can a head unit get a comuter virus????

[dirty1]

i am wondering if head units that have USB input could get a computer virus.
why i am wondering this is that i have a Kenwood KDC MP5033U USB head unit that has stopped going. at first the display wasnt showing anything, but it was still playing the music.. the trouble shooting guide in the manual suggests to reset the unit when this happens. now it needs the security code to be entered and of course with not being able to see the screen that is impossible.
afterwards i took my USB stick out and put it in my computer and it had a virus on it.(dont trust mates laptop)
i have owned the head for 2 years and 1 month.
Any ideas anyone???

[Alex B]

Nah, I doubt that very much being the cause.

[sergei]

Unless your kenwood runs Windows, it is highly unlikely.
Most likely your head unit will not even have a general purpose OS, but will be some highly specialised firmware, that is really impossible to infect with normal run off the mill windows virus.

[85AW20v]

Maybe it got swine flu from the 'comuter' that was in your car

sorry - couldn't resist it

[Mr.Phreak]

More likely dirty connectors or your faceplate has finally given up

[kim0663]

thats reassuring.

I run a usb stick that has a virus and i always hoped it wouldn't affect my headunit

[Jazza]

Think of it this way, most viruses are tailored for a specific operating system, usually windows, So unless what you are using the USB in is also windows (And has some sort of memory that it can write to, which i dont know if headunits do) then you wont have a problem.

[dirty1]

after sending it to Kenwood repair people, i was told that the face plate is dead. $200 for a new face plate> WTF. cheaper to buy a new head unit. it also turns out Kenwood dont car any spare parts for car audio stuff in this country, so it would have to be sent over from Austraila.
after Googling the model i found that it is a common problem with at least 12 people on one car audio forum site alone.

[Dell'Orto]

after sending it to Kenwood repair people, i was told that the face plate is dead. $200 for a new face plate> WTF. cheaper to buy a new head unit.

Yup, discourages car theft. Imagine how many headunits would get stolen if a faceplate was $50?

[sergei]

after sending it to Kenwood repair people, i was told that the face plate is dead. $200 for a new face plate> WTF. cheaper to buy a new head unit.

Yup, discourages car theft. Imagine how many headunits would get stolen if a faceplate was $50?

perhaps a replacement program where you send in your face plate and you get new one for a lot less than $200.

What I would do is buy another brand and let kenwood know about it.

[pjay]

Cjheck the dizzy cap

[Mr.Phreak]

What I would do is buy another brand and let kenwood know about it.

They all do the same

[MAGN1T]

What's a comuter virus?
Is that anything like picking up the swine flu on the train?

Anyway I don't think kenwood have repair people anymore, probably an easyish fix, also you can't get a computer virus but a corruption of a memory device is pretty common, like when your card for your camera stops working and you loose your pics.

Steve

[sergei]

What I would do is buy another brand and let kenwood know about it.

They all do the same

I am not about generally expensive face plate, I am about this very common problem with this particular unit that Kenwood is in denial.

[GTCRSHR]

after Googling the model i found that it is a common problem with at least 12 people on one car audio forum site alone.

you didnt think to do this first ?

[Mr.Phreak]

FWIW, NZ Units should come with a 3 yr warranty unless they've changed recently

Although claiming on a faceplate is always fun.