Help with passion+!!

[nmalik]

I bought a passion+ yesterday from Maplin. I saw there was no 7 day epg, so I downloaded all the passion+ updates on the fortec website. The first 2 uploaded to the receiver fine. However, the 7 epg updates crashed the box. So I still only have a "now and next" epg and I have noticed that recordings are not saving to the usb properly. I'm gutted because I bought the passion+ for the 7 day epg. Please advise!

thanking you in advance

Norman

[pgnl]

Hi Norman,

I bought a Passion+ just before Christmas.

Firstly have you applied the right firmware files? Fortec Star make a 'Passion' and a 'Passion+' model and it essential you use the correct one. I believe the Passion+ firmware files all begin with p2...

If you **have definitely** updated with the correct files. After the new firmware has been loaded on the machine, switch it off using the front switch and then do a full factory reset.

Note that you can save your current channel list beforehand and reinstate it afterwards using channel save and channel restore. This information is saved to memory.

Note that you can update the firmware two ways on the Passion+, firstly via the menus and secondly at bootup of the receiver. Save the file alone on a USB memory stick formatted in FAT32, plug it into the receiver with it switched off and then switch it on. The number '1' will appear on the display on the receiver (to indicate one file), click OK and then the filename will appear on the display (you can select the correct one if you have more than one on the memory stick using < >) and click OK. When it finishes and 'Boot' appears, switch the receiver off on the front and remove the Memory stick. Then switch it on again.

In addition to the firmware available on the Fortec star site, there is also slightly newer firmware available here. Passion + HD Receiver - Sataid

I have only had the receiver myself a month and there have been 3 sets of firmware already! Hopefully eventually all the glitches will be ironed out.

As for USB recording it is a known issue that you get errors where the drive is not ready etc. I have had the same problem myself, these are partly cured since, in the latest firmware you can choose whether to constantly power up the drive or not if the drive has a separate power supply. I have found it best to format the drive via the receiver itself and then if you subsequently get an error, someone suggested plugging into your PC and running the disk checker (via Windows properties) and it worked. Always unmount the drive before unplugging it, since this seems to cause problems..

Anyway I hope some of this helps..

Patrick
Worcs

[nmalik]

Just to clarify, I was able to reflash my receiver using the front panel, as outlined by pgnl. So now I have the 7 day epg (which seems to be restricted to the freesat channels). However, I still cant play recordings from my WD passport drive. I am currently waiting for fortec technical help to get back to me.

[pgnl]

Try this :

(This is assuming your drive is formatted using FAT32 - I would use the receivers own formatter by preference)

Switch off Passion+ at the front of the unit

• Plug it into your PC, right click on drive in my computer and choose properties/tools/error checking (deselect scan for bad sectors - this will take too long)
• When finished, plug in drive again to the Passion+
• Switch Receiver on and retry

It worked for me, so I hope it works for you.

Patrick

[nmalik]

Hi,

I tried your suggestion but it didnt work! It records by epg (not instant recording) on to a 4gb flash drive - but what use is that. I am resisting the temptation to buy another drive, and hoping maplins or fortec support will get back to me . Thanks again for your efforts.

[nmalik]

Maplin and Fortec techsupport never got back to me! I have now bought a maxtor basics 80gb usb drive, which seems to be working ok, apart from the occasional freeze up. The receiver just did not like the WD drive, despite me trying everything i could find on several forums.

[pgnl]

Well I am glad you've got it to work, it's nuts that your WD passport doesn't work work but mine does.

What seems to work for me is the following :

• Format the drive using the receiver.
• Never disconnect and remove the drive without running the remove drive option in Manage Drive and then switch the receiver off.
• Only attach the drive with the unit switched off.
• If you have problems run windows error checking.

Now if only automatic HDMI TV input selection worked, I would be a happy bunny.

Patrick

[slick]

Best advise,
Return back to maplins get your money back.Just read up on all the faults
People have had with fortec,s recievers.Another fix is always comming out because of complaints after hard earned cash has been passed over the counter.You need not believe me,But try Googling your reciever+faults.See what answers you get back