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General discussion

Check Fan 1 msg after Firmware update

Mar 12, 2009 4:00PM PDT

Hi
I updated the LCD TV LA40A680 to a new firmware and now I get a message Check Fan 1. The TV shuts off after several minutes. I'm sure I can here a fan running. Is there a way to tell the TV to ignore the fan message?
Any ideas?

Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Dont! Sounds like you need to call service.
Mar 13, 2009 12:27PM PDT

My guess is that the fan(s) on your TV have a speed sensor. It is possible that the new firmware changed a setting on the main control pc to start monitoring the fan speed. Your PC most likly has the same type of fans such as on the main CPU. Most PC motherboards now have the ability to monitor that fan and will turn off the PC if the fan fails.

This sounds like what is happing to your TV. The firmware may have started monitoring a fan that it didn't before, or, changed the speed at which it would detect a failure. On a PC, most motherboards allow you to change the fan speed monitoring and even turn it off. This is to allow system builders some flexibility in the fans they use in the system (or even use fans with no speed sensing capability).

Your TV, unlike a PC is a pre-built unit. The TV is sensing a failure in one of the fans on the unit and is shutting down to prevent further damage. Just because you can here a fan does not mean that it is "Fan 1". It could be another fan you are hearing. Or, you could be hearing Fan 1, but it is spinning slower then it should.

It is possible that there is a service menu that allows the monitoring of the fans, and there might even be a way to disable or change warning levels. But, I wouldn't even try. Going into the service menu is a very quick way to void any warranty on your TV.

The TV is shutting off to prevent any further damage to the TV in case one of the cooling fans has failed. Hopefully, the TV is still under warranty as it sounds like something is, or has failed in the TV.

As far as it happening after a firmware upgrade, as long as the firmware you installed was made for your TV in your country (exact SIZE, model, sub-version, etc), it is most likely a coincidence. But, it could also be possible that it is something Samsung added that was missing in a earlier version.

One thing I would do is make sure that you downloaded the correct firmware. If not, make sure you get the correct firmware loaded! Make sure there is not a different firmware for different size TV's as well. A larger TV could have additional fans. Otherwise, I would give Samsung service a call.

Sorry!

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Thanks for your reply
Mar 13, 2009 1:35PM PDT

Thanks for your reply. The firmware was sent to me by Samsung but only because I unknowingly installed the firmware for the same model but wrong region. Will I need to replace the main board now?

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I don't know.
Mar 13, 2009 2:48PM PDT

Your best bet might be to ignore everyone else on this site, including me (except for HD_Tech if he chimes in) and call up your local tech support before moving on as I am not a TV technician nor am I Samsung employee that you can blame if my advice makes things worse.

That being said, is the currently installed firmware the correct one, or do you still have the wrong firmware installed?

If you still have the old firmware installed, does your TV power on just long enough to pop up the error message and then turn off right away? Or, does it "power on" long enough to the firmware update menu? If so, you could try updating the firmware to the correct version and see if it helps.

If your TV will not turn on (only displays the error message and then powers off), you might be in trouble. You could try copying the firmware to a USB stick, plug it in, and turn on the TV. There is a chance the TV might be stuck in an "update" mode and it might self recover.

Another thing to consider, is there might be two firmwares for your TV. (my A550 has 2. I am not sure of the details, but, if I had to guess, one is for the low level hardware, and another for the menu system, Wiselink, etc). If you updateed both, you may now only have one part of the correct firmware and still need the other.

But, there is a good chance you will need a technician at this point. Since you can still see a picture (even if it is only an error message), I would guess your main board is still working. This is why I would not do anything else until you at least call tech support again.

My best guess is that a technician will have to turn on the TV in "service mode" and reinstall the firmware inside the service menu. But, I would leave that to a tech as you can really mess things up in there.

Something else that might be going on is that "bad" firmware changed some settings that the firmware does not replace and now need to be manually set back. But, unfortunately, again that will require going into the service menu to fix.

Please note, everything I said above are just educated guesses, and if I were you, I would unplug the TV until you call up Samsung. As I said above, I think your TV is still very recoverable without replacing the main board. But, you might be beyond the point of repair at the user level. If you try to fix it any further yourself, you run the risk of doing more damage.

I remember the post I think you are worried about where the person loaded the wrong firmware and then his TV would not turn on. You can at least turn your TV on enough to see a warning message. So your problem at this point sounds entirely software/firmware and not hardware. Where his problem was a hardware failure.

