On 06/03/18 15:44, Jeff Layman wrote:
Anyone know how to get the metal chassis out of its plastic case (maybe
other similar Panasonic PVRs are fixed the same way)? I've removed all 6
screws on the back, although I think only 3 look like they fix it in
place, with the rest holding various sockets. I've lifted up a couple
of plastic catches underneath at the front, but it still won't budge -
not even a fraction. I checked under the rubber feet pads in case there
were hidden screws, but there weren't any.

It has been working perfectly for nearly 4 years, but in the last couple
of weeks has occasionally failed to record, or will not even turn on
with the remote. I wondered if it has a fan inside which was maybe not
working consistently, although I can't hear one, or perhaps some fluff
or other airborne stuff had got on a heatsink*. It smells of "hot
circuit board" through the vents. I've blown pretty hard into it and
will see if that helps. I just want to get it apart to see if there is
anything obviously faulty.

*Many years ago I had to replace a SMPS chip on a Panasonic DVD recorder
(DMR-E55) because they'd skimped on a heatsink. A new chip and a decent
piece of aluminium solved the problem.

I had a closer look at the user guide (shared DMR-HWT130 and 230) and
found the following:
"€¢ DMR-HWT130 does not have a cooling fan. Instead, it has ventilation
holes."

All the pics in the manual are for the HWT230. I found a service manual
offered on Ebay:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Panasonic-DMR-HWT130-HWT230-HDD-Recorder-Service-Manual-/232056349381

But the model shown is *not*what I have. I assume the US version is
different. That one has scart sockets and a load of other sockets on the
back at the right. It also has an obvious "bolt-on" fan.

Is it usual for equipment with identical model numbers to be so
different in different parts of the world?

--

Jeff