FS-4 Power up issues... at DVinfo.net

Brian Fischer · March 8th, 2006, 12:02 AM

Has this happened to anyone else?

When I power up the unit, the backlit LCD will light, but then freezes. Depressing the 'on' button again (up to several times) would eventually bring the unit around, and it would boot. But now, the unit freezes up every time, and I have not found a workaround. I can't get the unit to boot up.

I've only completed one project with this unit so far, but I know that the FS-4 would be a useful product if I could get it to work.

Thanks,
Brian Fischer

Vic Owen · March 8th, 2006, 12:10 AM

I'd give Focus Support a call. That's not something I've seen after several times using the FS-4. Might be something easlily fixable. I'm presuming that the battery is charged (or you're on AC power)?

Brian Fischer · March 8th, 2006, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vic Owen

I'd give Focus Support a call. That's not something I've seen after several times using the FS-4. Might be something easlily fixable. I'm presuming that the battery is charged (or you're on AC power)?

I'm a little apprehensive about calling them... I've called before (about an unrelated topic), and was ignored. I've registered my FS-4 on their website, and sent an email to support, but have yet to hear from them. I will follow up here once I have made contact with someone from Focus, and let you know how that went.

This issue is prevalent regardless of wether I'm using the fully charged battery or the AC adapter, so I am all the more frustrated.

When the unit was working properly I was extremely pleased, and had never experienced the fan noise issues reported by many users. I must say that my faith in this product has been shaken.

Thanks,

Brian Fischer

Vic Owen · March 8th, 2006, 10:34 AM

I saw your comments about Focus support in the other active thread -- I'm surprised. My experience, in the past, has been pretty good when using either email or a phone call. They're participation in this forum, however, has fallen off from what it once was. Matt was doing us all a favor when he was still vounteering his time here.

I wouldn't hesitate to get on the phone & get it resolved; let us know how it goes.

Brian Fischer · March 8th, 2006, 03:03 PM

Just got off the phone with support... I've got an RMA # and will be sending them the unit. I'll follow up on this when the issue has been resolved.

Craig Stevens · March 9th, 2006, 01:27 AM

I am also having the same issue. My screen won't fire up. I will reset it by pressing the select button for 4 seconds, but it still doesn't work.

Mine is also not charging properly. The AC adapter or something is not working right, when I plug it in, the LED won't light. I contacted them and they sent me an email with a RMA #. It took a little while, but we will see. Now I am afraid they are going to charge me for this. I baby my equipment so much it is sad.. What also is sad, is paying this much for something and it is not working. I have crappy little video game systems from when was a kid, that the screen still works. We will see. I'm honestly not very happy with the thing right now.

Stefan Raupp · March 15th, 2006, 04:24 PM

i had the same problems.
The unit did not boot properly.
The LCD Display freezes and The status LED did not lite.
i sent it back to the german Distributor and the unit was changed without any Problems.

Todd Kivimaki · March 19th, 2006, 10:38 PM

Also had that problem on both of my fs-4's. I have a love hate relationship with the fs-4. The units are junk, but when they work they save me a lot of time.

Brian Fischer · April 3rd, 2006, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Kivimaki

The units are junk, but when they work they save me a lot of time.

I pretty much agree with that statement.

Brian Fischer · April 7th, 2006, 04:41 PM

... and everything seems to have been resolved. It appears that they replaced the mainboard. We'll see if this is a solid fix. So far, it seems to be. I spoke with a rep. from Focus a couple weeks ago about purchasing an extended warranty, but at that time they offered no such option, but eluded that they would possibly be offering that by late April, and to check back around then.

Craig Stevens · April 21st, 2006, 11:41 AM

.. So I sent my FS4 off fearing the worst. Well I got it back and all seems very well so far! I need to test everything out, but from first looks, and working with it, it actually works! So that is a plus. I never heard anything from them, I just got it back. So Thank you Focus! And my faith has been a little bit restored!

