>From sam@stdavids.picker.com Wed Sep 23 17:41:19 1998
Newsgroups: sci.electronics.repair
Subject: Re: TV "hidden" service menus
From: sam@stdavids.picker.com (Sam Goldwasser)
Date: 24 Sep 1998 00:41:19 GMT

In article <6ubndp$qco$1@nclient5-gui.server.virgin.net> "Adrian Huck"
<adrian.huck@virgin.net> writes:

>   As far as I know only sony televisions have this feature which is activated
>   by holding dowon the + & - buttons on the front facia whilst power on

Many/most/all modern TVs have them but the method of entry differs between
makes and model lines.

Here are a few:

Setup adjustments lost - TV service codes:
-----------------------------------------

Many modern TVs have RAM, somewhat like the CMOS SETUP memory in your PC,
that store all factory adjustments.  When power is lost, there is power
surge, lightning strike nearby, nuclear detonation or EMP, it may
have put bad information into the ram and thrown it out of adjustment.  There
is a way to get into the service mode (depress and hold a secret button
down and turn set on, special combination of buttons on the remote, etc.)
and then use the remote to reinitialize and adjust the problems out.

HOWEVER, IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU DOING YOU COULD GIVE YOURSELF WORSE
PROBLEMS.  YOU COULD EVEN BLOW VERY EXPENSIVE PARTS WITH SOME SETS!

Try not to make any unnecessary changes and document every change you make!!!
That way you can go back if you do anything wrong (hopefully).  However, some
changes - even if nothing fails - will result in an unviewable picture thus
making it extremely difficult to see what you are doing.

The Sams' Photofact manual for your set should describe this process - you may
be able to get Photofacts from a local library, or you can buy them from Radio
Shack or a place like MCM Electronics or an electronics distributor.  The
June, 1998, issue of "Electronic Servicing and Technology" (ES&T) had an
article on service mode if you have access to this publication (it won't be
in your public library).

Some examples follow.  You would need to check the service information for
your specific model to be sure.  However, trying the procedures described
below probably will not hurt.  The TV will just ignore you if it doesn't
like your codes!  However, if you do get in, make sure you know what you are
doing or your original problem may be inconsequential compared to your new
ones!

* Ferguson/Thomson Technology T49F television (TX91 chassis and probably
  others as well).

  (From: Peter Radlberger (peter.radlberger@blackbox.at)).

  - Unplug SCART cable.

  - Switch to Standby, then switch mains off.

  - Hold blue button on remote, power up.

  - Repress blue button, service screen appears.

  - Select function with blue, adjust with Vol+/-, store new value with
    highlighted Memo and Vol+.  Restore jumps to original value, ROM are
    production defaults.

  - Leave with Standby.

* Some JVC models (JA chassis):

  (From: Roger Dowling (rogerd@globalnet.co.uk)).

  Press the DISPLAY key and the CINEMA/GAME key of the remote control
  simultaneously.

* Some JVC models:

  (From: Andy Cuffe (baltimora@psu.edu)).

  I have used this on JVCs from 1995:

  - Set the clock to 3:21 AM.

  - Start the clock as you normally would but press MUTE while "Thank you" is
    flashing.

  - Press menu up or down just after MUTE.

  - Use up/down to select options and left/right to adjust.  The settings are
    automatically saved when you exit.

  (From: P. White (pwhite4@aol.com)).

  On the new line of JVC sets, hold the "Display" and "Video Status" buttons
  on the remote simultaneously.   The set will bring up a service menu.
  Good luck trying to navigate the service menus with out a manual.

* Some Magnavox models: Enter 062596 then MENU.  The channels will change but
  when MENU is pressed, the TV will enter the service menu.

  (From: Gscivi (gscivi@aol.com)).

  Hit MENU on the remote, while the menu is still up press the numbers 061596
  or 061597.  One of these will bring up the service menu. Now, your right/left
  arrows on remote will switch between the numbers across the bottom of the
  screen, highlight the number set right after the 'setup or service' option.
  The arrow up/down will change to the next service position.

* Some Mitsubishi models: Use your remote and press MENU then 2357 use VIDEO
  to select service menu and ADJUST to set values.

* Some Nokia (ITT) models:

  (From: Stefan Huebner (Stefan.Huebner@rookie.antar.com)).

  Press mono/stereo - Channel C - Hypersonic <H> within 1 second,  The display
  now shows SE.  Leave the service mode with the standby button.

* Nokia model 6363:

  (From: Ian Abel G3ZHI (bert@skypilot.demon.co.uk)).

  Nokia model 6363 (and probably other late model TVs) - On the remote press
  -/-- then menu then TV all within 1 second.  When in setup mode you use
  channel up or down buttons on the TV set to change to whatever you need to
  set up.  Adjustments are made with volume + and - buttons on the remote
  control.  My advice is to make a note of all the settings before making
  changes then you can always go back to them.

* Some Panasonic models: A very detailed document on Panasonic Service(man)
  mode for some models in the GL10C family (may apply to others as well) is
  provided at:

  - http://www.colpetzer.com/calanan/Panasonic/

  Includes entering/saving/leaving, register contents and range, etc.