Good luck!

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Thanks again for your reply
Mar 13, 2009 3:35PM PDT

Samsung sent me what they said was the correct firmware. I installed this and it's now that I have the Check Fan 1 message. The TV stays on for about 3 mins before it shuts off, otherwise the TV is it's normal self.
They sent me this firmware because I installed a firmware for another region. I thought that matching the model numbers would have been OK. The firmware I installed was for the model that has digital TV in mpeg-2 format whilst my region is mpeg-4. With the incorrect firmware the TV works with analog reception but is unable to pickup the digital reception. The incorrect firmware does not display the check fan 1 error.
Why couldn't samsung have put into the firmware instructions that it was for models of a specific region. That would have saved me from this horrible dilemma.
When I called samsung support they told me they didn't even know the TV had a fan. They are saying that if the sent firmware has not put the TV back to normal then I will have to pay for a new board. I have a deep heavy felling in my stomach.
Thanks again for your reply.

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I am wondering if you still do not have the correct firmware
Mar 13, 2009 5:25PM PDT

My TV is an LN32A550 version AA03. I have seen post about the LN32A550 that reference a higher firmware version number then what I have, or what is even posted on Samsung's website. I have also seen a few different version numbers listed for my TV.

I am wondering if Samsung has made different versions or revs of your TV and at some point added, or, removed a fan? If the firmware Samsung sent you WAS for your model in your region, but possibly for a newer or older version, it might be looking for different hardware.

One more question, is the firmware Samsung sent you the same version you had originally? If not, you might not have the correct firmware after all. Either way, I would call Samsung back and ask for a higher level of technical support. From what you described, it sounds like your TV's hardware is fine and it is just a software or internal setting that needs fixed.

First line support are usually just following a script and do not have the training or experience to resolve complex issues. If you are able to get to a more advanced level of support, with people who are familiar with the model (and it's revisions), you might be able to fix it without paying someone to come out and replace expensive parts.

Something else to try would be to find out who are Samsung's authorized repair shops are where you live. Give them a call and explain what is going on. If you are able to speak to an actual technician, your problem could be an easy fix.

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You have an Austrillian model?
Mar 13, 2009 7:30PM PDT
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Sorry, didn't see your other post.
Mar 14, 2009 2:52AM PDT

I did find another post on this forum with a similar situation as yours.

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-13973_102-0.html?forumID=146&threadID=315547&messageID=2904770&tag=forums06;posts#2904770

However, I really, really suggest you call back Samsung tech support in New Zealand and try to get to a 2nd line support as you can really do some damage (even by accidentally fat fingering something) going into the service menu.

Just a thought though, what if the New Zealand version has a fan, but the Australian version does not? You said in another post that the TV is new. Could it be possible that the fan really is bad, but the Australian firmware doesn't care because they don't have one, where the New Zealand version does have a fan, so when it' firmware is loaded it looks for the fan, but sees that it has failed.

Good luck

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Thanks once again for your reply
Mar 14, 2009 10:37AM PDT

I'm in New Zealand and it was the Australian firmware I put onto the TV, the very one from the link you supplied. On the New Zealand site my A40A680 isn't even listed and the other A40A650 models don't have any firmwares available. When I contacted Samsung they took a week to find what they said was the correct version (it had to come from Australia). It was not the original Ver 0007 but a newer Ver 0013.3. They said they couldn't access the 0007 version. The version they sent me is for the 650 models and is also for the series 7 models, I really hope that includes my 680 model. Do you think there would be a difference in my 680 model or could it just be cosmetic. I did see one difference in the spec for contrast ratios but that's all.

Unfortunately Samsung support in NZ aren't all that great and I don't have a lot of confidence in them. It's really hard to find answers from them and at first they just didn't want to know. Now that they have given me the latest firmware (the one that says check fan 1) they have told me I'm on my own and must go through a local service center and I will probably have to replace the board.

Thanks for listening and for your ideas. I simply feel that replacing the board is a rather extreme approach to fixing what I feel would be a simple fix for someone with an understanding of my model. Unfortunately no one here has that knowledge.
Kind regards

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You must get correct firmware!
Mar 14, 2009 3:25PM PDT

I have seen Samsung TV's with slight difference in model numbers here in the US. Often, it is a model for exclusive sale in one store chain, but their is usually some differences. Since the contrast ratio is different between the 650 and the 680, the panel inside your TV is most likely a different panel. This could explain why the firmware you have does not work correctly. The trick is you will need to get the Ver 0007 firmware. I also agree that replacing the board is extreme.

