Problem w/ my Panasonic E80..

[dogofwar]

I set the timer tonight, I have used it before, I got home and when I turned on my tv, I have a message "an error occurred" so I hit enter it reboots and then a message that says, "change the disc" and it just recycles through this. I have unplugged it in hopes it will reset. Anybody have this happen to them?

Thanks.

[Capmaster]

Yes. It sounds like a media problem.

To reset a Panny you need to close the drawer without a disc in it, then power down. Power up again and it'll be fine.

If it doesn't want to eject the disc, hold in the power button for about 20 seconds until it goes to a powered-down state. Then use only the drawer button to eject the disc - don't turn the power on first. Pressing the drawer button from a powered-down state will eject the disc as it powers it up. Remove the disc, close, then power down and you'll be fully reset

[handyguy]

What media did you use? I Use Accus, it loves these.

[dogofwar]

I use Ritek mainly, but I didn't have a disc in. I was using the timer on the HD mode. I powered down pressing the power button for 20 seconds and when power up the functions don't work. You can't play a dvd or even open the tray, you can't switch back and forth between the HD and DVD. Only the tv tuner part works.

Nuts. I have never had a problem w/ it up to this point and used the timer lots of times.

[Doctor_Zaius]

How did this story end?

I have the same symptoms w/my E80; an endless loop -

"Error has occurred. Please press enter." then
"Please change the disc."

No power down or 'disc change' provides an escape from this endless loop. It's not an issue w/media type as I only use the HD to record, edit, play, then eventually erase.

BTW, I hate sad endings.

[dogofwar]

Mine is still shot and I finally found someone who will let me take it in to have it checked out. I hope it's something simple to fix or that was a waste of money.

Let me know what is going on with yours I'll let you know what happens to mine. It's going in the shop tomorrow.

Sucks because I loved this machine I hope it can be fixed.

[Doctor_Zaius]

I opened the E80 up and inside found a Maxtor DiamondMax 16, 80GB ATA/133, (4R080L0) hard disc drive. Ordered it from eCOST for under $70 and it was a piece of cake to swap it out. Powered the E80 back up and it recognized a new disc drive had been put in, asked me if I want to format it (yes), and everything works fine now. So I have a 'backup' HDD for the next time this error occurs.

[handyguy]

"I opened the E80 up and inside found a Maxtor DiamondMax 16, 80GB ATA/133, (4R080L0) hard disc drive. "

Wow, I never would have thought you could do that, that is brilliant.

All we need to know now, is if you could sneak a bigger HD in...

[dogofwar]

Great news I will try this as well before taking it in the shop since we had the exact same issue.

Thanks

[Doctor_Zaius]

"...All we need to know now, is if you could sneak a bigger HD in...

Yes, but reliable sources say the Panasonic firmware will only recognize 80 gigs of whatever larger size you install.

[spiderman2k1]

I had one problem about six month ago I bought some blank DVD-R when I gave one to the E80 it said this is not a black. It said it to about ten blanks i just bought. i unplugged it for about a minute and reboot never had another problem. Keep in mind these dvd recorders use Linux OS. Like every OS needs to be rebooted ever now and again.