CPAP machine error message

[Valpo]

I have Remstar Auto Cflex and this morning I got a C-9 error message. It wouldn't turn off so I had to unplug it. I plugged it back in and it works and no error code so far but I'd love to find out what C-9 means. Any help is appreciated.

[Julie]

"C-9 SMARTCARD_WRITE_CONFIRM_FAIL Card is corrupt and should be reprogrammed. Otherwise, replace card."

[Valpo]

It's still working but the readout is two dashes. No pressure reading. Oh, well. So long as it still works.

I've had it for nine years, I always thought it was erasing as it wrote.

I only make $200 a week these days and have a medicare card. Any idea how to get a new machine?

[Guest]

I only make $200 a week these days and have a medicare card. Any idea how to get a new machine?

If you can produce a sleep study and have a sleep doc (face-to-face needed) Medicare will cover 80%.

If not check Craigslist in your area but you need to be familiar with the machine makes/models & costs to get a deal. Sometimes there are deals on this forum.

Which model machine do you have?

[Pugsy]

I think that Valpo has one of the older Respiconics Legacy series machines...at least from what I gather from prior posts about how long he has had the machine.

Den (Wulfman) is pretty familiar with this model machine and might have some ideas on how to verify pressures and maybe a fix for it that wouldn't break the bank.
Since it's the holidays Den may be with family right now as I haven't seen him here lately.
As long as the pressure is accurate even if it isn't showing the pressures then it is still useable.

If it is just a bad smartcard...those are relatively cheap and still available or maybe the machine could simply be used without the smartcard if doing so would resolve the issues.

[Guest]

Been wondering why Den hasn't been on lately too. Don't think he has switched over to that other 'sight' do ya? lol

maybe the machine could simply be used without the smartcard

That is a thought - try removing the card and start the machine to see if that clears things up.

ps. if you have another doc (doesn't have to be a sleep doc) they could write out the face-to-face. Just have to document that using the cpap is benefiting you but it is a must have to get a new machine.

[Pugsy]

Been wondering why Den hasn't been on lately too. Don't think he has switched over to that other 'sight' do ya? lol

No way. Hell would freeze over first before he went to the other side.
I bet he is traveling or with family or both and just been busy lately.

[Wulfman...]

I have Remstar Auto Cflex and this morning I got a C-9 error message. It wouldn't turn off so I had to unplug it. I plugged it back in and it works and no error code so far but I'd love to find out what C-9 means. Any help is appreciated.

Your answers are scattered throughout the responses you received. (Julie, Pugsy and "Guest" specifically)
Errors with "C" in them refer to Card problems. Codes with "E" in them are usually more problematic and indicative of more serious problems.
Usually, if the machine starts beeping when it's running, you need to remove the card and THEN hit the power On/Off button to shut it off. As you discovered, the machine will still keep producing the error message and beeping as long as the card is in the slot.
Either your card got corrupted or the read/write heads are dirty in the card slot.
If you're NOT downloading your card and monitoring your therapy, just take the card out and it should be fine.
If you ARE downloading your card and monitoring your therapy, you'll need to get a different card (would suggest getting more than one while you're at it because your machine may outlast the next card and the one after that).
You can clean the gold foil on the card with some alcohol (high grade is better than the cheap watered-down stuff). Alternatively, you may be able to use a pencil eraser and use that on the gold foil and then be sure to get all the eraser residue off the card (with alcohol).
You can also clean the read/write heads in the slot by cutting a card-sized piece of cardboard from the back of a legal pad, then liberally applying the alcohol to the area on the card approximating the location of the gold foil on the card and then work it back and forth in the slot a few times. Then let it dry for a bit.

That should get you back in business and prepare you for any future like problems.

The "OTHER SITE" (or "side")?....... somebody's hallucinating.


Den

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[Valpo]

It's working but if tomorrow morning, it still beeps, I'll take out the card and see if that helps. I assume it'll still be programmed that way.

I'd like to just jump into a new sleep study if I could find one locally. I'd REALLY like to do a home study with a wifi unit.

[Wulfman...]

For future reference, the complete list of error codes is listed in this forum thread link.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=17622&p=221849&hili ... es#p221849


Den

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[Valpo]

BTW, do I unplug it before I take out the card? Will it still be programmed?

[Pugsy]

Unplugging the machine will NOT effect any programming that has been done. Nothing will change in terms of any settings that have been made. It won't need to be reset.

[Guest]

The "OTHER SITE" (or "side")?....... somebody's hallucinating.

After not seeing anything from you for some time, the "other side" did cross my mind but I am not rude enuff to say that.

So I thought saying the "other sight" would be enuff to bring you back even IF you had "crossed over".

I figured if you were still on this side you would see that comment.

[palerider]

The "OTHER SITE" (or "side")?....... somebody's hallucinating.

So I thought saying the "other sight" would be enuff to bring you back even IF you had "crossed over".

what 'other sight' do you think Den was seeing?

[Valpo]

Unplugging the machine will NOT effect any programming that has been done. Nothing will change in terms of any settings that have been made. It won't need to be reset.

Oh, I know unplugging it won't affect anything. It's been unplugged before. I just mean, to remove the card do I need to unplug the unit. And once the card is out, is the unit still programmed? Will it still run?