GH4 Service Mode Lock

Thanks djr3. I'll try that anyway and see if that does anything.

Hey SZ I have the same problem where you able to remove the mark?

Saw this post and called  a very good friend of mine that works at the McAllen service facility.

"You've erased the "initial settings" and likely some of the alignment data". Even when the " !" is removed, the alignment data must be reloaded."

It's the primary reason why warnings have been posted, on several occasions, to avoid going into service modes that you don't know how to use. "Camera needs to go back to the mother ship, and this will void the warranty."

OMG!!!! Bob I had no idea that it would create a problem like this, the camera appears to work fine otherwise but everyone needs to take notice not to check shutter count in service mode!!!

Having serviced them, I can tell you the info you posted is not totally correct. When the initial settings are erased, once "reset" the camera reverts to a set of initial parameters, loaded to allow the technician to complete the recaliberation. Without any such parameters loaded, it would be the equivalent of loosing the BIOS on your PC. This same procedure happens automatically when the main PCB is replaced. Usually before the technician begins any repair he enter the Service mode and download the ROM DATA. Following the repair, it's loaded back in, or the camera is recaliberated.

I have found a solution to the Yellow Exclamation Point on my Gh4 after almost sending it back to Panasonic it's a shame that they don't have a support team to help the end user's and that sucks! Beware of anybody trying to find the shutter count on the Panasonic cameras if you are not careful or don't know the proper sequence you will put your camera into service mode and the Yellow Exclamation point will show and never go away! Here's where I found the solution.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?251376-How-to-get-rid-of-Yellow-triangle-exclamation-point-on-GH1&highlight=GH4+Yellow+Exclimation+point

ernstbk wrote:

Wasabi Bob wrote:

Having serviced them, I can tell you the info you posted is not totally correct. When the initial settings are erased, once "reset" the camera reverts to a set of initial parameters, loaded to allow the technician to complete the recaliberation. Without any such parameters loaded, it would be the equivalent of loosing the BIOS on your PC. This same procedure happens automatically when the main PCB is replaced. Usually before the technician begins any repair he enter the Service mode and download the ROM DATA. Following the repair, it's loaded back in, or the camera is recaliberated.

My version of the service manual does not provide any information that performing initial settings require calibration. However it does state that mount box & Flash-Rom replacement do require reload of calibration data.

So there are actually three different service manuals - the one you have, an "advanced" manual and the third which is only given to authorized service facilities. The general manual only explains how a specific procedures might differs from other models. Not all of each procedure is explained. The normal service procedure starts by copying the internal alignment data off to a PC or SD card (mentioned above - do require reload of calibration data) verifies what I've explained. This is not explained in the general manual. After changes are made, your camera's alignment data needs to be reloaded, otherwise the camera uses a set of default alignment parameters which are resident on the main PCB. These are used to enable the camera the first time its powered up on the assembly line. Without such initial settings, they would have to load firmware for every camera and than do the alignment. Your camera will work and the "!" will disappear, but the performance will not meet spec. This would affect shutter speed, AF performance and color accuracy. It's also is flagged in an embedded menu to alert the service person that the user has been playing with the service mode.

Someone commented that Panasonic should have a support team to assist customers in such situations. You are joking, right? The menus you are in are not intended to be accessed by the end user. Your car has similar modes and no dealer is going to assist you there either. Basically, if you want to play, you pay and you voided your warranty!