As per title our ALBA ALDTR160 keeps "freezing" whilst trying to program from the guide necessitating a power off / 3 pin reset, it always comes back up OK and we can then program it OK.

Any ideas please.....I have already done a factory reset / re-format of the hard drive followed by a complete re-scan....bit of a loss what to do now

Thanks

One possible solution would be to change the hard disk, take the lid off and have a look inside to see if its a Sata or IDE type.

The software upgrade, if its an IDE then you need this version>>>>> http://www.vestelpvr.futaura.co.uk/T825.php


if its Sata the latest version is due this week, leave your box in standby at night time ( and make sure the Auto update is set to on in the menu set up) for auto update.

Could be that the hard drive is faulty, especially if it is only freezing when setting timers. Software shouldn't be an issue, and AFAIK there is no OAD due for the T845R version of the Alba (I think krytenrobot has gotten mixed up with the T835 update that finished broadcasting today).

Thanks for the prompt responses
I am a bit surprised (and rather concerned) that you think it could be the hard drive...........surely that would affect the recording / playback every time wouldn't it ?
In fact once it has recorded OK (which it always does once the timer is set) than it plays back perfectly OK and we can pause / skip / play ad infiniutum without any problems.
IF it gets to the point where I need to change it, is it just a case of a straight swap or do any operating system files etc. need to be loaded - and if so where would I get them and how would I load them ?

Thanks all

Has your box always had this problem or is it a recent occurance and how regularly does it happen?

Also, which software version is your box running?

The trouble is that recordings are stored on one partition, but other data, including timers, is stored on a separate smaller partition (which could have a bad sector possibly). I can only guess at the hard drive though - it's impossible to know for sure without hooking it up to a PC and running drive diagnostics on it. Replacing the HDD is easy enough - the OS is stored on the flashrom, so it is just a matter of putting a new one in and letting the box format it.

Receiver update says 12.8

It is only a fairly recent problem and happens not every time but almost every time - which is why I initially questioned whether it could be the hard drive

I am quite competent enough to connect the HD to my PC and run some diag on it (I used to run 3 Digifusion FVRT hard drive recorders - enough said about updating !!).....what operating system does it use / would windows diags pick anything up ?

Thanks again

Ok, so it is a T825 box - v12.8 should be fine (it would probably be a bad idea to upgrade the box to the latest v13.0). My first guess would be the HDD as it is only a recent problem.

The drive uses the Linux ext2 filesystem, so you won't be able to read the partitions on Windows without installing additional software, but that's not so important. Since the drive is most likely a Western Digital, use their Lifeguard software which is available from their website, and that will test the drive at a low level.

Bet its an IDE hard disk then, if its software you will need V13 http://www.vestelpvr.futaura.co.uk/T825.php

For most of this week it has been A-OK,........maybe the forum have fixed it

Hi again,
well we've put up with this problem for too long now (fortunately it isn't the main PVR) so I took the hard drive out, connected it to the PC and ran WD Datalifeguard tools as suggested.
It passed the standard test but I have found a brand new drive on fleabay for under £20 so will give this a try and report back........

...and the extended test also passed with flying colours....will be interesting to see if the new drive makes any difference.