Service Modes, Error Codes, and Fault Finding
EN 26 BP2.2U, BP2.3U5.
5.4 ComPair
5.4.1 Introduction
ComPair (Computer Aided Repair) is a service tool for Philips
Consumer Electronics products. ComPair is a further
development on the European DST (service remote control),
which allows faster and more accurate diagnostics. ComPair
has three big advantages:
• ComPair helps you to quickly get an understanding on how
to repair the chassis in a short time by guiding you
systematically through the repair procedures.
• ComPair allows very detailed diagnostics (on I
2
C level) and
is therefore capable of accurately indicating problem areas.
You do not have to know anything about I
2
C commands
yourself because ComPair takes care of this.
• ComPair speeds up the repair time since it can
automatically communicate with the chassis (when the
microprocessor is working) and all repair information is
directly available. When ComPair is installed together with
the Force/SearchMan electronic manual of the defective
chassis, schematics and PWBs are only a mouse click
away.
5.4.2 Specifications
ComPair consists of a Windows based fault finding program
and an interface box between PC and the (defective) product.
The ComPair interface box is connected to the PC via a serial
(or RS-232) cable.
For this chassis, the ComPair interface box and the TV
communicate via a bi-directional service cable via the service
connector(s).
The ComPair fault finding program is able to determine the
problem of the defective television. ComPair can gather
diagnostic information in two ways:
• Automatic (by communication with the television): ComPair
can automatically read out the contents of the entire error
buffer. Diagnosis is done on I
2
C/UART level. ComPair can
access the I
2
C/UART bus of the television. ComPair can
send and receive I
2
C/UART commands to the micro
controller of the television. In this way, it is possible for
ComPair to communicate (read and write) to devices on
the I
2
C/UART buses of the TV-set.
• Manually (by asking questions to you): Automatic
diagnosis is only possible if the micro controller of the
television is working correctly and only to a certain extend.
When this is not the case, ComPair will guide you through
the fault finding tree by asking you questions (e.g. Does the
screen give a picture? Click on the correct answer: YES /
NO) and showing you examples (e.g. Measure test-point I7
and click on the correct oscillogram you see on the
oscilloscope). You can answer by clicking on a link (e.g.
text or a waveform picture) that will bring you to the next
step in the fault finding process.
By a combination of automatic diagnostics and an interactive
question / answer procedure, ComPair will enable you to find
most problems in a fast and effective way.
5.4.3 How to Connect
This is described in the chassis fault finding database in
ComPair.
Caution: It is compulsory to connect the TV to the PC as
shown in the picture below (with the ComPair interface in
between), as the ComPair interface acts as a level shifter. If
you connect the TV directly to the PC (via UART), the VIPER
or PNX2015 will be blown!
Figure 5-12 ComPair interface connection
5.4.4 How to Order
ComPair order codes (US):
• ComPair Software: ST4191.
• ComPair Interface Box: 4822 727 21631.
• AC Adapter: T405-ND.
• ComPair Quick Start Guide: ST4190.
• ComPair interface extension cable: 3139 131 03791.
• ComPair UART interface cable: 3122 785 90630
Note: If you encounter any problems, contact your local
support desk.
5.5 Error Codes
5.5.1 Introduction
The error code buffer contains all detected errors since the last
time the buffer was erased. The buffer is written from left to
right, new errors are logged at the left side, and all other errors
shift one position to the right.
When an error has occurred, the error is added to the list of
errors, provided the list is not full or the error is a protection
error.
When an error occurs and the error buffer is full, then the new
error is not added, and the error buffer stays intact (history is
maintained), except when the error is a protection error.
To prevent that an occasional error stays in the list forever, the
error is removed from the list after 50+ operation hours.
When multiple errors occur (errors occurred within a short time
span), there is a high probability that there is some relation
between them.
Basically there are three kinds of errors:
• Errors detected by the Stand-by Processor. These
errors will always lead to protection and an automatic start
of the blinking LED for the concerned error (see paragraph
“The Blinking LED Procedure”). In these cases SDM can
be used to start up (see chapter “Stepwise Start-up”).
• Errors detected by VIPER that lead to protection. In this
case the TV will go to protection and the front LED will blink
at 3 Hz. Further diagnosis via service modes is not possible
here (see also paragraph “Error Codes” -> “Error Buffer” -
> “Extra Info”).
• Errors detected by VIPER that do not lead to
protection. In this case the error can be read out via
ComPair, via blinking LED method, or in case you have
picture, via SAM.
5.5.2 How to Read the Error Buffer
Use one of the following methods:
• On screen via the SAM (only if you have a picture). E.g.:
– 00 00 00 00 00: No errors detected
– 06 00 00 00 00: Error code 6 is the last and only
detected error
– 09 06 00 00 00: Error code 6 was first detected and
error code 9 is the last detected error
• Via the blinking LED procedure (when you have no
picture). See next paragraph.
•Via ComPair.
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