Hi,

Our dmr ex75 is about 18 months old and the original western digital drive failed with HDDERR in an attempt to see if any data was recoverable I removed the unit and placed it into a PC only for it make a clunking noise and not get registered by the BIOS. I then purchased new Western Digital drive with virtually the same spec ata 7K rpm 160GB. After placing the unit in the panasonic the drive spins up (clunking noise is no longer present) but the unit still says HDDERR. I have the dip setting the same on the drive as the one removed.

Is it possible to get the unit recognise the replacement drive and format it, in the service mode?

Does this model have any software stored on the drive? (surely not)

Thank in Advance

Leigh

[Gavtech]

After replacing the HDD, the recorder should detect that a different HDD is present and automatically format it.

Check your data plug is correctly located.

Suggest unpowering completely for a few minutes to reset the micro and try again.



Incidentally, Windows cannot recognise these partitions... although it sounds like it didn't matter with the old drive anyway if it was clunky.

Repositioned the data leads without improvement the ribbon looks to be ok.

Will have another go leaving it unplugged from the mains, but it has been so for a couple of days whilest I waited for the new drive to be delivered.

Does anyone know how to get this model into service mode? eject, stop, slip doesnt seem to work on this model... Is there a function I can run to force it to relook at the drive and reformat it?

thanks gavtech,

Leigh

Is normal to see a HDDERR even with the hard disc and cable removed?

[Gavtech]

You have a pm

[maldonian]

Is it possible to get the unit recognise the replacement drive and format it, in the service mode?

Does this model have any software stored on the drive? (surely not)

'HDD ERR' indicates a start up failure or that the HDD has failed to boot up - in the case of your old HDD presumably because it had failed, and in the case of your new HDD because it hasn't got the firmware installed.

When the HDD is replaced the main firmware has to be written to the new HDD, using a firmware update disc. Unfortunately I think it's very unlikely you'll be able to get hold of an update disc if you're not an approved repairer. Assuming you haven't got an extended warranty, the alternative, apart from paying the full cost of having the HDD replaced in a Panasonic service centre, is to contact Panasonic, say that the hard disk in a new recorder should last longer than 18 months, and see if they are prepared to pay some of the cost. They will probably want a service centre to examine the recorder. Amongst other things, they can display an error history and accumulated operating time in the service menu.

If you manage to get hold of an update disc, the procedure is:
- Replace the HDD.
- Switch on.
- 'PLEASE WAIT' then 'HDD ERR' are displayed and the tray opens.
- Insert the update disc.
- 'LOAD' is displayed, then 'LD FVU' and M_FIRM' are displayed alternately during writing, then 'MAIN' and 'UPD OK' are displayed alternately and the tray opens.
- Take out the disc.
- Press power button to turn off.
- Press it again to turn on.
- 'HELLO' and 'SELF CHECK' are displayed.
- Then 'UNFORMAT' is displayed and a format message is displayed on the screen.
- Select 'Yes' and press Enter.

The drive firmware isn't updated during this. If the firmware update is more recent, put the disc in again to update the drive firmware.

[Hal_loe]

Originally Posted by maldonian

'HDD ERR' indicates a start up failure or that the HDD has failed to boot up - in the case of your old HDD presumably because it had failed, and in the case of your new HDD because it hasn't got the firmware installed.

When the HDD is replaced the main firmware has to be written to the new HDD, using a firmware update disc. Unfortunately I think it's very unlikely you'll be able to get hold of an update disc if you're not an approved repairer. Assuming you haven't got an extended warranty, the alternative, apart from paying the full cost of having the HDD replaced in a Panasonic service centre, is to contact Panasonic, say that the hard disk in a new recorder should last longer than 18 months, and see if they are prepared to pay some of the cost. They will probably want a service centre to examine the recorder. Amongst other things, they can display an error history and accumulated operating time in the service menu.

