topic Re: Exchange Sky Box for original box in Sky+

Exchange Sky Box for original box

Gofor120 — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 14:44:02 GMT

My existing Sky+HD Box now not recording etc...... I still have "original" Sky Box with card ... can I swop boxes and / or use "New" card in old box ?? ... do I need to contact Sky for any reason ?

Gofor 120

Re: Exchange Sky Box for original box

Mark39 — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 15:18:05 GMT

Yes, you can swap the box, but you'll need to use your existing Viewing Card as that holds your viewing entitlement. Ypu'll need to pair the new box with the Card which you can do by carrying out a New Install if the box is connected to your broadband service. Other ways to pair (activate) your Viewing Card here: https://www.sky.com/help/articles/sky-viewing-card-help-activate-plus

Re: Exchange Sky Box for original box

Gofor120 — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 15:56:58 GMT

Thanks for that Mark....... going to try shortly ....so Sky don't have any input / output other than the steps shown at "activation"??

Best wishes .. Gofor 120

Re: Exchange Sky Box for original box

Mark39 — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 16:00:14 GMT

@Gofor120 wrote:

Thanks for that Mark....... going to try shortly ....so Sky don't have any input / output other than the steps shown at "activation"??

Best wishes .. Gofor 120

No, except where, for some reason, you're unable to activate the Viewing Card yourself.

Re: Exchange Sky Box for original box

Gofor120 — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 08:50:13 GMT

Mark :

Checking back, I see that you and I "spoke" in Sept last year about this problem of using another Sky box but since that time I have remained with my existing system until it looks like my hand is being forced to update /amend/repair.

Also checked with how I came to have a spare box ....... we upgraded in 2017 to have a Q box but on arriving for its installation, the Sky engineer correctly identified that a Q box was not going to suit my "other" TV's system but .... had a new Sky +HD box ( having 2 xRF2 points) with him, ... so that was fitted ... my original box was retained by me as there was nothing wrong with it.....other than now, its age.

Could you assist with 2 queries ...????..... a). Can you see any problems in my now using this spare box..... it's DRX 890 Z model ... and b)........I note that it's necessary to use Sky ( my absolute dread !) for activation code .... any experience or do's / dont's ...???

Thanks..... Gofor 120.

Re: Exchange Sky Box for original box

Mark39 — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 12:39:33 GMT

@Gofor120 wrote:

Mark :

Checking back, I see that you and I "spoke" in Sept last year about this problem of using another Sky box but since that time I have remained with my existing system until it looks like my hand is being forced to update /amend/repair.

Also checked with how I came to have a spare box ....... we upgraded in 2017 to have a Q box but on arriving for its installation, the Sky engineer correctly identified that a Q box was not going to suit my "other" TV's system but .... had a new Sky +HD box ( having 2 xRF2 points) with him, ... so that was fitted ... my original box was retained by me as there was nothing wrong with it.....other than now, its age.

Could you assist with 2 queries ...????..... a). Can you see any problems in my now using this spare box..... it's DRX 890 Z model ... and b)........I note that it's necessary to use Sky ( my absolute dread !) for activation code .... any experience or do's / dont's ...???

Thanks..... Gofor 120.

So we did!

in answer to your queries - no I don't foresee any problems with using the spare box, providing you still have a Sky subscription (as you mention recording, I assume you do), and the box still functions ok. You should only need to contact Sky if you can't activate your Viewing Card online yourself. It should be straightforward if you do need to speak directly to Sky - the advisers are familiar with the process. You may, however, have to queue for an adviser. First thing in the morning and after 9.00pm are likely to be the best times to call.

Re: Exchange Sky Box for original box

Gofor120 — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 14:23:58 GMT

Thanks again, Mark ..... will keep you posted

Regards ... Gofor 120

Re: Exchange Sky Box for original box

Gofor120 — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 08:40:07 GMT

Good morning Mark ... if you're there !!

Perhaps you can clarify ... going to attempt repair and / or exchange Sky + HD Box shortly, but another point has arisen .... if subscription to Sky is cancelled my understanding is that box continues to work but only showing FreeSat channels .....Yes ?

We kept Sky +HD instead of upgrading to Q some years ago, because there are 1 x Aerial in and 2 x RF out sockets at rear of Sky +box which enable other TV's in the house to work from box but a Q box does not have this facility.

