Forum Archive Home -> DVD Recorders -> Panasonic DMR-E80H Error messages
Panasonic DMR-E80H Error messages | ||
| JeffM posted 2008 Feb 13 14:02 | ||
| I was wondering if anyone has experienced this problem with the Panasonic DMR-E80H.
I've had the unit for a while and had no past problems whatsoever. While recording after some minutes, I press the stop button on the remote to stop recording, and hard drive started sputtering. I then get a blue screen with the error message "Error has occured. Please press ENTER." So I press enter and the unit shuts down and reboots. I then get another blue screen error message "Please change the disc." Well, there is no disc in the unit, but it automatically opens up the empty tray anyway. I shut the tray door, and then I get another error messge: "Error has occured. Please press ENTER." This cycle repeats over and over again, with no end: "Error has occured. Please press ENTER." "Please change the disc." "Error has occured. Please press ENTER." etc... The only way I can shut the unit down, is by holding the power button 10 seconds or so. Well, I eventually got tired of this, so I took the hard drive out, ran a low level format (zero fill) on the drive, and put it back in. When I turned the unit back on, it gives me the option to format the hard drive, so I do. Now, everything seems to be working properly as before. The unit turns on and off with no error messages. I then try to record a couple of minutes, and it seems to be working. But when I press stop, the hard drive sputters and I get the dreaded error message: "Error has occured. Please press ENTER." Then comes: "Please change the disc." etc... again and again. After all that work, the cycle of error message returns! I'm afraid if I go out and buy a new hard drive, I'll get the same error messages, because I don't see anything wrong the hard drive itself. The unit isn't exactly giving me specific hard drive failure messages. Any suggestions? | ||
| ktnwin posted 2008 Feb 13 15:13 | ||
| I have a Panasonic DMR-E85H (with 120GB hard disk), it dead on me a few months ago with similar problem
I have replace the hard drive TOO and it asked me to format the drive which I did. This only help it to move a little further but continue to hang else where (hang meaning showing the same message over and over no matter what I pushed). I basically swap the hard drive with the one I have in my computer (same capacities), both are good. I know for sure that there is nothing wrong with the hardware in the box, something planted in the firmware causing it to lock up like that. Japanese products are good from hardware point of view, whenever it comes to software / firmware that interact with users (like menu & choices), they are really bad. I was so frustrated, planning to buy a new unit to replace it. | ||
| JeffM posted 2008 Feb 13 16:13 | ||
Well, I haven't replaced the original drive yet. I just zeroed it out to fix the error. But the error came back soon after recording. Just wondering if anyone with this problem did go ahead and buy the same hard drive. The model no. is 4R080L0. This is a Maxtor 80GB ATA-133 5400RPM Hard Drive. | ||
| Ditka1985 posted 2008 Feb 13 16:20 | ||
| I had a similar problem with a Panasonic (I think it was a 95 -- same thing, slightly bigger drive).
The power supply that runs the hard drives on these little DVD recorders doesn't supply a lot of startup current to the drive. In my experience with the Panasonic, it was having difficulty spinning up the drive. If yours has a "sticky" bearing, that could be part of the problem (possibly). Here's the thing -- when I removed the drive from the Panasonic and ran it in a PC, it was flawless (but the PC's power supply is a lot beefier.) Replacing the drive with an IDE drive of the same capacity took care of it. If I recall correctly, putting in a smaller drive will work, and will result in less recording time available. Putting in a larger drive will work, but will result in the "max" recording time as determined by the firmware (80GB in the case of the E80H). So if you can't find an 80GB drive, you could drop in something larger but you won't get the extra capacity (if I recall correctly). | ||
| JeffM posted 2008 Feb 13 16:43 | ||
What exactly were you able to do with the DVD drive when you installed it into your own computer? Were you able to see actual files? And copy them to your computer's hard drive? Because I tried that with mine, and Windows XP/BIOS detected it, but no drive letter came up. I could not access it, so I could not see or copy any files. My only choice was to low level format it in DOS mode. I would have saved the data if I knew how, but now, all my old programs are gone. What is frustrating, is that, I can turn the unit on, but I can't get to the E80H menu option to format the hard drive, because these error messages are causing the unit to power down/power up immediately. I would format the hard drive from the E80H menu, rather than taking the thing apart, formatting it, and putting it back in. Lot of wasted time. | ||
| louthewiz posted 2008 Feb 13 17:16 | ||
