Model # 25GT522JX2, Chassis # CTC177AF3, was dead, onboard tuner was
very bad, & corrupted the EEPROM. Repaired the tuner, & put in a new
EEPROM from a CTC177AF...slightly different, but ok for test! Now, on
the first page of the customer menu, the SAP section is blank, & see
thru. Did the "write trick" by turning the set off & installing the old
EEPROM while pluged but turned off!
Now the old EEPROM has more sensible info in it, but with either
EEPROM, pressing the menu button a couple of times the set will shut
down, or lock up the set, even make the tuner tune off frequency, it's
doing all kinds of wild things. Is the Micro bad? I never saw this
before. Ideas anyone? Thanks, Dani.

On 8 Dec 2006 06:16:27 -0800, "Dani" wrote:

Model # 25GT522JX2, Chassis # CTC177AF3, was dead, onboard tuner was
very bad, & corrupted the EEPROM. Repaired the tuner, & put in a new
EEPROM from a CTC177AF...slightly different, but ok for test! Now, on
the first page of the customer menu, the SAP section is blank, & see
thru. Did the "write trick" by turning the set off & installing the old
EEPROM while pluged but turned off!
Now the old EEPROM has more sensible info in it, but with either
EEPROM, pressing the menu button a couple of times the set will shut
down, or lock up the set, even make the tuner tune off frequency, it's
doing all kinds of wild things. Is the Micro bad? I never saw this
before. Ideas anyone? Thanks, Dani.

The menu problem with the wrong EEPROM is pretty normal. Get the
correct EEPROM and it should work ok. You should power the set on
with the new correct EEPROM installed, then swap the original bad
EEPROM in (with the set running) and enter service mode to write down
all the tuner settings.

That procedure has never failed me. I've seen some very strange
symptoms when the EEPROM was corrupted. I had one that wouldn't come
into horizontal sync, no matter how I adjusted the horizontal
frequency. A new EEPROM fixed the set.
Andy Cuffe

"Andy Cuffe" wrote in message
...
On 8 Dec 2006 06:16:27 -0800, "Dani" wrote:

Model # 25GT522JX2, Chassis # CTC177AF3, was dead, onboard tuner was
very bad, & corrupted the EEPROM. Repaired the tuner, & put in a new
EEPROM from a CTC177AF...slightly different, but ok for test! Now, on
the first page of the customer menu, the SAP section is blank, & see
thru. Did the "write trick" by turning the set off & installing the old
EEPROM while pluged but turned off!
Now the old EEPROM has more sensible info in it, but with either
EEPROM, pressing the menu button a couple of times the set will shut
down, or lock up the set, even make the tuner tune off frequency, it's
doing all kinds of wild things. Is the Micro bad? I never saw this
before. Ideas anyone? Thanks, Dani.

The menu problem with the wrong EEPROM is pretty normal. Get the
correct EEPROM and it should work ok. You should power the set on
with the new correct EEPROM installed, then swap the original bad
EEPROM in (with the set running) and enter service mode to write down
all the tuner settings.

That procedure has never failed me. I've seen some very strange
symptoms when the EEPROM was corrupted. I had one that wouldn't come
into horizontal sync, no matter how I adjusted the horizontal
frequency. A new EEPROM fixed the set.
Andy Cuffe

You can also just get a reader for about $30 or less and transfer the data
from the old EEPROM to the new one without having to do a hot swap. You can
even use a good EEPROM from another model if it is the same type. Fixed
lots of RCAs this way without having to inventory so many EEPROMS or
ordering them. I also keep a library of EEPROM data for various chassis and
models in case I get one where the data is corrupt.

Leonard

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Thanks guys for help! I did install a good used EEPROM from a working
set, & it still locked up, or shut down, when pressing the menu button
a couple of times! A Tech buddy
of mine had the exact same problem, & never got it fixed, even after
replacing the EEPROM, & both Micro's. You mean, replace the EEPROM,
while the TV is on?
Thanks, Dani.

On Sun, 10 Dec 2006 10:48:56 -0500, "Leonard Caillouet"
wrote:



You can also just get a reader for about $30 or less and transfer the data
from the old EEPROM to the new one without having to do a hot swap. You can
even use a good EEPROM from another model if it is the same type. Fixed
lots of RCAs this way without having to inventory so many EEPROMS or
ordering them. I also keep a library of EEPROM data for various chassis and
models in case I get one where the data is corrupt.

Leonard


Where are you finding such a cheap EPROM programmer?

Also, how do you copy just the alignment data without also copying the
corrupted firmware to the new EEPROM?
Andy Cuffe

"Andy Cuffe" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 10 Dec 2006 10:48:56 -0500, "Leonard Caillouet"
wrote:



You can also just get a reader for about $30 or less and transfer the data
from the old EEPROM to the new one without having to do a hot swap. You
can
even use a good EEPROM from another model if it is the same type. Fixed
lots of RCAs this way without having to inventory so many EEPROMS or
ordering them. I also keep a library of EEPROM data for various chassis
and
models in case I get one where the data is corrupt.

Leonard


Where are you finding such a cheap EPROM programmer?

Also, how do you copy just the alignment data without also copying the
corrupted firmware to the new EEPROM?
Andy Cuffe



Lots of times, especially on the 185 chassis for some reason, the firmware
is fine and the EEPROM itself is bad. Copying everything saves a LOT of
time. We once stocked lots of RCA EEPROMS but not anymore. In fact I have
been recycling the old unused inventory by copying good data to the chips
from different sets if the EEPROM type is the same. If there is corrupt
data I know of no way to extract the alignment info without getting the set
cranked up and recording it manually. Someone may know the layout of the
data but I don't. Somewhere I remember seeing someone who claimed to have
identified the location of the bad data that caused the audio muting
problems on the 177 chassis, but I can 't find the info and have never
bothered to sort out the data myself.

You can find a cheap programmer he
http://www.didya.com/product_detail.asp?pid=15
and you can find kits or build one for half that. Use PonyProg, which is
freeware.

I have a couple of dozen data files for various sets if anyone needs them.
Someone else had some on a web site a while back so if you search you can
likely find them.

Leonard




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You can find a cheap programmer he
http://www.didya.com/product_detail.asp?pid=15
and you can find kits or build one for half that. Use PonyProg, which is
freeware.



And if you need more capability
http://www.willem.org/catalog/index....onkbhk77vej 1

These are for sale on ebay regularly as well. I have one and it handles
every type of ROM chip I've thrown at it yet and I think it was only $40
or so. These things are really much cheaper than they used to be.