And to be honest, it would not supprise me to find out that every 6x0, (and possibly more) all use the same "main board" with different firmwares. If that is true, it could be possible that the technician that replaces the board might be responsible for loading the required firmware himself instead of it coming preloaded.

I found this interesting site:
http://www.samsungsupport.com/firmware/

Only problem with the above link is you need a password. But, it leads me to think that there are "firmwares" available for download to service technicians that is not available to the public.

I would definitely call the local service center, or a local TV repair shop, and ask if they have the required firmware. I am 98% sure that if you were able to get the old firmware you had and reinstall it, you would be back in business.

As far as what you have been told about having replace your main board, I think you have been talking with customer service. I think the "replace board" is a generic response they are trained to give. If you were able to talk to an actual service technician, they might have resources that are not available to the customer support person you are talking to.

Samsung_HD_Tech will be back from his meetings next week. Hopefully, he has a connection to get access to the firmware you need.

Good luck.

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Found something that may be bad news
Mar 14, 2009 5:47PM PDT

I found part of the service manual posted for a different Samsung LCD that describes the "Factory" firmware update procedure. It describes using a special serial cable that connects to the service port on the back of your tv (looks like a headphone jack) and using special software to load the firmware from a ".bin" file.

So, it is possible that the "USB" method files are only generated for updates that Samsung releases to the public for upgrade by the end users. So, even if you were able to get your hands on a copy of the firmware you need, you may not be able to install it yourself.

However, I still believe your TV's hardware is fine. The service manual section I found also had the "pinouts" for the main board. There was two pins of interest. "FAN_ON" and "FAN_DET". For this TV, it listed them as N.C. (Not connected).

This is what I believe is happening: I believe that the firmware Samsung gave you IS for a different TV. That TV has those two pins connected, and the firmware is expecting a signal there. I believe your TV does not use those two pins. Since the firmware is expecting a signal there, but is not seeing any signals (because it is not connected) it detects a failure and is shutting down.

I believe when you load the firmware Australian version of your TV, the firmware is correctly not looking for the FAN signals, but, is setup for a different type tuner which is why you fail to see your DTV channels.

So, I think you may be at a point where you cannot recover your TV by yourself. On the positive side, I believe now more then ever that your main board is still OK. However, at this point, I believe you will most likely have to take your TV to a service shop to be repaired. But, it should be as simple as reloading the correct firmware which requires the Samsung "Service cable", their software and access to the firmware .bin files.

Sorry to come to this conclusion. But, the cost to have the firmware reloaded should be much less then the cost to replace the main board. If you are able to get through to an actual technician (and not a customer service rep), they may have better news (or at least confirm that the firmware you need cannot be installed through the USB port).

Again, good luck!

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Thanks again
Mar 15, 2009 5:18AM PDT

I?ll make some phone calls today. Hopefully I?ll be able to talk to a tech with a few clues.
Thanks again for your help.

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No luck
Mar 15, 2009 3:26PM PDT

I called the service department but got nowhere. I feel very disillusioned with Samsung and I'm starting to think I'll never purchase another Samsung product again. What do I do next? I guess I'll just have to take my chances with the local Service agent and hope that someone will know what to do. If my local service agent gets advice from the same Samsung support team that I've been talking to then I'm doomed.

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Idea...
Mar 16, 2009 1:31AM PDT

BJMckay123,

I'm actually checking into getting a password for that site to see if I can help out. Usually they don't post the original firmwares, but just the updates, so I don't want to offer any false hope.

You might try asking for the Product Support division (they have it in the US, and I'm working to see what I can find about AUS) to see if they can ship you a USB drive.

Keep me posted, and I'll see what I can find out.

--HDTech

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SamsungHD_Tech, NZ not AUS
Mar 16, 2009 10:46AM PDT

BJMckay123 is in New Zealand, not Australia. The firmware he mistakenly downloaded was for the A680, but, from the Australian site. The New Zealand site does not have any firmware available (and actually do not even have the A680 listed). The two countries have different DTV standards (one is Mpeg2, the other Mpeg4) which is causing the TV to fail with the A680 Australian firmware.

