Samsung TVs updated to death?

[gordon]

On Thursday pm, I switched on my UE40D7000 (from standby) and it
reported an error updating itself (that would be over the internet), and
then switched off (back to standby). And since then it stays on for only
about 20 seconds every time.

John Lewis service centre claimed they had had dozens of calls from
Samsung owners (Smart Hub models I'm guessing?).

Has anyone heard anything about this - if that common it should have hit
the web news by now?

I emailed Samsung support (no reply) and called them on Friday. They
were a bit inscrutible whether they knew about it or not, & said someone
might contact me in a few days. Not very impressive I think. JL are
hiding behind Samsung at the moment.


JL's only other suggestion was to manually "update", ie back to the
previous firmware. But it doesn't seem to automatically recognise the
firmware on a USB stick, and the "Upgrade" menu command has gone missing
(when I can get there in the brief window before the set shuts down).

Anyone know any more, or also have the problem?

[David]

"gordon" wrote in message
news:1khhcyj.1a2tq11h9vv3uN%gor...@nospam.invalid.uk...

People usually recommend John Lewis here for their free 5 year warranty but
it not helped you I see.
Regards
David

[Michael Chare]

On 24/03/2012 21:51, gordon wrote:
> On Thursday pm, I switched on my UE40D7000 (from standby) and it
> reported an error updating itself (that would be over the internet), and
> then switched off (back to standby). And since then it stays on for only
> about 20 seconds every time.
>
> John Lewis service centre claimed they had had dozens of calls from
> Samsung owners (Smart Hub models I'm guessing?).
>
> Has anyone heard anything about this - if that common it should have hit
> the web news by now?
>
> I emailed Samsung support (no reply) and called them on Friday. They

> were a bit inscrutible whether they knew about it or not,& said someone

> might contact me in a few days. Not very impressive I think. JL are
> hiding behind Samsung at the moment.
>
>
> JL's only other suggestion was to manually "update", ie back to the
> previous firmware. But it doesn't seem to automatically recognise the
> firmware on a USB stick, and the "Upgrade" menu command has gone missing
> (when I can get there in the brief window before the set shuts down).
>
> Anyone know any more, or also have the problem?
>

I don't know if I would be brave enough to try this!

http://wiki.samygo.tv/index.php5/UnBricking_TV_by_EEPROM_Reset




--
Michael Chare

[Gio]

"gordon" <gor...@nospam.invalid.uk> wrote in message
news:1khhcyj.1a2tq11h9vv3uN%gor...@nospam.invalid.uk...

We have a Smart Samsung TV model UE40D5520 also from JL and it has not got
your problem so it is not all models of Smart Hub. We have in the past
updated from USB and via the internet. Our model does not update in standby
over the internet so we would not get a message unless we had turned the TV
off on the previous time while it was updating. We also turned the 'over
airways' update off.

I would not deal with the manufacturer as your contract is with JL so it is
time to bang on their door and let them do the chasing. -Remember to ask
about a loan TV if the plan to take yours away.

Hope you get it fixed ASAP.

Gio

[Brian Gaff]

Truth probably is they are still trying to figure it out themselves then..
grin.
Brian

--
Brian Gaff - bri...@blueyonder.co.uk
Note:- In order to reduce spam, any email without 'Brian Gaff'
in the display name may be lost.
Blind user, so no pictures please!

"gordon" <gor...@nospam.invalid.uk> wrote in message
news:1khhcyj.1a2tq11h9vv3uN%gor...@nospam.invalid.uk...

[David]

Maybe a good read of the JL Terms and Conditions of the warranty needed.
Regards
David

[Scott]

On Sun, 25 Mar 2012 15:51:21 +0200, Martin <m...@address.invalid> wrote:

>On Sun, 25 Mar 2012 14:26:47 +0100, "David" <david...@tesco.net>
>wrote:

>
>>Maybe a good read of the JL Terms and Conditions of the warranty needed.
>

>T&C can't limit guarantee consumer laws

True, but I believe JL go beyond the legal minimum.

