The box has started rebooting itself constantly - is this a hardware fault?

[F1Mad]

Hi guys,

Now, my box has started rebooting itself constantly for no apparent reason!

Initially, I thought I'd found the issue to be related to the EPG data because when it booted it, I'd manually download the EPG data, seeing as it had lost its EPG data once it had come back up after a reboot, and soon after the download it would reboot itself. (I initially put this down to downloading a corrupted file).

However, this constant rebooting (it'll reboot as soon as it's come back up from a reboot, hence it's rebooting every 3-4 minutes!) has now just started happening again and I don't think it's related to the EPG. Could it be that it's overheating or some other hardware problem?

Is there any log that I can look at which will tell me what's caused the reboot?

Some information about my install:
1) I'm using the 24/04/2012 official image
2) I use a USB stick for EPG and picons (picons show up OK)
3) I have an internal HDD, but the default is set to use a networked folder for recording, etc

 

[leemoo]

What about reinstalling the image and that will rule out a software issue.
If you think it maybe overheating then remove the cover and get a normal house fan blowing on the board as this will keep it cool enough.

 

[kegnkiwi]

I'd do a factory reset or fresh install and try run without the epg stuff running. I'v had issues where the memory gets full and it caused all sorts of issues.

 

[CG121]

I had this on Bulsat (39E) with CCcam..I had to get it on a FTA channel to stop it in order to move to another satellite.

Changing the image resolved that problem. I too am now using the 24-04-12 iQ image and have not seen this [yet].

 

[F1Mad]

What about reinstalling the image and that will rule out a software issue.
If you think it maybe overheating then remove the cover and get a normal house fan blowing on the board as this will keep it cool enough.

Are you serious that I need a normal house fan to keep this cool? I live in the UK, you know, and the box is not in an enclosure! If it can't cool itself, then it's not fit for purpose!!

I can't re install the image because it won't stay up long enough for me to do that. Will try and see if switching it off until its fully cool will increase the amount of time it stays up before starting to reboot again. It's more and more looking like a heat issue.

 

[Abu Baniaz]

It won't be a heating issue. I've seen the good Dr heat a Twin with a hair dryer. It was quite stable at 80+.

Try in non enigma mode. If it reboots during a flash you are stumped. I doubt it is hardware, but best to be sure.

 

[CG121]

How long does the Twin show the 'press ok to flash' screen for?

If you're able to leave it on that page for longer than the reboot cycle perhaps it is worth flashing it again.

TBH, if it's rebooting due to core issues and preventing operation or updating you're fcuked either way so you might as well try it before you send it back to TM.

I appreciate you may be able to salvage the enigma side by booting to the other, but what's to say the problem won't reoccur because of some board issue

 

[Zorch]

Hi F1Mad,

Sorry for butting in... I am from the non-linux side of the Technomate Forum... but a similar kind of thing has happened before with those boxes...

Does the constant re-booting still occur even when you boot-up the receiver without a connection to the dish/LNB...?

Best Wishes,
Zorch

 

[F1Mad]

It won't be a heating issue. I've seen the good Dr heat a Twin with a hair dryer. It was quite stable at 80+.

Try in non enigma mode. If it reboots during a flash you are stumped. I doubt it is hardware, but best to be sure.

Hi Abu, that was a good idea (to try non-enigma mode). It still does it in that mode too. Works ok for a few mins, then will start rebooting every 2-3 mins. That pretty much confirms to me that it's a hardware issue.

 

[F1Mad]

Hi F1Mad,

Sorry for butting in... I am from the non-linux side of the Technomate Forum... but a similar kind of thing has happened before with those boxes...

Does the constant re-booting still occur even when you boot-up the receiver without a connection to the dish/LNB...?

Best Wishes,
Zorch

Hi Zorch,

Yes, even without a dish connection, it still keeps rebooting every 2 mins. I'm definitely thinking it's a hardware issue.

 

[Abu Baniaz]

Might as well as try a reflash. It is worth testing without HDD or USB.

If that does not yield a result, give them a call.

 

[F1Mad]

Abu, now tested with EVERYTHING disconnected (other than the TV via HDMI, of course), enigma and non-enigma, flashed with the same image and even the latest 4D image. Still, it keeps rebooting more or less as soon as it's come up properly (ie about 2.5mins).

This is defo a hardware thing, IMHO.

 

[Abu Baniaz]

Ring TM. Their customer service is normally very good.

 

[CG121]

So it's able to update without rebooting, it just can't stay up when running either platform...

Flash memory fault you think??

Yes, as for TM, their c/s is the exact opposite of their products

 

[F1Mad]

Right, got it sorted now!

Turns out it was a failing power supply. Didn't I say it's hardware? If only people listened to me every now and then!

Thanks for all your help though, guys!! :thnks:

 

[CG121]

Care to elaborate as I'm sure it won't be an isolated problem..

 

[F1Mad]

Care to elaborate as I'm sure it won't be an isolated problem..

Well, I'm not exactly sure what the component is that seems to have burnt out (the board went brown around it!), but it wasn't a capacitor as you'd usually expect with Power Supplies.

 

[CG121]

Well, I'm not exactly sure what the component is that seems to have burnt out (the board went brown around it!), but it wasn't a capacitor as you'd usually expect with Power Supplies.

Photo??

'Burnt out'. Seems TM not only flout trade description laws, but safety ones too

 

[F1Mad]

Photo??

'Burnt out'. Seems TM not only flout trade description laws, but safety ones too

Sadly not, mate!