* Panasonic TX-W28R3 (and similar models):

  (From: Arpad Kothai (arpadk@EUnet.yu)).

  The remote control is used for entering and storing adjustments, with the
  exception of cut-off adjustments which must always be done prior to service
  adjustment. Perform adjustments in accordance with screen display. The
  display on the screen also specifies the CCU variants as well as the
  approximate setting values. The adjustment sequence for the service mode is
  indicated below.

  1. Set the Bass to maximum position, set the Treble to minimum position,
     press the Reveal on the remote control and at the same time press the
     Volume on the customer controls at the front of the TV, this will place
     the TV into the Service mode.

  2. Press the RED/GREEN buttons to step down  / up through the functions.

  3. Press the YELLOW/BLUE buttons to alter the function values.

  4. Press the STORE button on the preset panel after each adjustment has been
     made to store the required values.

  5. To exit the Service Mode press the Normalization button.

* Philips 29PT8303 and other similar models:

  Using the remote control, press 062596, then the MENU key.

* Some RCA models: The codes can be found pasted to the inside of the
  back cover.  To get into the SETUP MENU, "Press and hold MENU, hit POWER and
  then VOL+.  DO NOT set H Freq too low or you will wipe the EEPROM.  Bummer.
  For more information, see the document: "RCA/GE TV (CTC175/176/177) Solder
  Connection and EEPROM Problems"

* Some Samsung models:

  (From: Livio Belac (lbelac@efpu.hr)).

  - CHASSIS: SCT51A: PICTURE OFF (ST. BY) -> SLEEP -> P.STD -> MUTE -> PICTURE
    ON (PWR ON).

  - CHASSIS: SCT11A, SCT11B, SCV11A, SCV11B ST. BY -> P.STD -> MENU -> SLEEP ->
    POWER ON.

  Perform adjustments with VOL +/-

  Select between adjustments with CH +/-

* Some Sharp models (including 19J-M100 and 20J-M100):

  Press the 'vol up' and 'channel up' at the same time and then plug in the
  set to AC line.  Use the 'channel up/down' buttons to select the register;
  use the 'vol up/down' buttons to select the values.  To exit this mode,
  depress the 'power' button.
 
* Various Sony models: Service mode adjustments can be found at:

  - http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_Sony_setup.html.

* Another Sony:

  (From: Trygve Pedersen (trygve-p@netpower.no)).

  To enter service mode turn off power push both + and - buttons on front of
  TV while you powers up you get TT on screen, and then you enter 34 (TT34 on
  screen), press the left arrow twice on remote, and you are in service mode.

* Some Sony UK models: Fast text buttons operate service mode.

* Sony KV-X2571 and similar models:

  (From: Peter & Jolanda Faber (pfaber@worldonline.nl)).

  Switch TV off.  Press and hold two switches (center & right) under front
  panel.  Switch set on with main switch.  Wait a few seconds.  Release two
  switches again.
 
* Some Toshibas:

  (From: Bill A. (Lucy27@ix.netcom.com)).:

  1. Press the mute button on your remote and release (put unit in mute).

  2. Press and hold mute button on remote.

  3. At the same time while holding mute button on remote, press the menu
     button on the TV itself.

  If done correctly an "s" should show up on the screen to determine that you
  have successfully entered the service mode.

  5. Now, I believe if you press the menu button again on the unit some
     microprocessor data should be showing up on screen i.e. current micro
     part# etc.

  6. Press #9 on remote to enter various modes of operation.  Here is where you
     really need the service manual, too much info to show here.

  Once in Service mode be very careful!!!

* Zenith System 3:

  (From: Raymond Carlsen (rrcc@u.washington.edu) and jollyrgr@mc.net).

  Hold the MENU button down for about 5 seconds... until the currently
  displayed menu disappears.  Then press 9 8 7 6, then ENTER. There are two
  menus in the service mode.  Use the MENU to toggle between them. Press
  SELect until the item you want is highlighted, then the ADJ button (left
  or right) for the submenu or the adjustment. Press SELect for the next item
  and MENU for the alternate menu.  Press ENTer to exit the service mode.

Service menu caution:
--------------------

Even changing a parameter which results in the loss of the picture could
require replacing the EEPROM if you cannot get the set to come on and view
the service menu to reset!

However, it may be possible to drive the HOT with an external source
so you can see the menus for setup.

CAUTION: there is some risk.  Should drive the HOT with too low a frequency,
it may blow due to flyback core saturation.  Use a series light bulb to
minimize this possibility.

--- sam : Note: Temporary problem with www.repairfaq.org, go to:

   Repair | ITALY   http://ftp.unina.it/pub/electronics/serfit1.html
  +Lasers | USA     http://www.pacwest.net/byron13/sam/faqsam.htm
          | UK      http://www.jasper.demon.co.uk/repairfaq/
          | GERMANY http://repairfaq.physik.tu-berlin.de/repairfaq/