Dish VIP 211 Can't Access Menu

az99 wrote:


Thank You very much.

You are welcome... I got my VIP-211k about 14 months ago and had the same problem Finally called in, Got someone with a brain between his ears,,, Then later found the page in the manual.

Sadly.. The antenna I have has an issue so I wound up not continuing to use the product.... But I still have it, I moved it to a different TV due to a conflict with other hardware in the motor home (The Digital OTA converter on the Main TV is an DTV-PAL by Echostar.. SAME REMOTE CODES) (The one in the bedroom is different). (I still use the converters with my old networked analog DVRs)

But once you find out a "hint" Buried that deep in the book, You remember it


To the person who asks what access this gives you..

Once you have it working.. PRESS MENU and see.

I am guessing you still are not able to get the 211 activated? If it's a "z" you likely will not get a signal or get it activated because it must first go through the setup routine and you need a properly pointed antenna to get that to happen (or a Tailgater or Pathway dome).
If by chance you can get the 61.5 and 72.7 (77 is no longer necessary) you might be able to reset the receiver and see if it will enter the Step 1 of 5 routine so you can get the rest of the receiver operational.

Is the signal meter normally that bad on these 211's? It does not move when adjusting the dish.I had to move the transponder up or down for it to change I can even disconnect the LNB cable after I find signal and it still shows the reading.
I am using it on a 1000.4 EA dish if that matters as the menu has no selection for it.

OK. What will this access give you?

wa8yxm wrote:
If you are NOT using a tailgater.. Then it will stall at some point during it's POWER ON SELF TESTS.. Eventually a error will pop up on the screen.

When this happens, take the remote Aim and fire off an Asterisk (Star) this should take you to MENU or at least get you to where you can go there.

Bad programming I agree.

That is what I was looking for. It works to get to the signal meter as soon as the test fails.

Thank You very much.

If you are NOT using a tailgater.. Then it will stall at some point during it's POWER ON SELF TESTS.. Eventually a error will pop up on the screen.

When this happens, take the remote Aim and fire off an Asterisk (Star) this should take you to MENU or at least get you to where you can go there.

Bad programming I agree.

All I was looking for is a shortcut or method to get to the Menu screen at power up to bypass the test.
It is a VIP211

What kind of an antenna is this connected to? Has it ever been activated? Don't call Dish, they can't do a thing until you have the antenna properly pointed and a good signal strength. If this is a 211Z, the only way you may be able to get this done is to connect it to a standard home (3 LNB) antenna that is already properly pointed. Is there a Dish dealer nearby? If so, take it there and have them get the receiver and account setup properly.
If you can connect the receiver to a King Dome Tailgater or Winegard Pathway you should also be able to get the receiver activated.

CAll them and they will change the state you are in via satellite, keep Tech on until you have the TV up and running. They do it all the time.