Daktronics

NovaStar Troubleshooting Hub - Display fully or partially blank

Topic

  • Help troubleshooting when NovaStar controlled display fully or partially blank. 

Environment

  • Product Family: Sender Box
  • Product: Nova MCTRL 600, Nova MCTRL 660, NovaStar VX4S, NovaStar brand sender box and receiver  cards
  • Components: NovaLCT-Mars
  • Control System: Market Standard or Limited Compliance using transmit common/open protocol
    • This includes but not limited to DVN-4003, Dragon sticks, J Series, JVX, U Series, Q Series, QVN, Z Series, and ZPN.

Steps

  1. Is display fully blank?
    • If Yes, proceed to Step 2.
    • If No, skip ahead to Step 12.
  2. Are display and send box powered on?
    • If Yes, proceed to Step 3.
    • If No, power on send box or display. If issue does not resolve, proceed to Step 3.
  3. Check the initial screen on the NovaStar software. Refer to NovaStar: How do I check sending card status in the NovaLCT-Mars program . Is the sending card icon green?
    • If Yes, skip ahead to Step 12.
    • If No, proceed to Step 4.
  4. Power cycle send box and wait for 2-3 minutes. Does issue resolve?
    • If Yes, your troubleshooting is complete.
    • If No, proceed to Step 5.
  5. Put a test pattern up on the display using the NovaStar software. Refer to NovaStar: How do I display a test pattern for in displays using a Nova LCT-Mars Sender Box?  Does the test pattern appear on the display?
    • If Yes, proceed to Step 7.
    • If No, proceed to Step 6.
  6. Check that send box is connected to the display and properly configured. Refer to NovaStar: How do I configure a NovaLCT-Mars Sender Box? . Does issue resolve?
    • If Yes, your troubleshooting is complete.
    • If No, proceed to Step 7.
  7. Check incoming source to confirm that content is playing and pushing through. You will need to hook up an HDMI or DVI-capable monitor to confirm this. Is incoming source good?
    • If Yes, proceed to Step 8.
    • If No, you will need to troubleshoot your incoming source to resolve the issue.
  8. Switch the USB send box to computer cable to another USB port on the computer. Does issue resolve?
    • If Yes, your troubleshooting is complete.
    • If No, proceed to Step 9.
  9. Replace send box to computer cable with known good cable. Does issue resolve?
    • If Yes, your troubleshooting is complete.
    • If No, or if a known good cable is not available, proceed to Step 10.
  10. Power cycle send box. Does issue resolve?
    • If Yes, your troubleshooting is complete.
    • If No, proceed to Step 11.
  11. Replace send box. Refer to NovaStar: How do I replace a Sender Box? for further detail. Does issue resolve?
    • If Yes, your troubleshooting is complete.
    • If No, contact Daktronics for further troubleshooting.
  12. Check the initial screen on the NovaStar software. Is the receiver card icon red?
    • If Yes, proceed to Step 13.
    • If No, skip ahead to Step 22.
  13. Within the NovaStar software, click on the Monitor tab, then click on the receiver card icon. Refer to How do I check sending receiver status in the NovaStar NovaLCT-Mars program . Hover over the sections in red to determine if the cause of the issue is power or signal-based.
    • If Power, proceed to Step 14.
    • If Signal, skip ahead to Step 17.
  14. Within the NovaStar software, click on the Screen Config tab and then click on the screen connection to see the wiring pattern of the display. Note wiring pattern and proceed to next step.
  15. Check connections on power supply for first affected module in the signal chain. Terminate any loose connections. Does issue resolve?
    • If Yes, your troubleshooting is complete.
    • If No, proceed to Step 16.
  16. Replace power supply with known good power supply. 
    1. Refer to the appropriate resource: 
      1. How do I replace a power supply on a DVN-4003 display?
      2. How do I replace a power supply on a L Series display?
      3. How do I replace a power supply on a J Series display?
    2. Does issue resolve?
    • If Yes, your troubleshooting is complete.
    • If No, proceed to Step 17.
  17. If you have not already done so previously, click on the Screen Config tab within the NovaStar software and then click on the screen connection to see the wiring pattern of the display. Note wiring pattern and proceed to Step 18.
  18. Check connections and seating of first affected receiver card in the signal chain. Reseat or connect as needed. Does issue resolve?
    • If Yes, your troubleshooting is complete.
    • If No, proceed to Step 19.
  19. Replace the receiver card with known good receiver card and configure receiver card. 
