Setup help kcmood
- Thread starter kcmood
- Start date
that's a big problem as i described above. unplug the ethernet so its not pluged into the fta or mag, unplug pwr to router wait a min plug pwr in wait for it to sync then plug in mag to router
So, you are not connecting to a router at all- you are attempting network from your pc and hoping it will work. Stop that! Plug it into your router and then you'll have internet
Networking from your pc is possible but with all the issues you are having why wouldn't you hook it up simple and connect? I used to use both a server and router for dial-up. The server setup shared the connection to a router and the rest of my pc's at the time.
Older pc's need a crossover cable from pc to pc but a router will auto switches for the connection. Newer network connections auto-sense the connection to switch correctly. You said you have a modem (if remembering correctly) so take the pc connection out of the loop. Complicate the setup all you want after you get it up and going- if you wish
Older pc's need a crossover cable from pc to pc but a router will auto switches for the connection. Newer network connections auto-sense the connection to switch correctly. You said you have a modem (if remembering correctly) so take the pc connection out of the loop. Complicate the setup all you want after you get it up and going- if you wish
Thanks for the kind words mike. Most issues are much easier to find and get solved but we have great members here that will give their all to help too. Staff strive to do our best but there wouldn't be a forum without helping members helping stuck members alongside staff.
Glad to know we are your go-to site, and humbled to be here with our great staff and members
Glad to know we are your go-to site, and humbled to be here with our great staff and members
I have been out, sorry I have not posted. While I was out I picked up a router, I will try and get it set up and installed the way I will be using it. Not unplugging and plugging it all the time. I'll be in touch in a couple of days and let you guys know how it turned out. Please, everybody, think good thoughts for me and yourselves that this will do the trick. Thank all of you ever so much for all the help and patience you've had with me. KC
It's up to you how you set it up, but since you insist on ""try and get it set up and installed the way I will be using it. Not unplugging and plugging it all the time"" it makes it difficult of not impossible to help you. If you had stated how you had it to start with you would have saved members helping you with these 112 posts a lot of frustration. For instance, in either one of your first 2 posts in this thread would have been nice.
I wish you luck, and hopefully you can get your network situation fixed to actually get your mag working. If not, when you come back for help include your setup in your postings. Nobody can read your mind, and letting everyone guess while you know your setup isn't typical is silly.
A little disappointed you're not setup but it is always the option of the user to do what they want with their equipment. Good luck
I wish you luck, and hopefully you can get your network situation fixed to actually get your mag working. If not, when you come back for help include your setup in your postings. Nobody can read your mind, and letting everyone guess while you know your setup isn't typical is silly.
A little disappointed you're not setup but it is always the option of the user to do what they want with their equipment. Good luck
Hi guys. Well I've got good news and bad news. Never could get the box to work. Could get on the internet but no TV or movies. I then tried to setup my son's ;mag254. After doing the setup I started to do the software upgrade and the screen went a beautiful blue with large writing in the middle of screen that said "This unit is damaged, Contact your Provider." Thats the bad news. The good news is my headache is finally over. I have never had this kind of problem and a stb. Everybody keeps saying Just plug it in and play. Thanks again for all your help. BTW one more question. I have att dsl internet. Do these boxes have a problem with that?
Kcmood, as teachers and helpers on this site, it is not our intention to set your box up for you but rather guide you to the info to help you do this yourself.. this alone will give u more satisfaction from the use of your box, hopefully you understand. If you run into probs by all means ask for help but the main intention is for you to learn and in so doing help others, so so hopefully so this helps you understand, thks for your time.....K00l..
Who am I?
I am a person with significant technical skill. I worked in both computers and electronics for much of my life. I have reprogrammed standard routers to work as wireless bridges, modified the output power of the same. I can do component level repairs on virtually any electronic device for which I have a schematic diagram. I worked in the computer industry for over 12 years, though I have been absent for a few and thus am not the absolute expert I was a few years ago, yet I am still competent.
What I am not an expert in is IPTV. This is my initial exploration. However, I have the technical background to grasp nearly anything. Not withstanding my freshman status, I hope I am not dismissed with the same callousness certain individuals have conveyed to KC.
