CEM3 Boot Issues

Symptoms

Unit does not boot
DMX A, B, Panic LEDs solid ON. This gives the appearance that the CEM3 is stuck in Emergency
LCD blank, but backlight ON
Network LED blinking

Explanation of Issue

There can be multiple causes of this issue, none of which are repairable in the field

Fix/Solution

Please contact ETC Technical Services to begin the RMA process

Symptoms

LCD shows ETC CEM
May get to version number or just before version number before resetting

Explanation of Issue

The FPGA or DSP might have failed in a way that is preventing the CEM3 from booting correctly. This is not repairable in the field

Fix/Solution

Please contact ETC Technical Services to begin the RMA process

Symptoms

CEM3 does not boot
LCD shows "ETC CEM" screen and stays there
No control of the system

Potential Causes

1. Poor network conditions
2. A failing backplane 
3. Either the CEM3 bootline has been corrupted and mostly erased, or the bootline fell back into a "testing" state.  This may be due to interruptions in the boot process, either through random resets, power issues, or problems during a firmware update.
4. Another possible cause is a FLASH failure, though this is rare.

Fix/Solution

Try disconnecting the rack from the network and rebooting. If able to successfully boot without network landed, check for IP conflicts and double check all cable terminations.

If it still doesn't boot without network landed, and you have a second Sensor3 rack that's working, try powering down the racks and swapping CEM3s. If the issue follows the CEM3,  please contact ETC Technical Services to begin the RMA process. If the issue stays with the rack, contact your ETC Dealer or ETC Technical Services about replacing the backplane.

Symptoms

CEM3 is rebooting/resetting/bootlooping on its own
CEM3 may or may not get to the main screen before resetting on its own

Explanation of Issue

There are several reasons why a CEM3 would be bootlooping

• Test switch (S3) failure

Most CEM3s stuck in a boot loop or resetting at random is caused by a failure of the test switch

•  Firmware corruption

Uncommon, but can happen. A failed update and unintentional resets during the firmware update process can certainly cause this issue. May sometimes be related to a test switch failure

Fix/Solution

As none of these problems can be fixed in the field, please contact ETC Technical Services to begin the RMA process

Symptoms

CEM3 Boots
All outputs stuck on
Test switch S3 is in Normal position

Explanation of Issue

There are several reasons for this issue

The test switch at S3 may be physically open on one side or a trace for the reset line may be severed somewhere that is preventing correct operation

It is also possible that the output buffers have failed or the FPGA controlling the output buffers is not functioning correctly

Corrosion can contribute to all these possibilities

Fix/Solution

Please contact ETC Technical Services to begin the RMA process