If you manage to get hold of an update disc, the procedure is:
- Replace the HDD.
- Switch on.
- 'PLEASE WAIT' then 'HDD ERR' are displayed and the tray opens.
- Insert the update disc.
- 'LOAD' is displayed, then 'LD FVU' and M_FIRM' are displayed alternately during writing, then 'MAIN' and 'UPD OK' are displayed alternately and the tray opens.
- Take out the disc.
- Press power button to turn off.
- Press it again to turn on.
- 'HELLO' and 'SELF CHECK' are displayed.
- Then 'UNFORMAT' is displayed and a format message is displayed on the screen.
- Select 'Yes' and press Enter.

The drive firmware isn't updated during this. If the firmware update is more recent, put the disc in again to update the drive firmware.

Is this firmware on the HDD a new thing as I had no such trouble replacing the drive on my older DMR-E95H.

I simply replaced the HDD with the same model (different firmware version) formatted and unit now working fine again.

Mind you I didn't have HDD ERR, the hard drive just wouldn't spin up...

[Gavtech]

I second Maldonian's suggestion for contacting Panasonic.

They are usually sympathetic and helpful on issues of this nature...especially as it is only 18 months old.

It is reasonable to expect it to last longer than that...and I think they will agree.

After speaking to a very kind local dealer they lent me a copy of the firmware for the model based on the serial no.

It went as exactly as maldonian said, the unit work normally right up until the last 10% of formatting the drive, when it froze after about 10 mins displayed HELLO. Now on a restart the new drive is making a clunking and says HDDERR again. Replacing the firmware disk now runs the update and finishes with UPD NG which I assume is UPDATE NOT GOOD.

I suspect the new drive is screwed like the old one and like the rest of the unit heading for the bin.... unless there are any ideas out there, but I think the drive controller is shot and not something that viable to replace.

Many Thanks

Leigh

[maldonian]

Is this firmware on the HDD a new thing as I had no such trouble replacing the drive on my older DMR-E95H.

Yes, I was a bit surprised. The E85 drive can be replaced easily too, it's the same era as the E95. I don't know when or why this was introduced, my guess is that it's associated with the quick start up in recent models. It's obviously not stored on HDD in non-HDD models, so perhaps it's stored in two places in HDD models - in flash rom and on the HDD.

I've got a JVC HM-HDS4 SVHS/HDD recorder that has part of its firmware pre-installed on the HDD. If the HDD fails a replacement has to be obtained from JVC. Forum user Tabatha reported that she successfully cloned the HDD in her HDS4. Obviously you have to do it while the original HDD is working ok.

I suspect the new drive is screwed like the old one and like the rest of the unit heading for the bin.... unless there are any ideas out there, but I think the drive controller is shot and not something that viable to replace.

It seems unlikely that the new drive will have been damaged. I would try formatting it in a PC to check if it's ok. You have described clunking noises coming from both drives which makes me wonder if the controller is faulty and there is nothing wrong with the original drive.

You said that the new drive has 'virtually the same spec' as the original. Is the capacity different? If it's slightly smaller it could explain why the firmware update stalled. Did you set the jumper on the drive the same as the original? The drive should work in the unit if the jumper is set to either slave or cable select.

Your best course might be to refit the original drive and contact Panasonic as I said in my previous post.

Replacing the firmware disk now runs the update and finishes with UPD NG which I assume is UPDATE NOT GOOD.

Documented messages include 'NG DISK' and 'NO FVU' if you insert a wrong disc after the 'HDD ERR' message, and 'UNSUPPORT' if you try to update normally with a disc containing the same or a previous version.

Did your friendly local dealer have any suggestions?

[Rammiie]

hi all, i'm new here after searching the net with the same HDDERR fault on my EX75. I have replaced my drive but wasn't told by my dealer that it needs the update disk. After phoning they want a high price to format it and won't loan their copy. Is it possible to get hold of a copy anywhere? I don't have any other dealers around me to ask.
Many thanks

[Hal_loe]

Originally Posted by Rammiie

hi all, i'm new here after searching the net with the same HDDERR fault on my EX75. I have replaced my drive but wasn't told by my dealer that it needs the update disk. After phoning they want a high price to format it and won't loan their copy. Is it possible to get hold of a copy anywhere? I don't have any other dealers around me to ask.
Many thanks

Bypass the dealer and ask Panasonic directly for a loan of the CD with the required software.

