Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 861/621 Configuration Problems

Friends,

I just acquired a HD621 and am trying to reconfigure my system. I have not had to configure my 861 for years, and am experiencing difficulties. Two quick questions.

1. Can you configure the 861 using the new configuration program? When reading through Meridian's documentation on the new configuration program, there are passages that suggest the 800 series cannot be configured using the new program; only the G series can. Is this correct?

I have tried to use the new configuration program and have failed so far. I input all of my new settings using the new program. When I tried to store the new settings to the 861, I received this error message: "Failure during directory read. Product reported bad command."

2. Having failed using the new configuration program, I tried to fetch my existing 861 settings using the Legacy configuration program. The Toshiba laptop I have has a USB interface assigned COM9. The Legacy program cannot use COM9. As far as I can tell, it can only work with COM1-4, or perhaps COM1-8. When I used the Control Panel of the laptop to re-assign COM9 to COM1 or COM2 (COM3-COM8 are "in use"), I still could not complete a successful fetch.

If anyone can give me proper direction, I would greatly appreciate it. Otherwise, I will be calling the dealer and/or Meridian America Tuesday morning.

Truman, others here know a lot more about this than I do, but...

What 861 version do you have? New config program works with later versions (3 and 4, I think), old version for early versions.

Second point is that most advice here has been to never fetch from the machine. Just make your changes in the config program and reload.

From a dealer demo last Friday, I know you have to set up both the 861 and the HD621 with the config program, and the HD621 uses the new config.

Finally, don't know about using the USB interface with the old legacy program. I use a USB to serial converter and had to download a driver which let me assign the COM port. Cleanest way is to use serial to serial connection as probably described in the two product manuals.

Wish I could be of more help tonight, probably a little too early for Euro experts to sign in but I'll bet you have some more definitive comments before long. Good luck JimK (90266!)

Yes the latest mconfig is required to setup the 861 and HD621.

Download it here:
http://www.Meridian-audio.com/support/download-installer.aspx

Sometimes turning the 861 off and on with the switch in the back helps.

Disable any antivirus software - Norton etc.

Check out the wiki for potential RS232 issues:
http://bit.ly/c0ajn7

Read the HD621 TechNote16 on the upper right corner of this page:
http://www.Meridian-audio.info/show.php?compid=228

Calling Meridian in Atlanta is a good idea, if you are still struggling.

Thank you for the tips so far.

I have been using the most recent version of the Mconfig application. I followed the procedure in TechNote 16. I succeeded in storing settings to the HD621. As noted, however, I could not store to the 861, and only then tried to use the Legacy program.

I have version 4.25 of the 861.

I will keep experimenting tonight and check in with Meridian in the morning if I continue to experience problems.

If you can save to the HD621 the RS-232 is working.

Another idea is to retype the 861, then try to store from mconfig.

Instructions for retyping are in the 861 manual under Type.

Quote
I input all of my new settings using the new program. When I tried to store the new settings to the 861, I received this error message: "Failure during directory read. Product reported bad command."
Unquote

I haven't seen this error message, but my 861v4 always fails to store the first time at this step. That's when you should try Arcade's advice to turn the 861 off and back on using switch at the back. That's always worked for me. Good luck.

UPDATE: I succeeded in storing most of the settings to the 861 (downloading all of the most recent firmware updates apparently cured the problem). However, I was not able to complete the room correction process. After taking an initial measurement, the program reports that the 861 fails to reset.

Dit the speaker calibration works correct?
At which moment the 861 fails when you start MRC?
And what is the exect error message?

Robert W:

Speaker calibration worked fine.

In MRC: the program generated a sound out of the left speaker with the volume set to 87; the program then reports it is going to reset the volume to 50. At that point, the program reports that the 861 failed to reset and advises that I turn power off and on. But when I do that, the same cycle just repeats itself and I can never get beyond the initial measurement out of the left speaker.

Truman,

can you turn the diagnostic display on?
When you have done that (via Mconfig),
watch the 861reports with power up.
I dit have a failure with my MRC cards and the 861 showed,"missing EF20".
Finally,and that the bad news, my 861 is in repair.

You can try to install the newest SW again,retype it again.
Turn then the diagnostic dispaly(DD) on,and see.
Also you can toogle after the first power up with display and/or Function display to get maybe a message.
Do you have MRC files when you fetch back from your 861?

I had similar problems years ago and it was solved by retyping. I forget the exact process but it is in the instructions. If memory serves, the instructions call for pressing and holding an up button and I took it to mean the up button of the 4 arrow buttons, it was really the volume up button. These types are factory setups stored in the unit so you will wipe out all your settings. IMHO, though painful, I would write down all your settings, even the RC ones if you are happy with them. Then make sure your 861 has the latest FW and then go and upload your new M config and try the RC. One other thing is to try setting the analog input sensitivity to more sensitive.

UPDATE: I talked with Meridian America this morning and they suspect the problem is with the USB to serial adapter. Meridian suggested I get a Keyspan adapter and try again. So I will do that.

Continued thanks for the suggestions.