Another Sky Question - Faulty SkyBox

Simon · 1st March 2009, 21:26

Today my Dad managed to do something rather special. Whilst turning on the TV he managed to take out the ring-main thus causing several hicups with most electrical appliances plugged in at the time. For example, TV lost all it's settings and the Sky digi-box threw a wobbly.

Now, the TV is back up and running fine (touch-wood) but the digi-box has other ideas. It's an Amstrad branded box probably getting on for 10 or so years old. Since the power-outage though it cannot find a satellite signal. Cables are all plugged in and all normal remote-control functions seem to operate including full use of the menus. We've phoned the tech help lines and gone through several reset procedures including the 'hidden' installation set-up menu where you can reset transponder codes and all that, all to no avail.

Sky have offered £65 for an engineer to come out and fix it or £70-ish to upgrade to a brand new SkyHD box. The latter option is looking tempting but then we could probably pick up a second-hand digi-box off eBay for much much less.

Anyone any ideas if my Dads current digibox has 'had it' or if there is some remedy we haven't tried yet?

JohnDotCom · 1st March 2009, 21:32

Its more likely to have blown the LNB.
That is the Part on end of arm to dish.

If I can meet you next weekend and you can wait till then,
I have new LNB's (multi output and single, Plus new Sky boxes (non HD) )

Send me a PM if you can wait till then and want to do it yourself.
Find out which part is faulty (or both) and return unused bits Simon.

Simon · 1st March 2009, 21:39

Incidentally, what is LNB an abbreviation for?

The dish is quite high-up (as they usually are) and I don't think we have any ladders tall enough. Although I know someone with a huge set.

Anyway of telling from the digibox settings/info if it is the LNB that has blown?

JohnDotCom · 1st March 2009, 21:41

LNB (LOW NOISE BLOCK DOWN CONVERTER) A device mounted in the dish, designed to amplify the satellite signals and convert them from a high frequency to a lower frequency. LNB can be controlled to receive signals with different polarisation. The television signals can then be carried by a double-shielded aerial cable to the satellite receiver while retaining their high quality. A universal LNB is the present standard version, which can handle the entire frequency range from 10.7 to 12.75 GHz and receive signals with both vertical and horizontal polarisation.

BigRuss · 1st March 2009, 23:31

Definately sounds like the LNB, had a similar problem at New year after a power outage.

E-bay is usually cheapest for a replacement.

By the way I don't know if they are still offering sky+ for free to existing customers. If they are you can get a new sky plus box off e-bay like I did last year for about £65 and phone up sky to activate it. (make sure it's a Pace box because the others are rubbish.

Russ

1st March 2009, 21:26	#1
Simon Banned - Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: - Posts: 10,318 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Another Sky Question - Faulty SkyBox Today my Dad managed to do something rather special. Whilst turning on the TV he managed to take out the ring-main thus causing several hicups with most electrical appliances plugged in at the time. For example, TV lost all it's settings and the Sky digi-box threw a wobbly. Now, the TV is back up and running fine (touch-wood) but the digi-box has other ideas. It's an Amstrad branded box probably getting on for 10 or so years old. Since the power-outage though it cannot find a satellite signal. Cables are all plugged in and all normal remote-control functions seem to operate including full use of the menus. We've phoned the tech help lines and gone through several reset procedures including the 'hidden' installation set-up menu where you can reset transponder codes and all that, all to no avail. Sky have offered £65 for an engineer to come out and fix it or £70-ish to upgrade to a brand new SkyHD box. The latter option is looking tempting but then we could probably pick up a second-hand digi-box off eBay for much much less. Anyone any ideas if my Dads current digibox has 'had it' or if there is some remedy we haven't tried yet?

1st March 2009, 23:31	#5
BigRuss Premium Trader 75 CDT Tourer,2.5 Launch Saloon, Omipro MG/Rover (T4) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Liversedge, West Yorkshire Posts: 5,405 Thanks: 1,105 Thanked 1,340 Times in 661 Posts	Definately sounds like the LNB, had a similar problem at New year after a power outage. E-bay is usually cheapest for a replacement. By the way I don't know if they are still offering sky+ for free to existing customers. If they are you can get a new sky plus box off e-bay like I did last year for about £65 and phone up sky to activate it. (make sure it's a Pace box because the others are rubbish. Russ __________________ Replacement Key Service http://https://the75andztclub.co.uk/...d.php?t=244732 Full T4 Testbook diagnostics available. Diesel ECU repair and replacement. Options enabled or disabled as required. Diesel X-Power 135 and 160bhp, Rover 1.8T 150 to 160 MG 160 V6 to 177 upgrades available P.M. for details.

1st March 2009, 21:32	#2
JohnDotCom * Rover 75 FaceLift Tourer CDTi 170BHP Auto ConnSE 2005 Model Starlight Silver Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Abergele Posts: 28,735 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Its more likely to have blown the LNB. That is the Part on end of arm to dish. If I can meet you next weekend and you can wait till then, I have new LNB's (multi output and single, Plus new Sky boxes (non HD) ) Send me a PM if you can wait till then and want to do it yourself. Find out which part is faulty (or both) and return unused bits Simon.

1st March 2009, 21:39	#3
Simon Banned - Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: - Posts: 10,318 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Incidentally, what is LNB an abbreviation for? The dish is quite high-up (as they usually are) and I don't think we have any ladders tall enough. Although I know someone with a huge set. Anyway of telling from the digibox settings/info if it is the LNB that has blown?

1st March 2009, 21:41	#4
JohnDotCom * Rover 75 FaceLift Tourer CDTi 170BHP Auto ConnSE 2005 Model Starlight Silver Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Abergele Posts: 28,735 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	LNB (LOW NOISE BLOCK DOWN CONVERTER) A device mounted in the dish, designed to amplify the satellite signals and convert them from a high frequency to a lower frequency. LNB can be controlled to receive signals with different polarisation. The television signals can then be carried by a double-shielded aerial cable to the satellite receiver while retaining their high quality. A universal LNB is the present standard version, which can handle the entire frequency range from 10.7 to 12.75 GHz and receive signals with both vertical and horizontal polarisation.