Software hang-ups?

Anyone else experiencing the software hang-up when you go from normal to difficult and back again?
I'm using normal for most places due to the increased target response but find the clay domes and hot rocks come through loud and clear as well.
Switching to difficult usually culls these but sometimes when I go back to normal the threshold goes away and the detector no longer detects anything!
Switching backwards and forwards through the modes does not recover the machine and I have to turn it off and restart to get it working again.
This has recovered the machine every time but it’s frustrating if I have been using the GPS to breadcrumb my trail as this is then lost.
Minelab service are aware of this glitch but as yet do not have a solution.
So if anyone else is getting this and can get it to repeat consistently through a series of actions then Minelab are all ears!
And please, this is not a Minelab beatup, they are trying to resove this glitch but its proving difficult and need your help.

Cheers
Peter

This is not a Minelab beat up either!!!!!!

I'm presuming it's still under warranty right?
So think about it like this, if you had a Toyota car & when driving you tried to go from 4th gear to 3rd gear, your forward momentum stopped completely & you would need to turn off the car & start again !!!!!
Would you be happy with the above scenario (car is under warranty) If the techs can't rectify the problem then the company has an obligation to REPLACE the faulty product. Minelab should be replacing your GPZ, how long are you going to remain happy that they are doing "Everything they can" BS in my book.

My 7 is the first batch and long out of warranty.
After talking at length to Minelab I’m happy it’s a software glitch that they just need time and info to fix.
My experience (at work) of complex operating systems is that sometimes unexpected things happen and it takes serious time and effort to rectify them.
The machine recovers, which is the main point, and as long as revised firmware comes out that fixes it then I’m happy.

Were they not released in Feb 2015 with a 3 year warranty ?????????

rc62burke wrote:Were they not released in Feb 2015 with a 3 year warranty ?????????

Yes my mistake, the control box has three years.
Changing the box will not change the firmware which is the issue here.

But the control box is not working right??? due to the firmware issue?? they have no idea how to fix it so it needs to be replaced under consumer law !!!! the fact they don't know how to fix it is not your problem & you should not be made to wait until they work out the issue!!!

rc62burke wrote:But the control box is not working right??? due to the firmware issue?? they have no idea how to fix it so it needs to be replaced under consumer law !!!! the fact they don't know how to fix it is not your problem & you should not be made to wait until they work out the issue!!!

Yes, yes and yes.
The firmware has a glitch so changing the box will not solve the issue so its pointless.
Happy to wait for the firmware update as the hardware cant be changed.
Its the same as MS, you dont change your PC every time MS updates the firmware?
The hardware is set for some time (years?) while the firmware evolves over time.

Peteren wrote:

rc62burke wrote:But the control box is not working right??? due to the firmware issue?? they have no idea how to fix it so it needs to be replaced under consumer law !!!! the fact they don't know how to fix it is not your problem & you should not be made to wait until they work out the issue!!!

Yes, yes and yes.
The firmware has a glitch so changing the box will not solve the issue so its pointless.
Happy to wait for the firmware update as the hardware cant be changed.
Its the same as MS, you dont change your PC every time MS updates the firmware?
The hardware is set for some time (years?) while the firmware evolves over time.

I don't get it.
Can you do an uninstall & reinstall, if not you have a problem!!!
You seam to be very easy going about getting Fu@#ked around IMHO

Peteren wrote:

rc62burke wrote:But the control box is not working right??? due to the firmware issue?? they have no idea how to fix it so it needs to be replaced under consumer law !!!! the fact they don't know how to fix it is not your problem & you should not be made to wait until they work out the issue!!!

Yes, yes and yes.
The firmware has a glitch so changing the box will not solve the issue so its pointless.
Happy to wait for the firmware update as the hardware cant be changed.
Its the same as MS, you dont change your PC every time MS updates the firmware?
The hardware is set for some time (years?) while the firmware evolves over time.

If it was just and only a firmware/software problem then every single 7000 would be doing this, and this is not the case. So IMO you have a problem that is compounded by both a firmware problem and a hardware problem, as one is not coordinating with the other.

If Minelab can't fix your current 7000 by a reinstall of firmware then it is obviously a bigger problem on your machine.

