E04 Unit in safeguard mode

I am using a GR-DVL-100 now for three years. I had no problems untill (I suspect) that I attached a Hahnel Lithium Ion battery (HL-408). Since I used this battery (as second battery device) problems started. Maybe it is coinsedence I do not know. It is good to know that more people have problems. I'll ask my lawyer if they come up with repair charges!
Best regards,
Perry

Reply

• Re: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
  - 25th Sep 2004 3:57
  i have GR-DVL and started the same problem
  
  
  • E04 Unit in safeguard mode
    Paul da Silva
    - 2nd Jan 2005 17:39
    I have had my JVC GR-DVM for about 5 years and about 9 months ago after not having used the camcorder for about 9 months I started with the same problem described by all. I have cleaned the contacts for the battery and the those on the camera. I have also tried the AC adapter and still the same safe mode message
    
    
    • Re: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
      Gero
      - 27th Jul 2005 20:37
      I have the same problem since today. Probably HEAD problems. I now have cleaned the heads with a cleaning cassette. Hopefully this solves the problem, at least the error message is gone now. I hope it will not return.
      
      
    • Re: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
      Rach
      - 11th Nov 2005 21:21
      I just removed the tape(I find uot that the tape had jammed) cleaned the head with a cleaning tape and it works. Try that way and hoppelly that will work for you.
      
      
    • Re: E04 Unit in safeguard mode Fox - 17th Mar 2006 7:17
      I had a similar issue where it would go into "safeguard mode", and I too was experiencing tape jams. Trouble with this model is that the tape rack is particularly malleable, being thin aluminum, so check to make sure that no major damage has been inflicted to the tape carriage. If it is partially bent out of shape, it can be easily bent back, just be gentle with it, and test just inserting a tape into the carriage over and over again, closing, reopening, all that, until it works fine. The effort to make a lighter camera backfired horribly in this case, it seems.
      
      
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
    a rayman
    - 23rd Mar 2005 18:52
    I am having the same problem with the same unit. I changed batteries, tried every single approach thats mentioned here, still it keeps giving the same message!
    
    
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode LuLu - 3rd Aug 2005 23:24
    Exact same problem and unit. If you know how to fix this let me know!
    
    
• Re: E04 Unit in safeguard mode Jack Sluiter - 3rd Dec 2004 2:26
  I have two JVC DV camcorders. Two different models, both coming up with the same "E04" error. Just wondering if you came up with a solution. I am frustrated to no end. I would appreciate any help. Thanks, Jack.
  
  
• Re: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
  Bob
  - 3rd Jan 2005 23:22
  My camcorder GR-SXM320U give the safeguard mode E04 message and can't get the tape to eject.
  Anybody know how to release the tape cassette???
  
  
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode mick - 25th Apr 2005 17:43
    hello YES me to have this problem, who do they think they are selling defective goods , join the thousands of others , with the safeguard problem, get in touch if any1 sorts it out plz mickdgl@aol.com
    
    
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode Tom Austin - 5th Aug 2006 17:24
    Hi, i know this problem occured a long time ago now but did u ever fix the safe guard problem. If so how? Tom Austin
    
    
• Re: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
  Steve
  - 11th Feb 2005 2:06
  Here's what i found. I was able to clear the message by opening and closing and ejecting the cassette. I also had to play with the battery at the same time. Keeping the cassette door open and then pulling out the battery. After is did this a couple of times i got the message to clear. I too haven't used my camcorder for some time and now that the error message has cleared the camcorder tells me that i need to clean the heads.
  
  Hope this helps. Below is the message i found that pointed me toward ejecting the cassette.
  
  Good Luck, i'm off to buy a tape head cleaning cassette.
  
  An error indication (E03 or E04) appears.
  - (E03 or E04 UNIT IN SAFEGUARD MODE REMOVE AND REATTACH BATTERY) This massage a malfunction
  of some kind has occurred.
  In this case the camcorder's functions become unusable.
  - Eject the cassette once and re-insert it, then check if the indication clears. When it does, you can resume using the camcorder. If the indication remains, consult your nearest JVC dealer or service center
  
  
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode xcs - 8th May 2005 9:10
    Thx Steve, it worked for me !!!
    
