Income and other Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$ 155,741	$ 166,834
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards	646	4,052
Income tax credit carryforwards	2,641	2,641
Inventory reserves	4,439	3,743
Accounts receivable reserves	51	1,275
Accrued warranty reserve	1,171	799
State net operating loss carryforwards	10,454	14,289
Investment write-down	0	5,315
Stock compensation	3,300	3,325
Deferred compensation	1,647	1,466
Fixed assets and intangibles	10,501	12,681
Capital loss carryover	10,565	0
Other	1,868	1,320
Total deferred tax assets	203,024	217,740
Valuation allowance	(178,944)	(217,740)
Net deferred tax assets	$ 24,080	$ 0