Sky+ problem

adox

Mmm I seem to have a problem with my Sky+ box.Last night a programme was set to record and failed(for the first time since I`ve had it).It said that the programme had clashed even though it was the only one set to record at that time.
Later I lost all channels with a reading telling me there was a technical fault with the channels,I checked the signals and they werent locked on at all.I did a reboot and got all the channels back but upon testing the signal strengths/qualities,noticed that signal 2 quality was at zero!

Its staying between 0 and about 10% which is much lower than normal which is at least 50%.I`m wondering if this loss of quality could be the cause of the failed recording and what I can do about it.

I`ve set some random dual recordings to check the signals and once it starts recording the signal quality jumps back up to its normal rate.

Anyone any ideas what the problem might be or have any sort of solution rather than having to ring Sky.I have a few programmes series linked and would hate for them not to record(Prison Break season 2 in particular).

The only other thing I`ve done to try and fix it which hasnt worked is a forced software download and a planner rebuild.Reformatting the harddrive is my last option but I have 7 episodes of Prison Break that I really dont want to loose.

ethernet

Have you tried swapping the cables at the LNB to see whether the tuner or the LNB is at fault?

You've already rebuilt the planner so that's that ruled out. Don't reformat the drive just yet.

adox

ethernet wrote:

Have you tried swapping the cables at the LNB to see whether the tuner or the LNB is at fault?

You've already rebuilt the planner so that's that ruled out. Don't reformat the drive just yet.

No I havent swapped the cables yet.Its going a little bit bonkers now.Signal 1 doesnt seem to be locking at all.I called Sky reluctuntly earlier on and according to them the box is fine so its a problem at the dish end.I had it installed by an independent installer last year and hes coming out next week to look at it so hopefully he cna sort it.

I`ll report back after hes had a look at it.I`m tempted to have a look at the dish myself as its only about 8 feet from the ground but easily accessable but I dont know enough about the LNB etc to confident to try a possible repair.

steveon

Check to see if the dish is tight and not easily movable, Most quad LNBS will have a slide up door covering the connections, check the F connectors are tightly fitted, you havent stated if you have multiroom so if you havent you should have two spare slots on your lnb, try changing the cables to one of the free slots and see if that helps.

adox

steveon wrote:

Check to see if the dish is tight and not easily movable, Most quad LNBS will have a slide up door covering the connections, check the F connectors are tightly fitted, you havent stated if you have multiroom so if you havent you should have two spare slots on your lnb, try changing the cables to one of the free slots and see if that helps.

I dont have multiroom and the there are two spare connections on the LNB.I`ll try changing them over the weekend to see if it helps.Is it just a straightforward swap over.just unscrewing the connection and recoonecting to a new slot?


Thanks for the suggestions.

steveon

Yes just simply unscrew the connection and try a free slot, let us know how you get on.

adox

steveon wrote:

Yes just simply unscrew the connection and try a free slot, let us know how you get on.

Thanks alot.I`ll report back when I`ve changed them around.

adox

Just a quick update.

I have the gut who installed the system calling around this week. I didnt change the connections around on the LNB as I`m now convinced its the LNB itself that is faulty.Both signals are failing at different times.If both go I do a reset to bring it back to life.

adox

Had the installer call around today and its the dish bracket that is causing the problem.The dish and bracket are around 7 years old and very rusty.The dish has drooped slightly as the bracket behind it has rusted and lost support of the dish slightly.

Anyway he didnt have a new dish and bracket with him but is calling agin before the weekend to install a new one.

The bad news is that the dish isnt under the Sky+ warrenty(being 7 years old!).

I know the guy quite well and hes putting a new one up for €80 which seems reasonable enough?

ethernet

adox wrote:

Had the installer call around today and its the dish bracket that is causing the problem.The dish and bracket are around 7 years old and very rusty.The dish has drooped slightly as the bracket behind it has rusted and lost support of the dish slightly.

Anyway he didnt have a new dish and bracket with him but is calling agin before the weekend to install a new one.

The bad news is that the dish isnt under the Sky+ warrenty(being 7 years old!).

I know the guy quite well and hes putting a new one up for €80 which seems reasonable enough?

Is that the cost of replacing just the bracket or is he installing a new dish too?

steveon

€80 for a new dish and installation is quite reasonable as the dishes cost approx €30 each to buy with a single lnb.

adox

The charge covers a new dish and bracket and installation.

Actually had a nice phone call from the guy just befinishing work to say that he found someone to do the job and that there would be a new dish up when I got home.I also got a new LNB with it so I`m very happy.


Thanks for all the advice.