PHLIPS 32PF9966 SERVICE MODE AND ERROR CODE

PHLIPS 32PF9966 

SERVICE MODE AND ERROR CODE

Service Modes
Service Default Mode (SDM) and Service Alignment Mode (SAM) offer several features for the service technician, while the Customer Service Mode (CSM) is used for communication between a Philips Customer Care Centre (P3C) and a customer.
There is also the option of using ComPair, a hardware interface between a computer (see requirements below) and the TV chassis. It offers the ability of structured troubleshooting, test pattern generation, error code reading, software version readout, and software upgrading.
Minimum requirements: a Pentium processor, Windows 95/ 98, and a CD-ROM drive (see also paragraph “ComPair”).
Service Default Mode (SDM)
Purpose
• To create a pre-defined setting, to get the same measurement results as given in this manual.
• To override SW protections.
• To start the blinking LED procedure.
Specifications
• Tuning frequency: 475.25 MHz for PAL/SECAM.
• Colour system: SECAM L for France or PAL B/G for the rest of Europe.
• All picture settings at 50% (brightness, colour, contrast).
• All sound settings at 50%, except volume at 25%.
• All service-unfriendly modes (if present) are disabled, like:
– (Sleep) timer.
– Child/parental lock.
– Blue mute.
– Automatic volume limiter (AVL).
– Auto switch-off (when no video signal was received for 10 minutes).
– Skip/blank of non-favourite pre-sets.
– Smart modes.
– Auto store of personal presets.
– Auto user menu time-out.
How to activate SDM
Use one of the following methods:
Use the standard RC-transmitter and key in the code “062596”, directly followed by the “MENU” button.
Note: It is possible that, together with the SDM, the main menu will appear. To switch it off, push the “MENU” button again

• Short for a moment the two solder pads on the SSB, with the indication “SDM”. Activation can be performed in all modes, except when the set has a problem with the main microprocessor.
Caution: If the SDM is activated via the pins, all the software-controlled protections are de-activated.
• Use the DST-emulation feature of ComPair.
• Use the “DEFAULT” button on the Dealer Service Tool (RC7150).
How to navigate
When you press the “MENU” button on the RC transmitter, the set will toggle between the SDM and the normal user menu (with the SDM mode still active in the background).
How to exit SDM
Use one of the following methods:
• Switch the set to STANDBY via the RC-transmitter.
• Press the “EXIT” button on the DST.
• Via a standard customer RC-transmitter: key in “00”- sequence.
Service Alignment Mode (SAM)
Purpose
• To perform (software) alignments.
• To change option settings.
• To easily identify the used software version.
• To view operation hours.
• To display (or clear) the error code buffer.
Specifications
• Operation hours counter.
• Software version.
• Option settings.
• Error buffer reading and erasing.
• Software alignments.
How to activate SAM
Use one of the following methods:
Via a standard RC transmitter: key in the code “062596” directly followed by the “OSD [i+]” button. After activating SAM with this method a service warning will appear on the screen, you can continue by pressing any digit key on the
RC.

