VU+ Duo2 LNB Issues

When the spinner keeps spinning, it's a software error in the image; it's waiting for something. At that moment, it won't respond to the remote control. If you clear the error, it will execute all the remote control commands quickly.
You might also see a warning message on a blue screen, similar to a Windows error. The software is faulty. After some time, it might start or get stuck in a loop with the error, depending on the configuration. After three attempts, it might perform a complete reboot.

It seems the image has degraded over time, and you'll need to reinstall either the same image or a more recent version.
These devices use Enigma2, which is like Linux adapted for satellite receivers.
When you install the new image, everything old is erased, and the error disappears.
Some images (OpenVIX software and others) allow you to recover the settings, leaving the new one with the same configuration. However, if the image is corrupted, it's best not to use this option; instead, install from scratch without using any old settings.

One thing to note: if the disc is having problems, the receiver may wait for the disc to be OK (ready to play/view/record). During this time, the spinner may spin, indicating that the receiver is busy.

The errors will increase, and you'll eventually end up in a loop you can't escape.
These receivers must be turned off with the remote control, entering deep sleep/power off mode. They don't like being turned off by cutting the power.

The tuner you have, as a colleague already mentioned, is a dual tuner; it has two tuners, A and B (both inputs).
They can work independently with two wires or be configured to use an internal loop that passes the antenna signal from A to B.
Tuner B is a slave to the polarity and band used by tuner A (in the configuration of tuner B, you connect tuner B to A).
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Cuando el spinner se queda girando es un error de software de la imagen que esta esperando por algo, en ese momento no responde al mando a distancia, si se quita el error, ejecutara todas las ordenes del mando a distancia rápidamente.
Cambien puede salir un cartel de aviso, sobre una pantalla azul, similar al error de windons, el software esta mal, pasado un tiempo, puede que arranque o se quede en bucle con el error, dependiendo de la configración, despues de 3 intentos, puede que realice un reinicio completo.

Parece que la imagen se degrado con el tiempo y tocara instalar, la misma o una versión mas moderna.
Estos equipos usan Enigma2, es como Linux adaptado para receptores de satelite
Al instalar la nueva imagen, se borra todo lo viejo y el error desaparece.
Algunas imagenes (software de OpenVIX y otras) permiten recuperar las configuraciones dejando la nueva con la misma configuración, pero si la imagen esta corrupta, mejor no usar esta opción, instalando desde cero sin usar nada viejo.

Un apunte, si el disco da problemas, el receptor se puede quedar esperando a que el disco este OK (listo para funcionar/ver/grabar), en ese tiempo el spinner puede girar indicando que el receptor esta ocupado.

Los errores irán a mas y al final terminaras en un bucle del que no sale.
Estos receptores se tienen que apagar con el mando a distancia, entrando en reposo profundo/apagado, apagar cortando la luz no les gusta,

El sintonizador que tienes, como ya indico un compañero es doble, tiene 2 sintonizadores, A y B (son in).
Pueden trabajar de forma independiente con 2 cables o se configuran para usar un bucle/loop interno que pasa la señal de antena del A al B.
Siendo el B escalvo de la polaridad y banda usado en el A (en la configuracion del tuner B, se pone tuner B conectado al A).
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Hello Tururu,

Thank you for your reply. Sounds like your eluding that this is a software/image issue more than a tuner or PSU issue.

If I reflash the OpenVix image to a new one, does this wipe all the other stuff (EPG, program scan, etc)?

Not sure if I can say this but - I have got OpenVix image Ver 6.8.007 as suggested by bmitie from here Index of /openvix-builds/vuduo2. Is this a trustworthy source for images?

Is there a guide on how to reflash - I would rather not cause more issues than I already have?

Laz
 
I think I have answered my question on "how to flash"; I have got a guide from OpenVix which basically states:
- create folder on USB drive as vuplus/duo2 (which the unzipping does anyway),
- power down,
- reboot with USB stick inserted in front port,
- when prompted press power button behind flap,

So, if I do this, will I have to set everything else up, or does this just update OpenVix and everything else will be left as is?

Laz
 
Yes when you do a flash your system is so old you would bring the fault with you if you were to restore settings and plugins. that site is the officail home of Vix

What you do is a clean install and I wrote this in post 14

To flash the box from start is easy but you must follow the correct steps.

1. usb small capacity 4gb, I use cruzer, or integral, formatted to fat 32. download latest vix, unzip to USB. Place in rear USB slot, don't have any other usb's connected. At front of box open flap where cards go look up to left see a small button above usb port. So usb in at rear, hold in that switch at front, then power on at rear, you have to keep holding in switch at front until FLSH appears in display, once it does release switch. Box will now update but you have to configure the lot, so watch screen, choose language, hdmi, resolution, htz for display select multi, network, then configure tuner. Say no to scan, do later. Now if up and running you set up ABM = autobouquets, then epg. Thats the gist of what you do. The next bits are for skin and picons but not important. that's just a rough guide to give you the idea."

