Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 861v8 - Bad Code Combination

Hi all,

Around October last year my 861v8 stopped producing audio. I emalied M but no reply. I had plenty of work to do around the property so didn't worry about it until now.

When I turn the 861 on I get 'Bad Code Combination'.

M's tech spec on this is:I have had this setup the same for quite a few years and haven't changed anything and it was working fine as it should. One minute it worked and then like an 'electronic static' sound came from the front speakers (I currently don't have my rears connected) so I put the 861 in standby. then turned it back on and have never had audio since. This is the first time I saw the 'Bad Code Combination'. I do run a power conditioner and power quality is good here. I have power cycled many times.

I have re-flashed the firmware in the 861v8 and still no result. As it's updating I see the 'Bad Code Combination' flash up when going through the update etc. I have re-flashed the firmware (861_8_6_4_v810) a few times with no result.

I also did a new config file and loaded it up. I use SpeakerLink and when checking what 'type' it is in standby it comes up as 'SpeakerLink as Conf.'.

I have also reflashed my HD621 (and a new config file) but still hasn't changed anything. I then fully removed it from the system and changed the config file so I could use optical from my source straight into the 861, still nothing.

I pulled all the cards in the 861 and re-seated them.

I don't see 'Bad code combination' all the time. Only when I power cycle the 861.

I did notice a white blinking light coming from the comms card when the unit is turned on from a power cycle. It lasts for around 10 seconds. Then when I choose a source the light will stay on all the time. I have never noticed this before when I have been behind the unit when it is on. The light comes through the slots in a blanking plate next to the comms card. Could this be the 'smoking gun'

I am at a loss after a number of painful hours trying to get this back up and running. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Hi Craig,

Bad code combination can also be an indication that the 861v8 can't see some of the cards.
(As it can't retrieve the card's firmware revision it reports as a firmware mismatch)

Put the 861 in standby.
then press the display button several time, to step through various information it will report on its display.
Type out here what it reports after each press?
Rick

Hi Rick, Happy New Year Mate. I did buy the HD621 from you if you remember some years ago.

OK here is the info from the display when on standy.

Micro 861 8.1. /4449
DSP C00057/D84056
DSP E00013/F84056

Hope this helps in some way.

I have 3 months warranty left on it when I sent it over to M in UK in 2016 to upgrade from v6 to v8 and they gave me the extra 5yr warranty.

Thanks
Craig

Re-type the unit and then fetch from it to rebuild the file. do not load your old config file into it. something has become corrupt. If that does not fix it, then it needs to go for service as one of the files is not responding to the CPU inquiry.

Marc

Marc,

Thank you very much for your reply.

I cannot re-type this 861v8 from the front panel as all it will ever come in stand-by from pressing the 'UP' arrow button for a few seconds as are the following 3 options:

1: Speakerlink OFF
2: Speakerlink as Conf.
3. Speakerlink ON

The only way I can re-type it is from the config software. I retyped it to another type (analogue) and tried the front panel again but I always get the same Speaklerlink stuff. Is this normal for a 861v8? Can others with a v8 advise on this?

The speakers all turn on (when typed to type 2 or 3) and the volume works. Everything will work except for any audio etc. The 861 is receiving audio (via my optical source) as when I cycle through the display as it will show the PCM 48K stream etc. Just no audio.



EDIT:
I was playing around with it and pressed the Calibrate button then pressed the standby button to get the type changed from the front panel. Tried every type from 0 to 5 and then power cycled the unit and still had the 'Bad Code Combination' on turn on.

I assume it will have to go back to the dealer then as with no config files present that can't be the problem.

Also Marc when I have tried to reflash the firmware lately I do get an error during the process a fair bit. It is BN02 E7 if that tells you anything.



Thanks

Craig

Sorry Craig;

Sound like it is in need of surgery. If it is still in warranty back to the dealer or distributor etc for work..

Marc,

Yes mate I'd say it needs surgery for sure. I will ring the dealer today which is about 2400km's away to see what they say. It is still under the 5 Year V8 upgrade warranty.

Thanks

Craig

Just an update:

The problem was the DSP CD20 board. I now have a brand new card (under warranty) installed and have tested it for over a month with no issues.

That update is really useful. Thank you for taking the trouble to tell us. Did the unit go to the distributor or was it diagnosed by asking you to change cards yourself with replacements sent to you?

Hi,

M sent the distributor here in Australia 4 new cards to try. They sent them to me and I tried the CD20 card first and everything was fine. Have to say the distributor here has been fantastic.

Hi all,

My 861v4 will no longer output any digital audio signals, and when pressing the display key on the front panel, I see the bad code combination message.

All was working fine until I shut it down in preparation for having some work done in my basement in July. As the basement work is now finished, I was trying to get things sorted again, and have run into this issue. It has the linear power supply that was installed by Bruce several years back and is running version 8.1. I am wondering if somehow the firmware has become corrupted.

Can some kind person please send me version 8.1, so I can try a firmware reload? In the meantime, I will try to rebuild the file from scratch as noted above.

Thanks,
John

You might also want to try reseating the cards and/or use a contact cleaner spray on the card slots (and repeatedly, and gently, insert/remove the cards to dislodge gunk and oxidation).

Edit: in an 861v4, it's often a bad contact on the DSP CD/EF cards which can cause this error. These cards are a bit further in than the I/O cards, but I don't think you need to remove the case (though you might). If you attempt to remove the case, don't remove the screws of death!