Dish 500 Switch/Signal problem

[WizardOfOdds]

Hey Gang,

I currently have a dish 500 and an old Legacy 3800 receiver. The problem is that I cannot get the signal from the satellite (bird) I have checked, and rechecked, my dish and the lnb to make sure that it was not a DP. I cannot find anywhere that shows it is a DP brand lnb.

Whenever I run a check switch it comes up with all X’s. I was told that if I could not find the signal to use a signal meter and once I found the signal via the meter to re-run the check switch. I did all of that (found the signal on the meter) but the check switch still shows up with all X’s. I don’t know what else to do?

My connections all appear solid, and I used this same wiring when I had DT. The DT install went much smother then this. I don’t understand what I am missing? Is it possible that my internal switch is bad on the dish 500? Because I was able to locate the signal on the signal meter that would indicate my lnb are OK, right?

Please, I am pulling my hair out with this DN system, any help you can provide is greatly appreciated. :eek:

[allears]

sounds like you IRD might be defective, try to get a hold of another IRD just to test the signal, and you want to be sure your dish is gettting a good signal strength.

[WizardOfOdds]

sounds like you IRD might be defective, try to get a hold of another IRD just to test the signal, and you want to be sure your dish is gettting a good signal strength.

Hmmm, I never thought my IRD might be bad. I did do a test via the IRD menu that tested the main unit and it said it was fine. Does that main unit test really mean anything? I only have access to DT IRD right now and I dont think those work with dish? Could I possible try to use the DT IRD just to get a signal?

Thanks for the help

[ellsmako]

Do you know anyone with another unit ?

[WizardOfOdds]

Do you know anyone with another unit ?

Sorry, I dont! I would have to go out and buy another IRD just to test if that was the problem. At this point I dont know what else to do? It appears that I have done most of the regular trouble shooting and have not really gotten anywhere. I suppose, at this point in the game, I might not have any other options but to buy another IRD and see if that works. Any other suggestions?

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[Grizz49]

You may want to unhook your sw-21 at the dish and connect your wire from house direct to the LNB . Then check signal on tv. It should tell you what sat(if you get signal) also.

[WizardOfOdds]

You may want to unhook your sw-21 at the dish and connect your wire from house direct to the LNB . Then check signal on tv. It should tell you what sat(if you get signal) also.

Thanks for the suggestion. I don’t have an sw-21 switch; the dish 500 has an internal switch. I did however, run the lnb cable directly to my IRD, and was still unable to get the check switch to work. I now believe that the internal switch may be defective.

Could I purchase an sw-21 switch and install this? Since I believe that the internal switch is defective, I was hoping the sw-21 would take its place. What do you guys suggest if my internal switch is defective?

[Smurftoon]

In the setup screen, are you getting any signal strength? If so, what satellite is it detecting? Have you done any Tsop mods? What version is the firmware at?

[allears]

Is not your internal SW or LNB thats defective if UR getting a reading on your sat meter, you should just go buy an IRD, keep your receipt run check switch and if that was the problem then keep the IRD if not take it back and get your refund.

[Grizz49]

If it has a internal switch it is a DP.

[Pyotr]

If it has a internal switch it is a DP.

Not quite.The legacy twin has an internal sw21

[WizardOfOdds]

In the setup screen, are you getting any signal strength? If so, what satellite is it detecting? Have you done any Tsop mods? What version is the firmware at?

Thanks for the reply. On the set-up screen I am not getting ANY signal at all. When I run check switch it all comes back with X’s and switch box unknown. I have not touched the firmware of this machine (it came sealed with the dish) I have not done anything to the IRD because I just cannot get a signal to read on the menu screen, and cannot get it to read the switch.

I nailed the signal with my signal meter right away, but I cannot get the signal to come across to the menu?

[WizardOfOdds]

Is not your internal SW or LNB thats defective if UR getting a reading on your sat meter, you should just go buy an IRD, keep your receipt run check switch and if that was the problem then keep the IRD if not take it back and get your refund.

Do the new IRD come with any cards? The reason I ask is becuase the IRD I am using now always asks for the card before I can get to the set-up menu. I am not sure if all of DN IRD ask for this or not? I have never had DN before, but set-up my entire DT system and had no problems until the mods went down for good. I have had nothing but trouble trying to get this DN system up and running (signal/switch)

[Grizz49]

I had one about a month ago that lost signal in the house but had a strong signal at the dish with a signal meter. It was the wire(RG-6) from dish to house. Replaced it and signal good again. The wire was only about a year old, but it went bad.