| There is a firmware update to fix that problem,
Panasonic has it on their website. | ||
| JeffM posted 2008 Feb 13 17:29 | ||
Version D9-022 Last Updated 4/21/2005 Description Updates RAM / DVD drive and improves compatibility with the most recent 8X and 16X DVD media. Not much details on what it does exactly or if it will help. My problem is not related to reading DVD media. Anyway, it won't let me install it, even if I wanted to. The error messages keep rebooting the unit. Can't do nothing except get a new hard drive. | ||
| JeffM posted 2008 Feb 13 21:41 | ||
| What's even more frustrating, when your hard drive goes bad, it completely immobilizes your
DVD player. The unit doesn't stay powered after the error message, so you can't access the menu and you definitely can't play regular DVDs anymore. It turns into a brick. Heck, if I can't use it anymore, might try to sell it on Ebay or something. All the repair shops must have scooped up all the Maxtor 4R080L0 hard drives on the entire Internet. Because all I see is either out-of-stock banners or refurbished models. And who really wants that? | ||
| Ditka1985 posted 2008 Feb 13 21:42 | ||
| I couldn't see any files or the panasonic file system on my PC. IIRC, the panasonic format is some proprietary derivative of Linux. | ||
| JeffM posted 2008 Feb 22 16:26 | ||
| Just an update if anybody is interested. You can buy a new hard drive off of Panasonic's website (parts and accessories),
however, the prices are outrageously high. If you search the parts list for Model DMRE80HP, you get:
They all look pretty much the same to me. 4R080L0 is the old part no. for the hard drive. However, this part is no longer available, so it substitutes RFKV0090HDK as suggested part number. This part is actually a Hitachi Deskstar 80GB ATA/IDE Hard Drive, Model No: HDS721680PLAT80, 7200 RPM. Jumper pins must be set to CABLE SELECT. So apparently, the new drive does not have to match the old specs exactly. Old one was 5400 RPM. You could either buy it off the Internet for like 50 bucks, or spend nearly $300 with shipping handling fees. Heck, with the amount, you could probably buy a new DVD HDD recorder. I suppose new ones these days come with a digital tuner, in preparation for the switch to HDTV in 2009. | ||
| oldfart13 posted 2008 Mar 04 10:42 | ||
| That's good to know that the old 5400 rpm drives are the ones I want as I had several for my old Dishplayer so I could swap the drive when needed. Since I no longer use the Dishplayer, the drives are sitting there idle. If the E80H's drive should quit I have ready replacements... | ||
| JeffM posted 2008 Mar 04 11:05 | ||
| I'm not sure if my HDD died "naturally" or if it got "zapped" from a power outtage. It worked flawlessly since
2003. It must have just given up after 5 years! Anyway, the replacement HDD is working fine now. :) | ||
| richardkat posted 2008 Mar 04 16:00 | ||
| I just changed my hd on my e80h with an old hd from my computer. It is a Maxtor 80gb simliar to the original. I zeroed it out but when I tried to install it, the e80h wouldn't recognize it. Then I remembered the orig hd did not have a pin on it. Took the master pin off and pany is like new (not quite :lol: ) | ||
| toyerbi posted 2008 Jul 19 15:02 | ||
|
My E80H DVR died after 4 years of flawless recording. The same squirley message appeared "Replace the disk" and "Hit Enter". The display showed it was trying to read the HD but couldn't and there was nothing I could do except shut down power. When I powered up again the E80H tried to read the HDD disk and opened the DVD tray. An endless loop resulted with only a mild hint of what the problem could be. After searching the internet and reading this formum, I bought a $29 MAXTOR Diamond 16 80GB ATA/133 HDD from the DriveGuys in LA. It was dropped shipped from Florida and arrive 3 days later. Because the old drive had no jumper plugged in, I removed the jumper from the new drive and cabled it up to my 4 year old E80H. Plugged in power and formatted the puppy and away we went. Had a little display jitter at first which disappeared after 20 minutes. $29 was a bargain fix - I sure can't afford to buy a new $600 Panasonic DVR. The HDD model number for my E80H was 4R080L06204P4. When the DVR came back up it said there was only 36 hours available - but that was because I'd left DVR was in SP mode, flipping it to EP MODE gave me back my '108 hours available'. So we're ready to record the Olmpics and ff thru the commercials. Like a lot of Panasonic users - I'm unwilling to buy another brand and go through the 2 year learning curve to use all the many features of the E80H. The user interface and manual have been cussed at many times - but eventually trial-and-error brings it all into focus. | ||
| Captain Satellite posted 2008 Aug 03 07:24 | ||
| Hey guys, This is exactly what has happened to my E80H. Can somebody post a link to a drive that would work. I can't find the Hitachi or Maxtor.
Thanks! | ||
| LorenAjack posted 2008 Aug 03 11:31 | ||
| My symptoms are much as discussed in this forum, however my Display says RECOVER.
