Hello,

My Focus Firestore FS-4, which I bought second hand recently, doesn't boot. I bought it with a flat battery and with the information that it's harddisk was updated. I think it used to be a 40GB. The FS-4 came without the AC adapter (I've ordered one now), so I charge it with my Mac G5 through FireWire.
After opening the FS-4 (removing some screws), an Apple MERCA 655-1222A harddisk (100GB and manufactured by Seagate) was found.

The problem is this; when I power up the FS-4, a blue (blank) screen is shown. It never comes any further (no messages). I've had the harddisk tested at a computershop, and it worked fine. The harddisk has been formatted (just in case) in the FAT32 system. But it didn't help, it just does not boot...
The FS-4 also doesn't want to shut off!..I have to remove the battery or the FireWire cable...

I have tried a Factory Reset (which I found in another thread here), it didn't help.

Is anyone familiair with this problem or does anyone have a hint or clue?

Thanks in advance!

Rob

Rob, did it ever work since you have had it?

Hi Rob,

No, it never did. It arrived this Tuesday, without an AC adapter. Today, after reading the downloaded manual, I had the idea of charging it via FireWire.
It powers up and then it hangs. It doesn't shut off proparly too...
Could this be a malfunctioning motherboard? The owner claims that it worked in June this year, and the files found (by the shopowner who checked the harddisk itself) on the harddisk proved this.

Do you have any experience on this?

Thanks!

Sorry , no , but charging mine when it's dead by the ac charger take (3 1/2) several hours. I don't no how long it would take via firewire? If it does not have the right amount of power it may hang. When mine get low on power it is very slow to responed and then will not boot.

I have the 90 minute (850mAh) battery. Via FireWire it was charged (LED turned green) in about 2 hours. And after it was charged it still operated in the way I described...
I think you have the 180 min. battery?

Rob
May be you can call/email FS Monday.....They might help out.
Best to you.

I've already sent them an e-mail. Hope they have a solution for this malfunction.
Thanks for your replies!

I've uploaded a small movie of the Firestore FS-4 malfunctioning. Even when I let the FS-4 run for about 5 minutes, it won't boot.

Rob, That was a good video, it may help FS. If you have never used the Firestore, (if you can get that one working) you will love it. I now hate to even look at a miniDv tape! I paid $1,225 and its worth every penny.

Thank you Rob. And it's good to hear that the FS can be a good piece of equipment...at this moment I'm just staring at a black box ;)

If you are getting a blue screen on bootup, you will have to send your unit to Focus for repair. There is no user fix for this problem. This happen to one of our FS-4 units a year ago after it was dropped. Focus fixed the unit and it's been working great since.

Hey Jonas, thanks for the input! Do you remember what the problem was and how much it cost you to repair it?

Rob, any word on whats up ?

Hey Rob,

The FS-4 is on it's way back to me from COMO (Focus import and repair centre in Germany).
They told me by e-mail that they had to replace the motherboard...
The repair including shipping back to me cost me 245 EUR.

Hope it will be alright now, since they did not want to repair the FS-4 with it's non original 100GB harddisk in it. I will get back on this.

Rob,
Good to hear, let me know how it works.

I have the same problem with one of my fs-4s. Bought the unit new and had problems from day one but I could typically get it to boot after a few resets. Now it is doing that same as yours.

Unbelievable that Focus wants $295 to repair anything? Jonas do you remember what they fixed on your unit?

Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this?

Thanks,
Todd