Sky digital box query.

I've been trying to watch the 20/20 cricket finals on Sky Sport 1 (channel
401) today. After watching for some time the picture sound and start
breaking up and eventually I get the error message *No satellite signal*.
After scanning several channels I find some are fine but others are not. I
know Sky recommend switching off at the mains and leaving for some time ( I
actually remove the plug too ) - then switching on again and allowing some
time for the electronics in the box to initialise. I even tried that last
night (off from 00-30 'til 08-30, then initialising 'til 10-30). All was
OK for a while after switch on, but then it started all over again. BBC1
never seems to be affected though. I've even cleaned the chip contacts on
the viewer's card but no improvement. Any other ideas anyone, or is it
time for a new box? :(
Boy am I having a good week.

datasmog...

When it happens again phone Sky technical. They will run you through
some checks. If the fault persists opt for a call out. The cost is £65
and the engineer will fix it, even if it means replacing dish,LNB, cable
and or digibox. And you get a 3 month guarantee.
I've had them out 3 times already to fix the same fault you have, all in
the one £65 charge.

So far it's fixed.

Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°°6 +...

Done that already Ray. Had it happen a few years ago. I think it must be
an inherent faukt with the Pace digiboxes. I'm just trying a backup
procedure that was in the datas Joe posted a URL for.
1 Switch off at mains
2 Hold down back-up button on front panel
3 Switch on mains and keep holding down back-up button 'til all four panel
lights come on - then leave for 15 minutes whilst it downloads new software.
Fingers crossed.

Jeff Gaines...

Have you got storms to the South - between you and the satellite?

The nature of the signals mean you lose them in a storm, it's better than
a weather forecast for me :-)

Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°°6 +...

Nope it's quite clear today. I have however suffered complete loss of
signal on all channels during heavy rain, snow and thunder storms in the
past.

JoeH...

Mine did that the other month and I found that the F-Plug on the lead from
the dish had somehow managed to become partially unscrewed. Might be worth
checking that on yours.

BoyPete...

The WHAT! plug?

JoeH...

F-plug - the plug on the end of the lead which comes from the LNB on the
dish (LNB = Low-Noise Block - essentialy the microwave receiving bit on the
arm of the dish).

See pictures 12 & 14 here

Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°°6 +...

Not a tidy job done on mine. The engineer left loads of copper braid
sticking out the rear end of the plug. Funnily enough I got the picture
back in time to watch the final, but some of the other channels still said
No satellite signal, though. I reckon it ain't the box but the signal
quality, perhaps the dish is slightly misaligned.

http://www.wrightsaerials.tv/htfcrimpfplugct100cc.htm

Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°°6 +...

I had a jiggle with it (in true Arkwright parlance) - don't think it was
that but I'll have another look.

Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°°6 +...

Had a browse - doing a software back-up as I type.

Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°°6 +...

Well it's improved matters, got channel 401 again, but it is still
occasionally breaking up and some channels are still showing *No satellite
signal* . Still looks like a new digibox to me. And a check on the actual
satellite signal - services are showing good strength but poor quality for
some reason.

JoeH...

Can you take to box to somone elses house and connect it to their dish? If
you can then also take thier box to your house. That could tell you whether
it's your box or dish that's at fault.

MCC...

You don't want to suggest that, Joe! FN will probably break his friend's
one as well as his own

Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°°6 +...

You're all heart Mike. :)

JoeH...

Who mentioned a "friend" LOL

Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°°6 +...

Not in the immediate future I'm afraid.

JoeH...

Have a read here too http://www.satcure.co.uk/digirep.htm

Chris S...

We rent our box + dish via Radio rentals - now called Box Clever - they
suffer existing customers but don't take on new. The last time our signal
went all pixilated, they couldn't agree whether it was box or the antenna
thing in the dish - ended up replacing them both - what a caper - needed Box
clever folk for the box, who wouldn't leave it as the dish hadn't been
sorted and could damage the new box, and Sky for the dish bit. I think it
took the better part of a fortnight for them to arrive at roughly the same

Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°°6 +...

My TV is rented from Box Clever, but my Sky digital box is mine.
(unfortunately). Watching what's been happening this evening (we've had a
fair bit of rain) I reckon the problem I have isn't the box but the LNB
and/or satellite dish being slightly out of alignment. Some channels (eg
401 Sport One) disappeared when the rain started, but gradually returned
after the rain had stopped. I trust - with my guidance - the engineer -
due on Wednmesday - will reach the same conclusion, and check the dish/LNB,
put it right, and then leave me a new digibox (just in case) for the £65
call out fee. But being me - I expect it won't be that simple. :(

time.
I bought a DVD Recorder thinking it would be better quality than VHS - it's
soo complicated to use, though it's a tad off putting. Tapes are sooooo much
more simple to operate.The quality of the DVD is not markedly better either.

Chris S