Sky Box high pitched beeping sound

[AciidSn3ak3r]

Hi.
Im doing this on the behalf of my friend.
My friend has an Amstrad Sky Box that when sound it outputted, a loud constant high pitched beeping sound. Its not an on/off sound its just a constant high pitched sound. Its very annoying.
Anyone else come across this?

Cheers

[satelliteman]

Have you tried via the rf modulator and scart connections for the same symptoms?

[nanochickin]

I had the same problem with a Thomson box a few years ago

Its toast mate you will need to replace it



Nano

[AciidSn3ak3r]

Fortunatly nano it isnt toast.
I did a software upgrade by holding down backup on reapplying the power. And it seems to of worked. Thanks for the help though
Alex

[satelliteman]

Glad you got it up and running

[gt5952]

Hi all,

The Sky + High Pitched whining answer!

There are quite a few threads about the High Pitched sound coming from their Sky + (and HD) boxes. This thread is quite old, but its a problem which still prevails to this day.

So heres the definitive answer, or at least, the answer to the majority of Sky + squeals out there. Ill try to explain it in as basic a form as possible.

Sky + and + HD has the ability to record tv. It does this through a Hard Disk, identical to the type used in a Personal Computer (PC).

The disk most frequently used (Possibly exclusively used) inside the Amstrad make of Sky + box, is a Seagate 160 Gb Hard Disk, with IDE connections. Sky + HD uses a larger disk (300 Gb).

The hard disk functions when the power to the box is present, therefore, it is permently operating (Spinning). This 'spinning' would explain away any 'whiring' sounds, and these are of course normal.

A High Pitched Squeel is given by the read head as it moves across the disk, (Picture a Record Player, with its arm going across the record. The stylus is the head, and it functions in the same way, except much faster and in both directions)

The High Pitched noise is in no means normal, and for those who can hear it... it is most annoying.

So, 4 options are clear from here.
1) Replace said box, and hope for a set that doesnt make so much noise. (Call Sky on 08442 41 41 41)
2)Disable Hard Disk (Set will not be able to record - Some Software versions will not allow the set to switch on)
3)Replace Hard Disk
4)Repair Hard Disk

1) Call Sky

2) Disable all forms of power to box, remove all cables, undo the 3 screws on the rear of the box, slide and lift lid. The Hard Disk is near the front, and is the large block like thing ontop of the chipset. Gently remove the connector with 4 different colored cables going into it. Replace the lid, power back up. If it doesnt work... your box probably wont function without the hard disk.

3) This is a bit too technical, so, if you cant figure out how to do this on youre own... please dont try. Not every hard disk will work, and dont forget to 'clear' the disk after installation.

4) This involves Brute force and ignorance. Just Tap the hard disk repeatedly with the base of a screwdriver a few times... either nothing will happen, the noise will be subdued, or will go away all together, or you will break your hard disk.

A more indepth repair of the hard disk involves opening it up, which will in nearly all cases involve you ripping your fingers to shreds, and contaminating the disk beyond repair.



I hope this helps someone, as its pitiful to see so many people searching for an answer to this problem.

[AciidSn3ak3r]

Yer, i never mentioned though. That the high pitched sound did come back. But after about 4-5 months. i think.
It did work, and still not fixed. My friends family never gets owt sorted lolz.
But the box that was buggered was a Standard Sky Box. Fairly old.

[waqasahmed]

I'll bet there'll be loads in the leeds car boot sale. If it is really annpying, how about picking up a new(used) one(Of course, you dont have to go to a car boot, but they are quite cheap for sky boxes)