Help!!! E30:00 Error Code on (old) Sony DVP-S500D ???

[mlloyd1]

Hi:

I know about the C13:00 error code. Fortunately, I've never seen that one. A couple of days ago, my old but reliable Sony DVP-S500D showed the E30:00 Error Code. I've searched for a couple of days and can't find any explanation for this one. Can anyone help?

Essentially what happens is when I power the machine up, it turns on. After several seconds, it flashes this error code and goes back to Standby (aka Off). I cannot even get it to go into Service Mode, using the usual three finger salute on the remote (or the machine buttons).
I do not have a service manual, but before I buy one (can't find a free service manual anywhere for this old machine), I wanted to determine if this is something repairable.

Yes, I know I could just buy a replacement, but it was my first so it has sentimental value.


Thanks in advance ...
mlloyd1

[jman98]

Dude - give it up. Seriously. I found posts as far back as 10 years ago on this player.
1) Can YOU repair what's wrong? Probably not. The manual is unlikely to help with this error code. I would guess that your problem is either in the power supply or on the board itself and I really have my doubts that you'll be able to find replacement parts.
2) Can you send it to Sony and have them repair it? Probably, but it's going to cost over $100 I'm sure. You can buy new DVD players for less than $50 that I promise you would put your old Sony to shame.

If you've got some kind of sentimental attachment to the player that's your business, but unless there is some really really compelling reason to keep it like it was a gift from someone who has since died, you really should consider just throwing it away and buying a new one.

[mlloyd1]

well ...

yeah i know.
yes, "I" actually can repair it myself (been designing and building electronics products as a day job and hobby for >40 years, including repair work) unless it needs a replacement part that is no longer manufactured, like a preloaded microcontroller.
i just haven't found a way to determine what code E30:00 means; i expected the service manual to include this info but the one i've seen did not. I was surprised that web searches, including the waaay back web site, gave no hits. Obviously, if the code means the laser is dead, the party is over if the laser is NLA.

many newer machine certainly have more playback features and higher quality, but few of the new ones are built robust and stand up to abuse (from kids for example) like the old stuff. Do the new "light weight" machines even have the self-calibrating features anymore?

i've already got my eye on a nice samsung blue ray ...

thanks,
mlloyd1