Virgin smart card upgrade query

lindos90

My elderly mum has just had a new smart card through the post. Initially I thought they had put her on a new/bigger contract, but checking the website it appears that they are upgrading all of them.

Anyway, my mum is not able to reach to swap the card over. She called virgin, as she was worried they would 'switch her off' before anyone in the family can visit. But they could not give her any idea how long it would be before she lost all her programmes!

Does anyone know if they are 'switching' reagion by region or if there is one big switch day far all?

The only thing the man kept saying is 'well its our policy, it may be done to day, next week or next month, its up to us'

I know they can't possibly go round and swap everyones cards for them, not even just disabled people, but why can't they at least give an idea of when they are switching, and give people enough time to make alternative arrangements?

This ontop of having to reboot it most days, lost recordings and failed recordings, and aparently having an unknown programme set for recording, with a duration of 130hours!!!, its becoming a joke..wonder if she would be better off with sky?

pmcx9

from what you are saying i guess your mum has a sa8300 V+ box. the card is inserted into the rear of the box (in fact replacing the one already there.)
my area switched off the signal for the old cards today. the cards arrived 2 weeks ago so that gives an indication of how long your mum has got. the freeview channels will still work with the old card in place. surely if she is incapable of bending to swap the card on her own she must have some sort of assistance for other daily tasks. if so, could she not ask that person to swap the card over?

i would suggest you format her boxes hard disk to alleviate the various problems. google sa8300 format for instructions

lindos90

pmcx9 wrote: »

from what you are saying i guess your mum has a sa8300 V+ box. the card is inserted into the rear of the box (in fact replacing the one already there.)
my area switched off the signal for the old cards today. the cards arrived 2 weeks ago so that gives an indication of how long your mum has got. the freeview channels will still work with the old card in place. surely if she is incapable of bending to swap the card on her own she must have some sort of assistance for other daily tasks. if so, could she not ask that person to swap the card over?

i would suggest you format her boxes hard disk to alleviate the various problems. google sa8300 format for instructions

Hi, thanks for the advice. I visit every week, and will be going next tuesday, so from your timescale I should be visiting before they switch her off!

I take your point, but its the position of the box and her disability really. if she managed to kneel on the floor, she would not get up again!

My mum is generally quite independent pottering around her flat, but due to osteoperosis her bones are very fragile, and her spine is 'crumbling' which causes alot of pain depending where the bits of bone settle, so she has to be VERY careful about bending.

I'll pass your advice about formatting on to my OH, that may solve her other virgin issues!

thank you!