HiFi Engine - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Martin Bush · 17th Jan 2023, 7:20 pm

Hi all

I have been trying to register with HiFi engine but however I try, I can't join. I either get a message saying they are not accepting new members or, trying on a work computer, a message asking me to turn off VPN (which was off).

So, I am stuck!

Is anyone able to help? All I want is service data for one item (not available via this forum).

Martin

OldTechFan96 · 17th Jan 2023, 7:34 pm

I think the registration has been closed for a while now at HiFi Engine.

Send me a PM and I'll get you sorted.

Diabolical Artificer · 20th Jan 2023, 8:49 am

Been a member for years, I can help too if you need it Martin.

Andy.

Martin Bush · 20th Jan 2023, 10:15 am

Cheers chaps - I have the service info I need thanks to OldTechFan96.

On the off chance that I need something in future I will approach one of you.

Hopefully, at some point, I can join myself.

Martin

Nickthedentist · 20th Jan 2023, 10:56 am

You can always ask me too (assuming I can remember my login details...).

Martin Bush · 20th Jan 2023, 11:07 am

Cheers Nick.

I am now under pressure to fix the thing now

knobtwiddler · 20th Jan 2023, 11:08 am

At home, Hifi Engine works for me. At work, I get a message telling me that I'm using a banned proxy... I unplugged the work PC, tethered it to the mobile and got the manual that way! But it has never let me access it using work ISP.

Craig Sawyers · 20th Jan 2023, 2:04 pm

It says, when I try to log in:

"Blocked
Proxy Server/VPN Service

Sorry, but this action is not possible from cloaking services such as proxies or VPNs.

(ICUK Computing Services Limited)

Please click here to continue browsing the website, or use a standard internet connection to continue logging in."

I'm using neither a cloaking, proxy server or a VPN connection. Just a plain ISP.

Hey ho.

Craig

Craig Sawyers · 20th Jan 2023, 2:08 pm

Heh. I tried to re-register (I'm current registered - but see above), and got a response:

"Account Registration
Sorry, but registration is currently closed to new members."

It is frankly bewildering.

Craig

Craig Sawyers · 20th Jan 2023, 2:20 pm

And then:

"(ICUK Computing Services Limited)
Your IP address is in a range that is blocked due to abuse. Membership services are not currently available using this connection."

This is my Industrial Strength ISP, British and privately owned https://www.icuk.net/about-us

I'm giving up. There is no way to contact HiFi Engine to raise the issue that they have incorrectly banned my ISP.

Aargh!

OldTechFan96 · 20th Jan 2023, 2:37 pm

It can be frustrating when issues arise with Vinyl/HiFi Engine as there is no way to contact the webmaster.

Martin Bush · 20th Jan 2023, 3:08 pm

I have experienced all the versions of not being allowed to sign up detailed above.

But I do have what I need thankfully.

Chris55000 · 20th Jan 2023, 6:56 pm

I would suggest as many members who have HiFi/Vinyl Engine accounts get what they can asap!

Is there no way all the manuals from there can be collected and hosted elsewhere?

Chris Williams

stevehertz · 20th Jan 2023, 7:03 pm

"All the manuals" ?!

knobtwiddler · 20th Jan 2023, 8:27 pm

Maybe an idea could be to ask to keep this thread open, and if a member can't get in, they can post here and ask another to get it for them?

I read at another group that HFE is concerned about 'bots downloading all of the content, hosting it elsewhere and profiting from it, hence the somewhat skittish security. As to whether this is actually the case, I cannot be sure...

Reelman · 20th Jan 2023, 8:51 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris55000

I would suggest as many members who have HiFi/Vinyl Engine accounts get what they can asap!

Is there no way all the manuals from there can be collected and hosted elsewhere?

Chris Williams

Unfortunately Chris, there is a daily/monthly download limit…..

“ The limits are dynamic, constantly under review and based on a score determined by factors such as server load, IP address (some ranges are prone to high levels of abuse and are throttled), behaviour (using VPNs and proxy services may downgrade your account) and your level of contribution to the library.”

There are 92K manuals. Fortunately, I still have access but limited to 5 a day which is fine for me.

I hope it continues since it is such a marvellous, free resource.

Peter

DMcMahon · 22nd Jan 2023, 12:51 pm

Same for me also, daily download limit of 5 files (each file being a separate manual, brochure etc).

David

Goldie99 · 22nd Jan 2023, 1:11 pm

Not sure, they may have recently 'tightened' the limits - I use the site quite a lot, but have just run into the monthly download limit (30 ? downloads), for the first time ever.

Alan

DMcMahon · 22nd Jan 2023, 1:54 pm

I also use it quite a lot, 5 has always been the daily limit in my case (including today), I think I have only experienced the monthly stated 30 limit once.

David

stevehertz · 27th Jan 2023, 4:55 pm

I logged on today and also downloaded a manual. No problems experienced. I realise that doesn't help if you are experiencing problems, but at least it shows that it is not across the board.

17th Jan 2023, 7:20 pm	#1
Martin Bush Octode Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,910	HiFi Engine Hi all I have been trying to register with HiFi engine but however I try, I can't join. I either get a message saying they are not accepting new members or, trying on a work computer, a message asking me to turn off VPN (which was off). So, I am stuck! Is anyone able to help? All I want is service data for one item (not available via this forum). Martin __________________ Is it live, or is it... no, it's live actually...