    1. Refer to the appropriate resource: 
      1. NovaStar: How do I replace a receiver card in a display?
      2. How do I replace a hub or receiver card on a L Series Display?   
      3. How do I replace a hub or receiver card on a J10 display?
    2. Does issue resolve?
    • If Yes, your troubleshooting is complete.
    • If No, proceed to Step 20.
  20. Replace hub card with known good hub card. 
    1. Refer to the appropriate resource: 
      1. How do I replace a hub card on a DVN-4003?, DD3804097 
      2. How do I replace a hub or receiver card on a L Series display?  
      3. How do I replace a hub or receiver card on a J10 display?
    2. Does issue resolve?
    • If Yes, your troubleshooting is complete.
    • If No, proceed to Step 21.
  21. Replace module with known good module. 
    1. Refer to the appropriate resource:
      1. How do I replace a module in a DVN-4003 display?
      2. How do I remove and replace a module on a L Series display?
      3. How do I remove and replace a module on a J10 display?
    2. Does issue resolve?
    • If Yes, your troubleshooting is complete.
    • If No, contact Daktronics for further troubleshooting.
  22. Within the NovaStar software, click on the Brightness Tab. Refer to NovaStar: How do I adjust color temperature, brightness and contrast on my display? for further detail. Is brightness set at 0%?
    • If Yes, set brightness to desired level. If issue does not resolve, proceed to Step 23.
    • If No, proceed to Step 23.
  23. Within the NovaStar software, navigate to Screen Control. Does dropdown in self-test say Normal?
    • If Yes, skip ahead to Step 25.
    • If No, proceed to Step 24.
  24. Set dropdown to Normal and then click Send. Does issue resolve?
    • If Yes, your troubleshooting is complete.
    • If No, skip ahead to Step 28.
  25. Is one module blank, or are both modules within the section blank?
    • If one module, skip ahead to Step 28.
    • If two modules, proceed to Step 26.
  26. If two modules within the same section are blank, it is likely that the module with the receiver card has a failed power supply. Ensure that power supply is connected properly and test power supply. Is it functional?
    • If Yes, skip ahead to Step 29.
    • If No, proceed to Step 27.
  27. Replace power supply with known good power supply. 
    1. Refer to the appropriate resource:
      1. How do I replace a power supply on a DVN-4003 display? for further detail. 
      2. How do I replace a power supply on a L Series display?
      3. How do I replace a power supply on a J Series display?
    2. Does issue resolve?
    • If both modules now show content/test pattern, your troubleshooting is complete.
    • If both modules remain blank, contact Daktronics for further troubleshooting.
    • If one module remains blank, proceed to Step 28.
  28. If only one module is blank, it is likely that the module without the receiver card has failed. Ensure that the power supply is connected correctly and test it for functionality. Is power supply functional?
  29. Check ribbon cable. Reseat. Does issue resolve?
    • If Yes, your troubleshooting is complete.
    • If No, proceed to Step 30.
  30. Replace ribbon cable with known good cable. Does issue resolve?
    • If Yes, your troubleshooting is complete.
    • If No, proceed to Step 31.
  31. Replace hub card on module with receiver card. 
    1. Refer to the appropriate resource: 
      1. How do I replace a hub card on a DVN-4003?
      2. How do I replace a hub or receiver card on a L Series display?  
      3. How do I replace a hub or receiver card on a J10 display?
    2. Does issue resolve?
    • If Yes, your troubleshooting is complete.
    • If No, proceed to Step 32.
  32. Replace hub card on connected module (no receiver card). 
    1. Refer to the appropriate resource: 
      1. How do I replace a hub card on a DVN-4003?
      2. How do I replace a hub or receiver card on a L Series Display?   
      3. How do I replace a hub or receiver card on a J10 display?
    2. Does issue resolve?
    • If Yes, your troubleshooting is complete.
    • If No, proceed to Step 33.
  33. Replace module with known good module. 
    1. Refer to the appropriate resource: 
      1. How do I replace a module in a DVN-4003 display?
      2. How do I remove and replace a module on a L Series display?
      3. How do I remove and replace a module on a J10 display?
    2. Does issue resolve?
    • If Yes, your troubleshooting is complete.
    • If No, contact Daktronics for further troubleshooting.

KB ID: DD3794817

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