[Rammiie]

thanks for that Hal, I have written to Panasonic tonight, fingers crossed. Would be great if they help out but the local Panasonic repair dept aren't helpful at all.

[Rammiie]

All to no avail, Panasonic will only refer to their dealers.. I have spoken to customer care today and a similar answer by email! Does anyone know of anywhere that will sell a copy of the update disk? thanks again

[mullengers]

Does this French DMR-EX75 PANA_DVD.FRM firmware file help?

After unsuccessfully trying the support websites of Panasonic USA, Canada, Japan, Germany and Italy, I finally found this DMR-EX75 firmware on the Panasonic France website.

http://panasonic.fr/servlet/PB/show/...-ex75-ex85.zip

When I try to upgrade my English DMR-EX75 EB-K unit, it just says "UNSUP/PORT" on the front.

I wondered if it helps with your hard drive problem though.

After reading the excellent DMR-E85H article (http://www.dxcc.com/dmr-e85h.htm)...

I also discovered the following key combinations for the DMR-EX75 (sorry about the formatting):

Description = Unit Status = Keys to press = Display
Eject DVD = Standby = "Ch ^, Drv-Sel, Stop"
Eject DVD = Standby = "Ch ^, Play, Stop"
Service Mode = Standby = "Ch ^, Open/Close, Rec" = "SERV"
Factory Reset = Standby = "Ch ^, Open/Close, Stop" = "TM*AV1"
Shutdown = Standby = "Ch ^, Drv-Sel, Power" = "BYE"

When in Service Mode you can type the numbers in on the remote control. Maybe there is a way to increase the stored hard disk size limit; using other similar commands to these:

Remote = Display
00 = SERV
01 = F00
02 = No 1, 3170PY, 0180HC, S210, 002M, ST116
41 = 0
51 = All Segments ON
61 = 060522
Power OFF = BYE

02 region code is "No 1" because I used the IrDA region unlock from here: http://www.dcevolution.net/panasonic...d=32&Itemid=54

41 is the laser time apparently, but I think it has gone back to zero because I found the "factory reset" key combination before finding the "service mode" one!

[thejackel]

im in the same boat mate, panasonic keep referring me to the dealers who said it will cost atleast £30,

anyone know where i can get this disc from?

[brettpr]

Originally Posted by leighB76

After speaking to a very kind local dealer they lent me a copy of the firmware for the model based on the serial no.

I have same problem, clunking disk! I took out the drive & tested it on a PC. After many resets I got the drive to be identified by the BIOS and the clunking stopped. However the disk was completely wiped with no data on it. I believe it is supposed to be FAT32 format. So I reformatted as FAT32, even so disk drive is faulty and clunks most of the time, except when I get lucky!!! SO I have purchased a new exact copy of the drive, but of course have no firmware.

I have obtained the service manual which I am happy to share electronically.

Leigh, do you still have disk(s) or can you get hold of them? If so maybe we could upload & share with everyone else...

Brett

[mindeater]

I have just gone through the same problem with an EX75 unit. The HDD started clicking like the head was bouncing off somthing at startup, resulting in HDDERR on the display, but after several attempts it would boot normally allowing us to watch a few of the recorded programs before it stopped working again. Obviously the HDD was on the way out, and with only 47mins free, we had rather stupidly got rather a lot of soon to be lost recordings.

After reading a few forums regarding other ppls attempts at recovering / replacing the HDD, coming from a SW engineering background, I managed to get the HDD attached to my PC directly through the IDE connector, and wrote a quick tool to read off the raw data from the HDD into 1GB files giving me 149 1GB files.

I then ordered a new 160GB WD replacement HDD (almost the same spec as the original). I then wrote another tool to take all the the 149 1GB files and write them as raw data onto the new HDD.

After fitting the HDD into the EX75, to my suprise after reading all of the failures on the net, after a tense 'PLEASE WAIT', the unit came up with 47mins remaining, and operating completely normally.

I was dubious about the reports of new HDD installations requiring 'firmware' and machines remembering the HDD unique ID, it seems its not doing any of that. I suspect that the boot disc used when fitting a new HDD that authorised dealers use is just some sort of 'key' that simply permits you to format a blank HDD, the initial formatting process probably writes some info to the HDD to show it has been fitted by an 'authorised' person. I guess when I read the raw data from the original drive, this info was copied along with the rest of the data, so when written to my new HDD this fools the unit into thinking its already been authorised and just works.

