Help with DSTV PVR error

[adsl3g]

Not getting much support in the DSTV forums so I'll repost here:
I did an upgrade this week as the DSD Upgrade option was not greyed out. The upgrade went about halfway when there was an error displayed .

The PVR rebooted and tried to download the upgrade again but now the error "Invalid signature version" comes up and the PVR reboots again. Everytime it reboots and everytime it errors and reboots again with that error.

I have removed the power, smartcard, rebooted the PVR but everytime it powers up it tries to download an upgrade that errors due to invalid signature version.

I phoned MIH and they said I must take the PVR to an agent after they tried to reset it 'over the air'.

The front of the PVR displays
E3.80
E2.00
E1.0c
E0.0F

On the TV screen it says
Invalid signature version
Error: 08x0000C0F
I took it to a MIH agency in the Kollenade Pretoria & they said it's a buggered power supply (!? :confused: WTH?) and it must be swapped out at Prosat in Centurion?? They can't do it as it will take 3 to 4 weeks :sick: .
Is this in fact so?
I have disconnected the LNB feeds and rebooted but the problem persists.

[Doges]

Go swop it out at Prosat, it is the quickest option, and you will be able to watch the rugby this afternoon. If the decoder is still under warrenty (and it should be :) ), they'll do it for free.

[adsl3g]

Go swop it out at Prosat, it is the quickest option, and you will be able to watch the rugby this afternoon. If the decoder is still under warrenty (and it should be :) ), they'll do it for free.

Thanks - seems my best option (warranty and care contract and all) - luckily the old decoder was still in the cupboard so at least I'm not dead in the water.

[adsl3g]

PVR swapped out at ProSat without hassel.:)

[Doges]

I don't even bother with the local agents any more. Drive straight to a Multichoice office where they'll swop it immediately. No waiting (Except in the que).

[Skeptik]

Is the swap for a new one or reconditioned one (ala cellphones)?

[Doges]

Reconditioned. afaik.

[adsl3g]

Reconditioned. afaik.

Reconditioned - they had a lot of hassels with cooling on the first batch of PVR's and these were reconditioned to incorporate a new fan assembly. My PVR had a serial no of 8xxx.x3 - the replacement is 54xxx.x5 so it is a bit 'newer' than my old one - it does look new though, No scratches or anything and it works fine.

It's got L.9 software loaded. Current software is L.7. Update to L.10 software will be released this coming week which will have bug fixes, surround sound enable (AC-3), RW & FF change on remote (single press of button instead of first pausing), 10 min 'buffer' on scheduled recording plus some other stuff - can't remember.

[Doges]

Great news on the software upgrades! Can't wait for the long promised "season pass" ability.

[adsl3g]

Great news on the software upgrades! Can't wait for the long promised "season pass" ability.

Unfortunately that will not be in the L.10 upgrade.
Another improvement in L.10 is one click access to DMX.

[KobusPTA]

My PVR has packed up with "hot disc", and I am getting ready to take it in to ProSat for a swop-out (thank goodness for Decoder Care Contracts - hope they're actually worth something!).

Just wondering now - any way of transferring the data from my existing PVR's HD to the "new" swopped out PVR's HD?

According to MultiChoice & the rest of the world I spoke to, they say no. Hoping somebody brighter out there can advise!!

[Skeptik]

The DSTV PVR is not very reliable. I've heard many people have trouble with it. Someone even complained on the ASASA site and Multichoice had to admit there were faults in the software.

To transfer any data you would have to open the box. The ports on the back of the PVR I believe are non-functional.

I don't know what format the drives will be in and it's possible they will not be readable by just any PC. You will also invalidate any warranty and rouse the suspicion of the person doing the free swapout to a reconditioned decoder.

I expect that if you take out one HDD and put it into another set it will work. Your error message "hot disc" suggests a HDD failure though.

[KobusPTA]

Thanks Skeptik - I will admit defeat graciously and wave my recorded programmes goodbye as I trade in my PVR decoder! :(