Anyone here good with electronics? I have the world's most unreliable
VCR and will either have to fix it myself or bin it now that it is out
of warranty. I can't recall the model number (but will check and post if
required), but the machine is about 2 years old.
The problem is as follows: any time the power is cut off and then
restored, the eeprom values go haywire. Playback becomes impossible to
watch and the display language changes and cannot be put back through
the menu options.
The vid went back for repair 4 times during the warranty period and each
time the eeprom values were reset. However, nothing was done to cure
the apparent extreme sensitivity of the machine to power surges.
I am wondering whether resetting the eeprom values is a simple process
(e.g. can be accomplished using the remote control and on screen
display) or whether it requires specialist equipment. Anyone give me an
idea?

Thanks, Jim

In article ,
Jim Walsh wrote:
Anyone here good with electronics? I have the world's most unreliable
VCR and will either have to fix it myself or bin it now that it is out
of warranty. I can't recall the model number (but will check and post if
required), but the machine is about 2 years old.
The problem is as follows: any time the power is cut off and then
restored, the eeprom values go haywire. Playback becomes impossible to
watch and the display language changes and cannot be put back through
the menu options.
The vid went back for repair 4 times during the warranty period and each
time the eeprom values were reset. However, nothing was done to cure
the apparent extreme sensitivity of the machine to power surges.
I am wondering whether resetting the eeprom values is a simple process
(e.g. can be accomplished using the remote control and on screen
display) or whether it requires specialist equipment. Anyone give me an
idea?

Ask for a new machine. It clearly wasn't fit for use - and that's what you
paid for. Your decision about whether it's worth the hassle but - EU law gives
you 2 years and UK (pre-existing law) gave you 6 years. The 1 year warranty is
a red herring.

--
John Cartmell john@ followed by finnybank.com 0845 006 8822
Qercus magazine FAX +44 (0)8700-519-527 www.finnybank.com
Qercus - the best guide to RISC OS computing

Jim Walsh wrote:
Anyone here good with electronics? I have the world's most unreliable
VCR and will either have to fix it myself or bin it now that it is out
of warranty. I can't recall the model number (but will check and post if
required), but the machine is about 2 years old.
The problem is as follows: any time the power is cut off and then
restored, the eeprom values go haywire. Playback becomes impossible to
watch and the display language changes and cannot be put back through
the menu options.
The vid went back for repair 4 times during the warranty period and each
time the eeprom values were reset. However, nothing was done to cure
the apparent extreme sensitivity of the machine to power surges.
I am wondering whether resetting the eeprom values is a simple process
(e.g. can be accomplished using the remote control and on screen
display) or whether it requires specialist equipment. Anyone give me an
idea?

Do you know it's actually an eeprom, as opposed to a battery backed
RAM?
The syptoms are typical of the battery having died in a battery backed
RAM implementation. I would be tempted to open it up and look for a
small
PCB mount (most likely) Ni-Cd -- might be small tubular or button type.

I've had to replace them in a few TV's, but normally not until they are
something like 10 years old. I also had a further problem with my
grandmother's TV -- she would only plug the TV in when watching
something,
and I think it actually got used rather little. Certainly not enough to
keep the rechargable battery topped up. I had to increase the charging
current by a factor of 10 to stop it continually going flat.

--
Andrew Gabriel

Hello Jim

This is not an uncommon problem and is likely to need the
microprocessor replacing with an upgraded part (not a DIY job) to
ensure long term reliability, and possibly other components.
Your first port of call is your supplier but it is likely they won't
want to know.
If you have documented service history I would suggest contacting Sony
directly they may be able to help.

It does not have a backup battery as such the corruption is caused by
mains spikes.

In message , Jim Walsh
writes
Anyone here good with electronics? I have the world's most unreliable
VCR and will either have to fix it myself or bin it now that it is out
of warranty. I can't recall the model number (but will check and post
if required), but the machine is about 2 years old.
The problem is as follows: any time the power is cut off and then
restored, the eeprom values go haywire. Playback becomes impossible to
watch and the display language changes and cannot be put back through
the menu options.
The vid went back for repair 4 times during the warranty period and
each time the eeprom values were reset. However, nothing was done to
cure the apparent extreme sensitivity of the machine to power surges.
I am wondering whether resetting the eeprom values is a simple process
(e.g. can be accomplished using the remote control and on screen
display) or whether it requires specialist equipment. Anyone give me an
idea?

Just because it's out of the (12 month) warranty doesn't necessarily
mean you don't have some comeback

You have to consider whether what you were sold was fit for the purpose,
from what you say, it wasn't

--
geoff