[Drockstar]

Here is a C&P of a C&P at another site I frequent:

I personally have not tried this fix, but it might be worth a shot...



In my travels...I found this bit of info for reviving dead Viewsats....thought some here might need this info....Thanx go to Frankott for posting this and all the credit to Odd Thomal for all the hard work...this a c/p from his thread.

If You Have A Dead Viewsat Read This.

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Credit goes to Odd Thomal
These are instructions to bring a dead Viewsat, and sonicveiw, or clones back to life.

1). Instruction for clones:

a. If its a clone and STB-PC failed
b. Reboot
c. Reload factory file 2061, if still dead follow next step.

2).Cloning from another unit, even if unit is a clone you can use a extreme or platinum model to repair the dead unit.

a. Load working unit with factory file 2061 or 2067
b. Once loaded hook up Null cable to working unit, then to dead one, with power switch off.
c. On hooked up unit to TV, setup :
Menu>Installation>Receiver upgrade
d. Choice main software (Only) to upload and click OK
e. Progress will show up on TV, Turn I/O switch to ON potion on dead unit.(Watch for download to start). If No progress. Start over steps (d) and (i).
f. Watch for progress again on TV screen indicating dead unit is up-grading.
g. When dead unit reaches 100% wait 15teen seconds,then count 5 more.Unit will REBOOT in this time.
h. Lights will not come back on front panel until unit is rebooted.
i. Turn off dead unit first,then click EXIT from working Viewsat exit completely out of screen back to channels.
j. Turn dead unit back on, display lights will come back on front panel,and unit will say REBOOT/INST./0000/NoChan
k. Unit is ready to reload new main bin file.

3). This works on all Viewsat products, if (fail) at any point restart procedure at any point. If it doesn't check to make sure null cable to Viewsat are connected tightly,then try again.

4). If unit sits and does nothing wait 10 minutes,still nothing.Stop and unhook power source (Remember safely first) remove case and check fuse with meter. Fuse is a T2A_250v.

5). Replace fuse and retry steps again.

6). If still nothing after replacing fuse the unit is truly dead, and is time to send back to Vender for replacement.
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How to fix your dead ViewSat (involves soldering)

This is from a repairman who has fixed many units for dealers in Miami, FL.

The fixing consists of replacing the TSOP.

I’m sure some of you already know about this fix, but I’m also sure a lot of others have no idea. This is the same fix the VS company is going to do for you. Just buy your own TSOP and do it your self. Or have someone else do it for you for a lot less.

If you have no skills on soldering, I won’t recommend you doing it yourself. You can mess up the board while doing this.

You will need a blower - and it’s not for your hair. You will need it for removing the TSOP. You also need a magnifying glass and very very fine soldering tip. The blower is NOT A REGULAR BLOWER. For example I have an ATTEN 850A. Maybe you can find something cheaper similar to the one I have. Especially if all you are going to do is one box. In my case I need it something a little more professional because I do this all the time.

The TSOP is the 48pin chip SST 39vf1601, next to the CPU, and on the Ultra is a 39vf3201.

Now you get the blower and set it to 280 degrees - no higher because you can damage the Board and the TSOP. Then you get yourself a pair of tweezers to help you remove the chip once it’s hot enough. Once you have the TSOP removed, you need to remove the extra resin left on the board with very very fine soldering TIP. Once you have the board clean of the extra rosin solder you are ready to put in the new TSOP.

To solder the chip you need to align all 48 pins before you start to solder. Now you are going to solder on one side ONLY and only 2 or 3 pins. Because like that you can go back to the other side of the chip and align another 2 or 3 pins so you can get a straight fit. Once you have 2 pins on one corner and 2 across on the opposite corner, you are ready to start soldering your new TSOP. With a very fine tip you are going to touch all the pins one by one very very carefully so they don’t get stuck together in the middle. This is the part that’s a pain in the rear. You need very steady hands for this part of the job and you also will need the magnifying glass.

Believe me, I have fixed hundreds of dead units here in Miami for dealers and this is what needs to be done.

Also units that are stuck on "- - - -" and you can’t fix it no matter what you do by flashing it. They will also need the TSOP replaced.

There is a Chinese program that can fix some of the units stuck on the “- - - - “, but it won't fix all of them.

Do this at your own risk!

If you are not sure you can do it, then definitely get some one else who knows how to do this type of work.

end of c/p