    
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
    jason
    - 14th May 2005 23:46
    Steve This worked! Thanks a bunch. We missed 6 months of our kids' life on tape due to this malfunction. Call it laziness, I know, but now the jvc works and we'll miss no more! Much appreciated. Sincerely, Jason
    
    
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode Tony K - 16th May 2005 0:44
    This also worked for me. Thanks. I have seen this problem before and fixed it, but didn't know how. I have a feeling this will be a recurring problem. Thanks for documenting. -Tony K
    
    
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
    Al
    - 24th Jun 2005 6:52
    Steve, You ROCK dude! Don't know how you came up with that fix. I OWE you my life. Al
    
    
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
    Jeni
    - 6th Oct 2005 4:25
    Thank you for posting your solution! We were so frustrated missing our kids and kitties on tape. Your solution worked the first time I tried it! You are awesome!
    
    
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode Paul - 9th Oct 2005 23:41
    Seems to work for me too. I have a DVM90 - I'll repost if the error ever comes back. Thanks for posting this fix. Paul
    
    
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode Paul - 9th Oct 2005 23:43
    The problem came back the first time I put a new tape in. - this camera needs help. I'll contact JVC. thanks
    
    
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
    Ralph
    - 22nd Mar 2006 17:53
    It worked for me also. I bought a new battery, and got the same message. Ejecting the tape reveled it had looped up a little. I had to remove the battery before it would allow the tape to be re-inserted, but it worked. Thanks for the heads up!
    
    
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
    Emi
    - 5th Apr 2006 15:51
    Thanks for the tips, but it didn't work for me, I'm not that lucky!!!!!! I almost lost my patience... I'll try again
    
    
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
    Sanjay
    - 18th Nov 2006 5:21
    Thanks a lot Steve for noting down the issue. It worked. Thanks
    
    
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
    Andy
    - 11th Feb 2007 13:09
    Absolutely marvellous, this worked for me too, thanks so much for this I was starting to get quite worried about the camera, but it's working fine now, many thanks once again.
    
    
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
    faceunveiled
    - 17th Jul 2007 13:31
    Worked for me too. Had to mess with the cassette and the battery for a while, but now it works. Thanks a ton!! Thought it was done for good!
    
    
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode kenan haonga - 2nd Dec 2007 22:42
    Yeah, I have seen this problem 2 weeks ago after not using my GR-DVL100 for several months. The unit is about 5 years old. After I read comments on the topic, I went to buy the head cleaner. The problems seems to come on and off, but haven't given up trying. At least, the picture now show but with no sound, and at a bit faster speed. Look forward to see the end results
    
    
    • Re[3]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode Christine - 14th May 2009 20:21
      Hi there! I know it's been awhile since you posted the issue you were having with your JVC camcorder getting stuck in a safegaurd mode, but I was wondering if what you did ever truely fixed the issue. I am receiving the same E04 error as well as the error to clean the head cassette, but evertime, it always goes back to the error. I'm ready to junk it and go buy a sony. Any update you may have would be great. Thanks!
      
      
    • Re[3]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode SRINIVASNETHA - 22nd Feb 2010 15:50
      Ihav JVC GR-DVL105A Model camera my problam Errar message is E04 unit in safeguard mode remove and reattach battery
      
      
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
    Ed
    - 12th Jan 2008 8:53
    To Steve and others - I tried Steve's suggestion and it worked. It appears that the tape I was using may have created a jam in the camcorder. I took the tape out and opened and closed the tape compartment several times before putting the tape back in. The Safeguard message went away and the camera appears to be working fine, Before trying this I was ready to scrap the JCV camera and go buy a SONY. Thanks for the Tip!!!
    
    
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode pieter - 10th Apr 2008 15:07
    Thank you steve. It works with my camera too. I was looking for a new one and then i found your message. It stay`s an old camera bit it works again. thank you very very much Pieter
    
    
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
    SK
    - 10th Oct 2008 19:15
    Thanks a lot! It worked! Internet (and people there) is really an excellent tool!
    
    
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
    Norman
    - 16th Nov 2008 3:11
    I have a JVC GR-DVL805U. My E04 UNIT IN SAFEGUARD MODE REMOVE AND REATTACH BATTERY message seems to have been caused by a broken tape. I pushed the tape cover release latch and after lifting the casset cover I discovered that the tape was broken. The message has not appeared since inserting a new tape or replaying old ones. However, only time will tell if this was the real cause. What caused the tape to break? I don't have a clue.
    
    
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
    Philip
    - 23rd Nov 2008 1:30
    Steve, You saved me $250. That's what an electronic retailer told me JVC charged just to diagnose the problem. I followed your instructions and it worked. THANKS!
    
