For the last few days, my old faithful PVR9200T has not been returning to show its clock when switched off to standby mode. Instead, it just shows '--:--' and then the small timer set clockface symbol.

This could also be related to the failure to come out of standby Sun morning to record the Coro omnibus.

Switching on/off several times, including the main power switch, hasn't helped. I'm on software version 23, which has been working fine until now. Recordings whilst switched on work fine. Any ideas?

Sorry, just noticed the pinned thread on this problem, will go and investigate.

No timed event will work from standby because the 9200 won't know what time it is. Best of luck with my repair instructions, any problems post in that thread and let us know the end result.

Arise Sir Big-les, Lord of Humax

Yep, a couple of hours fiddling with some isoPropanol (from Maplins) and some cotton buds etc, and the clock does now come on in standby. Had guessed that no clock=no timed recordings. It may take a little longer to confirm no recurrence of the problem (does it ever?) but so far things look fixed. There did look to be a tiny blob of colour near one of the crystal's wires, on the component side, which vanished in the alcohol. Nothing visible on the underside.

A peculiar fault (to me at least). I could understand trace current leakage spoiling its power-off clock maintenance, but it's failure in standby mode seems stranger. Would never have found this without your detective work. You've kept this old classic chugging on for me and many others. My other half, although completely non-technical, has long made it clear that the Humax is hers in any future divorce settlement

Cheers,

Roy.

I was very sceptical of the rogue voltages at first and dismissed it as a problem with my test equipment, but further investigation showed them to be real. Testing on a bench circuit confirmed exactly what I was seeing on the clock board.

After removal of the clock board, I did check the large capacitor's voltage as you'd mentioned it, and this was 4.85v. As the clock failed to appear as soon as the PVR went into standby, I did wonder if this was being instantly discharged by the corrosion leakage, but not in my case if that means anything to you.

It would take ages for any leakage to discharge the super capacitor, its capacity is large. It's sole purpose is to supply power to the RTC chip in the event of mains disconnection/power failure, in standby it is kept fully charged by the main power supply.