SVR-HDT500 not responding

[Paul12345]

This afternoon, we were happily watching iPlayer through the SVR-HDT500 and programmes that had been recorded on it.  This evening, I went to turn it on and ... nothing.

It displays a "Hard Disk Recorder" message in the middle of the TV screen (so the cable is working fine, as is the TV) but then the screen goes blank and it stays like that.  Occasionally there is a flash of a picture on the screen, but not long enough to be recognisable.

None of the buttons on the remote control do anything to the SVR-HDT500 apart from the on/off which turns it off.  However, the buttons do operate the TV (so it's not a flat battery in the remote control issue).  I've tried using the reset button under the flap on the front but no success.

The product was bought in May 2011 and has *not* had a firmware update, but I cannot do this at the moment, unless there is a way to force a firmware update by booting up with the USB memory stick in the drive?

Also, I have seen some references about a product recall, but cannot find any details on the Sony site.

Does anyone have any ideas...?

Thanks,

Paul

[Blencogo]

Hi Paul.

I have one of these and it is a little slow and tempremental but it always seems to recover in the end.

Have you tried powering down completely and removing the power adapter then holding down the reset button.  Try leaving it overnight detatched from the mains and then try again.

If it recovers, I recommend installing the firmware update using a USB Flash drive as the 'over the air' updates seem to upset it also!