Panasonic set top box not working - retunes on startup/won't quit menu

I bought a Panasonic set top box from Argos http://tinyurl.com/n6ndx
about 6 weeks ago, having had problems with a unit from anoter
manufacturer which I returned.

The Panasonic worked well until last week. It has now decided to
attempt to retune every time it is switched on and then refuses to
leave the set-up menu, even though the remote is working (I can move
around within the menu - it just refuses to accept the 'ok' when the
tuning is complete). All the cables are plugged in properly, and the
unit is receiving a signal - it's just that we can't watch the channels
because the menu is in the way!

Any advice on whether there's anything I can do to fix this would be
very welcome. Otherwise it's another trip back to Argos!

Many thanks


Jerry

wrote in message
oups.com...
I bought a Panasonic set top box from Argos http://tinyurl.com/n6ndx
about 6 weeks ago, having had problems with a unit from anoter
manufacturer which I returned.

The Panasonic worked well until last week. It has now decided to
attempt to retune every time it is switched on and then refuses to
leave the set-up menu, even though the remote is working (I can move
around within the menu - it just refuses to accept the 'ok' when the
tuning is complete). All the cables are plugged in properly, and the
unit is receiving a signal - it's just that we can't watch the channels
because the menu is in the way!

Any advice on whether there's anything I can do to fix this would be
very welcome. Otherwise it's another trip back to Argos!

Many thanks


Jerry

Try unplugging it and re-plugging in the mains. The boxes sometimes hang
like a computer.
You had to return one already - is it (are they) getting too hot. Also
sometimes mobile phones etc. can affect them.
Good luck.

--
John the West Ham fan

housetrained wrote:

Try unplugging it and re-plugging in the mains. The boxes sometimes hang
like a computer.
You had to return one already - is it (are they) getting too hot. Also
sometimes mobile phones etc. can affect them.
Good luck.


Many thanks John. I've tried both unplugging and leaving the box for
some time to cool down, but neither action fixes it. The box seems to
get quite warm while it's on, but it's standing on top of a video
recorder (which I rarely use) and seems to have adequate ventilation.
Presumably the software is sitting on an EEPROM or similar and may have
become corrupted?

Jerry

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
wrote:

I bought a Panasonic set top box from Argos http://tinyurl.com/n6ndx
about 6 weeks ago, having had problems with a unit from anoter
manufacturer which I returned.

The Panasonic worked well until last week. It has now decided to
attempt to retune every time it is switched on and then refuses to
leave the set-up menu, even though the remote is working (I can move
around within the menu - it just refuses to accept the 'ok' when the
tuning is complete). All the cables are plugged in properly, and the
unit is receiving a signal - it's just that we can't watch the
channels because the menu is in the way!

Any advice on whether there's anything I can do to fix this would be
very welcome. Otherwise it's another trip back to Argos!

Many thanks


Jerry

Bit of a long shot - but have you checked/replaced the batteries in the
remote control? It's just possible that, if they're marginal, some buttons
may work while others won't.
--
Cheers,
Roger
______
Email address maintained for newsgroup use only, and not regularly
monitored.. Messages sent to it may not be read for several weeks.
PLEASE REPLY TO NEWSGROUP!

"Roger Mills" wrote in message
...
In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
wrote:

I bought a Panasonic set top box from Argos http://tinyurl.com/n6ndx
about 6 weeks ago, having had problems with a unit from anoter
manufacturer which I returned.

The Panasonic worked well until last week. It has now decided to
attempt to retune every time it is switched on and then refuses to
leave the set-up menu, even though the remote is working (I can move
around within the menu - it just refuses to accept the 'ok' when the
tuning is complete). All the cables are plugged in properly, and the
unit is receiving a signal - it's just that we can't watch the
channels because the menu is in the way!

Any advice on whether there's anything I can do to fix this would be
very welcome. Otherwise it's another trip back to Argos!

Many thanks


Jerry

Bit of a long shot - but have you checked/replaced the batteries in the
remote control? It's just possible that, if they're marginal, some buttons
may work while others won't.

Some buttons may and some not regardless of battery condition.
Dirt or water and cause buttons to fail, or they can just fail
cos basically the unit is crock of sh*t.
Sounds as though the OK button won't work doesn't it.
Far more likely than anything else I would imagine

--
Cheers,
Roger
______
Email address maintained for newsgroup use only, and not regularly
monitored.. Messages sent to it may not be read for several weeks.
PLEASE REPLY TO NEWSGROUP!

Bazzer Smith wrote:
Some buttons may and some not regardless of battery condition.
Dirt or water and cause buttons to fail, or they can just fail
cos basically the unit is crock of sh*t.

The batteries are fine, and the OK button works on other functions. As
I mentioned, the unit retunes every time it's switched on (before
refusing to leave the set-up menu) and presumably that's not due to a
problem with the remote.

Your description of the unit sums it up admirably, Bazzer. Will return
it asap but in the meantime was hoping to fix it because it's difficult
for me to get to the shop during the week.

Am currently minded to find out whether hitting it very hard with a
lump hammer will sort it out.

Jerry

"Jerry" wrote in message
ups.com...
Bazzer Smith wrote:
Some buttons may and some not regardless of battery condition.
Dirt or water and cause buttons to fail, or they can just fail
cos basically the unit is crock of sh*t.

The batteries are fine, and the OK button works on other functions. As
I mentioned, the unit retunes every time it's switched on (before
refusing to leave the set-up menu) and presumably that's not due to a
problem with the remote.

Your description of the unit sums it up admirably, Bazzer. Will return
it asap but in the meantime was hoping to fix it because it's difficult
for me to get to the shop during the week.

Am currently minded to find out whether hitting it very hard with a
lump hammer will sort it out.

Jerry


I bought one of these a few weeks back and had exectly the same problem. It
used to try and reinstall the channels at random. I took it backfor a
replacement from Argos because other than the crappy remote, I quite like
the unit. I have had the replacement three weeks now and so far its been
rock solid. It's fair to say though that these are cheaply made items and
not worthy of the Panasonic name.

Glad I only paid £35 for it and not its original rrp of£70 ...

Patrick
Worcs..