Zgemma H7s Guide

yabadabado

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123120732#Comment_123120732

Really,that's a pity.

I've the Duo and Duo 2 was thinking be great if I could get them fixed but can't actually find anyone to do the job.

WoS best place to buy the H7s ?

swoofer

The duo is ancient but any idea what's wrong with the DUO2? And yes even with all custom charges etc WOS is best and they will set it up for a bit extra. Get the SSD.

joeirish

Hello again, it's been a while but I'm unfortunately back with the same old problem. Cannot find the internal hard disc. So after the big storm and power cuts I've lost the connection to the SSD. I've tried the usual method of deep standby then power off for five minutes but this doesn't work. I've done it loads of times but no luck. When I reboot no storage devices are shown. But when I go to FIle list it shows the following list of directories and at the bottom left what appears to be loads of space 1631 MB (64%) free discspace. So that suggests to me (with my little bit of computer hardware knowledge) that the SSD is there and working. But when I click on media directory it is shows just 64 kB free (100%) free diskspace. ! Running ViX 6.4011

Any help appreciated.

joeirish

Heres the Setup screenshot -no storage device shown.

CalamariFritti

Hard drive settings and tools like formatting, mounting etc are in 'setup/system/storage devices' and the hard disc is typically mounted under /media/hdd with /hdd being a link to that folder.

joeirish

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123121148#Comment_123121148

Thanks but the internal hard disc is not showing. There is no storage devices shown on the setup menu?

This is what I see in Setup

joeirish

Would a factory reset do anything?

joeirish

This is what I see in Setup/system

CalamariFritti

I would pull power not just power off and I would open up the box the verify the hard disc is physically connected properly and is not just hanging on.

After that there are a few things you could do at operating system level after ssh-ing into the box but thats not something many would be familiar/confident with. And if there was a physical problem it wouldnt be much good anyway.

Is this the new version of the zgemma? Like where the ssd is sticking out a bit at the back and can be inserted/replaced without opening the case? Or is it the older version where the ssd is fully internal?

If the ssd was always a bit wobbly, you say this is not the first you have trouble, it may indicate it's not physically installed/connected properly or it is a sh1t/cheap ssd or there is some other hardware problem.

Have you openwebif installed? If yes go to go to 'extras/terminal' to start a command shell on the box and then use the 'mount' command to have a look if there is /dev/sda1 or so in the output. Should be mounted to /media/hdd but it looks like it's not. Have a go at that anyway. Also what output is the 'blkid' command bringing up?

swoofer

On your pic above you should click on HDD and see if it shows anything. Then your best bet is to update to 6.6.013 usung viximage manager, it will ask to save settings and then ask you to restore just say yes. Its very quick and should fix your little hiccup.

joeirish

Thank @CalamariFritti . So I have unplugged after deep standby but no solution. I've also checked the internal connections and all look OK wth nothing loose. This is an older version of the Zgemma and I have to remove the cover to get at the ssd. Its also the one that was installed when I bought the box. In the past it was power cuts etc that caused the disc to disappear but this always sorted itself. Sometimes by deep standby, unplug, resart etc. Sometimes it just found the ssd without me doing anything.

Not sure about openwebif, where would I find out if this is installed? You might be testing my computing knowledge, it's been a long long time since I messed with any code or commands!

joeirish

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123121517#Comment_123121517

Thanks. I'll update the image. You mention clicking on HDD but I don't have that showing? Maybe I'm missing something?

CalamariFritti

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123121548#Comment_123121548

Openwebif is an extension/plugin that allows you to connect and configure your zgemma via web browser in your local network. Amongst other things it also provides a command shell. You install it via 'setup/software management/manage plugins/extension packages' if it's not installed already which you find out in the same location.

swoofer

joe look at your pic in post 2704 count down 4 and see etc and below is hdd, click on that and see if it shows files.

The old zgemma h7 had a bad batch and can fail, usually after 2 years.

when you go to image manager you will get and option on slot to flash to choose a new slot and makes box like new, you still restore settings.

joeirish

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123121517#Comment_123121517

Thanks again.. I've updated to 6.6.013 now. Unfortunately it didn't sort the issue.

swoofer

you have to do a hard reboot ie turn off at rear using white power switch . That may detect hdd drive. If no joy you have to open box disconnect hdd them reconnect and reboot. After that you have to try another hdd preferably ssd. It’s a pain. Did u see hdd directory in pic above.

joeirish

@CalamariFritti

So it looks like openwebif is installed but I don't seem to be able to run it. Maybe too late at night and my brain is not working properly. But I just can't seem to do what you suggest. The system menu does not have the option you said in #2714 above. What I see on the Setup screen is in post #2705.

This is what I see on plugin browser from the main menu

CalamariFritti

Great it's already installed.