17th Jan 2023, 7:34 pm	#2
OldTechFan96 Octode Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 1,178	Re: HiFi Engine I think the registration has been closed for a while now at HiFi Engine. Send me a PM and I'll get you sorted.

20th Jan 2023, 8:49 am	#3
Diabolical Artificer Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK. Posts: 7,661	Re: HiFi Engine Been a member for years, I can help too if you need it Martin. Andy. __________________ Curiosity hasn't killed this cat...so far.

20th Jan 2023, 10:15 am	#4
Martin Bush Octode Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,910	Re: HiFi Engine Cheers chaps - I have the service info I need thanks to OldTechFan96. On the off chance that I need something in future I will approach one of you. Hopefully, at some point, I can join myself. Martin __________________ Is it live, or is it... no, it's live actually...

20th Jan 2023, 10:56 am	#5
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,846	Re: HiFi Engine You can always ask me too (assuming I can remember my login details...).

20th Jan 2023, 11:07 am	#6
Martin Bush Octode Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,910	Re: HiFi Engine Cheers Nick. I am now under pressure to fix the thing now __________________ Is it live, or is it... no, it's live actually...

20th Jan 2023, 11:08 am	#7
knobtwiddler Octode Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: London, UK. Posts: 1,047	Re: HiFi Engine At home, Hifi Engine works for me. At work, I get a message telling me that I'm using a banned proxy... I unplugged the work PC, tethered it to the mobile and got the manual that way! But it has never let me access it using work ISP.

20th Jan 2023, 2:04 pm	#8
Craig Sawyers Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 4,982	Re: HiFi Engine It says, when I try to log in: "Blocked Proxy Server/VPN Service Sorry, but this action is not possible from cloaking services such as proxies or VPNs. (ICUK Computing Services Limited) Please click here to continue browsing the website, or use a standard internet connection to continue logging in." I'm using neither a cloaking, proxy server or a VPN connection. Just a plain ISP. Hey ho. Craig __________________ Doomed for a certain term to walk the night

20th Jan 2023, 2:08 pm	#9
Craig Sawyers Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 4,982	Re: HiFi Engine Heh. I tried to re-register (I'm current registered - but see above), and got a response: "Account Registration Sorry, but registration is currently closed to new members." It is frankly bewildering. Craig __________________ Doomed for a certain term to walk the night

20th Jan 2023, 2:20 pm	#10
Craig Sawyers Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 4,982	Re: HiFi Engine And then: "(ICUK Computing Services Limited) Your IP address is in a range that is blocked due to abuse. Membership services are not currently available using this connection." This is my Industrial Strength ISP, British and privately owned https://www.icuk.net/about-us I'm giving up. There is no way to contact HiFi Engine to raise the issue that they have incorrectly banned my ISP. Aargh! __________________ Doomed for a certain term to walk the night

20th Jan 2023, 2:37 pm	#11
OldTechFan96 Octode Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 1,178	Re: HiFi Engine It can be frustrating when issues arise with Vinyl/HiFi Engine as there is no way to contact the webmaster.

20th Jan 2023, 3:08 pm	#12
Martin Bush Octode Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,910	Re: HiFi Engine I have experienced all the versions of not being allowed to sign up detailed above. But I do have what I need thankfully. __________________ Is it live, or is it... no, it's live actually...

20th Jan 2023, 6:56 pm	#13
Chris55000 Nonode Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Walsall Wood, Aldridge, Walsall, UK. Posts: 2,868	Re: HiFi Engine I would suggest as many members who have HiFi/Vinyl Engine accounts get what they can asap! Is there no way all the manuals from there can be collected and hosted elsewhere? Chris Williams __________________ It's an enigma, that's what it is! This thing's not fixed because it doesn't want to be fixed!

20th Jan 2023, 7:03 pm	#14
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,832	Re: HiFi Engine "All the manuals" ?! __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..

20th Jan 2023, 8:27 pm	#15
knobtwiddler Octode Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: London, UK. Posts: 1,047	Re: HiFi Engine Maybe an idea could be to ask to keep this thread open, and if a member can't get in, they can post here and ask another to get it for them? I read at another group that HFE is concerned about 'bots downloading all of the content, hosting it elsewhere and profiting from it, hence the somewhat skittish security. As to whether this is actually the case, I cannot be sure...

22nd Jan 2023, 12:51 pm	#17
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 6,601	Re: HiFi Engine Same for me also, daily download limit of 5 files (each file being a separate manual, brochure etc). David

22nd Jan 2023, 1:11 pm	#18
Goldie99 Heptode Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Boston, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 995	Re: HiFi Engine Not sure, they may have recently 'tightened' the limits - I use the site quite a lot, but have just run into the monthly download limit (30 ? downloads), for the first time ever. Alan

22nd Jan 2023, 1:54 pm	#19
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 6,601	Re: HiFi Engine I also use it quite a lot, 5 has always been the daily limit in my case (including today), I think I have only experienced the monthly stated 30 limit once. David

27th Jan 2023, 4:55 pm	#20
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,832	Re: HiFi Engine I logged on today and also downloaded a manual. No problems experienced. I realise that doesn't help if you are experiencing problems, but at least it shows that it is not across the board. __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..