SKY + System fault recurring problem
 

For the past few weeks, overnight my Sky+ box locks up. The simple
unplug, wait 1 min and plug back in seemd to do the trick each day.
then last week watching a recording, the recording locked - freeze
frame. the message 'system fault Sky+ playback and recording are
unavailable'. Looking at the signal test screen my Input 2 showed no
signal and 'not locked'. having tried everything i did a full system
reset via the engineers menu. After 5 mins everything was back
working including a full signal on Inputs 1 and 2 and I could record
again but of course I had lost all my recodings due to the full reset.
problem solved i thought. Oh no, its happened again today. So again
using the engineers menu I tried sky planner rebuild. that did not
work. So i then did a full reset but unlike last week it has changed
nothing. I still have no signal on input 2 and cannot record and have
lost all my recordings. I have checked my connections at the box and
LNB. I'm stuck!

i would point out that I cannot easily call SKY as I am not regularly
in the UK. I have a 2.4 mtre dish and normally evertything is OK.
ANY IDEAS? Hopefully the Sky+ box is not faulty?! I would apprecaite
any constructive help / advice. Cheers

In Spain wrote:

then last week watching a recording, the recording locked - freeze
frame. the message 'system fault Sky+ playback and recording are
unavailable'. Looking at the signal test screen my Input 2 showed no
signal and 'not locked'.

The drive is most likely dead.

You can easily fit a replacement yourself for little cost. In fact you
can fit a much bigger drive (160Gb or more) for well under £100. No
special skills are required though some research is in order before
purchasing a drive.

--
Digibox problem? : A reboot solves 90% of these.
The Sky Digital FAQ: http://tinyurl.com/6u4p9
How to get UK TV overseas: http://tinyurl.com/6p73
Fed up with logos / red buttons? : http://logofreetv.org/
BBC gone? : http://www.astra2d.co.uk/
----
Only the truth as I see it.
No monies return'd. ;-)

Cheers

What specifications must I look for on this new hard drive?

Thanks

Jomtien wrote:
In Spain wrote:

then last week watching a recording, the recording locked - freeze
frame. the message 'system fault Sky+ playback and recording are
unavailable'. Looking at the signal test screen my Input 2 showed no
signal and 'not locked'.

The drive is most likely dead.

You can easily fit a replacement yourself for little cost. In fact
you
can fit a much bigger drive (160Gb or more) for well under =A3100. No
special skills are required though some research is in order before
purchasing a drive.

--
Digibox problem? : A reboot solves 90% of these.
The Sky Digital FAQ: http://tinyurl.com/6u4p9
How to get UK TV overseas: http://tinyurl.com/6p73
Fed up with logos / red buttons? : http://logofreetv.org/
BBC gone? : http://www.astra2d.co.uk/
----
Only the truth as I see it.
No monies return'd. ;-)

wrote:

What specifications must I look for on this new hard drive?


Sky+ boxes are always fitted with Maxtor drives, and 5400rpm models at
that, but 7200rpm models certainly work, and other makes of drive have
been known to work too, though Maxtor is recommended as being most
likely to be compatible.

If you go to http://www.hummer.co.uk/sky.htm you'll find a site that
gives you a detailed account of how to change the drive.

Regards

Mark

Cheers

I have fitted a new maxtor 120GB HD and touch wood its working!

Thanks for your help Guys

wrote:

What specifications must I look for on this new hard drive?

Not specifications as such but suitability and compatibility. The
Sky+, in common with most PVRs, doesn't need huge cache or fast
spindle speeds. It does like cool drives though. I would add quietness
and extended warranty (5 years from some makers) to that. I would not
buy a Maxtor.

Do a Google search for "Sky+ drive upgrade" and see what others have
been trying. Don't restrict yourself to the Hummer site, interesting
though it is.

--
Digibox problem? : A reboot solves 90% of these.
The Sky Digital FAQ: http://tinyurl.com/6u4p9
How to get UK TV overseas: http://tinyurl.com/6p73
Fed up with logos / red buttons? : http://logofreetv.org/
BBC gone? : http://www.astra2d.co.uk/
----
Only the truth as I see it.
No monies return'd. ;-)