[Michael Chare]

On 24/03/2012 21:51, gordon wrote:

> On Thursday pm, I switched on my UE40D7000 (from standby) and it
> reported an error updating itself (that would be over the internet), and
> then switched off (back to standby). And since then it stays on for only
> about 20 seconds every time.
>
> John Lewis service centre claimed they had had dozens of calls from
> Samsung owners (Smart Hub models I'm guessing?).
>
> Has anyone heard anything about this - if that common it should have hit
> the web news by now?
>
> I emailed Samsung support (no reply) and called them on Friday. They

> were a bit inscrutible whether they knew about it or not,& said someone

> might contact me in a few days. Not very impressive I think. JL are
> hiding behind Samsung at the moment.
>
>
> JL's only other suggestion was to manually "update", ie back to the
> previous firmware. But it doesn't seem to automatically recognise the
> firmware on a USB stick, and the "Upgrade" menu command has gone missing
> (when I can get there in the brief window before the set shuts down).
>

It appears that Samsung are introducing revised versions of their
firmware to fix problems with the iPlayer and to make it more difficult
for hacks to work that for example allow you to record HD programmes in
an unencrypted form.

It is a pity however that they do not allow you to force a firmware
update from a USB stick by pressing button(s) when the TV is powered on
which would be more likely to work even if the TV won't start properly.

I had not thought of a TV being a box that could be modified like for
example a Humax HDR.




--
Michael Chare

[gordon]

Indeed - it's a great advance :-(
I was surprised the set didn't automatically update when started with
the USB stick inserted, unless that's something broken too.

[gordon]

Thanks. Will phone tomorrow: loan TV - thats a good idea.
I thought I was being really Smart allowing it to update over the net! I
know better now.
Can I ask: does your set automatically update when started with the USB
stick in, or do you have to go to the Upgrade menu? The instructions are
useless: little more than "you can upgrade with a USB stick".

[gordon]

Martin <m...@address.invalid> wrote:

> OK.

I think it will be covered: a software fault yes, but induced while
using the set in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, and by
the manufacturer! I agree with Brian - they just don't know what to do
yet. If the set had gone bang, I'm sure I'd have an apppointment with an
engineer by now.
I'll be phoning tomorrow.

[J G Miller]

On Sunday, March 25th, 2012, at 20:09:01h +0100, Michael Chare wrote:

> to make it more difficult for hacks to work that for example allow
> you to record HD programmes in an unencrypted form.

I do not understand this because all programs that are recorded by
the Samsung onboard pause/record software on a file system which
must be XFS for the device to be recognized has always been
encrypted either SD or HD and can only be played back by
decryption using the id of the mainboard of the TV as
an encryption/decryption key.

[Gio]

SNIP

> Thanks. Will phone tomorrow: loan TV - thats a good idea.
> I thought I was being really Smart allowing it to update over the net! I
> know better now.
> Can I ask: does your set automatically update when started with the USB
> stick in, or do you have to go to the Upgrade menu? The instructions are
> useless: little more than "you can upgrade with a USB stick".

No ours does not automaticaly update, we have to select menu/'Support /
Software upgrade, then USB. Having said that, we have not put the upgrade
file in the root of the memory stick.

I take it you expanded the dowloaded installation file from Samsung 1st and
not tried to get your tv to process the raw downloaded .exe file?

e.g. for my TV the firmware was:- T-MST5DEUC-1019.0

How to prepare the USB Memory Drive
Firmware Version :T-MST5DEUC-1019.0

1. Save the firmware file from Samsung.com onto your computer.

File Name :T-MST5DEUC.exe

2. Connect the USB Memory Drive to the USB port of your PC.

Copy the file onto the USB Memory Drive.

3. Go to the USB Memory Drive and then double click the file.

4. Press the "Install" button.

5. Unzipping is in progress and program will close automatically after
installation.

6. A folder containing the firmware files has been added to the USB memory
drive.

Folder Name : T-MST5DEUC

[gordon]

Thanks. Being a Mac user, I did try it with the .exe! But then some
googling told me to expand it (poor marks to Samsung: if it's a .zip
file, why not make it so, and not confuse non-Windows users?). I didn't
seee any instructions like yours.
Mine is T_GAPDEUC_1021.2.exe giving folder T_GAPDEUC
So it's not automatic. But the Support/Software Upgrade menu doesn't
appear - whether it is corrupted or just doesn't get initialised before
cut-off, I don't know.