I can tell you more in a little while but you are slow to get back.
 
Hello bmitie,

Thank you for your reply. My apologies, my delay in replying is due to leaving the box for a day or two, then powering it up and seeing how long it remains stable. Basically, as I am unsure if this is PSU related (which I don't think due to stable supplies - although I am considering replacing the electrolytics), tuner module related or image related. The later I have been hesitant with due to lack of knowledge.

However, I intend to reflash tomorrow as I have now (hopefully) cobbled together some information on how to setup the box once re-flashed.

I shall report back. I generally only get weekday evenings to spend time on this.

Laz
 
When you flash the box it will be like new so you have to configure everything, it starts with language, then how you connect to tv, you will get options. hdmi and others, then you set resolution, use 1080i, then screen refresh, 50z, 60z or multi, select multi. then configure tuners and so on. once done once its easy. the skin you will get as default is simple 1080. so read this. its for those who know a bit, have a read.
  1. To setup box do the following:
  2. skin is simple ten eighty,
  3. tuners, menu setup tuners& scanning tuner setup A says single 28e, same for B,
  4. Menu setup epg settings, see a long list grid epg, event info, media/hd, epg, no. no. enabled, yes, scroll down to next page ,yes,no,no,yes,yes,no,yes,disabled,, next page yes,yes,auto detect, yes, yes, off, green to save.
  5. now go to opentvepgdownlaoder, enable, yes, astra 28.2, auto, update interval say 3 for now, pip for download yes. green, then exit
  6. menu setup user interface, channel election, alternative numbering mode yes, arrow all way down to show picons in service list,yes, green,
  7. menu setup tuners scanning autobouquetmaker configure schedule scan NO for now, then no, , yes,no,none, place bouquets at top,yes, no for the rest. green.
  8. Providers, no no no saorview yes, region, your transmitter, yes yes,no,no, sky uk yes, region you have to toggle to London sd custom , fta only, yes, yes, yes, yes, swap channels yes, no.
  9. hide sections, this is where you put a tick against those you don't want to appear, shopping adult, religion and so on the more you hide the better the end result will be.
  10. keep bouquets, here you tick the bouquets you want to keep like the favourites one, green. exit.
  11. NOW SCAN
  12. for security you need a password menu setup network, new password, press OK, keyboard, type in I use 4 chars, then over to return key marked green press ok and then green.
  13. Picons look nice so go menu plugins green download then select picons , select snp-full 220x 132-190x102. dark on reflection, it takes a while to download as its a big file, it may ask where to save say hdd. These are the correct size. exit
then this

  1. Power back on and wait and then go BBC1 so you have a channel.
  2. Menu setup vix mount manager and now you should see the HDD, now VIX is good in that it may have mounted HDD automatically and show as mount/media/hdd typr ext4 R/W.but if not see blue button press that and wait. I then press green and then green and box will restart.
  3. menu setup storage settings hard disk standby , SELECT TIME.
THATS IT DONE
 
Hello bmitie,

Thank you for the above information, appreciated. I intend to do this later today. I will report back but please bear with.

Laz
 
Box was receiving channels before I started (i.e. like it has previously for a while and then lost tuning).

Before starting I decided to swap out the harddrive as well, so a new harddrive is installed.

Carried out OpenVix re-flashing. Whole thing including harddrive swap-out and setting up menus took about an hour.

Everything appears to be working regarding scanning and receiving channels - able to watch channels.

I haven't got any program info in the EPG, completely blank. I seem to recall from years ago when I did this that it took a while for the EPG to populate. Is that the case or should I be seeing some populated info? Box has been on for about 3hrs after setting things up.

I also can't seem to connect to the box via FTP. Network seems setup ok and the box is showing up on my router home page list of devices on the network. Plus the EPG file seemed to download. I say that because I asked for the download to start, a progress indicator showed up but didn't actually give any info on the progress. After about 3-4 mins the page cleared, so I surmise it has downloaded ok. Network test comes back with all 5 variables as a green tick. I can access the box through a browser when typing the IP address of the box in the browser with the OpenWebif page displaying and options such as movies selectable to show the recordings. FTP, Telnet and Samba are running.

When connecting via FTP I have the username as root and password blank.

@ bmitie - really appreciate the help with the reflash and setup, it made it a lot less daunting and much easier. I'll keep an eye on the box regarding stability over the next couple of days.

If anyone has any pointers regarding the lack of EPG info and no FTP connection it would be appreciated.

Laz
 
Hi, i think ftp needs a password set, try a enigma2 gui restart or reboot for epg to load
 
Hello stel883_

Thank you for your reply.

Yes, in my haste to get setup I missed the fact that within Setup/Network/Password it states that a password is mandatory in OpenVix 6.8 - thank you.

Having checked this morning the EPG is now populated.

