Explorer 8300HDC - losing digits in "screen saver" mode

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I have finally installed Firewire channel changing to improve reliability (compared to the HD-PVR's IR Blaster).

However, I still have a problem where the first digit is lost when the cable box is in "screen save mode". This is the mode where it switches to 480p, and displays a Time Warner logo at random locations on the screen. I have not been able to find a way to disable this mode in the STB setup. (I don't need a screen saver, since I don't normally have the HDTV driven by the STB, and even if I did, DLP is not susceptible to burn from a fixed image. )

When I send a channel change command while the STB is in screen saver mode, the first digit is dropped. Channel 1234 is interpreted as 234.

Is there any way to send a "wake up" command (perhaps emulating the yellow triangle button, and/or the "Guide" button from the TWC remote control) before sending the channel change commands?

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In addition to the screen-saver mode, my cable box also has a "failure mode" where it displays "The channel is not available - press A to try again". The A key is the yellow triangle. (This is a "bogus" error - actually, the channel is available. I have no idea why this screen is shown, but my HD-PVR often records that message instead of the desired programs). I have tried to use other keys on the remote to get past that screen, but it seems that only the A key works.

Near the bottom of the Tim Moore page, there is a section heading: "Can I send other buttons than change channel?"
It says:
"Channel.exe has a parameter –d. When used with this parameter the channel parameter is a button number, for example 32 is the button number for the button 0. So "Channel –v –d 2 32"

Following this example, I did some testing at a command prompt using:
channel.exe -v -n -d 86c21cea1c00 10

The button code 10 is supposed to display the setup menu.
After some testing with different button codes, it seems that the 8300HDC does not respond to any button codes. The only command it accepts that I have discovered is the channel change command, and only when the -a6 option is used.

Does anybody know how to send Firewire commands that will emulate remote control buttons to the 8300HDC such as the Menu, Exit, or A (yellow) key?