When I look at the E80H screen, the only option is to format the HDD. I responded to 'go ahead and format'....it starts, then fails. No doubt the HDD went out. Now I too am wondering if I can install ANY model HD, or must I use an 80 GB maxtor? Thank you !! | ||
| Captain Satellite posted 2008 Aug 03 11:46 | ||
| Loren, I'm thinking it has more to do with 5400rpm. I'm hoping the other guys chime in... | ||
| LorenAjack posted 2008 Aug 03 13:50 | ||
| Yep ... I believe you may be RIGHT .. as I just finished installing an old 40GB Western Digital HD
with WinXp, that I've had sitting around for a while. Powered up the unit and this time NO display on the screen at all ... the 'icon' on the front panel showed a spinning HD (the old MAXTOR just sat there).... But nothing came up on the TV screen, so I guess I'll have to surf around for the 80 GB Maxtor replacement! I has just ordered 20 DVD-R's for this unit last week (4.7GB)...got to use only ONE of those before the HD died! Thanks for your response!! I'll keep this forum updated on what finally (hopefully) fixed this Problem .... Loren .......... Tucson, AZ | ||
| LorenAjack posted 2008 Aug 04 11:58 | ||
| Just wanted to add one more comment.
I found an exact MAXTOR replacement drive at PriceGrabber.com for $54.70 which includes shipping. Merchant : ESI WORLD This should arrive shortly at which time I'll install it and see what happens! I agree with an earlier post that the learning curve on this unit is LONG! I don't think I ever learned all there is to learn on this unit that I've had since 2003! Learned just enough to record programs, and burn to a DVD. I also purchased special 4.7 GB Panasonic DVD's from Crutchfield.com. I ordered two 10 packs as shown below. Better price there than at Circuit City! (if you can find them, that is). Item Description Ship Qty B/O Qty Price Amount 133RF12M10 Panasonic LM-RF120MU10 DVD-R 8x Speed 4.7GB Single Sided, 10-Pack Sub Total: $21.98 Shipping: $6.99 Total: $28.97 | ||
| LorenAjack posted 2008 Aug 06 23:23 | ||
| Update --
The drive arrived today. I installed it, powered-up the unit and looks like I'm back in business. Looks like it did an automatic format which took about 1 minute. Thanks to all in this forum. CASE CLOSED!! | ||
| Captain Satellite posted 2008 Aug 06 23:38 | ||
| Cool! I've got one on the way myself. I hope I'm as successful. :) | ||
| LorenAjack posted 2008 Aug 07 15:17 | ||
| Cool! I was very please how quickly it came up, with no strange messages!
It was a pure 'Plug and Play' experience. If you run into any problems, post a note here and I'll see if I can help. It appeared to do it's own format after which it was READY to record! All my other settings were still retained in some on-board memory, so nothing else needed to be configured or reconfigured. Also, the MAXTOR drive came with a jumper plug on 'Cable Select.' My original MAXTOR did NOT have a jumper anywhere on that 10 pin connector, so I removed it from the new drive. No problems! Let me know! Loren | ||
| Captain Satellite posted 2008 Aug 13 22:27 | ||
| Woohoo! I got my hard drive and just installed - it's good to go. I just realized I didn't check for a jumper but it works.
Thanks for the guidance, Loren. I bought a new drive off of ebay and I'm still waiting on that, I got my drive from ESI today. I have a second E80H so the spare drive will probably come in handy. Thanks again! :) | ||
| LorenAjack posted 2008 Sep 19 16:54 | ||
| Hey Captain !
I'm glad it worked for you (as it did for me). These units are very handy, and I've not seen replacement units such as these offered by Circuit City (where I got mine 5+ years ago) anymore. Maybe they were discontinued! Good to keep the old hardware running as long as possible! And it was smart to order an additional drive, as you never know when they too will dry up! Loren | ||
| Captain Satellite posted 2008 Sep 19 19:09 | ||
| You da man! :D | ||
| Sk8Leigh posted 2008 Oct 26 13:54 | ||
| I'm getting this Error has occured/Please change the disc message combo. (I have an E85H.) I don't know anything about opening up a machine myself, so I guess I'll have to take it somewhere to be serviced. But my question is, is there any way to save the things on my HDD? I have a ton of stuff on there that I unfortunately never got around to burning to disc, and I hate to think that I'll lose it all. :( Thanks for any help you can give me. | ||
| Captain Satellite posted 2008 Oct 26 15:11 | ||
| I really doubt you can save any of it, maybe through data recovery service but that will be very expensive. | ||
| Sk8Leigh posted 2008 Oct 26 15:14 | ||
| I called Panasonic, and I'm going to send it in for repair. That's all I can really do. I'll see if they can save the stuff on the hard drive, but if they can't, I guess I'll live.
