DVB-t stick does not work after idle

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skidzon

19 posts

Geek

Topic # 26530 25-Sep-2008 11:25

Hey guys i am not having much luck with this DVB-t stick.

After i turn computer on the TV is all working fine, i get off TV and go do something else (let it be computer applications or away from computer, leaving the USB TV stick plugged in). Come back boot up Mediaportal it gives me a message "unable to start timeshifting, unable to start graph" or sumtimes "unknown error". Hypermediacentre gives me a blank screen.

i first thought could be MP TVserver conflicting with hypermedia so i uninstalled MP, but still the same.

then after some reading on the internet some people have said that the Kworld TV stick overheats (it was NOT hot at the time as its been in idle with no mediacentre working) so i tried unplugging it when not in use, but after i plug in it still dont work.

It cannot be the problem @ stick (ie, overheating) because as soon as it stopped working i booted up my laptop and tried there and it works.

the only way i have managed to get it going in this situation is 1) reboot computer or 2) unplug and replug the USB tv stick and open /close hypermedia until it decides to go. I have not managed to get MP going after it decides not to go.

system specs as follows
Athlon 5200+
2GB 677 ram
ATI 4850 GFX
plenty of hard drive space
all latest drivers

openmedia

2009 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 161

Trusted

Reply # 167162 25-Sep-2008 20:30

It sounds like the firmware doen't get reloaded onto the stick when you resume. Most USB sticks require a binary firmware blob to be loaded and this usually clears if they loose power.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat New Zealand as a Solution Architect for all things Linux, Virtual and of course Cloud. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

MrAlan

98 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 167215 25-Sep-2008 23:46

have you tried restarting the tvservice?
I had a similar issue in which whenever the computer resumed from any sort of power saving mode it would give me the same error.
I added a 20sec dealy in the tv server configuration to give my hauppauge cards time to re-initialize and then had a script that whenever the computer resumed it would stop the tvservice, start it again and then run mediaportal. never had the problem since.

skidzon

19 posts

Geek

Reply # 167221 26-Sep-2008 00:24

Hey guys, thanks for replies

Yup i have tried restarting TVserv.exe for MP. the same. tried 10/20sec delay, still the same.

Sorry i think when i said "idle" it was bad explaination on my part.

what i meant by IDLE is when the computer and/or the TV stick is not doing anything, ie, word processing, internet surfing, abandoned with screen saver.

i never put my computer to sleep mode so theres nothing to worry bout there

cheers guys help appreciated.

MrAlan

98 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 167317 26-Sep-2008 12:22

Windows is probably turning off the device to save power.
Right click my computer > select properties
choose the hardware tab and click on device manager
find Universal Serial Bus Controllers and click the + to expand.
right click on the USB Root Hub device and select properties
go to the power management tab
untick allow windows to turn off this device to save power.

do that for each USB Root Hub.
then restart the computer.

now does that fix your problem?

skidzon

19 posts

Geek

Reply # 167544 27-Sep-2008 23:12

MrAlan: Windows is probably turning off the device to save power.
Right click my computer > select properties
choose the hardware tab and click on device manager
find Universal Serial Bus Controllers and click the + to expand.
right click on the USB Root Hub device and select properties
go to the power management tab
untick allow windows to turn off this device to save power.

do that for each USB Root Hub.
then restart the computer.

now does that fix your problem?

Thanks for reply Mralan

After testing for a day today it did not fix the problem unfortuantly.

MrAlan

98 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 167584 28-Sep-2008 16:30

try this:
stop the TvService by typing: sc stop tvservice at the command prompt.
then disable the usb controller that is controlling the usb port you have your usb stick plugged into.
wait a few seconds. then re-enable the usb controller.
go back to the command prompt and start the service by typing: sc start tvservice
then open mediaportal and see if it works.

skidzon

19 posts

Geek

Reply # 167631 28-Sep-2008 22:14

MrAlan: try this:
stop the TvService by typing: sc stop tvservice at the command prompt.
then disable the usb controller that is controlling the usb port you have your usb stick plugged into.
wait a few seconds. then re-enable the usb controller.
go back to the command prompt and start the service by typing: sc start tvservice
then open mediaportal and see if it works.

Hey mate

where abouts do i disable/enable just the usb port the TV stick is in?

thanks a lot

MrAlan

98 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 167667 29-Sep-2008 08:49

same place as before
Right click my computer > select properties
choose the hardware tab and click on device manager
find Universal Serial Bus Controllers and click the + to expand.
then right click on the USB Host Controller and select disable.
Also the disable and re-enable the USB2 Enhanced Controller if you have it.
you might need to disable several controllers before finding out which one is controlling the port you have plugged the usb stick into. it would be a good idea to write down which one it is when you find it, and if restarting the USB ports fixes the problem then a script could be written to automate turning it off and on before starting mediaportal to ensure tv would work everytime.

skidzon

19 posts

Geek

Reply # 167879 30-Sep-2008 01:27

MrAlan: same place as before
Right click my computer > select properties
choose the hardware tab and click on device manager
find Universal Serial Bus Controllers and click the + to expand.
then right click on the USB Host Controller and select disable.
Also the disable and re-enable the USB2 Enhanced Controller if you have it.
you might need to disable several controllers before finding out which one is controlling the port you have plugged the usb stick into. it would be a good idea to write down which one it is when you find it, and if restarting the USB ports fixes the problem then a script could be written to automate turning it off and on before starting mediaportal to ensure tv would work everytime.

Hi there

disabling the USB controller asks for the computer to be restarted, and it will not take effect until the computer has restarted, which fixes the problem without disabling USB controllers.

thanks again.

fatjoez

141 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Trusted

Reply # 168817 3-Oct-2008 13:49

Thought i'd drop in on this thread seeing as I know what the issue is :p

As per one of the responders thoughts, the computer does indeed turn off power
to the USB port to save power when the computer is on standby or power saving mode.......

When turning the pc back on or resuming from standby however for some reason.....
1. power isnt restored to these ports properly/fully or 2. the devices simply do not function correctly after being repowered

Regardless there really is no way around it that I have found as I have this exact issue with my USB mouse.
Disabling the "turn off this device to save power" in control panel as you said, doesn't fix it.

So in conclusion I just wanted to say thats what's causing your problem and I haven't found a suitable fix yet but just don't go thinking it's a fault with your usb stick or anything :p