March 8th, 2006, 12:02 AM	#1
Brian Fischer Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bremerton, Washington (Kitsap County), USA Posts: 28	FS-4 Power up issues... Has this happened to anyone else? When I power up the unit, the backlit LCD will light, but then freezes. Depressing the 'on' button again (up to several times) would eventually bring the unit around, and it would boot. But now, the unit freezes up every time, and I have not found a workaround. I can't get the unit to boot up. I've only completed one project with this unit so far, but I know that the FS-4 would be a useful product if I could get it to work. Thanks, Brian Fischer

March 8th, 2006, 12:10 AM	#2
Vic Owen Major Player Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 540	I'd give Focus Support a call. That's not something I've seen after several times using the FS-4. Might be something easlily fixable. I'm presuming that the battery is charged (or you're on AC power)? __________________ -- Vic Owen --

March 8th, 2006, 10:34 AM	#4
Vic Owen Major Player Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 540	I saw your comments about Focus support in the other active thread -- I'm surprised. My experience, in the past, has been pretty good when using either email or a phone call. They're participation in this forum, however, has fallen off from what it once was. Matt was doing us all a favor when he was still vounteering his time here. I wouldn't hesitate to get on the phone & get it resolved; let us know how it goes. __________________ -- Vic Owen --

March 8th, 2006, 03:03 PM	#5
Brian Fischer Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bremerton, Washington (Kitsap County), USA Posts: 28	Just got off the phone with support... I've got an RMA # and will be sending them the unit. I'll follow up on this when the issue has been resolved. __________________ Brian Fischer "On a long enough timeline the survival rate for everyone drops to zero." - Tyler Durden

March 9th, 2006, 01:27 AM	#6
Craig Stevens New Boot Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: JC, MO Posts: 13	I am also having the same issue. My screen won't fire up. I will reset it by pressing the select button for 4 seconds, but it still doesn't work. Mine is also not charging properly. The AC adapter or something is not working right, when I plug it in, the LED won't light. I contacted them and they sent me an email with a RMA #. It took a little while, but we will see. Now I am afraid they are going to charge me for this. I baby my equipment so much it is sad.. What also is sad, is paying this much for something and it is not working. I have crappy little video game systems from when was a kid, that the screen still works. We will see. I'm honestly not very happy with the thing right now. __________________ Mid Missouri-write/direct/film/edit/etc..

March 15th, 2006, 04:24 PM	#7
Stefan Raupp New Boot Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rhein Main - Germany Posts: 7	FS4 not booting i had the same problems. The unit did not boot properly. The LCD Display freezes and The status LED did not lite. i sent it back to the german Distributor and the unit was changed without any Problems.

March 19th, 2006, 10:38 PM	#8
Todd Kivimaki Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Elida Ohio Posts: 217	Also had that problem on both of my fs-4's. I have a love hate relationship with the fs-4. The units are junk, but when they work they save me a lot of time.

April 7th, 2006, 04:41 PM	#10
Brian Fischer Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bremerton, Washington (Kitsap County), USA Posts: 28	Got my FS-4 back from Focus... ... and everything seems to have been resolved. It appears that they replaced the mainboard. We'll see if this is a solid fix. So far, it seems to be. I spoke with a rep. from Focus a couple weeks ago about purchasing an extended warranty, but at that time they offered no such option, but eluded that they would possibly be offering that by late April, and to check back around then. __________________ Brian Fischer "On a long enough timeline the survival rate for everyone drops to zero." - Tyler Durden

April 21st, 2006, 11:41 AM	#11
Craig Stevens New Boot Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: JC, MO Posts: 13	I got mine back as well today .. So I sent my FS4 off fearing the worst. Well I got it back and all seems very well so far! I need to test everything out, but from first looks, and working with it, it actually works! So that is a plus. I never heard anything from them, I just got it back. So Thank you Focus! And my faith has been a little bit restored! __________________ Mid Missouri-write/direct/film/edit/etc..