Thanks. | ||
| jjeff posted 2008 Oct 26 15:30 | ||
| Other people have said unless they needed to replace the HDD everything will be saved. In your case I can't imagine anything will be lost since it sounds like your machine is having problems with its DVD drive.
If you had another DVDR and you're able to play the HDD you could "realtime" copy everything from the line outputs to the other DVDRs line inputs. Of course this would degrade the PQ and be quite time intensive but it's an option. Note I hope you're going the $130 flat fee repair option from Panasonic in Ill? Otherwise it could be quite pricey going T&M. | ||
| Sk8Leigh posted 2008 Oct 26 15:42 | ||
| That's what they said it would be, $130+tax. What do you mean by T&M?
I'm going to put a note in explaining everything and asking them to save the things on the hard drive, if possible. I know it was there when I was trying to play things when this all started. (I was playing something on the HDD and the playback froze, the picture and the counter, although the horizontal lines were still moving like it was playing. It took a while to stop it, and then it happened a couple of other times when I tried to play it again. Then finally one of the times it wouldn't stop at all, so I unplugged it, and that's when the error messages started. I don't really think it's a DVD drive problem, since I wasn't playing anything in that drive. So that's why I'm afraid that like others here, I'll need the hard drive replaced. But before they do anything, I'll talk to them and see what can be done. | ||
| jjeff posted 2008 Oct 26 16:07 | ||
| Time and Material, I'm sure that would cost much more than the $130 flat fee.
From your description now unfortunately it does sound like a HDD problem. Your first post mentioned changing the disc so I thought you were using the DVD drive. If it's the disc controller you should be OK, otherwise if it's a bad drive I think you're SOL. :( | ||
| Captain Satellite posted 2008 Oct 26 18:10 | ||
| Most likely it's not a problem with the DVD drive. When my hard drive fried I got the "Error has occured/Please change the disc" message.
I hope I'm wrong and everything works out for you. You're right though, you will live. :) | ||
| cans posted 2009 Feb 04 23:43 | ||
| Hi, I have the very same problem with my dvd recorder, and have a question, can I replace the hard drive for one with more speed? or has to be the same 5400 rpm? thanks for the advice, | ||
| Captain Satellite posted 2009 Feb 05 14:37 | ||
| I've been told 'no'. Now this hunk of junk is in endless 'recover' mode. I'm done with this heap. | ||
| Redparis posted 2009 Jun 11 18:32 | ||
| <<I found an exact MAXTOR replacement drive at PriceGrabber.com for $54.70
which includes shipping. Merchant : ESI WORLD >> Thank you!!! I also did this because I had the exact same problem and error messages (tray opens and says please change disk.) I put in the new HD and it self formats. However I have now an additional problem... The recorder records to the HD, but not to the DVD-R! DVD will play but not record. When I put in a DVD-R, it says "Cannot read. Please check the disk" And also "this is not a recordable disk". How do I fix this new problem now?? Thank you | ||
| jjeff posted 2009 Jun 11 18:40 | ||
| I'm going to guess that one of the cables going to the DVD drive were bumped during the HDD replacement. I'd double check all cabling going to the DVD drive. As long as you have the cover off the unit you may want to clean the DVD spindle. A dirty spindle can cause grinding noises and failed burns but I don't think it's what's giving you your problem now.
Thread talking about spindle cleaning, http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14479898#post14479898 | ||
| videomary posted 2009 Jul 14 13:53 | ||
| I went through the same situation that the first person that posted JeffM (?) went through. Thanks to those who posted solutions . . . I was able to order a replacement hard drive (Maxtor Model 4R080L0), through serversupply.com, $35 & free (ground) shipping!
I put the new hard drive in last night & my E80H is working again :D even though I ended up with an extra screw left over :P July 16: I was thinking about buying another HD just in case the new HD dies . . . I checked the website that I bought it from and it is now $45. Just wondering if I should just buy it in preparation that it will die within 6 years like my last (original) HD. | ||
| handyguy posted 2009 Jul 15 10:47 | ||
That's pretty decent, manf. charges like 8x that. | ||
| jonathan_mcl posted 2009 Oct 07 17:08 | ||
| I purchased the Maxtor Model 4R080L0 from serversupply.com ($30 with free shipping!) and installed the new drive. However, when powering up the unit, the time is not displayed and the icon on the left of the front display just spins. I hear the hard drive kick in when I first booted up, so I know the power is plugged in properly. This is my first excursion into hard drive replacement and was curious if anyone had any suggestions.
Would there be anything previously stored on the drive I just purchased that might interfere with the unit's ability to recognize and (eventually) self-format the drive? Thanks in advance. EDIT: I completely overlooked the jumper (I never knew what one of these were until today). I removed it, installed the drive, and my "recover" problems are solved! I want to thank you all for having this thread, though. I would've been even more clueless without it. |
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