL THE OTHER PUSSIES TELL YOU TO FOR 10 FAGGOT SECONDS. TRY JUST TAPPING IT THEN WHEN THE HASH BARS STOP AT 1 HOLD DOWN BOTH THE CHANNEL BUTTONS ON THE UNIT FOR HOWEVER LONG . IT fusking TOTALLY WORKED FOR ME!!!!!
Ok, I agree, loopylew should have his mouth washed out with soap and destroy his CAPSLOCK key ... BUT ... He is a genius -- do what he says: hold the channel buttons and tap the power then BINGO! Test *L1 goes away and the magical PVR power starts again. Tx loop
