Or replace the 32kHz crystal which again will only cost a similar amount.

That's what I thought that GadgetArchitect meant by the clock chip.

There are two different components that have been implicated. Various people have reported that replacing either the clock chip and/or the oscillator has fixed the problem for them. It still isn't clear to me what is at the root of the problem.

Last week I finally decided to ring Humax and order a new clock board.
Whoever took my details didnt process the order as when I rang on tuesday they said there was no record of it so had to take all details again.
So now im just sitting around waiting for my new board to be delivered so I can make my hummy feel better again.
Had a text message this morning saying it will be delivered betweeen 07:00 and 20:00 so its a good job im not at work today.

WOW! I didnt realise how dim the original digital display had got over the years. I know the clock part was much dimmer than the rest of the display, but this new one is very bright indeed.
I hope its not too distracting when the lights go out. Lol.

What are you doing with the old board Gonzo?

At the moment it looks like its goona be confined to the dustbin. Its not much use if it dont work unless I put it on ebay as faulty.

I think you should keep it as it does work to some extent. Or you could try replacing the resonator. You can get ones for about 50p in Maplins so you don't have much to lose (except 50p).

I could, but is there really much point as ive now got a nice brand new one? And what would I do with it if I did repair it?

Save it for when the new one breaks? Sell it?

Lol, I think by the time this new one dies I would have moved on from the 9200T.
Its a great machine, but I want to venture into some HD options like freesat or whatever comes along on Freeview after DSO in 2012.

Freeview HD starts deployment dec 2009 not 2012...

Yeah, but I cannot see me splashing out on new equipment just yet. And by the time DSO comes along to my area there should be a few more options to HD boxes available and hopefully slightly cheeper too.

Hi all,

I'm just about to call Humax to see if I can get a replacement display.
Had the --/-- for a while when it's in Standby. On off on off ....... it's been off a long time now.
My display is still bright in the centre segment but left and right group of digits are dim.
Will not record in Standby, but went away for 2 weeks in summer and left the 9200 on, never missed a recording.
Will try to get by maybe until the 9300 replacement arrives.

In my case I don't think replacing clock chip or oscillator will help. The bottom left of the display has burn marks which can only be seen when I removed the display board.
Short circuit = voltage drop = dim display?

Can't complain much as have used this to archive loads of stuff over the years to my pc via USB2 connection.

It's interesting how Humax have developed this over 4 years from enthusiasts submitting requests for new features and eagerly awaiting new firmware versions to now whereby the forums are full of complaints over the difficulty to retune their boxes (compared to newer devices).

Thanks all.

My clock has stopped working so I intend replacing the clock chip and oscillator.

Has anyone who's replaced the clock board still have their old one that they don't need?

thanks, Andy

I'll bet neither will be the real problem, particularly the crystal. There must be millions of quartz clocks in the country, several in your house I'll bet, all of which will have a similar crystal to the Hummy. None of them will have failed due to crystal failure. And while 'chips' might be the scapegoat for most things the reality is that they seldom fail unless someone has given them abuse.

However this board does fail on a regular basis so some component (or joint) on it is causing the problem (ours failed a couple of weeks ago and fitting a second hand item has fixed the problem). Anybody with an electronics background interested in investigating?

Me but I don't know if I'll get the time until mine fails, necessity and all that. My 9200 is now out of warranty so I don't mind taking the top off when I have to. I'd be very pleased to have a look at yours if you're willing Martin, I tried to get Gonzo's a while back but he'd already given it to someone else.

I agree some component is failing but I doubt it's the crystal or clock chip. It won't be a joint because it's happening far too often and you don't get dry joints these days like we did in the days of steam. Look at the number of joints in our computers yet the hardware reliability is almost 100%.

OK PM me your address and I'll drop it in the post. I will need it back at some point but there will be no rush.

Will do, at least I'll be able to follow the circuit and get some idea of its operation.

If anyone is replacing a clock/display panel with a new one from Humax could you tell me the revision number (REV) written along the bottom of the board on the display side, thanks.

Rev 1.1 on board replaced 2 weeks ago

Thanks Jef.

It may be a good idea to check out the battery/super capacitor before replacing chips and/or crystals.

As my clock has just gone digits up, did anyone have any further luck finding the problem?

I will order a new one anyway, as mine has become very dim, but I would be interested to hear if anyone found a fix.