So assuming she has network access, wireless or not, you can use your web browser to access the openwebif UI. Just figure out what your zgemma IP address is, network settings/info/test in zgemma or via your router settings, and you can browse to http://<address> and see what you can see in my screenshot. There are some useful tools in there like bouquet editor and a lot of settings and also a command shell (terminal).

But if you're not all that comfortable with that anyway I wouldnt spend too much time on getting that up and running if isnt already. Having web access and thereby ability to run terminal commands are probably not going to solve your hard drive problem. I mean it might help diagnose or else I wouldnt have mentioned it, but if I was a betting man…

On that note. Process of elimination; you wouldnt have a spare 2.5" hard drive or a buddy who could give you an old one? Doesn't have to be ssd, any old laptop hard drive should do. Then you could replace your ssd with that and see whether it works which would mean it may be a faulty drive not a faulty zgemma.

swoofer

Before you go openwebif its important to do the troubleshooting to figure out if its a hardware fault or software. With the latest image you need to say if you powered off and all the rest. and you need to check if recordings are showing when you press file list. If you dont have a spare SSD just say so, not everyone does. You also stick a usb in and see if thats recognised.

cala;s bit is complex and involevs telnet commands and logging in to box software. To get it to work you have to set up the network and test it and then give the box a static address. you then have to set a password and press green to save, use 5 letters. Then to access you type in the box ip address in the web browser seach bar.

When you to go to network just watch the onscreen commands. When you finally get it open you will see the word TERMINAL at the bottom of the word extras on left hand side. but to use it you have to login and it goes, root then PW and then you are in. Be warned you can mess up and that is why i never use it.

how old is box?

Vix 6.6 comes ready to with a lot already installed.

If you want it a bit simpler just say so. The box may be tost but the nuclear option is to flash 6.6 to an empty slot and set it up from scratch, you do not restore anything, I have explained how quite a ew times now. you can have 4 images on box.

And you have to go slow..

CalamariFritti

Dont need a static IP just need to know what the current one is or better again give your zgemma a (host)name. Also no password needed all is 'root' no password on enigma2. But this is probably academical anyway…so I agree dont waste time on openwebif.

For now I would just try a different drive and see how that goes.

If that doesnt bring any result a fresh software install may do something.

If either of those dont work you may need help or else the zgemma may simply be bollixed.

joeirish

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123122788#Comment_123122788

Thanks again. I have an external HDD that I can plug in with usb. That works and Storage appears on the Setup menu when I have this drive connected and turned. What puzzle me is that even with this disconnected there is a lots of spare disc space shown as in the image on my post #2705 (1631 MB and 64% free disc space). This image is shown when I click on File List on the remote. It's what I use to see what programmes have been recorded, not sure if the button has the same name on your remote. But if I click on any of the other directories the available disc space only shows 64 kB free (100%) free diskspace. So my assumption is that the ssd is there and working with plenty of disc space. Have I misunderstood how the file system works?

joeirish

@swoofer thanks for the continued help. To answer your questions. I have a spare external HDD which works and storage is shown on the setup menu when the hdd is connected and turned on. When it's not on or connected Sotrage does not appear on the setup menu.

After I installed the new image I did the hard reboot but the internal ssd is still not showing. The box is about 5 or six years old and everything else works except finding this ssd from File List. But as can be seen in my screenshot in #2705 even when the link to the ssd is not showing and there is no storage device listed, there is a lot of free disc space shown. So I'm wondering if this means the ssd is there are working but it is just the link for the File list that has corrupted?

joeirish

This screenshot shows the images available. 6.6.013 is the one I flashed last night. I've rebooted with this in PiP and Kodi mode but no difference. Perhpas I should download and new image with saving settings and reboot from that?

andy1249

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123122986#Comment_123122986

1631 MB (64%) free discspace …. that is just 1.631 GB , which would be a pretty small HDD these days. The smallest used is usually 500GB , or the most common , what with them being so cheap , is 1TB = 1000GB = 1000,000MB

That free space you are seeing is most likely just the internal flash memory , its far too small to be a hard drive of any kind these days.

joeirish

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123123008#Comment_123123008

Thanks. Yes I did misread the free space. Duh!

joeirish

All sorted. Again! So another deep standby, power off then restart and all normal again. I've actually no idea why this happens or how it resolves itself. Anyway thanks once again for all the help guys. Cheers. Now for the rugby!

swoofer

Joe your a chancer, the fact the box finds the external shows the software is OK. That image is for numerous boxes and kodi is to be avoided. Anyway, you are clutching at straws now and its better to go step by step, you need to open the box and take a pic of the ssd and look for the sata cable, it may be black or red and that can be faulty, so unclip from board, there is a press in bit that releases it , then unclip from ssd and reverse connect, unclip the power lead as well and re connect. If you have a spare sata cable better still.