• Short for a moment the two solder pads on the SSB with the indication "SAM". Depending on the software version, it is possible that a service warning will appear. You can continue by pressing any digit key on the RC.
• Use the DST-emulation feature of ComPair.
• Press the ALIGN button on the DST while the set is in the normal operation
After activating this mode, “SAM” will appear in the upper right corner of the screen.
How to exit SAM
Use one of the following methods:
• Press the “MENU” button on the RC-transmitter, or
• Switch the set to STANDBY via the RC-transmitter, or
• Press the “EXIT” button on the DST.
Problems and Solving Tips (related to CSM)
Note
: Below described problems are all related to the TV settings (visible in the CSM menu). The procedures to change the value (or status) of the different settings are described above. New value(s) are automatically stored.
Picture Problems
Snowy/noisy picture
1. Check in CSM line NOISE FIGURE. In case the value is "127" or higher, and the value is also high on other programs, check the aerial cable/aerial system. For some software versions, the noise figure will only be valid when “Active Control” is set to “medium” or “maximum”.
2. Check in CSM lines SHARPNESS and NOISE FIGURE. In case the value of line SHARPNESS is "3" or "4" and the value of line NOISE FIGURE is high ("127" or higher), decrease the "Sharpness” value.
Picture too dark
1. Press “Menu”, “TV”, “Picture”, “Smart Picture”. In case the picture improves, increase the “Brightness” or the “Contrast” value. The new value(s) are automatically stored (in “personal” pre-set) for all TV channels.
2. Check in CSM line BRIGHTNESS and CONTRAST. If the value of these lines is low (< "10"), increase the “Brightness” or the “Contrast” value via the user menu.
Picture too bright
1. Press “Menu”, “TV”, “Picture”, “Smart Picture”. In case the picture improves, decrease the “Brightness” or the “Contrast” value. The new value(s) are automatically stored (in “personal” pre-set) for all TV channels.
2. Check in CSM lines BRIGHTNESS and CONTRAST. If the] value of these line is high (> 50), decrease the “Brightness” value or increase the “Contrast” value via the user menu.
White line around picture elements and text
1. Press “Menu”, “TV”, “Picture”, “Smart Picture”. In case the picture improves, decrease the “Sharpness” value. The new value is automatically stored (in “personal” pre-set) for all TV channels.
2. Check in CSM line “Sharpness”. If the value is high, decrease it. The new value is automatically stored for all TV channels.
No picture
Check in CSM line TUNED BIT. In case the value is “No”, install the required program again. Open the installation menu and perform manual installation.
No picture
No proper signal is received. Check the aerial cable/aerial system.
No picture or unstable picture
A scrambled or decoded signal is received.
Black and white picture
Check in CSM line COLOUR. In case the value is low (< "10"), increase the “Colour” value via the user menu. The new value is automatically stored for all TV channels.
No colours/colour lines around picture elements or colours not correct or unstable picture
1. Check in CSM line TV SYSTEM. If a “strange” system pops up, something has gone wrong during installation. Reinstall the channel.
2. If in CSM line TV SYSTEM is “L”, the installed system for this pre-set is “France”, while “West Europe” is required. Install the required program again: open the installation menu and perform manual installation. Select system “West Europe”.
Menu text not sharp enough
1. Press “MENU”, “TV”, “PICTURE”, “SMART PICTURE”. In case picture improves, decrease the contrast value. The new value(s) are automatically stored for all TV channels.
2. Check line “Contrast”. If the value is high, decrease the contrast value
Sound Problems
No sound from left and right speaker
Check line 6 “Volume”. The value is low. Increase the value of “Volume”. The new value(s) are automatically stored (in “personal” pre-set) for all TV channels.
Error Codes
Introduction
The error code buffer contains all detected errors since the last time the buffer was erased. The buffer is written from left to right, new errors are logged at the left side, and all other errors shift one position to the right. When an error has occurred, the error is added to the list of errors, provided the list is not full or the error is a protection error.
When an error occurs and the error buffer is full, then the new error is not added, and the error buffer stays intact (history is maintained), except when the error is a protection error. To prevent that an occasional error stays in the list forever, the error is removed from the list after 50+ operation hours. When multiple errors occur (errors occurred within a short time span), there is a high probability that there is some relation between them.
How to read the Error Buffer
Use one of the following methods:
• On screen via the SAM (only if you have a picture).
Examples:
0 0 0 0 0: No errors detected
6 0 0 0 0: Error code 6 is the last and only detected
error
9 6 0 0 0: Error code 6 was first detected and error code 9 is the last detected error
• Via the blinking LED procedure (when you have no picture).
How to clear the Error Buffer
Use one of the following methods:
• By activation of the “RESET ERROR BUFFER” command in the SAM menu.
• With a normal RC, key in sequence “MUTE” followed by “062599” and “OK”.
• When you transmit the commands “DIAGNOSE” - “99” -
“OK” with ComPair (or with a DST).
• If the content of the error buffer has not changed for 50+ hours, it resets automatically.
The Blinking LED Procedure
Introduction
Via this procedure, you can make the contents of the error buffer visible via the front LED. This is especially useful for fault finding, when there is no picture. When the SDM is activated, the front LED will show (blink) the contents of the error-buffer. Error-codes > 10 are shown as follows:
– A long blink of 750 ms (which is an indication of the decimal digit),
– A pause of 1.5 s,
– “n” short blinks (where “n” = 1 - 9),
– When all the error-codes are displayed, the sequence finishes with a LED blink of 3 s,
– The sequence starts again
Example: Error 12 9 6 0 0. After activation of the SDM, the front LED will show:
– 1 long blink of 750 ms (which is an indication of the decimal digit) followed by a pause of 1.5 s,
– 2 short blinks followed by a pause of 3 s,
– 9 short blinks followed by a pause of 3 s,
– 6 short blinks followed by a pause of 3 s,
– 1 long blink of 3 s to finish the sequence,
– The sequence starts again.
Note: If errors 1, 6, or 18 occur, the LED always gives the last occurred error even if the set is NOT in service mode.
How to Activate
Use one of the following methods:
• Activate the SDM (only via soldering pads marked “SDM” on SSB). The blinking front LED will show the entire contents of the error buffer (this works in “normal operation” mode and in “protection” mode).
• Transmit the commands “MUTE” - “062500” - “OK” with a normal RC. The complete error buffer is shown. Take notice that it takes some seconds before the blinking LED starts.
• Transmit the commands “MUTE” - “06250x” - “OK” with a normal RC (where “x” is a number between 1 and 5). When x= 1 the last detected error is shown, x= 2 the second last error, etc.... Take notice that it takes some seconds before the blinking LED starts.
• “DIAGNOSE X” with the DST (where “x” is a number between 1 and 5). When x= 1 the last detected error is shown, x= 2 the second last error, etc.... When x = 0 all errors are shown.