Sky+ box on it's way out?

NowRetired

I was idly flicking through channels on my Sky box when suddenly it stopped responding to the remote control and stuck on the channel it happened to be passing.

Thinking it needed new batteries I replaced them.

Not any better and it still controlled my TV.

Then I pressed the on/off button on the box.
No response.

I tried other buttons on the box, still no response.

So I did what any normal person would do, call Sky on their expensive phone line.

Just kidding, I switched it of at the mains for 2 minutes then on again.

The TV automatically switched to terrestrial TV.

After 2 minutes the box turned back on and switched the TV back to AV and I got a please plug in the phone line message.

Which I ignored and pressed backup.

In a few minutes after it finished searching for listings it is working properly again.

I noticed that while I was pressing buttons I could feel a noticeable vibration from the box, possibly the hard drive?.

Also the picture sometimes freezes for a little time yet the sound continues normally.

So is it on it's way out?

And if it is what is the best way to get a new box from Sky, preferably for free?

Can I do this over the internet or will I need to phone Sky?

And if I need to phone Sky is there a free or no cost to VM customers phone number?
I am only on the basic channels package, £22.00 pm.

ConsumerMatt

Sounds like the hard drive.

I remember back in the day of the original Sky+ box I replaced the HDD myself with a larger one when the original went up the creek. I'm not with Sky anymore but when my Virgin box started playing up they were very good. Sent an engineer round who knew his stuff and after initial diagnostics proved the box was faulty I got a replacement newer model for free.

I'm pretty sure Sky always keep ownership of their boxes now so they should be responsible for it especially as hard disks do fail eventually. I know I was chased for mine when I left Sky! I'd phone them up personally and see what they have to say.

penrhyn

You are incorrect, the Sky box is your property.
If it fails then Sky will come out and replace it with a refurbished unit for a call out charge of £65 or so.
I would imagine you got the box free when you first subscribed.
You could upgrade to HD and get a free box, or try to negotiate a deal. Tell them you are off the BT TV or the like.
Calls to Sky contact centres are free from Sky telephone customers.
Why would Sky have a freephone for Virgin Media customers?

Or pick up a box off fleebay, cheap as chips
.http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/?_nkw=sky%20+hd%20box&clk_rvr_id=478282803504

macman

As above, ebay is the way to go, unless it's still in warranty.

NowRetired

Why would Sky have a freephone for Virgin Media customers?

Why not?

So that they could poach VM customers?

GlynD

NowRetired wrote: »

Why not?

So that they could poach VM customers?

Penryhn's on the ball. Had to replace a Sky+ box recently for my mum and the advice Penryhn has given is totally correct. You only have to subscribe to the HD service for 12 months and the box is totally free then you can let go of the HD service if you want but you'll still get the free HD channels.

NowRetired

Are there any deals or discounts for existing customers if I decide to upgrade to HD?

I've just remembered, when I upgraded to Sky+ all these years ago, someone on these forums gave me a code and they got vouchers for recommending me.

Memory goes the older I get.

iniltous

penrhyn wrote: »

You are incorrect, the Sky box is your property.
If it fails then Sky will come out and replace it with a refurbished unit for a call out charge of £65 or so.
I would imagine you got the box free when you first subscribed.
You could upgrade to HD and get a free box, or try to negotiate a deal. Tell them you are off the BT TV or the like.
Calls to Sky contact centres are free from Sky telephone customers.
Why would Sky have a freephone for Virgin Media customers?

Or pick up a box off fleebay, cheap as chips
.http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/?_nkw=sky%20+hd%20box&clk_rvr_id=478282803504

but the OP is a sky tv customer, why wouldn't sky have a free customer service number for their TV service for their TV customers ?....
I have just got a 'free' HD box out of them , well starting a new 12 month term, my HD box started to fail, showing ' no sat signal being received ' power supply unit failing symptoms, and that box was bought and paid for by myself, no Sky subsidy,
after originally saying I had to pay £299 , then £65 for a refurb box, and after saying that I would leave if required to pay anything at all, they sent someone to change out the box for free, albeit with the 12 month term

penrhyn

They don't, unless you have the BB and calls package.

iniltous

penrhyn wrote: »

They don't, unless you have the BB and calls package.

That's my point, it's wrong that if you have a problem with the TV service that they supply that you have to ring a chargeable number, but it's free if you are also a customer with their phone package..imagine the outrage if BT for example said calls are free to our customer service people ( which they are) but If you are leaving us to go to a competitor, ring us on this chargeable number to give your notice...