SB3 shutdown problem

ianwi · « **on:** 13 Dec 2005, 04:05 pm »

I just got my RWA SB3 today (no battery/analog out only), quickly set it up and tried to use it.

I'm stuck - it keeps shutting itself off!

It will stay on for anywhere between 30 seconds to maybe 10 minutes. Then it shuts down. Sometimes it shuts down with a bit of a pop, harsh static and muted playback for 5 seconds before it completely shutsdown.

Then I have to unplug it for 5 seconds, reconnect power and start again. The power button on the remote won't do anything.

The firmware on the player is 28. I've configured it on my 802.11b network connected to a Netgear DG824M on a 2Mbps ADSL connection. I've managed to get Internet Radio working for several minutes before a shutdown. Connection strength is about 50%

It can connect to my SlimServer 6.2 install but as soon as I try and play a flac file, it dies and shutsdown.

I've had a quick look around the Internet and haven't seen this problem described before. Is it standard behaviour or a known bug?

ianwi · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 04:56 pm »

Following up, I've switched to wired ethernet and it seems to be working ok. I can only guess at the moment that my 802.11b network and Internet connection isn't fast enough. Still think the shutdown behaviour is an odd way way for the device to behave when it's not getting enough bits.

JLM · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 05:02 pm »

Just a guess based on other discussions, but the 50% signal strength could be the problem.

Eli · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 05:27 pm »

It should NOT be shutting down and locking up due to intermittent wireless problems.

Could it be a heat issue? There are some reports in the Slim forums of display failures that, while probably due to a batch of faulty screens, appear to be heat related. I couldn't say whether the mods might exacerbate any heat issues, but it wouldn't be hard to imagine different components generating more heat.

ctviggen · « **Reply #4 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 05:32 pm »

Personally, I've found the SB2s to be wierd. This weekend, for instance, my unmodded SB2 (I haven't received my modded SB2 yet) would click and pop, but I attributed that to installing Google desktop. Even after Google desktop finished building its index, the SB2 quit playing for some reason. (I happened to be in the attic, so it took me a while to find out what happened.) I turned it off and restarted everything and had no more problems (and haven't since then). I think the SB2 is one of the buggiest things I've purchased in a while.

woodsyi · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 05:39 pm »

Are you sure it was shutting down? If it loses connection, it won't get refreshed and thus light will go off. If you press your right arrow light comes back and it will reconnect. I had some issues like that between songs where it would stop playing because it lost the connection. I solved it by getting a range expander -- signal strengthe went from 45 to 90 %. No more disconnects.

ianwi · « **Reply #6 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 07:03 pm »

Well it's been playing for the last two hours on a wired connection without any problems. I'm relieved! That rules out any heat issue.

I'll go back and try it on wireless again - see if I can refresh the connection or boost reception.

One other odd thing I've noticed is that the display is pretty dim. It's not readable past 2 metres at the brightest setting (4). I have to get up close to use it. Expected better than that (or is that due to the mod?)

oris98 · « **Reply #7 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 08:25 pm »

I just noticed that this morning before I head out to work. My new digital modded SB3 shutdown. I pressed the power button but there is no response, no light from it. I also checked for all the connection including the power from the battery and wallwatt PS. I didn't have much time to further investigate into the problem as I have to go to work.. I have left it running all night as part of the break in process. I hope it is not over heated and causing problem. I checked from my computer and slim server was still running streaming internet radio to the sb3.

Any help here ?

mcgsxr · « **Reply #8 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 08:34 pm »

not sure about you Oris98, but like woodsyi, I had been having all kinds of shutoff issues with my stock SB3, and my Linksys WRT54G router - signal strength had been around 30% in my basement.

The addition of a WRT54G, and the resultant 90% signal strength - no more problems with the SB.

Nick B · « **Reply #9 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 09:53 pm »

Since we're on the subject, I have a Linksys wireless G router. I sporadically get messages that I am connected or unconnected. I presume this has to do with the router. I have a wired cable connection to my pc and the router sends the signal to my wife's mac. How does one test signal strength? Haven't been able to find that. Thanks

woodsyi · « **Reply #10 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 09:54 pm »

The credit goes to Mark. He posted his signal strength improving with a signal relay and I went out to a local PC store to purchase one. Good call Mark. My desktop is 2 floors away on the opposite side of the house from my audio in the basement. My bolder modified SB2 would ocasionally lose connection and would flash "unable to locate server". With the Linksys relay plugged into an outlet on the middle floor, signal now fluctuates between 87 and 93%. No more connectivity issue. Now I just have to get a hold of the version 15 volume control (non inverting for modded units) and I think I would be done fiddling with SB2 set up.

woodsyi · « **Reply #11 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 10:07 pm »

Quote from: Nick B

Since we're on the subject, I have a Linksys wireless G router. I sporadically get messages that I am connected or unconnected. I presume this has to do with the router. I have a wired cable connection to my pc and the router sends the signal to my wife's mac. How does one test signal strength? Haven't been able to find that. Thanks

I am at work and can't remember the exact steps but you can access the signal strength information from either the SB unit or the server screen on you computer.

