Stuck On Standby

[markgooduk]

Hi... Hoping for some help or advice in sorting this problem. I am in the UK, have a Amstrad Skydigi Box, its over 12 months old. Its been stuck on stand-by for over 3 hours, this is the first time it has done this. I have tried turning it off by the mains and turning back on. The redv light remains on even after pressing the on/off button on the box several times. Dont facny paying the £65.00 engineer charge if its something simple to fix... Any help please...... Mark.

[BGonaSTICK]

It sounds like a blown power supply or possibly a fried chip but there are a few things to try.

Try leaving it unplugged overnight before trying again, and make sure it's left in a cool place in case it's an overheating problem. Do you normally have stuff stacked on top of it, or underneath?

You can also try a reset even though it's stuck in standby.

Turn it off at the wall switch, then hold down the "backup" button on the front panel (not the remote) while you re-apply the power. When (if) all the front panel lights come on (after holding for around ten seconds) then let go, and wait for around 20 minutes for any possible Over-The-Air firmware update to take.

One last thing to try is to test the box on a friend's dish to make sure that there are no odd local conditions causing your problems, but this is unlikely.

If after all that it still won't come out of standby, then either suffer the dreaded £65 Sky call out fee, or eBay yourself a replacement.

HTH,

STICK

[Jimdefruit]

When you turn it off at the wall, leave it off for about a minute to allow the power supply to discharge. Also check that you haven't pressed the tv button on the remote by pressing the 'satellite' button.

[markgooduk]

Hi Stick & Jimdefruit.... Thanks for the advice, have tried everything you both have mentioned except unplugging it overnight, will give that a go and failing that will eBay a new one.... Thanks for your time..... Mark.

[Mship]

Or you could use the old favourite Phone sly, tell them you're problem and when they tell you it will cost £65 to send an engineer tell them to cancel you're subscription. Explain that you pay X amount per year and have been a subscriber for X years/months.

If you haven't been a subscriber for long tell them that you would expect you're digibox to last more than X amount of time, and if you have subscribed for a long time tell them you expect them to treat loyal customers with a bit more respect >.

Sly 'customer services' will be loathe to lose a subscriber and will eventually offer to send an engineer round for free. 8)

Once they've been out and fixed/replaced you're digibox, phone them back and tell them you want to downgrade you're package due to finances being a bit tight in the run up to Xmas. They will almost certainly offer you you're current package at a reduced price for the next 3 months

Take it from me, cancelling you're subscription with sly is one of the most difficult tasks known to man : The only sure fire way is to cancel you're direct debit, so I don't see them ever letting you get as far the 'cancellation' department just because you're box doesn't work And, in the unlikely event that you DO get that far, you can alway's do the manly thing and tell them you've had a change of heart

Cheers,
Kev.

[BGonaSTICK]

LOL, you're a very bad man Kev, taking advantage of Sky like that!

The first thing I'm going to do when my year with Sky is up, is to ring them and threaten to cancel. When they stop offering me half price viewing, I will actually mean it! :clap:

I got half-price for the first three months too, after a few arguments! 8)

[Analoguesat]

Be warned if you try the "I want to cancel" line - there are reports that Sky CS are taking folks at their word and not fighting to keep customers atm. Theres a good chance that if you threaten to cancel you may end up with all the pay channels cut off

[nanochickin]

This could be just the perfect excuse to buy a Dreambox my friend. As far as i am aware they will work with the Sky viewing card.

I left Sky about six months ago when i switched to cable, It was a case of saying several times "exactly which part of switch it off dont you f***ing understand" when i cancelled my subscription with Sky. There not very bright at the Sky call centers are they

They are now offering me a new receiver and new installation if i go back to them for 3 months. Its a thought

I might be calling Sky back at the end of my 12 month stint with Telewest. They have just recently started to become a right pain in the A**E. Unfortunately it doesn't work with TW if you tell them your going to cancel your subscription. They just say "Fine, We will be collecting you box next week when theres an engineer in the area" Gits!!

I might just keep them for broadband, and also have the free broadband from Sky for my daughters computer. :clap:



Nano