PACE box 'hanging' problem

Nero

Hi,

I have Sky digital for over four months now and the service is great. In the last 3 weeks or so my PACE set top box keeps 'hanging'. The only way I can get it back into service is by pulling the power lead out of the back of it. I am sure this is not standard practice, has anyone else come accross this and what did you do?

cableskeptic

I am afraid this IS the standard practice. If you ring Sky customer service they will tell you to reset the box by removing the plug. I was even told to remove the SCART cable when I rang in???

I believe the problem you are having is down to a software issue with the latest version of the EPG/PP software and it has been well covered on this and other forums.

When I had the same problem as you I rang my installer and he kindly swapped out my Pace for a Grundig (which has the old software and I will not be upgrading till I hear that the problem is definitely fixed - there is nothing more annoying than having to reset the box every 1 or 2 hours).

byte

Have you tried a Forced Software Download?

To do this:
Remove viewing card from box
disconnect from mains supply
Press & hold BackUp button on front of box
Reconnect mains while still holding Backup button
Continue to hold button until all LEDs on front of box light up and you may see a black screen on your satellite channel telling you it will take 10 minutes. After the download is complete it will go into standby for 30 seconds before it can work. Just stick yer card back in and get it up and running again.

Lemme know how you get on:)

Nero

I rang my supplier and they told me that I would have to drop the box into them and they would return it to Sky in Dublin. They said it would take approx. 7 working days to get it/replacement back (I am a little sceptical about the 7 days) and guess what ... no replacement in the meantime. Jesus, my kids would go ape without their daily dose of 'Power Rangers'. I will try irishblimps suggestion tonight before I make any further decisions.

Tony

Originally posted by Nero
I rang my supplier and they told me that I would have to drop the box into them and they would return it to Sky in Dublin.

I'm afraid that incorrect Sky do not carry out repairs in Dublin or anywhere else. What he probably means is that he will return the unit to either Armstrongs or Electroplus. Armstrongs now operate an exchange policy on faulty units. We replace units from stock to avoid visiting the customer twice.

Regards Tony

cableskeptic

Nero what version software are you running.

If the latest version doesn't work you might have to go back to a previous version?

The important point to ensure is that Sky should not charge you for any 'repairs'. I was impressed with the service I got when my box was swapped out within a few hours of reporting the problem to my independent installer (Sky did not help in any way as I went through an independent installer).

Here's a link that confirms the Sky software problem:

[http://quicksitebuilder.cnet.com/phsteele/skydigitalbugs/id2.html[/URL]

fi

The only time my system hangs, is when the children are doing something in the "open" menu, or playing games.

Fi

Nero

Hi, I tried the software download on Wednesday night following the procedure irishblimp posted and guess what ... it has not hung since. But this is only Friday, I will leave it for a week before I am totally confident that this worked.

Nero

The box hung again once over the weekend, but still there is a big improvement since the forced software download.