[gordon]

Followup (not concluded yet):
Samsung have called me to ask questions, and emailed firmware update
instructions: essentially the manual route with the addition of
unplugging the aerial and switching on for 1-2 minutes first: the set
switched off after 20 secs as usual & no difference.

Today both JL & Samsung were vying to send an engineer! As the Samsung
would be a local dealer, not a genius from Korea, I went with JL, as
they will bring a loan set if it still doesn't work.
They seem to think I might have a hardware fault at the same time -
that's possible but seems a bit improbable.

JL still say lots of sets were affected, I'm surprised not to have seen
more about it here or elsewhere on the net.

[Gio]

"gordon" <gor...@nospam.invalid.uk> wrote in message

news:1khmto4.6l85xi177s7s8N%gor...@nospam.invalid.uk...

Thanks for the update Gordon. I would have the same view about a Samsung
repair agent...not very good given past experience of their past TV repairs.
Like you, I have not heard anything about other Samsung TV's having problems
although I assume it is only the 7000 series. Seems as though the firmware
update was either badly written in the 1st instance or the TV for some
reason never correctly checked the integrity of the update file before it
set about overwriting the original. Reminds me of one of my early flash
bios upgrade on a laptop.......killed it stone dead !

Gio.

[Michael Chare]

On 27/03/2012 20:26, gordon wrote:
> gordon<gor...@nospam.invalid.uk> wrote:
>
> Today both JL& Samsung were vying to send an engineer! As the Samsung

> would be a local dealer, not a genius from Korea, I went with JL, as
> they will bring a loan set if it still doesn't work.
> They seem to think I might have a hardware fault at the same time -
> that's possible but seems a bit improbable.
>
> JL still say lots of sets were affected, I'm surprised not to have seen
> more about it here or elsewhere on the net.
>

I hope you get your TV fixed. I bought a Samsung TV last summer. I did
see it in a JL shop but bought it elsewhere at a much lower price. I
have declined the latest update!


--
Michael Chare

[gordon]

Thanks! It has gone off to the engineer's: he couldn't revive it and
we're watching a 26in Sharp loaner. Engineer thinks it's a power supply
fault: but very odd, the update error message?

[Gio]

>
> Thanks! It has gone off to the engineer's: he couldn't revive it and
> we're watching a 26in Sharp loaner. Engineer thinks it's a power supply
> fault: but very odd, the update error message?

It also does not tie in with JL saying they had other customers with Samsung
tv faults......very strange. Anyway enjoy the 26" model and lets hope you
get your own tv back soon?

Gio

[gordon]

Latest (& I hope last) report:
Engineer says they've fixed my set - with a new main PCB. Story they
were told this morning is that a batch of my model (don't know if that's
only 40in or not) were faulty in some way so that the update killed
them. It would be interesting to know the exact details. Anyway, that
makes some sense of the JL story.
Unfortunately they can't deliver until Monday (20 miles away), but the
pleasure of seeing the 40in and beautiful design again will be all the
greater.
Gordon

[J G Miller]

On Friday, March 30th, 2012, at 22:06:07h +0100, Gordon explained:

> Engineer says they've fixed my set - with a new main PCB. Story they
> were told this morning is that a batch of my model

Which almost definitely means that if you have any TV shows previously recorded
[on disk or memory stick] from that TV, you will no longer be able to watch them.

[gordon]

That would be extremely annoying, right enough. But they are all on my
Humax Foxsat box.

[Gio]

> Latest (& I hope last) report:
> Engineer says they've fixed my set - with a new main PCB. Story they
> were told this morning is that a batch of my model (don't know if that's
> only 40in or not) were faulty in some way so that the update killed
> them. It would be interesting to know the exact details. Anyway, that
> makes some sense of the JL story.
> Unfortunately they can't deliver until Monday (20 miles away), but the
> pleasure of seeing the 40in and beautiful design again will be all the
> greater.
> Gordon
>

Glad things are on the up, and as you say the TV will be with you shortly.
Thanks for the update and lets hope your TV behaves itself.

Gio