Happy days, looking fwd to another 2 years usage from the unit.

[Groova]

very good news fo you all!!

I replaced my hard disc succesfully on my Panasonic DMR-EX75 (should work even for 85).

I had that chunk problem as other people have, with HDDERR message. So I searched over the web a working firmware and I found this from a french site
Firmware Panasonic DMR-EX75/DMR-EX85

[Mod commment: Please note that Groova is located in Italy... and this procedure is not recommended for a UK machine ]

I took an HD that I have at home (a 120gb Seagate), completely different from the one installed and I gived a try.

Swapped the HD, powered on the unit I had error message.
After a few seconds the DVD tray opened by himself, I inserted the cd with the firmware I downloaded before. A few minutes for loading the new firmware then the display said MAIN UPD OK
I unplugged the power cable with the tray open (like said in included instructions in the firmware zipfile), took out the cd, replugged it.
that's all!

At this point when you switch on the recorder you have to format the HD, but everything went fine. I think I will put a bigger HD inside in next future.

I still have the problem of no DVB channels... I checked the other thread but I had not that problem... still searching for a solution that works!

[voyager7]

Originally Posted by mindeater

I have just gone through the same problem with an EX75 unit. The HDD started clicking like the head was bouncing off somthing at startup, resulting in HDDERR on the display, but after several attempts it would boot normally allowing us to watch a few of the recorded programs before it stopped working again. Obviously the HDD was on the way out, and with only 47mins free, we had rather stupidly got rather a lot of soon to be lost recordings.

After reading a few forums regarding other ppls attempts at recovering / replacing the HDD, coming from a SW engineering background, I managed to get the HDD attached to my PC directly through the IDE connector, and wrote a quick tool to read off the raw data from the HDD into 1GB files giving me 149 1GB files.

I then ordered a new 160GB WD replacement HDD (almost the same spec as the original). I then wrote another tool to take all the the 149 1GB files and write them as raw data onto the new HDD.

After fitting the HDD into the EX75, to my suprise after reading all of the failures on the net, after a tense 'PLEASE WAIT', the unit came up with 47mins remaining, and operating completely normally.

I was dubious about the reports of new HDD installations requiring 'firmware' and machines remembering the HDD unique ID, it seems its not doing any of that. I suspect that the boot disc used when fitting a new HDD that authorised dealers use is just some sort of 'key' that simply permits you to format a blank HDD, the initial formatting process probably writes some info to the HDD to show it has been fitted by an 'authorised' person. I guess when I read the raw data from the original drive, this info was copied along with the rest of the data, so when written to my new HDD this fools the unit into thinking its already been authorised and just works.

Happy days, looking fwd to another 2 years usage from the unit.

Hi, I don't suppose you could pm me a copy of the utility you wrote and some instructions as to how to get windows to recognise the HD out of the ex75? I'm relatively technical minded but can't write software and it may help me save some important programs still on my EX 75 HD: This is my tale of woe!:

I have 2 x EX75's and one went down with the "U80" issue. I tried putting the HD from the faulty unit in the working one to see if it was a HD problem. However, the non-faulty unit proceeded to erase and format the HD. I then put this HD back into the faulty EX75 unit and still "U80"

Unfortunately when I put the original non-faulty HD back into the non-faulty EX 75 it also wants to re-format the HD and that HD is full of stuff I don't want to lose!!

Anyone know how I can save the programs on the HD and not allow the EX75 to format the drive?

Thanks!

[faulksy]

My DMR ex75 DVD will not play DVD's NO READ message appears and drive clunks.

Can I replace the DVD drive

If so what do I purchase and is there a service manual around that I can borrow?

[faulksy]

Could yoy email the service manual the DVD player needs replacing on my DMR-EX75 recorder, much appreciated. I will purchase a similar DVD paler and install once I get the manual.

[Gavtech]

Originally Posted by faulksy

My DMR ex75 DVD will not play DVD's NO READ message appears and drive clunks.