Paul_Bui · « **Reply #12 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 10:35 pm »

Quote from: Nick B

Since we're on the subject, I have a Linksys wireless G router. I sporadically get messages that I am connected or unconnected. I presume this has to do with the router. I have a wired cable connection to my pc and the router sends the signal to my wife's mac. How does one test signal strength? Haven't been able to find that. Thanks

As far as I know, there are at least TWO ways to find out the signal strength. First, right after the SB2 boots up and you see the Slim Devices, Squeeze Box 2 headliners, there's a welcome message saying whether you can let it connect automatically, or you can click RIGHT ARROW to VIEW CURRENT SETTINGs. Scroll up about 4-5 screeens and you will see your SB2's signal strength before it's connected to Slim Server.

Second, if I let the SB2 connects all the way to a Slim Server that's running on my PC in a different room, by default my SB2 will automatically be in the stand-by mode (YMMV). Click the red POWER button to turn it back on, and I will see the NOW PLAYING message. Scroll up about 4 or 5 times until I see the SETTINGs. Click RIGHT button to INFORMATION, PLAYER INFORMATION, and finally WIRELESS SIGNAL STRENGTH.

There are several PLUGGINS that help collect the data more comprehensively, but I have not been able to make them work on my SB2.

Nick B · « **Reply #13 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 10:41 pm »

Guys, I'm sorry I went a bit off topic. I do have the Linksys, but don't have my SB 3 yet. I was hoping to find a readout of signal strength now to resolve this problem so when I get the SB 3, it'll be one less thing to figure out.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #14 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 11:51 pm »

woodsyi - that was my exact situation too - and I tried the range expander on the middle floor, but in my situation, I get the best signal %, by having the repeater, IN the basement, about 10 feet from the SB.

Odd, but hey, whatever keeps the connection!

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #15 on:** 14 Dec 2005, 12:31 am »

Hi ianwi,

Welcome to Audio Circle!

I have moved your topic to "The Square Circle" here:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=23788&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

The reason is because your post contains general SB3 questions that others may also have and benefit from, not Red Wine Audio modification specific questions. You'll most likely get more attention to your post from AC members if it is in the Square Circle, not a manufacturer's circle. This way, all the general SB info will we in one area for all the search for.

Let me answer some concerns:

Your “shutdown” problem sounds like you are losing your wireless connection (as woodsyi suggested), and this causes the SB3 to lose its connection to slim server.

Note, there is a setting in the Slim Server Software called "Screen Savers"

Home > Player Settings > Scroll Down to "Screen Savers"

It says:

You can choose screensavers to display information after some duration of inactivity from the remote control. You can choose and the duration to wait before enabling the screensaver. You can also choose different screensavers depending on if the player is playing audio, stopped, or powered off.

If "None" is selected, the display will go out after the unit is idle for x amount of time (user specified), but the SB is NOT off.

Regarding the question of overheating, I do not believe this is the issue. The display on the Squeezebox does not run hot at all (perhaps it would if it was defective, but I don’t believe your display is because I tested it to work fine).

Regarding the display being dim, in the Slim Server software there are settings to change the brightness of the display.

Home > Player Settings > Display

The RWA modifications have nothing to do with the brightness of the display. They also do not involve the wireless receiver board.

Hi Oris98,

I assume that your battery is charged and if you were letting it run all night, you were using the AC power option? It could have lost its connection and shut off. Again, I highly doubt the display is overheating...

Regards,

oris98 · « **Reply #16 on:** 14 Dec 2005, 06:05 am »

Hi all,

I am sorry.. I was a bit over excited. As I mentioned this earlier, I didn't have enough time to troubleshoot my problem. Of course, I ran right into the issue as soon as I finished work. I found the problem was acturally in my computer. the Slimserver some how got crashed and therefore, no signal was pumping out. As soon as I reboot the PC, the sb3 return to life without touching it ! I guess over the last 3 days, I have been non stop running slimserver to break in my SB3, even when I was ripping my CDs to the HDD, browsing the web, emailing, running multiple applications at the same time, etc..

After 60 hrs of break in time, it improves the sound qty further.. My Cal Lab Icon MKII as transport is no where to come near it. I can't wait unit it hit 150 hours of it to be settled..

Thanks Vinnie again to bring this product to all of us here !

tonyptony · « **Reply #17 on:** 29 Dec 2005, 08:53 pm »

Quote from: woodsyi

Now I just have to get a hold of the version 15 volume control (non inverting for modded units)

woodsyi, can you elaborate on this: what is this volume control?

Wayne1 · « **Reply #18 on:** 29 Dec 2005, 09:01 pm »

http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/

Here is a link to a couple of great programs.

NetStumbler will install on a computer and let you know exactly what speed you wi-fi connection is and signal strength. It will look for all wi-fi in your area and let you know what channel they are on, B or G, encrypted or not.

MiniStumbler is the same program to be used on a PDA

woodsyi · « **Reply #19 on:** 29 Dec 2005, 09:08 pm »

Apparently SB2 reverses polarity and Slim Server didn't. It was fixed at some point. Modding SB2 takes out the op amp that does this. Therefore, you need to go back to firmware that doesn't fix this if you have a modded unit. J. Holtz was kind enough to send me the older firmware. I run the latest Slim Server but replaced the firmware with the older version 15 per his instruction. I would be glad to forward it to you if you PM me your e-mail address.