    
    • Re[3]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
      rdm
      - 18th Dec 2008 21:38
      Steve, thank you very much. Because of the problem I stopped using my GR-DZ7U for 6 months....and resolved to only take still pictures with my standard camera, until I decided to look again on the internet. Removing the battery while ejecting the tape seems to have fixed the problem. The message I had was "E03 unit in safeguard mode, eject and reinsert the tape", and it would show up within a second or two every single time I was trying to record or replay.
      
      
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
    sour
    - 21st Feb 2009 23:37
    it did not do it plz help me
    
    
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
    rbrow802
    - 25th Mar 2009 4:36
    Thanks for the post, I removed the battery while the error was on the screen and at the secnod attempt it cleared the error. Camera works again :)
    
    
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
    AJ
    - 18th Oct 2009 21:22
    i tried doing what you said but the casset thing wouldn't open so i did something that you probably shouldnt do....i smacked the camera and what do ya know it opened and the message went away :D
    
    
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
    LuisRS
    - 16th Dec 2009 23:36
    Amazing. E04 displayed in screen. After reading Steve's solution, I've tried and it took me about 8 operations of removing the battery with tape inserted, plus some kicks, plus closing the tape compartment immediately after oppenning, and ... it's running and in good condition. My camera is a GR-DVL9600A, bought in Feb 2000 at Singapore. Still working, I hope for a long time. It use to be the state of the art, but not any more, almost 10 years later. Once again, thanks for the tips.
    
    
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
    Chris
    - 5th Jan 2010 22:50
    Had the same problem with my NBC gr-dvl1020. Cassette caddy was stuck open and would not insert. Would try to insert then come up with error 04. To fix it I did steves trick but I had to turn the camera upside down and then it would close.
    
    
• Re: E04 Unit in safeguard mode Summit Raj Tuladhar - 11th Oct 2005 7:25
  JVC GR-DVL100. Same Problem E04 "Unit in safeguard mode". Ejected the cassette and just when it was about to eject, pushed it in... and the error is gone. Thanks!!
  
  
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode Rubens Ramos - 31st Mar 2007 12:00
    It's worked to me too - the procedure is: just open the cassette cover, eject the tape and right the way push it back again. I've done this 3 to 4 times and... done. I've also used a head cleaner cassette before doing it (the head cleaner cassette alone have not fixed the problem). It appears to be some kind of hard reset. Thanks.
    
    
• Re: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
  Samantha Jennings
  - 6th Nov 2005 14:40
  This solution has worked for me too. Thanks so much!
  
  
• Re: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
  Piers
  - 7th Jun 2006 20:49
  I just fired up my camcorder (DVM80) for the first time in a couple years and got this message. The battery coming in and out didn't do anything. Popped the tape out and found that it was being eaten by the camcorder. Wound it back in and tried to rewind. E04! Wound the tape again and tried to play. E04!
  
  Fast forward worked just fine, but rewind got the message again when it hit that spot on the tape. Wound it back, forwarded to the end and rewound, E04 at the same spot. Wound the tape in the rewind direction, pulled some extra out, and rewound that, and after that I could rewind the tape to the beginnig and view/record, so I think the message is less a battery problem than it is a tape problem
  
  
• Re: E03 Unit in safeguard mode
  Starkey
  - 13th Jan 2007 20:17
  Try Steves solution guys..it just worked for me just before I went on vacation.
  Phew thought I would have to buy a new camera.All I did was install the tape and try and play it without closing the cover.It ejected on me twice when I did it the 3rd time I closed the cover and it works fine now.
  Yeah Steve thanks for the information and I did need to get a head cleaner
  
  
  • Re[2]: E03 Unit in safeguard mode ARI - 19th Jun 2010 15:43
    I have a problem with the camera JVC GR-DX37AG, problem; When I enter the show details cassette eject and reinsert tape E03 and unit in safeguard mode. Approximately where the problem! whether on tape or in a mechanical system? Please help, and the solution, thank you for your help.
    
    
• Re: E04 Unit in safeguard mode Taylor - 5th Feb 2007 20:15
  I tried using my head cleaning tape. But the error pops up when I put it in, and wont let me play it :/.
  
  
  • Re[2]: E04 Unit in safeguard mode
    Izaurek
    - 11th Dec 2007 18:22
    You must make a hard reset - get inside the camera and unplug the buttery - in jvc grd30 it is done when you take out a plug with many wires wait a couple of minutes an plug it again Now it works:)
    
    
• Re: E04 Unit in safeguard mode Taylor - 5th Feb 2007 20:34
  ALSO, it's only doing this with one tape. My other older tapes work, but this one is brand new, and not taped over..