Sky: No listings available

Zeek12

Hi,

I can't view the programmes on my Sky Tv guide anymore, it just says "no listings available".
I've tried switching it off for five minutes, tried doing a software reset with the backup button and also did a planner rebuild, but it's still happening.
Does anyone know a solution to this?

I know I could ask Sky to send out an engineer to check it but from what I've heard that's pretty costly:eek:

swoofer

whats the make of the box and can you check to see if you have a signal, go to services, etc. until you say make and if its hd or sd cant go much further. did you look at dish?

and can you actually view channels?

Zeek12

Thanks for the reply.

It's a Sky+HD box.
In services I have signal for Input1 but nothing for input2. Cables are connected fine to the box.
I can't see anything obviously wrong with the dish (but I'm certainly no expert on this kind of thing!).

I can watch the channels ok but can't see any listings on the guide. Which means I can no longer record anything:(

swoofer

oops how old is the box and do you know the make? it can be sky, amstrad, pace. make is usually on the bottom ie you have to turn it over, sky dont make it easy. and how long have you been with sky?

Zeek12

The box is about 3 years old and is an Amstrad.
I've been with Sky for around 6-7 years. Do you think that'll make any difference for getting a repair done?
I've heard they pretty much charge everyone for Engineer callouts!!

swoofer

take your time, becuase u have no input on 2 you cant get the listings, so swop the cable from 1 to 2 and see if you get a signal, if you do plug cable you took from 2 into 1 and you should get a signal. if not that cable 2 is dodgy. can you access the dish?

Basically input 2 is used to send the listings, you can swop box to single feed and give it a while to get listings as well. you can also do a reset of the lnb. and i am in clare as well.

for my benfit could you quote the number of the amstrad. its usually dr..... Your problem is not unigue but box could be faulty.

here is a link, read carefully but do my idea first, if unsure post back. there are a multitude of things you can try before calling sky. and then you can cancel and see what they say!!

link
http://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Sky-HD-SkyHD-Sky-3D-Archive/Programme-Synopsis-not-available-no-listings/td-p/223445

post back quickly if unsure as i have to go out for about an hour. i think your problem is fixable ie by yourself. check that lead on input 2 carefully when you take it off, the copper bit might have shrunk back into the sheath.

Zeek12

Thanks for the info. I really appreciate that!
The box make is DRX780UK.

I have to head out myself now too but will definitely try those steps later today and will let you know how it goes.

The dish can be got to but it's very high up and I don't have a great head for heights!! So that will be a last resort:pac:

Ronnie Raygun

GBCULLEN wrote: »

you can also do a reset of the lnb.

You can't "reset" an LNB. If the option exists in the Sky box menu, it must just be there so the person on the other end of the helpline can give you something "useful" to try, before they send out the "engineer".

Ronnie Raygun

GBCULLEN wrote: »

becuase u have no input on 2 you cant get the listings ... Basically input 2 is used to send the listings

Not true. Either tuner can access the listings.

Zeek12

Seems to be some corrosion on the connection for input 2 on the actual box and also on the connector piece at the end of cable 2, so I'm guessing that's the problem.
Anyone know would that mean a new box is needed....or can that connector be removed from the box and replaced?

swoofer

oops, its quite likely water and the corrosion is rust. what you could do is take off that little screw thing on cable, cut off a bit of cable, ie redo it, plug it into lnb1 and see if you have a signal. i know its friday so you may not be able to do it now. also u dont say if you get a signal on lnb2 if u plug cable in from lnb 1.

So see if you get a signal, u can then redo cable from 2 and see if it works in lnb 1.

waste of time reapairing box but in the interim u can get listings back but making box single feed. then i ring sky for new box. and if u never rang sky before then u have a great chance of free box with wi fi.

Peter Rhea

Zeek12 wrote: »

In services I have signal for Input1 but nothing for input2.

What is the signal quality like for input 1?

Zeek12

GBCULLEN wrote: »

also u dont say if you get a signal on lnb2 if u plug cable in from lnb 1.

So see if you get a signal, u can then redo cable from 2 and see if it works in lnb 1.

No signal when I swop the cable from input 1 to 2. Probably because that connection piece on the box has some corrosion.

GBCULLEN wrote: »

waste of time reapairing box but in the interim u can get listings back but making box single feed. then i ring sky for new box. and if u never rang sky before then u have a great chance of free box with wi fi.

Thanks for the tip. But if I switch to single feed, I can only record one programme at a time, right? Not a great solution for me; I do a lot of shift work so I rely on recording quite a lot . To be honest, the only reason I've stayed with Sky so long and not gone for something like a Freeview box is the convenience of recording and using the planner. I probably watch only about a dozen channels on a regular basis. A lot of these channels are full of rubbish!

Spoke to a friend who had a Sky engineer out to his house before. Cost 100 quid apparantly!! Not good news:-(

Peter Rhea wrote: »

What is the signal quality like for input 1?

Very good, almost full bar. Will that make any difference?

Peter Rhea

Zeek12 wrote: »

Very good, almost full bar. Will that make any difference?

Just wondering why the EPG won't work via tuner 1. Don't know much about Sky boxes but, would have thought it would load up once the default transponder is selected: say when the box is in standby.

Thought you might have had signal problems there too, on top of the rusty cable for tuner 2.

swoofer

have you got a signal when you connect cable that was on lnb2 to lnb 1? I am trying to narrow down the fault. and have you checked in the services menu that you are on dual feed ie not single mode?

and check the version of software in box.

whirlpool

You have input 1 and input 2. The reason you have two inputs is so you can watch one thing and record another thing at the same time. In order to do that, two input streams are required.

On an ongoing basis, your Sky box alternates between which of the two inputs it chooses. If only one of your inputs is working, then you will be able to watch tv no problem..... until your Sky box decides to look for signal from the non-working input - at which point you will be affected by No Satellite Signal. This can stop you receiving tv guide information or a picture at all. It could be one or the other.

If only one of your signals is working, you can avoid a malfunctioning service by Enable Single Feed Mode. Switching on this option tells your Sky box to stop alternating between looking for signal between the two inputs and instead only look for signal from Input 1 - thus preventing any further interruptions to your service. To switch this on, enter the settings menu and press 0 1 Select. At the bottom of the screen you will see the option. Turn it on.

Enabling single feed mode means you can't record something unless you are watching it, as your Sky box is only getting one input stream.

It sounds like you do need an engineer. The cost for all customers who have had their Sky box for more than 12 months is €100. If you push back enough they will offer it to you for 60€, and if you say you want to cancel they will pass you on to the cancellations team who will give it to you for free.

Peter Rhea

GBCULLEN wrote: »

I am trying to narrow down the fault.

Isn't a rusty connection evidence enough of 'the fault'?

Zeek12

Yes, I would say that's the problem alright.
Thanks for the advice folks. Will give Sky a call tomorrow and see if I can drive the price down!