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Called NZ support but still no further ahead.
Mar 17, 2009 6:01AM PDT

I called Samsung NZ to confirm the firmware they sent me was for my 680 model. They convinced me it was. Also asked why the firmware on the NZ site for Series 7-9 was different to the firmware sent to me which is supposedly also for series 7. They said that the firmware on the site for series 7-9 contains updates to additional components present in those models. That firmware will not work with series 6 TVs. The firmware they sent me will also work on series 7 models but does not update their additional components.

Also I found out that the NZ Samsung technicians only handle the basic support queries and will forward the harder ones onto Australia. I?m unable to talk to a support technician in Australia.

HD_Tech.
I have the firmware sent to me from Samsung NZ support installed. The only problem I have is a message saying to ?Check Fan 1? and after about 3 minutes the TV switches to standby. Apart from that everything is working perfectly. Do you think installing the incorrect firmware from Australia would have caused this issue and it is only repairable by replacing the main board?

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Gotcha
Mar 20, 2009 9:26AM PDT

I see that after re-reading through the threads.

I apologize. I don't have access to them either. (argh!)

What I might suggest is seeing if they can send a service tech to come out and "find the problem" with the unit themselves. I don't know if the service center operates the same as it does in the US, but they may be able to service your unit and get it back to factory specs under warranty. Maybe?

--HDTech

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Something very odd about what Samsung told u about the FW
Mar 15, 2009 4:23PM PDT

I really have to agree with your frustration. I too feel that Samsung has some responsibility here. If you downloaded firmware from another site other then Samsung, or modified the firmware to get it to load, it would be a different story. I really would have thought Samsung would have had better "error checks" to keep a customer from loading the wrong firmware. Especially since they have the update functionality in the consumer level menus (and use the same model number in different countries).

In an earlier post, you said that the firmware they sent you was version 0013, which was supposed to be for the 6 and 7 series. I just looked at New Zealand Samsung site and I can't find this version anywhere. Actually, the only firmware I could find for download was for the 7,8 and 9 series (looks to be the same firmware) but the version number is 1006.

So, if Samsungs TS claim that the 7 series firmware is the same as for the 6 series, you may not have been given the correct firmware after all. (Or Samsung pulled it because of a bug?) If you trust Samsung in that the 6 and 7 series use the same firmware, you might download that version listed under the 750 (which they claimed was the same as for your TV).

If that does not work, or you don't trust Samsung and do not want to risk it, the only thing I could suggest is calling a local repair shop (not Samsung) and see if they have the ability to load firmware. At least that way you have a chance at speaking to the actual person doing the repair.

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Good points
Mar 15, 2009 5:25PM PDT

Interesting. Samsung wrote 'Series 7' onto the CD they sent me. I thought they had made a mistake and called them to confirm it was for my series 6. They definitely told me it was correct and worked for 3 different series including series 6 and 7. The firmware on the NZ site you pointed out has a different set of numbers to what they sent me and to their credit the upgrade guide lists the exact full model numbers, unlike the one I downloaded from the Australian site.

The file they sent me is called T-AMBDSN. The one on the site for the series 7 is called T-RBYDEU. Quite different. Also the date of the file for the series 7 is dated this year. I'm positive the firmware 0007 I overwrote was dated late last year. It really makes me feel they just don't know what they are doing. Something is amiss.

I'll call Samsung again tomorrow and press them to confirm they have sent me the correct firmware. I doubt I'll get very far with them.

Thanks for your time. I've really appreciated your comments.

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Dang!
Mar 17, 2009 8:08AM PDT

I've done exactly the same thing as you with my La40 A680 Sad I can't beleive there's no warnings when either downloading it or installing it about regions.

I've re-installed the Aussie firmware for now which doesn't have the check fan 1 message and am using my old digital freeview set top box to get the hi-def freeview channels for now. At least it doesn't shut down on me.

I'll try and access the service menu and change the tuner setting there to see if I can get it to work for mpeg4 which will then solve everything.

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Let me know how you get on
Mar 17, 2009 8:18AM PDT

Hi 'Dang!'
Where are you located? Have you called Samsung support and what did they say?
Let me know how you get on with changing the settings or fixing things up.

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No luck
Mar 17, 2009 2:52PM PDT

Well I put back on the nz/eu 1013 firmware and still have the check fan 1 message. So I got into the system menu tried changing the country to ms from eu. Restarted the tv and only change was BBC etc weren't listed in the channels anymore. Check fan 1 was still showing. I then did a system reset but check fan msg is still on.
It's weird coz when I put the Aussie one back on it's all fine except can't get ms channels again.

