If the problem is with the disk drives, there is still a remote chance that you can at least flash a kernel onto the thing.

Here is what you do:

- Open the player, and, CAREFULLY, USING THE DRIVE UPGRADE GUIDE AS YOUR BIBLE, remove the disk drives and IDE cable.

- Make absolutely sure that the display board is plugged in correctly, not off-by-one-pin.

- Inspect the cable connecting the display board to the player mainboard to make sure it has no breaks or damage.

- With the player still open and the disk drives removed, plug in the serial cable. Start Hyperterminal, make absolutely sure its settings are exactly correct according to the hyperterminal section of the FAQ.

- With hyperterminal running, apply power to the player.

- Did you see ANY TEXT AT ALL appear in hyperterminal? Did it say "If anyone wants to upgrade the flash let them speak now or forever hold their peace"?

- If so, exit hyperterminal and apply the latest Hijack kernel using my logoeditor as described in the Hijack section of the FAQ.


If you can get that far, then it means at least the flash and CPU are OK and you're simply down to disk drive problems. See if you can get that far...