Can I replace the DVD drive

If so what do I purchase and is there a service manual around that I can borrow?

It is not as straightforward as that nor is it the right strategy in this case.

The DVD drive cannot be replaced on its own. The so-called 'digital board' has to be replaced at the same time as the calibration for the laser resides there.
The parts are very difficult to get and cost almost as much as the retail price of the machine.
It is completely uneconomic to do yourself.

However, Panasonic will pick up the bulk of the tab for this if you go about it the right way.

See this thread.
Follow the trail of threads as directed in post 4 of that thread.

[DMR-EX75]

DMR-EX75 Firmware.

After many hours of searching online with no results, I took the plunge and purchased the firmware (which included an embarassing amount of grovelling).
It worked a treat!

My original fault was a clunking HDD and an HDDERR message.
I repaced the HDD with a simillar HDD (not the same) and expected it to work sraight away. That is when I discovered that the DMR-EX75 requires firmware to be loaded onto the new HDD.

Loading the firmware was very easy

- Replace the HDD.
- Switch on.
- 'PLEASE WAIT' then 'HDD ERR' are displayed and the tray opens.
- Insert the update disc.
- 'LOAD' is displayed, then 'LD FVU' and M_FIRM' are displayed alternately during writing, then 'MAIN' and 'UPD OK' are displayed alternately and the tray opens.
- Take out the disc.
- Press power button to turn off.
- Press it again to turn on.
- 'HELLO' and 'SELF CHECK' are displayed.
- Then 'UNFORMAT' is displayed and a format message is displayed on the screen.
- Select 'Yes' and press Enter.

Paul N

Somerset

[scotty402]

Hi could you please pm me a copy of the firmware please. I'm in Australia and the only version available (the French one doesn't work) Would like to get this unit going again thanks

[Greatarcticwolf]

Hi!

I am also in Australia, I am a computer tech, and I have a faulty HDD - I have replaced it with another IDE 160g but also cannot get it to boot - I tried the French firmware (lucky I can read French!!) but to no avail. Does anyone have the firmware they could send to me? I have no TV at all until I get this fixed, as I use the Digital tuner in this even for my day to day watching!

PM would be fine - or if you want to send to my e-mail - PM me for the address (not posting it openly - too much spam!)

[spongebob007]

hi all i have an update firmware disc £10.00 recoreded post

[Gavtech]

Originally Posted by spongebob007

hi all i have an update firmware disc £10.00 recoreded post

Please explain further.

Have you obtained a disc or are you offering to sell?

If the latter, please be aware that trading is strictly forbidden in this section of the forum.

[Greatarcticwolf]

Originally Posted by Gavtech

Please explain further.

Have you obtained a disc or are you offering to sell?

If the latter, please be aware that trading is strictly forbidden in this section of the forum.

It looks to me like he is offering to post, registered post for ... 10 Pound? I don't have that symbol on my keyboard!

Also - can we have more information about what region this is in - as there appears to be a couple of different regions.

Also - for anyone in Australia - I took on Panasonic in a slinging match, and found, that they do not supply a firmware/software disk to their repairers here, they instead, sell a part - I don't know the cost of the part - as I was not prepared to buy it - however - if there is anyone technical out there, that can explain how to do a raw dump of a hdd, and then MAKE a program that can re-write it - I have access to 2 working hard-drives.

Best Regards,
Ross P.

[Carl H]

I've got the same clunking problem with my 5 year old EX75, and am considering replacing the hard disk.

However, it has recently started with occasional U61 (optical drive) error as well, and I'm wondering if it's worth the effort of fixing the HDD if the optical drive is on the way out as well?

Originally Posted by Greatarcticwolf

if there is anyone technical out there, that can explain how to do a raw dump of a hdd, and then MAKE a program that can re-write it

This is straightforward if you have a Linux machine. Just connect both drives and use the dd command to clone one disk onto the other. Make sure you get them the right way around!!!

A Linux bootable Live CD, such as Knoppix, is one option if you don't have access to a Linux PC.

There are plenty of disk cloning programs for Windows, but as I've never used any I can't make any recommendations.