I am sure if I could get hold of the original firmware it'd work again. I'll try support again tomorrow... Am waiting for a callback from their 1 nz tech guy.

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Can I call you or you me
Mar 17, 2009 3:21PM PDT

If we are in the same boat then what works for you will work for me. I'd really like to talk to you.
Let me know if you would like to?

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Collaboration request
Mar 18, 2009 5:14AM PDT

Hi Mooglor

I?ve talked to NZ tech support but they don?t have the expertise to assist. They forward allot of the real issues to AU and will eventually point you to a service agent and tell you to sort it out with them. They will say that if the correct firmware has not fixed it then you will have to replace the main board as it was damaged by the AU firmware, and this is at your cost.

Please keep me up to date. I feel we may be better off seeking a solution together by approaching Samsung with a strong letter of dissatisfaction about the way the firmware was so easily accessible from the site. In particular the fact that they failed to mention critical information such as model suffixes and regional content. In my mind they don?t have a leg to stand on. It?s not like we tried to force an alternate model onto our TV?s. Also they don?t even have our model on the NZ site. Who would have thought that our closest neighbouring country AU would have a different TV with the same model.

I would welcome the opportunity to phone you. If you can think of a safe way to forward me your number then I will call you.

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Have you tried AU yet and change tuner type?
Mar 18, 2009 8:20AM PDT

Have you tried loading the AU firmware yet, then go into the menu and change tuner type to the other one?

(if you still have the NZ version loaded, go into service menu and write down all the settings, then load the AU firmware, go into service menu and compair. I know there is one for "tuner".)

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Check this out
Mar 18, 2009 8:51AM PDT
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still experimenting
Mar 18, 2009 9:00AM PDT

Hi guys,
I couldn't find an option for Tuner in the service menu, but I only had about 10 minutes to look into it last night. (note: the steps to get into the service menu for this tv is turn it off then info, menu, mute, power. Not the other one from the link above in the thread.)

The NZ firmware has a country option with EU and NZ as options. It was set to EU when I first installed it, but changing it to NZ didn't get rid of the check fan #1 message.

I've got a call in with the local out of warranty samsung support people and will see if they have a copy of the firmware that originally comes with the tv as I reckon that's our best chance at getting it sorted now. They'll get back to me tomorrow with an answer hopefully.

I'll keep you posted with how it's all going.

BJMckay123: if I run into a dead-end with the local support people then yes indeed I think we should pool our resources. I'm happy to wait a day or two and see what the local tech guys come up with. Logically the fact that the tv works ok with the AUS firmware in place supports our belief we should be able to go back!

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TV model setting?
Mar 18, 2009 9:58AM PDT

I know the service menu for the 550 has a "model" option in the service menu (under OptionByte).

Also, another "code" I found is "Mute" 1 1 9 "Enter" ( I think starting with power on)

Big key is going to be getting the firmware as there is probably differences in the firmware.

Have you tried Samsung Korea? Someone some where has to have the firmware! The factory at some point has to load it!

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Sent email to Malaysia
Mar 18, 2009 1:24PM PDT

I have sent an email to Samsung Malaysia as that is where the TV was made. I'll let you know when they reply.

Mooglor. I'm looking forward to some good news from you.

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The Solution!
Mar 18, 2009 2:56PM PDT

Oh joy! I got it to freakin' work! Thanks for the clue from Pickle Happy

The secret was to change the model in the SM to be PEARL_P1 and not amber or whatever the default for that firmware is.

The big problem with the firmware we were supplied is that it wasn't customised for our model of TV so it starts off being set for a Euro Amber model.

Steps to fix it are.
1. turn TV off
2. info, menu, mute, power
3. enter the options menu
3. In the menu change country to NZ... click right arrow on the country until it gets to NZ, then click RETURN
4. move down menu using down arrow and click right arrow on the model
5. click right on the model until you get to PEARL_P1 then click RETURN
6. click RETURN to get back to the main menu
7. turn it off and on again
8. dance a happy little jig when you can watch tv again and not have to buy a new motherboard or call in the expensive support crew!

So, although if these two settings were not set perfectly for our model, I wonder what other ones are wrong? If we could get the service manual for it we could go through and set them all up correctly.

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I'll try it now but with the AU or NZ firmware
Mar 18, 2009 3:30PM PDT

Hi. That sounds great.
Do I use the NZ firmware from samsung or do I use the AU firmware?