Sky+ HD box problem

slim1690

Seems that my Sky+ HD box has decided to freeze every couple of hours, including when I'm out so it fails to record everything, and freezes during playback so I have to pull the wire out and put it back in to restart it.

Has anyone had similar problems? Think it's to do with the new software they've recently upgraded, or could be timed nicely to coincide with when they want me to buy insurance.

Any tips on what to do about this?

macman

Is it still in the 12m warranty? If so, call Sky. Could be a failing PSU.
Do not buy the insurance, it is a complete waste of money. It costs more per year than a service call-which you should be able to get for nothing anyway if you threaten to give notice.

boxst

You can try downloading the software again. That is the only thing that fixes my Sky+ HD box. The symptoms are being stuck in stand-by or no display. To do this (and it may vary on your box), remove the power for 10 seconds, plug it back in whilst holding 'Backup' for 10-15 seconds. A screen should appear saying 'download, will take 10 minutes'

I will get it replaced (it is 1.5 years old)but can't be bothered at the moment.

slim1690

It's around 2 years old, so out of warranty, will try the software thing now.

penrhyn

Is that the new epg that you are referring to, 8 programmes per page on the planner etc.
Mine upgraded the other day with no problems but it is a newish Amstrad 1 terror bite box.

chewynut

I don't know if it's the same problem but since the upgrade (Monday or Tuesdayish?) I've been having problems getting through a recorded programme. Subtitles keep vanishing mid-programme and an episode of NCIS was impossible to watch because the audio, visual and subtitles were all out of sync with each other.

Haven't noticed it on live TV yet because I don't watch much live TV these days.

batch_2001

slim1690 wrote: »

It's around 2 years old, so out of warranty, will try the software thing now.

If you have a Sky contract (i.e. pay them money) and the worst comes to the worst you can usually wrangle a free service call out if you are persistent/threaten to cancel.

They may of course call your bluff!

The problem itself could be box, cabling, lnb on the dish, etc etc. So its a bit hard to diagnose beyond trying the obvious.

You could try a planner rebuild, just as another thing to try:

When there are no recordings being made do the following

- press "services"
- press in turn "0", "0", "1", "select"
- select "sky+ rebuild" from the menu that appears

A banner saying "houskeeping" will appear for a while the screen could turn blue (for up to several minutes), then box will then reboot (mine went into standby after it did so I needed to press Sky+ button to turn it back on).

spike7451

slim1690 wrote: »

Seems that my Sky+ HD box has decided to freeze every couple of hours, including when I'm out so it fails to record everything, and freezes during playback so I have to pull the wire out and put it back in to restart it.

Has anyone had similar problems? Think it's to do with the new software they've recently upgraded, or could be timed nicely to coincide with when they want me to buy insurance.

Any tips on what to do about this?

Sounds very much like a PSU problem,a software download or planner rebuild as suggested would only be a short term cure.
PSU failures are very common,more so with Thompson boxes.

jackieb

How old is your box? I had one of the first ones out (a dreaded Thomson) and I phoned last month to tell them I was wanting to cancel movies. She said that my box was old and I could get a new one if I wanted. I already replaced the PSU a couple of years ago (bought off ebay, didn't tell Sky but it was out of warranty anyhow - cost 30 pounds, sold broken PSU for 6.50!) and it has been working fine, but recently it started to play up again (freezing, failed recordings, etc)

Avoriaz

Digital Spy have an excellent forum for Sky HD problems.

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=35

slim1690

I did the software update as suggested earlier, and I've come home from work tonight to find it perfectly OK so far, it's recorded some stuff tonight and playback is having no problems, so touch wood it's OK!