Your machine is well and truly still in the warranty period and therefore you are well within your rights to get it fixed or get a replacement, and do this soon or eventually your warranty will expire, it is totally up to yourself.

cheers dave

rc62burke wrote:

Peteren wrote:

rc62burke wrote:But the control box is not working right??? due to the firmware issue?? they have no idea how to fix it so it needs to be replaced under consumer law !!!! the fact they don't know how to fix it is not your problem & you should not be made to wait until they work out the issue!!!

Yes, yes and yes.
The firmware has a glitch so changing the box will not solve the issue so its pointless.
Happy to wait for the firmware update as the hardware cant be changed.
Its the same as MS, you dont change your PC every time MS updates the firmware?
The hardware is set for some time (years?) while the firmware evolves over time.

I don't get it.
Can you do an uninstall & reinstall, if not you have a problem!!!
You seam to be very easy going about getting Fu@#ked around IMHO

Cheers mate, I'm good.
Changing the hardware, the box, will change nothing.
Its needs a firmware fix that needs time and effort from Minelab and they are on the case!
It needs input from others as to the specific inputs that generate this result, then they can fix it!

Cheers Davsgold, I will chase Minelab.

Peteren, I like your style. I am sure Minelab was appreciative as well.

Peteren.

I have a 7000 from day 1 and have never had an issue. I have several mates with 7000 and they have not had issues.

If what you say is true and Minelab can't resolve your issue then they would straight up replace your your detector under warranty.

From reading this and other forums and speaking to others as well it appears the issue is only with your detecter and not a mass related problem.

What I can't understand is why you thought your warranty had expired because dealing with Minelab as you say you have iver this issue you would have been well and truelly informed it was still under warranty.

I've pushed this question/problem through my channels.

JP

The same thing happened to mine, sent it back to minelab said there was no problem, when I got it back it kept doing it and I was reading on other forums it was happening to others, I had to get a new control box to fix the problem, I can't believe all the problems that have arisen from the so called best detector on the market that a lot of us have forked out $10,700 of our hard earned money for!!!

Peteren wrote:

Cheers mate, I'm good.
Changing the hardware, the box, will change nothing.
Its needs a firmware fix that needs time and effort from Minelab and they are on the case!
It needs input from others as to the specific inputs that generate this result, then they can fix it!

Peteran, you have a fault in your control box, it doesn't matter whether it's firmware, software or tupperware, the problem is not allowing you to use your detector as normal. Ask for a new control box now and get on with your detecting. Whether Minelab can eventually fix the problem, you should tell them it's none of your business or your concern and you should not be made to wait while the techos take shots at trying to fix it. Jeesh, you have the patience of a saint.

Jonathan Porter wrote:I've pushed this question/problem through my channels.

JP

Thanks JP, will be interested in the outcome.

Cheers
Peter

Minelab know about the problem but will deny there is anything wrong with the detector, getting a new control box was the only thing that fixed mine and I had to demand it after I had already sent it back twice

Can i assume you updated the software from original when it came out?
If so, can i also assume there was no issues updating the software at the time?

Maybe, not sure if you can factory restore to original software version, then, or re-install the software update.
Maybe, just maybe it fixes the glitch. Or maybe you have already done this.

I know as with pc's, installing an update does not always work 100%, and you have to reboot, and start again sometimes.
Just a thought....

coreytroy wrote:Can i assume you updated the software from original when it came out?
If so, can i also assume there was no issues updating the software at the time?

Maybe, not sure if you can factory restore to original software version, then, or re-install the software update.
Maybe, just maybe it fixes the glitch. Or maybe you have already done this.

I know as with pc's, installing an update does not always work 100%, and you have to reboot, and start again sometimes.
Just a thought....

A good thought too coreytroy.
Will give it a go later this weekend

ITS THE CONTROL BOX!!!!!!!!

mc30 wrote:ITS THE CONTROL BOX!!!!!!!!

minelab

Peteren,

My gpz has been doing the same thing as yours, seems to have started after i did the software update some time ago, it only happens extremely rarely though, maybe once every couple of months or so. It is a pain having to turn it off and then back on but i guess thats less of a pain then sending it away so i just live with it.

Hi Peteren
Mine does the same thing. I also had a black line through my screen so about a year ago i sent it back to minelab with these 2 problems and also asked them to test it as i wasn't picking up the 5 cent piece at the depth they said it should!

