View Full Version : Problem with Motorola 5100
dmlove
09-09-2003, 11:38 AM
Has anyone else experienced this - my Moto 5100, which was working fine, now will just freeze from time to time; for example, you might hit "menu" on the remote, and then press another button and nothing happens (the little lite on the Moto flashes). The remote works fine - even when it freezes vis-a-vis the cable box, I can use it to work the TV, DVD, VCR and receiver - - its just the box that freezes.
Rocko
09-09-2003, 12:39 PM
About once or twice a week I've noticed it. Box reacts like it's in super slow motion for a few minutes, then usually clears up. Started about a month ago.
dmlove
09-09-2003, 12:41 PM
Same for me, except it happens much much more often. I'm going to call.
Check the batteries in your remote. This can sometimes cause this "slowness". Change batteries and clean the contacts.
And yes, it can work with some components while not working on another. The one needing the strongest signal is the one that fails first...
dmlove
09-09-2003, 01:56 PM
Actually, I did change the batteries first thing - no difference. But I didn't clean the contacts, which I will do tonight (although I think its really hard to do on the Radio Shack remote I have, because the batteries kind of go up into the remote. I'll try q-tips)
If you have the original remote, give it a try with the new batteries. If it still doesn't work, I guess it's the STB or the connection to the cable company.
dmlove
09-09-2003, 03:07 PM
Good point - I will try that, too (surprisingly, I actually know where the original remote is!)
leadvocal
09-10-2003, 04:44 AM
Is the box well ventilated? The users guide calls for 2 inches clearance above and on all sides of the unit with nothing placed on top. Also A/V receivers disperse a lot of heat so the 5100 shouldn't be on top of that either.
sillygoose
09-26-2003, 09:55 AM
These hd receivers actually have fairly powerful computer chips in them. I've had this happen with my box many times although I don't recall it happening recently. This leads me to believe the theories I've heard that this happens because of software bugs. Maybe the firmware version I have now has fewer bugs. Powering off and unplugging seems to clear it up right away. It is probably a memory overflow bug or something like that.
bgarroway
09-26-2003, 10:42 AM
I have Armstrong Cable in Western Pa. The remote is fine. It's a memory issue. They're slowly but surely getting the bugs out. Mine has been fine for the last 3 weeks.
stonecrd
09-26-2003, 10:53 AM
I saw this problem initially when comcast installed the unit. It seemed to be tied to the channel guide being downloaded. It may be a buffer or multi-tasking problem. I have not seen the problem recently.
dmlove
09-26-2003, 12:02 PM
I definitely still have the problem. Do you think I need to exchange the box for a new one, or should I "discuss" a firmware update with them?
reddevydde
09-26-2003, 07:48 PM
I'm having trouble getting my motorola dct 5100 to work.
Instructions say to plug the wall cable connection into the back of the cable box, and to put the tv/vcr out connection to my mits 55513 cable antenna input, and then to put my tv on channel 3 or 4, and not turn on the cable box until the time appears. the time isn't appearing. waiting waiting.
i turned the cable box on, i get most of the expanded basic channels, the high def channels say they should be on shortly. their in the channel 700's. I'm using charter cable. not sure why the box isn't downloading what it needs of the cable connection. I also notice a card slot on the front of the cable box, similar to my directv box, but their isn't a card in this slot, I wonder if it needs one.
can anybody help me?
When we had Comcast install our HD, our origianl issue was with the box not able to get a return signal. This was due to cheap spitters / amplifier. Easy way to check is to make sure you set the box to display the time and if it will not do so then you have a return signal issue.
Replace cheap amplifier or splitters rated less than 1000mHZ.
Hope this helps.
leadvocal
10-03-2003, 04:07 AM
Originally posted by P175
When we had Comcast install our HD, our origianl issue was with the box not able to get a return signal. This was due to cheap spitters / amplifier. Easy way to check is to make sure you set the box to display the time and if it will not do so then you have a return signal issue.
Hope this helps.
Man what a good tip! I've never thought about it but you're correct. The box automatically updates the correct time and if you are having "bi-directional" issues it won't. Something so simple....
Thanks for sharing!
sillygoose
10-03-2003, 11:05 AM
Originally posted by leadvocal
Man what a good tip! I've never thought about it but you're correct. The box automatically updates the correct time and if you are having "bi-directional" issues it won't. Something so simple....
Thanks for sharing!
Looking a the signal numbers will give you more information but checking the clock is a definitely a excellent simple first step in debugging issues.
Nice to see I can finally add something of worth seeing as I have been able to gleen so much valuable info from all the kind folk on this forum.
Interestingly once I had this figured out, the signal ended up being too hot [believe it or not] for my internet modem so I had to place a reducing [by 7db] splitter at the point where my basement TV line terminates. If I had thought about this earlier I would have had them run the cable modem drop prior to the amplifier which would have fixed the problem and not robbed the tv of any signal.
Not a big issue but something to think about for those with internet modem / amplifier issues.
Kind regards
