5040's network dropping over random times

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

On 27 Oct 2004 01:12:36 -0700, ahsyed@hotmail.com (Syed N. Ahmad)
wrote:

>I have a ReplayTV 5040 connected using a network cable. Over time, its
>LAN connection drops. I cannot ping it from the LAN, use DVArchive to
>connect to it, or force a connection to download updates. I can fix
>the problem only by power cycling the unit (turning the surge
>protector off and then back on).
>
>I watch all of the recordings from my laptop, so it works for days or
>weeks without problems. It's just a pain to have to power cycle at
>random times. Unfortunately, I can't figure out any pattern in time or
>usage.
>

The Replay software has a bug that causes this.

It seems to be related to the lease time of your DHCP server. I had
that problem until I set up fully static (LAN) IP addressing. There
were a lot of posts about that here earlier this month. Mine used to
take 2-3 resets per Replay (I have 3) per week. I setup the static
addressing over 3 weeks ago, and have not needed to do any reboots
since then.

Note that you need to make your network ENTIRELY static, disable all
non-static DHCP servers. What I did was use the program at
http://ruttkamp.gmxhome.de/dhcpsrv/dhcpsrv.htm . It takes a little
intelligence to set up, but it's worth it.

>It is a wired connection going straight into a switch.

Good. Wireless is slow and unreliable.

> The link lights
>stay on, both on ReplayTV and on the switch. The IP information is
>also listed in the Network Settings section. I have tried changing
>from automatic/DHCP to manual IP addressing.

Seems like that SHOULD work, but the replay is buggy and will still
request a dynamic address if possible. It takes a DHCP server that
always provides the SAME address, as with the program I told you
about.

> I've tried pulling the
>network cable out pushing it back in. Nothing seems to do the trick.
>

Won't help either. If the LED is on, you know it's connected
physically.

>Any help would be appreciated.

--
59 days until the winter solstice celebration

Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com