For now its either the ssd or the sata cable. You can check those black things as well and see if they look swollen.

If you don't have a spare ssd or sata cable what I would do is plug in a USB stick and save your epg to that. You have 3 usb slots the blue one is ver 3 and the fastest, use external hdd in that.

As you jumped to kodi you may try something else off your own bat and that screws up trying to diagnose.

And do you make backups?

greasepalm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123123563#Comment_123123563

Reversing the power cable i would be worried. If you had another drive i would try fitting that instead and see if it is discovered.

Query if your doing a backup or have images on HDD or SSD they would have to be seen or one gets a message saying you need space on a drive to continue. No drives =no backups or image downloads possible.

swoofer

not reversing power cable, its the sata cable you cant reverse the power cable.

I just want to try reseating the cables, it has been known to fix issues,

Wcool

MMm, i had trouble with some channels to receive them, starting today. Not unlike other people in the last week I have trouble with ITV and Virgin Media terrestial channels with the decoding. SNR says 99 percent but the screen is tearing heavily.

I was messing around with Signal finder and older boot images and in my wisdom :( I selected PIP mode rather than Kodi mode and now my GUI isn't booting any more.

I do have SSH access, is there a way through the linux shell to select a boot partition and mode? OpenAtv 7.4 if that helps.

From memory, the multiboot manager looked like this:

Kodi mode:

1. Open ATV 6.3
2. Open ATV 7.4

PIP mode

1. Open ATV 6.3
2. Open ATV 7.4

I went from 7.4 Kodi, to 7.4 PIP

Any help welcome!

Wcool

OK I managed to get it back with a hack, I managed to find the config files for the boot and manually copied the right entry back into the default STARTUP file

Below just for people who have a similar issue:

root@zgemmah7:/boot# ls -lrt
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 163 Jan 18 2021 STARTUP_LINUX_4_BOXMODE_12
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 124 Jan 18 2021 STARTUP_LINUX_4_BOXMODE_1
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 163 Jan 18 2021 STARTUP_LINUX_3_BOXMODE_12
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 124 Jan 18 2021 STARTUP_LINUX_3_BOXMODE_1
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 163 Jan 18 2021 STARTUP_LINUX_2_BOXMODE_12
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 124 Jan 18 2021 STARTUP_LINUX_2_BOXMODE_1
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 162 Jan 18 2021 STARTUP_LINUX_1_BOXMODE_12
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 123 Jan 18 2021 STARTUP_LINUX_1_BOXMODE_1
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 163 Jan 18 2021 STARTUP

root@zgemmah7:/boot# cat STARTUP
boot emmcflash0.linuxkernel2 'brcm_cma=520M@248M brcm_cma=192M@768M root=/dev/mmcblk0p8 rootsubdir=linuxrootfs2 kernel=/dev/mmcblk0p4 rw rootwait h7_4.boxmode=12'

root@zgemmah7:/boot# cat STARTUP_LINUX_2_BOXMODE_1
boot emmcflash0.linuxkernel2 'root=/dev/mmcblk0p8 rootsubdir=linuxrootfs2 kernel=/dev/mmcblk0p4 rw rootwait h7_4.boxmode=1'

root@zgemmah7:/boot# cp STARTUP STARTUP.old

root@zgemmah7:/boot# cp STARTUP_LINUX_2_BOXMODE_1 STARTUP

root@zgemmah7:/boot# reboot

yabadabado

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123120980#Comment_123120980

The Duo served me well ,must have nealy 15 years .Definitely earned its keep.

No idea what's wrong with the Duo 2 ,just stopped working one day .

CalamariFritti

Not that I know but according to some there is, might make things worse though if it goes arseways

https://forums.openpli.org/topic/89130-zgemma-h7-multiboot/

Wcool

OK back to the screen tearing, this is an example:

As you can see, SNR is 99 percent. So how do I find out if my box is faulty or it's just a glitch or my dish is out of alignment?

I also have trouble with most terrestial channels like RTE2 and Virgin Media, however there the SNR is 50 percent while RTE1 is 75 percent (and works). It only started today.

Is there some test I can run that diagnoses if my hardware is ok?

Note: it's not all channels, about 50 percent BBC works for instance, ITV and UTV don't.

I have a signal checker but have no idea what the bars mean nor what the manual configuration does.

swoofer

have you tried a different hdmi lead?

cathy427

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123124882#Comment_123124882

I have a picture like that on the 2nd tv. For mine its saorview cable to distribution amplifier. One cable from the amplifier to the zgemma box and working perfectly and one to the 2nd tv and picture like yours so I am guessing it's a dodgy connection somewhere.

So for you - is it coming straight from saorview aerial to the zgemma?

I appreciate this doesn't account for the missing itv so swoofers point re the cable maybe more on the ball.