I am personally familiar with the problem presented by KCMood. I went to the home of KCMood, reviewed the paper instructions, reviewed the instructions KCMood printed from this site and proceeded an attempt to correct the issue. I also read this thread in its entirety and reviewed other threads in this forum as well.
Certain persons have insisted KC has not answered questions. I reviewed the thread and have not found a question she did not answer. Maybe KC lacks the technical vocabulary to answer the questions posed or to understand the question asked. Let me diagram the situation, the equipment, the actions, and the results. Since I am a sophomore here, maybe I will also fail.
Of course there are some problems. The 'instructions' that came with KC's equipment consisted of a single sheet of paper that was obviously translated from a foreign language - most likely Chinese. It had scant information at best and no glossary for the terms used. I had hoped that after scanning some of the threads in this forum I would be able to decipher some of the language. For example "inner portal" and "outer portal" seem to refer to nothing more than a set of menus. Then there is a secondary reference to "portal" in terms of servers. This created ambiguity and confusion. Why the directions simply don't refer to these as menus and sub-menus and server locations is beyond my understanding.
In addition to my technical training I have a degree in journalism and have done technical writing. Technical homonyms were always strictly avoided. But now we live in a time where technical devices are shipped with three paragraphs of instructions and the reliance of the internet to solve problems. Therefore, "user guides" are poorly written - maybe none worse than the one page of instructions sent with this device.
I was hoping to find a glossary on this site with technical terms explained, but if it exists I was not able to locate it. I would suggest a sticky thread with a full glossary written in plain English. When I was in the military, our technical guides had to be written so that a seventh grade reader could understand them. These were actually very difficult to write, though one would expect it to be easy. The result was that even fairly complex equipment - more complex than this box - could be operated by nearly anyone.
Since the forum constantly refers to trade jargon that I am not familiar with and it seems to demand KC answer questions presented in such jargon; and since the right of passage to use this device which everyone posting claims to be so "simple" is the expenditure of days, weeks or maybe even months to figure out what terms such as what "R10" is, I will present her situation in terms the forum will understand. [I assume from context "R10" is a firmware upgrade to revision 10.0 though that is not explicit anywhere on this thread, nor any of the others I have read].
Equipment Architecture:
The connection to the internet is obtained through a DSL connection on a Motorola Surfboard dedicated modem.
There is a Linksys Wireless B/G/N router directly behind the modem.
A fairly new Dell Windows 8.1 PC is plugged into port 1 of the router.
A temporary Ethernet cable which is approximately 30 feet long connects the STB to port 2 on the router.
[Contrary to repeated instructions to remove the connection to the PC - NO EQUIPMENT is routed through the PC and never has been.]
An FTA satellite receiver is located directly next to the IPTV STB and uses the Ethernet cable on the routers second port without issue.
Operational Status:
As mentioned above the FTA reciever works without issue. Therefore, the hardware in front of the IPTV [Ethernet cables, router, modems etc] is in working order. A secondary test with a laptop confirms this.
All menu settings as per this thread have been verified.
The firmware has been upgraded to the latest version.
Resets of all hardware including the modem, router and STB have been performed repeatedly.
1. The IPTV STB will display all menus on the TV.
2. It will display a live channel list.
3. It will display program information.
4. It will call up and display any webpage that is requested from the browser [eg. Google, Yahoo, etc] Therefore, it IS connected to the internet.
When a LIVE channel is selected, there is no programming. About 80% if the screen at the top is separated by a thin line from the bottom 20% of the screen. This would suggest an image frame that has a slightly lower resolution than the capability of the the TV itself. [The system setting was set at 1080p - 60. The graphic setting was set to "match."]
5. When a program from the program list is selected, the error message "File Not Available" is displayed.
My guess is that there is some kind of server conflict present. The system is communicating with the internet. The STB is sending a signal to the monitor [TV connected through HDMI].
The setup procedure was duplicated using a second STB of identical brand and model number. The results were identical.
Is there a port list for this device? [In this case "port" is IP Port, not a menu or server name]. Some internet services block ports for what they call "security measures". For example Cox Communications Inc. blocks port 80 which causes problems for some FTA STBs and some VPN services. While there are some minor security issues with port 80, the reasons for Cox blocking that port have nothing to do with security. Anyway, does this STB require certain ports open? If so which ones? I can check to see if KC's ISP is blocking a port.