1; Fixed screen but didn't replace plastic screen as it was scratched, thought they would of called to see it i wanted it replaced, as I thought it was 1 peace otherwise i would of asked for it to be replaced.

2: your problem (machine droping out between modes) I also have to restart machine. They say there is no problem and guess what it still does it.

3; five cent test, did this before sending machine to them. Its been a while but from memory I did the test as they told me to do it and got it 1" below the lower depth they told me originally. The depth minelab gave me from memory was 15 to 18inches. I ring back they say that close enough which makes me angry because the machines operating at 18 inches are around 25% better than mine, so are they 65% better than the 5000 and mine only 25%?
When I got the machine back the note says this is due to operator error!! HOW I did the test how they explained so if anyone from minelab whats to come do the test in front of me to prove me wrong I will apologise for point 3. I also think its crap that they can use a 20% tolerance, hows that fair for us guys that get the 14 to 15inch gpzs.
My machine like yours was purchased on the first day of release so maybe that has something to do with it.

Not happy

Hmm. maybe the early birds really do get the worms eh  good luck with the issues, seems like simple warranty issues that could be resolved if they wished, if you are unable to arrive at a satisfactory outcome (that varies for the individual) I suggest you contact the office of fair trading in your state and see what their take is on the matter, please keep us posted, good luck .

Wayne.

I cut and pasted my message and emailed minelab. Hope they resolve it because 20% variance is to much and in my case it is more i believe

jezza28 wrote:I cut and pasted my message and emailed minelab. Hope they resolve it because  20% variance is to much and in my case it is more i believe

There is more likelihood of a 20% variance between operators than detectors. The only issues I've seen with the first release GPZs was with some of the coils which were virtually unusable even by inexperienced operators. And yes before everyone goes all rouge on me there were a few DOA detectors at the start but I still see those with the latest units from time to time, you get that with any electronic device.

Seriously though think about what is being said here, there is no mention of settings or ground type or EMI or anything, it is very easy to have depth differences between units and people from location to location. The depth test on a 5c piece is a guide only on the detectors depth ability, if the depth was VERY poor then you might have a problem but it does not have to be absolute! I repeat, IT IS A GUIDE ONLY, a 20% variance is acceptable, the test is used to indicate the detector is sensing targets at a distance from the coil to confirm it is actually working.

JP

Hey JP
Have you heard anything back about your enquiry with Minelab about the original problem & the reason for this thread ?

rc62burke wrote:

mc30 wrote:ITS THE CONTROL BOX!!!!!!!!

 minelab

"All the World is a stage,it's just the play that is badly cast"

Oscar Wilde.

I've also had this problem a few times, only when changing between gold modes, from general to high yield or vise-versa, audio drops out and doesn't return without full switch off.
After "factory reseting" the machine and taking a couple of seconds between selections when in the gold mode selection screen,
i.e use cursor to highlight gold mode [WAIT A COUPLE OF SECONDS] then select mode with tick, it's never been a problem since.

Jonathan Porter wrote:

jezza28 wrote:I cut and pasted my message and emailed minelab. Hope they resolve it because  20% variance is to much and in my case it is more i believe

There is more likelihood of a 20% variance between operators than detectors.  The only issues I've seen with the first release GPZs was with some of the coils which were virtually unusable even by inexperienced operators. And yes before everyone goes all rouge on me there were a few DOA detectors at the start but I still see those with the latest units from time to time, you get that with any electronic device.

Seriously though think about what is being said here, there is no mention of settings or ground type or EMI or anything, it is very easy to have depth differences between units and people from location to location. The depth test on a 5c piece is a guide only on the detectors depth ability, if the depth was VERY poor then you might have a problem but it does not have to be absolute! I repeat, IT IS A GUIDE ONLY, a 20% variance is acceptable, the test is used to indicate the detector is sensing targets at a distance from the coil to confirm it is actually working.

JP

Thanks JP, I do respect and love your posts mate.

I did call Minelab about my problems and I have to say that guy I spoke to was a great guy and very helpful! He did tell me that they now do know of the problem switching between modes but have no fix for it so that's good to know and as far as the 5c test goes, being experienced or inexperienced should not come into it. they tell you the setting and u test it at that! He said to re test it and if i get it at 14in still send it in! But i still think 20% range is not good enough unless they guys getting 20% more depth pay more for their machines lol.