Signal Lost...Every day :( - Sky+ HD

Steven Nichol · 23-09-2009, 19:02

My Sky+ HD box keeps loosing the signal. I had to reset it, so it works, but only for a couple of hours, then the signal is lost again. I only have 1 LNB connected and single mode enable. Any idea ?

loz · 23-09-2009, 20:22

getting a similar problem.

I have 2x Thomson HD box - 1 has one feed.

Both have suddenly in the last couple of days started reporting No sat signal, and failed recordings.

Seems more than coincidence that both started having the same problem on the same day

(was there an EPG update?)

on avforums, there are others reporting similar problem

kernowsat · 23-09-2009, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by loz

getting a similar problem.

I have 2x Thomson HD box - 1 has one feed.

Both have suddenly in the last couple of days started reporting No sat signal, and failed recordings.

Seems more than coincidence that both started having the same problem on the same day

(was there an EPG update?)

on avforums, there are others reporting similar problem

could be 1 of the thompsons playing up (psu) try them individually

loz · 23-09-2009, 21:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by kernowsat

could be 1 of the thompsons playing up (psu) try them individually

would 1 affect the other - by screwing up the LNB perhaps?

kernowsat · 23-09-2009, 21:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by loz

would 1 affect the other - by screwing up the LNB perhaps?

yes it would very common problem

loz · 24-09-2009, 07:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by kernowsat

yes it would very common problem

thanks.

I will open up the boxes at the weekend and take a look at the caps then.

SMM75 · 24-09-2009, 23:44

Guide here: http://www.stevetowells.vispa.com

nig6 · 25-09-2009, 07:26

Same here, but on a samsung

Steven Nichol · 25-09-2009, 07:45

So it's a hardware problem ? Bummer

Brin1 · 26-09-2009, 14:58

I have cured this problem by fitting a surge protector. No guarantees, but surely worth a try if you haven't got one already.

Steven Nichol · 26-09-2009, 15:30

Already have one.

coopermanyorks · 27-09-2009, 15:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brin1

I have cured this problem by fitting a surge protector. No guarantees, but surely worth a try if you haven't got one already.

Errrmmm........I doubt it

pinotgrigio · 29-09-2009, 14:12

Are you getting phone calls from Sky (whatever they call themselves) to buy box insurance?

A few months ago, the box would fail almost daily and a couple of hours later I would get a phone call.

I unplugged the phone line, and the box went back to its usual once a week or two failure. The phone calls also stopped.

Coincidence? Probably but very strange!

chrisdebag · 29-09-2009, 14:35

mine is very strange

a few channels such 531 military only work when i am recording something

other times it has the 28 message no signal

soon as i am recording another show it works

bobcar · 29-09-2009, 15:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisdebag

mine is very strange

a few channels such 531 military only work when i am recording something

other times it has the 28 message no signal

soon as i am recording another show it works

If you get some channels that only work when recording then it seems like something is faulty - very likely the LNB.

Swap around the cables at the back of the box (switch the box off first). If the fault changes and you can now watch 531 live but not record then it's probably the LNB otherwise the box.

EDIT: When you try this make sure that you are watching a different channel when any recording starts.

Philjwade · 30-09-2009, 09:23

Recently went on holiday for a week, so decided to put a timer switch on my box socket - so it goes off at 4:00 am and back on 10 minutes later. So now I'm rebooting everyday. No lossed recordings or other strange happenings for the last 3 weeks.

Touching wood now! 2006 unmodified Tommo 004 box + new EPG.

Steven Nichol · 03-10-2009, 08:17

Today I can't even fix the "no signal" problem by unplugin/replugin the box. Still no signal

Any idea what else I should try ?

Masteriser · 03-10-2009, 10:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Nichol

Today I can't even fix the "no signal" problem by unplugin/replugin the box. Still no signal

Any idea what else I should try ?

Sounds increasingly like the failure of the internal power supply as was mentioned earlier on in this thread. Open up the HD box (instructions here) and have a good look at the power supply board (seperate from the mother board, it has the two pin mains input socket on the back of it). The capacitors Thomson used were a long way short of best practise and these fail from around 14 months or so. Very often when (poor quality) capacitors fail they tend to bulge (have domed tops). If any of yours have domed tops, these have failed and are almost certainly the source of your problem. If you are not sure what to look for, follow the links on this post. If you are still unsure, take some digital photographs and post links to them on here and one of us will give an opinion.

The good news is that self repair is pretty easy and cheap (extremely cheap if you or a friend know how to solder), certainly cheaper than a Sky call out and far more likely to solve your problems. Contact Satcure for a bag of much higher quality capacitors to replace your rubbish ones, or, either Satcure or Digifix for a power supply board exchange (you post off your dead board, they send you back an upgraded one, obviously this means no HD for a few days). There are slightly cheaper options available on ebay, but I would not recommend these as Satcure & Digifix spent a very long time working together (with access to internal Thomson documentation) to specify and source exteremly reliable and high quality capacitors.

Lots of us have been there before you so there is loads of help available on here if you need it. This guide (linked to earlier in this thread) is a very good one, however Satcure will send you a link to their detailed instruction page if you are a customer. Their instructions are even more detailed and have a few tips on putting it all back together in the best possible way.

Don't let the idea of self repair scare you, if you know how to work a screwdriver and have a modicum of patience you will be fine. Many of us (myself included) found that the picture quality improved following the power supply upgrade and the box was far more stable and responsive and less likely to crash.

I hope this helps.