Have you rescan since the changes to the itv frequency?

In addition to checking/changing the hdmi cable have you any homemade coaxial connections?

joeirish

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123124257#Comment_123124257

Thanks again. I've reversed the sata cable so we'll see if that does improve things. No sign of swelling on the back connectors. I've also unplugged and plugged in again the power lead.

In answer to your other question I do make backups. I have an exterenal HDD plugged into the blue USB socket and this is where the backups are. Cheers.

Wcool

Thank you for the suggestions. I replaced the HDMI cable but no joy.

I rescanned and lost ITV2 HD and ITV3 HD (not a problem). Virgin Media (terrestial) seems to work now, probably because SNR > 60 now.

To me it really seems to be a signal issue. I have no idea how to interpret the Signal Finder though.

This is what I see if I am on ITV1 HD:

Now I hit scan:

I see this list: (within 5 sec)

Whichever ITV1 I choose, it's always blurry.

Only other thing that has changed since the storm is that I have no internet on my local network.

I dunno, probably time to have someone checkout the dish alignment (I'm too old to climb the roof).

Edit: Forgot to mention my setup: just the dish straight into my zgemmah7 going into HDMI1 on telly, that's all. Kodi HDMI2 is working fine.

CalamariFritti

But then how could the dish be misaligned if the signal is perfect? My tuner has this on signal finder.

And my ITV1 is perfect.

Wcool

Really weird isn't it? Is 99 percent SNR 'normal' though? Can it be that high? All DVB channels have 99 though …

greasepalm

I do wonder if you rescanned 28.2 how many channels are picked up on your scan. Nothing blocking line of sight.

Did you unscrew your F connector and recheck your wires and if any burn marks.

CalamariFritti

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123127344#Comment_123127344

I'm really no expert on those values.

This is from the world of satellite forum:

https://www.world-of-satellite.com/showthread.php?23299-What-does-SNR-AGC-BER-mean

SNR = Signal to Noise Ratio - which means signal quality
AGC = Automatic Gain Control - which means signal strength
BER = Bit Error Rate - which shows the error rate of the signal.

So, SNR and AGC should be as high as possible.

BER should be as low as possible, like 0. It can be higher, if your other values are higher.

Your dB is enormous compared to mine but I have no idea whether thats good or bad.

Wcool

Connectors on ZGemma look clean.

As said, I am not sure what certain numbers mean: I noticed from the screenshots that my transponder for ITV1 is 11386 V 27500 2/3 while for CalamariFritti it's 10818 V 23000 3/4

Is that significant?

No idea how to find out which channels changed since last scan.

I have one more idea: I have 2 DVB tuners (of course), with Tuner B configured as Use Tuner A config. Can I force which tuner to use for a channel? i.e. Maybe Tuner A is faulty and Tuner B works (or the connector). Would be interesting to test out.

greasepalm

Do you have both tuners fitted with sat cables.

You can switch over sat cables for checking while box is powered off.

Wcool

Yes both cables are connected (to same dish).

I switched inputs , no joy but then realised it didn't test the tuner, only the cable. I managed to find a setting to change the preferred tuner to B but also no joy.

I'm giving up, I will call in someone to check the dish.

Thank you for all the suggestions, very very much appreciated.

Wcool

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123127374#Comment_123127374

The rescan on satellite shows 698 channels, I think it used to be in the 900s?

Final remark: also also on the channels that do work (like BBC), the 'bad weather' icon appears when switching to the channel, maybe indicating some signal problem?

greasepalm

Hmm i scanned last week and found 718 , remember plenty of channels were deleted from SD and only using HD ones.

swoofer

don't give up, that's a perfect signal, its the output from the box that has gone wonky. You should change the hdmi on TV as well ie use 2 and see if it works.

It looks as if you are using an openatv image, can you check the version, menu information, or about. I need to know image version and skin.

HDMI sockets can fail as well.

For the tuners you should have each one configured separately but the same, which I think you have. You can disable each tuner in turn just toggle until it says not configured and green to save. While on a channel press ok and it gives a signal reading, higher the better. Db is a better measure but in your case its weird. You should check video settings as well, does your box have SSD sticking out.

here are a few pics, its not a zgemma but same applies, i'll try zgemma later, cant fathom that DB figure.

You can also flash a new image to another slot and that may resolve the issue. its quite easy but you need box connected to network. You probably had a power cut and that can cause havoc. Your dish is fine. Green lock is the key.

IMG_7937.PNG

IMG_7938.jpg

IMG_7940.jpg

You should check video settings as well.

Don Juan II

I don't think it's the hdmi cable that's wrong here. If it was, then the open at OSD (on screen display) would be pixelated as well (i.e. All you settings screens as well as footer in your screenshot would be pixelated)

swoofer

no those onscreen graphics are static, they are just images.