Are there minimum download speeds required for this service? None are specified in the documentation, but I am sure there is a minimum. I will verify the minimum has been met.
Unless the jargon on this website has confused me [and it may have] I believe these units have been set up as specified in this forum. If somehow KC failed to answer a question, I hope I have answered it. But we should be reminded that communication is a two way street. If KC (or I) failed to answer the correct question, then the question has been misunderstood. Neither I nor KC have the familiarity of this technology to perceive a question that has not been answered. Similarly, one submitter suggested that KC has chose "not followed directions." As near as I can tell, KC not only followed them but repeated them when the attempts failed.
If dealing with sophomoric users is a frustration, or if anyone believes that the technical acumen of KC is not up to forum standards, then maybe no answer at all would be preferable to a negative one, lest needless apprehension and animosity is created. If there is something KC or I should read or something that we do not know of that we should study, please refer us to it so we can avoid the tension. KC and I can return when the forum members think we are good enough to return.
At this point KC is considering abandoning this project entirely and returning the equipment. At this stage I have decided to stick with other technologies for my own needs. I will help KC as I can, but I have spent hours trying to piece together this puzzle and I would not have invested this much time into the technology if it were not for KC's desire to use this technology.
Thanks in advance for your time and trouble and forgive me if I have also failed to convey the required answers.
Best regards.
I am a person with significant technical skill. I worked in both computers and electronics for much of my life. I have reprogrammed standard routers to work as wireless bridges, modified the output power of the same. I can do component level repairs on virtually any electronic device for which I have a schematic diagram. I worked in the computer industry for over 12 years, though I have been absent for a few and thus am not the absolute expert I was a few years ago, yet I am still competent.
What I am not an expert in is IPTV. This is my initial exploration. However, I have the technical background to grasp nearly anything. Not withstanding my freshman status, I hope I am not dismissed with the same callousness certain individuals have conveyed to KC.
I am personally familiar with the problem presented by KCMood. I went to the home of KCMood, reviewed the paper instructions, reviewed the instructions KCMood printed from this site and proceeded an attempt to correct the issue. I also read this thread in its entirety and reviewed other threads in this forum as well.
Certain persons have insisted KC has not answered questions. I reviewed the thread and have not found a question she did not answer. Maybe KC lacks the technical vocabulary to answer the questions posed or to understand the question asked. Let me diagram the situation, the equipment, the actions, and the results. Since I am a sophomore here, maybe I will also fail.
Of course there are some problems. The 'instructions' that came with KC's equipment consisted of a single sheet of paper that was obviously translated from a foreign language - most likely Chinese. It had scant information at best and no glossary for the terms used. I had hoped that after scanning some of the threads in this forum I would be able to decipher some of the language. For example "inner portal" and "outer portal" seem to refer to nothing more than a set of menus. Then there is a secondary reference to "portal" in terms of servers. This created ambiguity and confusion. Why the directions simply don't refer to these as menus and sub-menus and server locations is beyond my understanding.
In addition to my technical training I have a degree in journalism and have done technical writing. Technical homonyms were always strictly avoided. But now we live in a time where technical devices are shipped with three paragraphs of instructions and the reliance of the internet to solve problems. Therefore, "user guides" are poorly written - maybe none worse than the one page of instructions sent with this device.
I was hoping to find a glossary on this site with technical terms explained, but if it exists I was not able to locate it. I would suggest a sticky thread with a full glossary written in plain English. When I was in the military, our technical guides had to be written so that a seventh grade reader could understand them. These were actually very difficult to write, though one would expect it to be easy. The result was that even fairly complex equipment - more complex than this box - could be operated by nearly anyone.
Since the forum constantly refers to trade jargon that I am not familiar with and it seems to demand KC answer questions presented in such jargon; and since the right of passage to use this device which everyone posting claims to be so "simple" is the expenditure of days, weeks or maybe even months to figure out what terms such as what "R10" is, I will present her situation in terms the forum will understand. [I assume from context "R10" is a firmware upgrade to revision 10.0 though that is not explicit anywhere on this thread, nor any of the others I have read].
Equipment Architecture:
The connection to the internet is obtained through a DSL connection on a Motorola Surfboard dedicated modem.