Good luck.

barnsleykeith · 03-10-2009, 10:38

My Satcure Capacitor kit arrived today. Waiting for a WD 500Gb Cavier HDD from Scan Computers to arrive then will do the upgrade. Used to be an electrician but it's some years since I did any soldering. While I've been waiting for the items to arrive I've been practising desoldering/soldering on old circuit boards from the many old electrical devices I've got laying around. Will let you know how I get on when it's done.

MartinPickering · 03-10-2009, 13:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by barnsleykeith

My Satcure Capacitor kit arrived today.

Please check the contents carefully against the (download PDF) parts list. Unfortunately, we seem to have sent out several kits with missing parts. Apologies to all affected. The girls will be onto it first thing Monday.

barnsleykeith · 03-10-2009, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinPickering

Please check the contents carefully against the (download PDF) parts list. Unfortunately, we seem to have sent out several kits with missing parts. Apologies to all affected. The girls will be onto it first thing Monday.

That was the first thing I did. Lined all the caps up in size and ticked them off-checking uF & Voltage against the spec. sheet. The fishing line,driver bit and thermal card all present as well. Their was no star washer in- should that be included or do I have to get that myself ? I ordered the plastic bolts (50p) in case I have trouble with the rubber pins that hold the case fan- but they are out of stock and will be sent seperately when they come in.

barnsleykeith · 03-10-2009, 17:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by barnsleykeith

That was the first thing I did. Lined all the caps up in size and ticked them off-checking uF & Voltage against the spec. sheet. The fishing line,driver bit and thermal card all present as well. Their was no star washer in- should that be included or do I have to get that myself ? I ordered the plastic bolts (50p) in case I have trouble with the rubber pins that hold the case fan- but they are out of stock and will be sent seperately when they come in.

Checked the PDF parts list and it does say the star washer should be present. Have sent a ticket to Satcure reporting the problem and will wait to see their response once Satcure opens for business on Monday. If my HDD comes on Monday will probably pop down to Maplins or the like to try and source one.

ProDave · 03-10-2009, 18:12

I doubt you will get a star washer from Maplin, your local hardware store is a better bet.

You can fit the PSU without it for now, and fit it when you get one.

Brin1 · 03-10-2009, 19:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by coopermanyorks

Errrmmm........I doubt it

what do you doubt

coopermanyorks · 03-10-2009, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brin1

what do you doubt

What you believe....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brin1

I have cured this problem by fitting a surge protector. No guarantees, but surely worth a try if you haven't got one already.

most likely you powered down the box to fit the surge protector which then reset the box

A power cycle on a Sky box cures many problems

23-09-2009, 19:02	#1
Steven Nichol Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 13	Signal Lost...Every day :( My Sky+ HD box keeps loosing the signal. I had to reset it, so it works, but only for a couple of hours, then the signal is lost again. I only have 1 LNB connected and single mode enable. Any idea ?

23-09-2009, 20:22	#2
loz Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Berkshire Services: Sky HD, BT ADSL Max Posts: 724	getting a similar problem. I have 2x Thomson HD box - 1 has one feed. Both have suddenly in the last couple of days started reporting No sat signal, and failed recordings. Seems more than coincidence that both started having the same problem on the same day (was there an EPG update?) on avforums, there are others reporting similar problem

24-09-2009, 23:44	#7
SMM75 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 24	Guide here: http://www.stevetowells.vispa.com

25-09-2009, 07:26	#8
nig6 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Newcastle Services: Sky HD Posts: 400	Same here, but on a samsung

25-09-2009, 07:45	#9
Steven Nichol Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 13	So it's a hardware problem ? Bummer

26-09-2009, 14:58	#10
Brin1 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 205	I have cured this problem by fitting a surge protector. No guarantees, but surely worth a try if you haven't got one already.

26-09-2009, 15:30	#11
Steven Nichol Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 13	Already have one.

29-09-2009, 14:12	#13
pinotgrigio Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1	Are you getting phone calls from Sky (whatever they call themselves) to buy box insurance? A few months ago, the box would fail almost daily and a couple of hours later I would get a phone call. I unplugged the phone line, and the box went back to its usual once a week or two failure. The phone calls also stopped. Coincidence? Probably but very strange!

29-09-2009, 14:35	#14
chrisdebag Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: tredegar south wales Services: sky aol Posts: 7,073	mine is very strange a few channels such 531 military only work when i am recording something other times it has the 28 message no signal soon as i am recording another show it works

30-09-2009, 09:23	#16
Philjwade Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Brentwood, Essex Services: Sky HD, Sky+ MR, Sony KDL-40Z5500, BDP-S550, HT-IS100 Posts: 214	Recently went on holiday for a week, so decided to put a timer switch on my box socket - so it goes off at 4:00 am and back on 10 minutes later. So now I'm rebooting everyday. No lossed recordings or other strange happenings for the last 3 weeks. Touching wood now! 2006 unmodified Tommo 004 box + new EPG.

03-10-2009, 08:17	#17
Steven Nichol Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 13	Today I can't even fix the "no signal" problem by unplugin/replugin the box. Still no signal Any idea what else I should try ?

03-10-2009, 10:38	#19
barnsleykeith Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,546	My Satcure Capacitor kit arrived today. Waiting for a WD 500Gb Cavier HDD from Scan Computers to arrive then will do the upgrade. Used to be an electrician but it's some years since I did any soldering. While I've been waiting for the items to arrive I've been practising desoldering/soldering on old circuit boards from the many old electrical devices I've got laying around. Will let you know how I get on when it's done.

03-10-2009, 18:12	#23
ProDave Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Northern Scottish Highlands Services: Freesat From Sky+ HD, Astra 1 / Hotbird FTA, Freeview, Freeview PVR, ADSL Posts: 7,288	I doubt you will get a star washer from Maplin, your local hardware store is a better bet. You can fit the PSU without it for now, and fit it when you get one.