Thanks to all who have assisted me with my reception issues. I shall keep an eye on this over the next few days but so far it is looking good.

One question, which I think I know the answer to - how often should OpenVix be upgraded? It would appear me sticking on Ver 5.2.044 may well have led to an eventual intermittent failure, partly due to hesitancy/fear in re-flashing. The comfort feeling of "if it ain't broke don't fix it" may need some revision in this case.

Laz
 
Just stick with 6.8 and it will serve you well for a good few years. I assume you are on single feed so with openTV EPG downloader set up you have the choice of setting the intervals when you want to update I have it at custom and 1 am and as you get a 7 day epg that's good enough.
Its importnat you save epg to hdd. ill do 2 pics later in a little while and explain a bit more/
 
As you only have one tuner when the epg is downlaoding you will lose picture so set Open epg as per first pic.
its vital you save epg to HDD so make it look like second pic and now your good to go.
 

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Hello bmitie,

Ok, I've set that up as well.

Everything is looking good, no glitches or loss of tune so far.

I'm probably still going to replace the electrolytic with the bulging top on the PSU pcb, but not until a week or 2. I want to try to get the box as healthy as possible. Leaving it suggests to me that sooner or later it's going to give up.

I really appreciate your help, and that of the other contributors to this thread. Good service from a good website forum with knowledgeable and confident members. Long may it continue.

Laz
 
I looked back at those capacitors and I cant see the bulging but easier when box is next to you. Here is a tip, if you are going to replace those 2 capacitors, which I did, you buy a pack!! not just 2 BUT you can actually buy 2 that are 30v rather than 25 and will perform better. If you want I will get the reference for you and as you like that box so much better get it wor:-biglaughking to the utmost, another 10 years.
 
I should have said 35v, here are a few links and I bought mine on amazon uk, the 25v ones.

moltensolder.wordpress.com

Vu+ Duo2 Faulty Stuck in Standby Repair Problems

The abrupt lack of Multi Room Satellite Television caused the whole family to fall apart. Paid around £400.00GBP (excluding price of Hard Disk) for my Vu+ Duo 2 a couple of years ago – was ex…
moltensolder.wordpress.com moltensolder.wordpress.com

jb8a8f8.com

Vu+ Duo2 Capacitors (bom) list.

Vu+ Duo2 caps bom list which could be handy if you have some issues with your box or want to upgrade your box for better quality caps for a longer...
jb8a8f8.com jb8a8f8.com
 
Ok, thanks bmitie, appreciated. I will check it out. The read regarding the SMD caps on the motherboard is useful info.

I don't plan on doing it for a week or two (busy at my daughters doing "dad, can you help with this, and that"), but am def looking to replace the PSU ones.

I will report back when done.

Box still running solid without any issues.

Laz
 
Hhhhhhmmm, well when you thought I would be quiet for some time........................

It appears my same problem is back. Box had been good for 6 days, not a glitch. Switched on this evening and either no tune whatsoever or broken and pixelated tune.

I haven't fully confirmed this for lots of different channels but it seems the channels where I can get a tuned signal seem to be frequencies with horizontal polarisation. When tuned, going to Setup/Tuners and then Find Signal gives a Horizontal frequency. For anything that doesn't tune shows a Vertical signal. As I say, this isn't fully proven, tried about 8 different channels and this seems to be the case, but I suppose that might just be coincidence.

And, I promise I haven't touched anythin
 
For some reason only half the post was sent - repost below.

Hhhhhhmmm, well when you thought I would be quiet for some time........................

It appears my same problem is back. Box had been good for 6 days, not a glitch. Switched on this evening and either no tune whatsoever or broken and pixelated tune.

I haven't fully confirmed this for lots of different channels but it seems the channels where I can get a tuned signal seem to be frequencies with horizontal polarisation. I say tuned, they are not crisp, the tuning pixelates quite a lot. When tuned, going to Setup/Tuners & Scanning/Signal Finder gives a Horizontal frequency. For anything that doesn't tune shows a Vertical signal. As I say, this isn't fully proven, tried about 8 different channels and this seems to be the case, but I suppose that might just be coincidence.

Three programmes I had set to record today have not recorded either, all on 10847 V 23000 3/4. They are present on the harddrive listing but when played they start for circa 1 second (no actual picture loading) and stop, as if the program info has been entered on the harddrive TOC but no actual recording captured.

And, I promise I haven't touched anything, and definitely not started to de-solder any capacitors yet. As previously said, I wanted to leave it for a week or two to make sure everything stayed good.

So, any ideas? The more I read on the capacitor issue makes me wonder if I have capacitors on the edge of operation.

Everything is working normally (as it was the last time this occurred). Menus are all accessible, both front screens are working, video signal is output from HDMI port and showing fine on the TV, comes in and out of standby ok and boots from cold via the rear switch.

Starting to get stressed with it now.

Laz
 
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