I have a new irobot 500 i charget it and tried to see if it would work okay onlly to find that it backs up makes a few circles then shuts down beeping 9 times manuel says its a bumper problem is there a way to reset the program?

HI There,

In order to find out which model Roomba you have, turn the machine upside down and look for a sticker that contains the serial and model number.

There are basically 2 different series of Roomba's, the newer 500 series, and the older 4000 series Discovery series. These models usually had multiple buttons on the top, unlike the newer 500 series which have just one.

The older series models included a white, red, green, and yellow colored machines, where as the newer 500 series models have a more sleek design, usually with just a single button in the center. The newer 500 series have colors of black, and silver with different combinations of the two.

Here's a link to pictures of all of the different Roomba series ever made, and the models that they contained:
http://store.irobot.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=2174944&cp=2804606&ab=CMS_AccSuper_080309

Also, in terms of the circling problem your Roomba is having, here's a very helpful link that will show you how to fix the "Roomba Circle Dance" as it's been named, haha dancing robotic vacuum cleaners, I just got a mental picture, lol.
http://mysteryroad.blogs.com/photos/roomba_gallery/xintroroomba_3549.html


I really hope this was helpful to you. Please feel free to ask any follow up questions you may have, I'm always more then happy to answer any and all of your questions if this was not able to fix your problem. Please check out our website for all of your Roomba accessories:
http://www.govacuum.com/irobot-roomba-scooba-replacment-parts.html

Thanks so much. If this was helpful, please be so kind and rate my repair helpful, or leave feedback, thanks!

Chris Jones
GoVacuum.com

Roomba going in circles. Called irobot and if reseting it (by taking out the battery, unplugging it from the charger, and holding down the power button for 30 seconds), didn't work, turn the roomba over, take a compressor and blow air into the front. Maybe a shop vac would also work. We cleaned out the whole thing while we were at it. And now it works just fine. The tech person at irobot was very helpful.

Hey

Please look for other same problem posted here ;-)

You are probably facing a bumper sensor issue.
Try to clean the bumper first and if this goes on, either call iRobot service, or
take a look at this page for the step by step 9 beep fix.

Have fun
Avi

If you are lucky then one of the 4 sensors under the bumper has dust lint buildup. Blow out these areas and give your unit a good cleaning. If it still continues to do this then the bumper bar sensor should be replaced

Sounds like either the battery is bad or not being charged properly with subsequent loss of programming.

Dear Roomba Owner,

For solutions to your Roomba Vacuum Problems click on the following link @ http://homesupport.irobot.com/cgi-bin/irobot_homesupport.cfg/php/enduser/home.php?p_sid=gG54ERqj

jackiaria
This Will FixYa!
A Lot of iRobots' Home Vacuums Need a Software Upgrade!

You have to push down on the plate to open the door. Make sure Scooba is on a flat surface, then push down. If the door doesn't release, try again. It sometimes takes a few tries, but that should work. If not, call iRobot Support. They are great and have helped with everything. I love my Roombas and my Scooba!

Call customer support. Your Roomba has a faulty bumper sensor.

I had the same kind of problem with my model 400 today...after starting it and having it go in a circle for 30 seconds or so it would finally run into something and then back up a few inches, turn, then go forward a few inches, then back up a few inches, turn, then go forward a few inches, etc., etc.. I tried cleaning off the four pairs of sensors under the bumper and blowing out various things underneath (by mouth since I didn't have any canned compressed air). It didn't really help. It then occurred to me that I had a leaf blower! I put the Roomba upside down on the grass, put the leaf blower on high, and blew at it from all directions and up close. More dust came out than I thought would. It has been running normally now for the last 45 minutes.