Correct.

If I had a redundant 9200 to play with then I might look into it sometime but I'm not taking my 9200 out of service and putting it at risk, anyway summer time is for riding and walking in Derbyshire. I think the dimming display might be a deterioration in the display itself so would not be repairable, but you never know.

I would say it's a certainty, as IME it's the clock digits (which are on all the time) that dim the most, so it must be caused by a deterioration of the fluorescent coating on the anodes.

Certainly the most affected digits on Martin's board were the ones that looked scorched the most .

Hi,

Yes, the Humax uses a "Vacuum Fluorescent" display which does indeed "wear out" in the same way as CRTs do. It's probably a combination of burnt phosphors and weak emission from the cathodes. It may be worse than with CRTs (in addition to 24/7 operation) because I don't think VF can employ some of the tricks used in CRTs to prevent Ion damage.

As Big-les hints, it might be possible to modify the voltages on the display (some of us remember that you could buy step-up transformers to thrash the heaters on CRTs) to get a little more life. But for me the main issue is that some digits (the little-used ones) are much brighter than the others and I doubt anything can be done about that except a new display/board.

Cheers, Alan.

Hi I can't seem to get the Hummy org site to work and have got so far dismantling mine and now need to know how to get the front panel off as screws are removed and it still seems pretty firmly attached. Also does the white ribbon cable under the HDD (now removed) just pull up from the board? It seems to be soldered in?

Just found post 125 after sussing it out myself. Now it's dry it seems to be working again. Thanks

There is a new link to the board change instructions in my post #125, I've tried to change the link in post #1 three times now but the moderators seem to ignore my request so I've given up. The white ribbon cable just pulls out of the plastic socket, the cable itself serves as the plug. Be careful pushing the ribbon cable back in, it can easily buckle.

EDIT: You found it.

Yes thanks for your fast response. I did not disconnect the ribbon as it looked too fragile. All is working now so many thanks.

Cleaned the timer/display board as advised and it now works fine!
Was surprised by how much gunk was on the board!
Many thanks for the info.

Given hummy.org is now down does anyone have a copy of these instructions (with images) as i don't have the issue now but who knows what the future will hold for my 2.

All1

http://myhumax.org/forum/topic/the-9...oblem#post-775

See my post #158 above.

Another win for Big-les - cleaned my board last night and bingo it works again.

The board didn't look contaminated, but did feel sticky.

Thanks again.

Thanks, Big-les. Same problem; same solution. I'm very grateful for your work and taking the time to post here.

Thanks 'Big Les', I followed your excellent instructions and though it didn't work the first time I cleaned with surgical spirit, it worked the second time with VHS head cleaner. Clock hasn't worked for years and haven't had a software update since 2006 (because it doesn't search when not in standby, or when in standby when clock blank)!

The second time of cleaning I did notice there was a sticky black sponge (to help cushion the clock crystal) that wasn't placed straight and was covering at least 2 solder points, so I pushed it to one side using a spudger and cleaned underneath as well.

Its only been a few hours, but the clock is working in standby at long last! I did actually email Humax tech support last year about this, but they never replied..

Can you advise how I update the software on my 9200t with a memory stick? I have an 8gb SD card and can get a card reader, but normal USB is different to the printer style USB on the front of the hummy. How does a normal memory stick plug in? If humax intend to do an OTA update for the 9200t anytime soon this won't be an issue of course (thats if they intend to do anymore)..

Thanks again!

You can't on a 9200/9150/9300 but you can on the later HD boxes. You can use a USB to serial adapter. See http://www.tynecomp.co.uk/flash9200.html for one way to do this.

You could have updated the software manually using the Installation menu at any time the software was being transmitted, the last time it was transmitted was Monday to Wednesday last week. Keep an eye on the DTG web site to see if/when it is repeated again.

The instructions for updating the software from your computer are on the Humax web site. Alternatively you could use Martin's instructions linked in the post above.

[quote=Big-les;51787334]. Keep an eye on the DTG web site to see if/when it is repeated again.

I shall do that and just update manually I think. Not sure exactly what the advantages to the update are yet, and my machine works OK anyway, apart from the odd crash and dodgy clock (now fixed!). Thanks again.

Dear Big-les,

I have signed up to d/s solely to say a massive "Thank You" for yor most excellent work, time, trouble, effort and superb leading post.

I ordered a replacement clock board from Humax, and found your post afterward. So I knew if I messed up, I'd still have the brand new part.

My 2006 Silver 9200T is still going strong, but oddly it was a family members newer 2007 Black 9200TBX which had gone --:--.

I couldn't see any visual clues, but carried out the cleaning anyway with cotton buds and isopropyl alcohol. After putting it all back together, it all works a treat.

Thanks again, your post has really made the internet in to an excellent resource

Thanks for that, If only I could find some decent information about my Candy fridge freezer.

Another thank you to Big-les. Although my 9200T only displayed --:-- for one night, the clock subsequently ran slow in standby for the next few days. After cleaning the board with surgical spirit from Boots, the clock now keeps time accurately in Standby.

I don't think the clock would have been running slow, more likely it was missing a beat or two as the oscillator was just on the verge of failing. Of course the end result would look the same, glad you got it sorted.

Excellent instructions Big-les. I had household (blue) meths to hand so I used that with a toothbrush and cotton buds. All fixed ok. Glad to get my old faithful back.

Repeated the above with Maplins board cleaner, still ok.
Many thanks for all your endeavours.

I've had the same problem. I cleaned the board about 6 months ago but the problem has come back (inc. on playback the display randomly alternates between the elapsed time and --:--). I've tried cleaning again maybe need to do it a few times. Whilst I had the board out i noticed that the oscillator has become detached (glue, not solder) from the board, will this matter or do i need to glue it back in place on the copper square?

Thanks
Ben