There is a Linksys Wireless B/G/N router directly behind the modem.
A fairly new Dell Windows 8.1 PC is plugged into port 1 of the router.
A temporary Ethernet cable which is approximately 30 feet long connects the STB to port 2 on the router.
[Contrary to repeated instructions to remove the connection to the PC - NO EQUIPMENT is routed through the PC and never has been.]
An FTA satellite receiver is located directly next to the IPTV STB and uses the Ethernet cable on the routers second port without issue.
Operational Status:
As mentioned above the FTA reciever works without issue. Therefore, the hardware in front of the IPTV [Ethernet cables, router, modems etc] is in working order. A secondary test with a laptop confirms this.
All menu settings as per this thread have been verified.
The firmware has been upgraded to the latest version.
Resets of all hardware including the modem, router and STB have been performed repeatedly.
1. The IPTV STB will display all menus on the TV.
2. It will display a live channel list.
3. It will display program information.
4. It will call up and display any webpage that is requested from the browser [eg. Google, Yahoo, etc] Therefore, it IS connected to the internet.
When a LIVE channel is selected, there is no programming. About 80% if the screen at the top is separated by a thin line from the bottom 20% of the screen. This would suggest an image frame that has a slightly lower resolution than the capability of the the TV itself. [The system setting was set at 1080p - 60. The graphic setting was set to "match."]
5. When a program from the program list is selected, the error message "File Not Available" is displayed.
My guess is that there is some kind of server conflict present. The system is communicating with the internet. The STB is sending a signal to the monitor [TV connected through HDMI].
The setup procedure was duplicated using a second STB of identical brand and model number. The results were identical.
Is there a port list for this device? [In this case "port" is IP Port, not a menu or server name]. Some internet services block ports for what they call "security measures". For example Cox Communications Inc. blocks port 80 which causes problems for some FTA STBs and some VPN services. While there are some minor security issues with port 80, the reasons for Cox blocking that port have nothing to do with security. Anyway, does this STB require certain ports open? If so which ones? I can check to see if KC's ISP is blocking a port.
Are there minimum download speeds required for this service? None are specified in the documentation, but I am sure there is a minimum. I will verify the minimum has been met.
Unless the jargon on this website has confused me [and it may have] I believe these units have been set up as specified in this forum. If somehow KC failed to answer a question, I hope I have answered it. But we should be reminded that communication is a two way street. If KC (or I) failed to answer the correct question, then the question has been misunderstood. Neither I nor KC have the familiarity of this technology to perceive a question that has not been answered. Similarly, one submitter suggested that KC has chose "not followed directions." As near as I can tell, KC not only followed them but repeated them when the attempts failed.
If dealing with sophomoric users is a frustration, or if anyone believes that the technical acumen of KC is not up to forum standards, then maybe no answer at all would be preferable to a negative one, lest needless apprehension and animosity is created. If there is something KC or I should read or something that we do not know of that we should study, please refer us to it so we can avoid the tension. KC and I can return when the forum members think we are good enough to return.
At this point KC is considering abandoning this project entirely and returning the equipment. At this stage I have decided to stick with other technologies for my own needs. I will help KC as I can, but I have spent hours trying to piece together this puzzle and I would not have invested this much time into the technology if it were not for KC's desire to use this technology.
Thanks in advance for your time and trouble and forgive me if I have also failed to convey the required answers.
Best regards.
look in chit chat forum area for some meanings and descriptions... It's a sticky thread 
Not complete and an ongoing project, but it's there.
It's nice that KC has a good friend in you, and it is not our intention to do the many things you have accussed us of doing.
All we want in the end is for KC to have a working receiver. We all can't jump on an airplane and visit KC personally
That's why we try and provide needed info (as that Sticky you wanted with terms and meanings, which is here... and has been.)
Maybe there is more that you may have missed
Not complete and an ongoing project, but it's there.
It's nice that KC has a good friend in you, and it is not our intention to do the many things you have accussed us of doing.
All we want in the end is for KC to have a working receiver. We all can't jump on an airplane and visit KC personally
That's why we try and provide needed info (as that Sticky you wanted with terms and meanings, which is here... and has been.)
Maybe there is more that you may have missed