Hi, I am brand new to this... so please be patient with me. I have an older GE 31" TV, the problem is 1st - I don't have original remote, but most important is the fact that the channels start at #51! Is there a way I can reset this somehow? I really can not afford to have a repairman come out and this TV is in good condition. I have the serial number and from what I can read, anyway, the model number... serial # 425430166 and model # looks to be something like this " Z761617".. can someone help me with this? I am at a complete loss.
ok, we need more information, if you use the channel up and down buttons are you saying that is the lowest channel, can you punch in a channel number lower then 51 ? -- or are you saying that any channel below 51 is snowy ?
Yes, 51 is the lowest channel I can get, either by using up and down on the acutal TV or I have a universal remote which I get the same thing from. Anything below #51 is snowy and no reception. ?? i just don't get it. Thanks, I look forward to your response.
Yes, 51 is the lowest channel I can get, either by using up and down on the acutal TV or I have a universal remote which I get the same thing from. Anything below #51 is snowy and no reception. ?? i just don't get it. Thanks, I look forward to your response.
allot of GE televisions are actually RCA tv's, this may have a built in tuner, i am not sure, but if it is they have allot of solder problems inside the tuner. usually need to solder the components in the tuner and pay close attention to the ground points in the tuner, but this job is not for the armature, there are allot of surface mounded components in the tuner and you can bridge connections or lift a component up very easily. SOLDER ALL THE GROUNDS !!
there are also solder posts comming through the tunner shield on the bottom you need to remove this solder, and make sure that when you put the shield back on you solder these posts back to the shield. after soldering the tunner, connect the tv back up and tune in a channel and lightly tap on the shield with the butt of a screwdriver and see if the picture flashses, if it does you did not get all of the issues.
well, thanks so much for the information. this really does sound way ABOVE my head and knowledge. I was thinking there might be some way to "reset" this externally, but apparently it needs to much more than that. I guess if I don't know anyone that is TV savy, then would you just suggest I take to repair shop then? I do appreciate your help!
for this problem i would suggest to take it in if you don't feel comfortable with soldering. Also understand that this is what i call a common problem, it may turn out that your problem is diffrent than the one i stated because without actualy troubleshooting the set the only thing i can offer is what i see the most of.
Thank you very much for your help. It will get me started in the right area. You have been a great help! Have a great day/evening.
Kris
Wait, just read that anything below is snow. I retract my comment.
I did not read your original post, but you probably was suggesting a channel lockout situation or the tv set for the wrong mode (cable/antenna). That was my first guess, but the snowy under channel 51 kind of clinches it, i would have like to have known if he was getting any channel specifically between 2 and 13 the vhf section of the tuner. Because you can rule out a cable or antenna setting wrong.
Actually I mentioned a channel memory reprogramming until I noticed he said all the channels below were snow, not that it was just skipping over them. That's what I get for reading too fast. :-)
One other thing to check is the cable to the tuner from the source. If the coax cable has a bad ground, the lower channels will not be received at all or they will be primarily snow. With the newer tuners, you are more likely to see only snow. If you have a VCR, set it to channel 3 and try to receive the signal on the TV. If it works well with a short cable, you may have a cable problem (cable in this instance meaning the wire!).
Dan
My channels work fine on the other tv's i have.... it's just this tv that will not go below channel 51... no matter how i try it. any other ideas? i really don't want to have to take it in to a repair man, but it seems that may be the only way. i tried everyway i know.