I have read some of the posts on this topic and am kind of confused. In the last couple of weeeks, I have noticed the U99 errror on my unit's display. I checked the manual and all it says is that "The unit fails to operate properly. Press Power on the main unit to switch the unit to standby. Now press Power on the main unit again to turn the unit on." OK, so what does that do? Eventually I get the U99 error again. In the posts I have read, a l ot of people talk about getting this error code when doing a "divide." I have no idea what that is or what it means. I use my unit to record local programming that I can't watch live and then I delete it. I don't do a lot of archiving or anything. Some of the posts that I have read talk about swapping out a hard drive or getting a new hard drive. Alll that kind of makes me nervous. I have read the following article (http://www.dxcc.com/dmr-e85h.htm) and downloading the upgrade seeems pretty simple. Will this fix the U99 error problem that I have? I have also noticed that the unit does not always record programs that I have set up in the schedule - even though it's listed. I have the unit set to record Survivor at 7:00 CST and then The Apprentice at 8:00 CST. It does not record Survivor, but it does record The Apprentice. Any advice or assistance that anyone has would be greatly appreciated. I paid a lot of money for the recorder and really like it - especially when it works the way it's menat to. Thanks - Julie
Is your recorder still under warranty? If it is, I'd send that baby back to Panasonic and insist that they fix and upgrade your machine ... Read the 'Fatal Flaws' link in my sig .. paying specific attention to #5 in the Panasonic section .........
Catfreak, it almost sounds like you are in the tech repair business, what with poiting out all the flaws in equip., the problem jk is seeing has been address by several people in this forum, and we are working with Gemstar to get it rectified. Telling a person to return a piece of hardware because it faults out when the problem is not yet known is called "job security" for repair technicians, and leaves a bad taste in the mouth of people sending in the unit for repair. The U99 error on the panasonic unit is a generic error, typically a communications error, ... the current problem most people are seeing is with the TV guide on screen feature, it is being worked on. The previous(most common) U99 error was caused during diviing a file for dubbing to disc, this problem was addressed in a firmware upgrade. if you're going to try to help people, please help them. RX7 Fan.
When you purchase a piece of equipment, part of the price is paying for something called a warranty. When said equipment has a fatal flaw ie .. a problematic hard drive etc.. and you don't return it, deciding to just 'fix it' yourself, you are not getting what you paid for. Also, the manufacturer is unable to determine such flaws and therefore unable to improve their product in the future. The bad taste in one's mouth occurs when major manufacturers such as Panasonic pass off inferior produts at inflated prices.
I agree, if there is a problem covered under warantee, by all means , have it serviced. Like I said the U99 indicates a general communication error, the origional U99 that most people are aware of, for my understanding was a problem with the drive. The current U99 that most people are seeing is related to the TV Guide On Screen data, Gemstar is researching it, to send something for repairs when the problem is not understood yet, is useless. More importantly, have you had the priveledge of owning/using a panasonic 80, 85, or 95? I personally own an 85, have had it for better than 6 months, and I consider myself very technically savy. I have not had any problems with the unit, with the current TV Guide data exception. After speaking with several other owners, most are satisfied with it. The "Fatal Flaws" that you mention (or Lord Smurf) are mostly un-noticed by the average user, because they view the recorded material on the recording unit. Those of us who are technically inclined above the norm, are aware of any flaws present, and can normally correct them. [bold]Julie[/bold] The link that you posted in your message has some information there that should help you, and the other threads on this forum, unless you feel you're not able to fix, or wait for the problem to clear up on it's own, then I'd take it to be serviced. Being a person very familliar with how service technicians work, the service can sometimes be scarier than the problem. (I could tell you countless stories) http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_jump.cfm/143317/1356357-445862 this thread should be helpfull RX7 Fan
