Respironics Firmware still Sucks!

[CorgiGirl]

I also have a fairly new machine and it has recorded 17 days of data with no skips. Maybe they have fixed the firmware on the newer models. Not sure how they'd get an update out to older ones, though...not like you can hook them up to the net.

[Slinky]

Pardon me Slinky but have I not been reading how the new ResMeds no longer record the pressure and the new ResScan 3.5 not being available to US customers. Are you sure ResMed is not following Respironics down the "Yellow Brick Road"!!!

I figgered that would be brought up, Jerry. BUT, you see they DO record and report the pressure, the "glitch" is that you have to go into the Clinicians Menu access to the Efficacy Data to get the recorded/reported pressure instead of into the advanced patient menu access to the Efficacy Data. AND ResScan 3.5 is available in the USA "if" you look for it and make toll-free phone calls to ask about it.

Actually, I shouldn't have said anything 'cause even the die-hard Respironics-ers have been giving Resmed credit since the advent of the S8 IIs and the various "bugs" w/the M Series. Even so, I just couldn't resist given all the digs we Resmed-ers have put up w/for so long. All just good-natured ribbing on both sides.

[6PtStar]

All just good-natured ribbing on both sides.

Agreed!!!!!!!!!!

I do have to admit I am getting a bit upset that all my equipment seems to be the ones with the bugs. I got this affliction diagnosed during the change from the Tank to the "M". They finally fixed the intergrated humidifier but no recall so mine is still shot due to the leaks shorting out the heating element. Guess there is not a fix comming for the small chamber but at least it does not leak any more. Now they are talking about putting a switch on the "Blue Spotlights" but I can't have that either - no recall to fix the non-existant problem. Some poor programmer may someday fix the firmware so we won't have do a "work-a-round" to get what we need but i'll bet it won't be serious enough to promote a recall either and maybe let us set the da*n clock.

Can't deside if I will be around long enough to qualify for a new unit with all the bugs fixed. Maybe I will just win the lottery and have enough money to just buy a new one. Still don't think it will be a ResMed ( looks to much like a lopsided bowling ball ) but who knows?

Jerry

[Guest]

I started formatting the card every Sunday morning when I got that day's data onto the computer.

How do you format your card??

thanks

[6PtStar]

I started formatting the card every Sunday morning when I got that day's data onto the computer.

How do you format your card??

thanks

Use the utility at mycpap.org. It can save, restore and reformat the card! A neat little utility!

Jerry

[ww]

I started formatting the card every Sunday morning when I got that day's data onto the computer.

How do you format your card??

thanks

There is a nice free utility on the web at mycpap.org that allows you to read the contents of your card, restore the contents of the card from your stored data, and format the card. Respironics went to a lot of trouble to remove that capability from the Encore Reader so you would be sure and encounter their bugs!!!!!

In fairness, if I bought a new unit today, it would probably be the Respironics Auto unless the Sandman Auto proves itself better (and the specs are better).

[carbonman]

Use the utility at mycpap.org. It can save, restore and reformat the card! A neat little utility! Jerry

There is a nice free utility on the web at mycpap.org that allows you to read the contents of your card, restore the contents of the card from your stored data, and format the card.

Thanks! got it.

[Hawthorne]

Several people answered for me about the formatting! That's good as long as you got it. I should have mentioned it my post about formatting! Sorry!

[RonS]

Well, I had my very first non-recording night after almost 4 months.

Usually I download the data on my card every day or two max.
This time I had waited for 3 nights. There were multiple sessions per night.

The only other thing I did that was different is I took the card out of the machine as soon as I had shut off the machine. I have never done that before. Ususally I don't pull the card until at least 10 or 15 minutes, but this time I hit the off button and pulled the card within 10 or 20 seconds (or maybe a little less) and I wonder if this caused the problem.

[bap40]

I have also started to do the re-format on the card on Sunday morning also. So far so good!

[Hawthorne]

bap40 - I hope your "Sunday morning formatting" works as well for you as it does for me! I've been doing that since April and have not missed a night's detailed data since---except for the night I forgot to put my smartcard back in the machine!

[6PtStar]

The only other thing I did that was different is I took the card out of the machine as soon as I had shut off the machine. I have never done that before. Ususally I don't pull the card until at least 10 or 15 minutes, but this time I hit the off button and pulled the card within 10 or 20 seconds (or maybe a little less) and I wonder if this caused the problem.

Best I have been able to determine is that the machine firmware compiles the data in the machine memory and when you turn off the machine it writes to the card. How long it takes depends on how much data it has to write. It could have been a bit quick on the removal.

I have not lost a day in over 9 months but I reformat every Saturday morning. This could vary if you have more than one session per day, I generally do not. Reformatting as soon as the detailed data starts to roll off and you start to loose it anyway seems to be the key.

Yes the "M" has some quirky things but there are ways around them. They fixed the humidifier leaking problem. A sock fixes the blue light problem. Reformating fixes the lost days data problem. Some don't like the power brick but if the power supply goes out the brick is replacable without replacing the whole machine. They did make the software readily available and easy to find and legal to sell to the end user. You don't have to have connections and beg someone to sell it to you. With A-Flex now as an option it is still a Da*n good machine.

I will now step off my soapbox!!!!

Jerry

[Slinky]

You do NOT have to have "connections" (I wish I did!) or "beg" to buy the ResScan software, regardless of version, and cable reader. You just have to shop the various online DME suppliers, call their toll-free number and ask. That is how I've gotten mine.

[6PtStar]

You do NOT have to have "connections" (I wish I did!) or "beg" to buy the ResScan software, regardless of version, and cable reader. You just have to shop the various online DME suppliers, call their toll-free number and ask. That is how I've gotten mine.

I called Resmed and was told the software is the only way but it was for professionals only.

Now I am confused again. Is this why cpap.com does not seem to have it!

Are we dealing UNDER the table again?

Jerry

[Slinky]

I am ever so grateful to our host, cpap.com, but they don't exactly have a mad, passionate, love affair going on w/Resmed. There seems to be no question that they have a good working relationship w/Respironics. And I'm NOT knocking it! It seemed to me that it was cpap.com's pushing on our behalf that got us the EncoreViewer software.