So if Sky account is cancelled, will the signal distribution still work ?

Thanks, in anticipation .... Gofor120

Re: Exchange Sky Box for original box

GD1 — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 08:44:40 GMT

@Gofor120 wrote:

Good morning Mark ... if you're there !!

Perhaps you can clarify ... going to attempt repair and / or exchange Sky + HD Box shortly, but another point has arisen .... if subscription to Sky is cancelled my understanding is that box continues to work but only showing FreeSat channels .....Yes ? Correct

We kept Sky +HD instead of upgrading to Q some years ago, because there are 1 x Aerial in and 2 x RF out sockets at rear of Sky +box which enable other TV's in the house to work from box but a Q box does not have this facility.

So if Sky account is cancelled, will the signal distribution still work ? Yes as that's not reliant on an active subscription.

Thanks, in anticipation .... Gofor120

Re: Exchange Sky Box for original box

Gofor120 — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 08:48:26 GMT

Sorry the i.d's were wrong on earlier message.... Gofor120 is correct

Thanks.... Gofor120

Re: Exchange Sky Box for original box

Mark39 — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 08:51:55 GMT

@Gofor120 I'm always here 😁

Yes, if you cancel your Sky subscription your Sky box will continue to receive the free to air channels, but you won't be able to record them. Do be aware that if you cancel you may not be able to reinstate your Sky+ service if you wanted to, at some point.

Problems have been reported in the past with pairing a Viewing Card when there's no subscription in place, so I'd do the box swap first before making any decision to cancel.

As @GD1 posted, you don't need a subscription to be able to use the RF outputs.

Re: Exchange Sky Box for original box

Gofor120 — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 08:54:03 GMT

Thanks to both of you for that ... sensible and prompt advice ..... I'll keep you posted.

Regards ..... Gofor 120

Re: Exchange Sky Box for original box

Gofor120 — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 13:44:28 GMT

Tried all the recommended fixes for No record / Pause etc., numerous times without success, finally giving up when message displayed........rebuild not possible without diskette etc., ..... I guess the next step is to try spare box but frankly I doubt it's worth it, with so many options from other sources.

Might sit and think as to the option, of living without No record etc., or facing the hassle of trying to install spare box only to give Sky another £22.00 p. month. They seem to have it always, by having "repairs" customer fixed with poor and repetitive information (if it works) or upgrading at additional cost.

Your assistance has been of great benefit.....Thanks...Gofor120

Re: Exchange Sky Box for original box

Mark39 — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 13:50:20 GMT

@Gofor120 wrote:

Tried all the recommended fixes for No record / Pause etc., numerous times without success, finally giving up when message displayed........rebuild not possible without diskette etc., .....

Diskless mode (I'm guessing that's what the message was telling you) is a clear indication that the hard disk has failed. That's not recoverable, I'm afraid.

Re: Exchange Sky Box for original box

Gofor120 — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 08:12:58 GMT

Thanks Mark ...

............pretty well come to that conclusion also .... guess it's a replacement Sky+Box or to say goodbye to Sky after some30 years .. I'm still receiving some Sky programmes ( watch very few ) but obviously missing Record / Pause / Guides etc., and have rapidly got used to those features being absent .... remote working slower but it works.... but the monthly cost for the pleasure of those now remaining facilities is expensive.... add to that the cost of a reliable replacement box (in case my spare proves defunct) and it draws its own conclusion.

You've been more than helpful of late and I appreciate that ....... if I continue to battle with this I promise I'll keep you posted

Regards ... Gofor120.

Re: Exchange Sky Box for original box

Gofor120 — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 15:59:33 GMT

Hello Mark.... hope you're OK and still helping other hapless individuals ...... I promised to let you know of any result with my replacement / repair/ removal of Sky Box.

After much thought, I decided that attempting what eventually proved to be not as straight forward, as my own limited experience and know how was suitable, even possibly making things worse, I am pleased to tell you that I located an absolutely 1st class Aerial / TV engineer nearby who was succesful in installing / replacing the Sky Box, which had, as you expected, a damaged Hard Drive, with my "old" Sky Box, which proved to be still in working condition. In fact after being connected up, it worked immediately!

I must be honest in that the amount of subsequent remote control use with required installation, left me miles behind and I am more than certain I could not have done it myself ....... a tip for any one trying the same type of change, is to be really confident of your own ability and knowledge..

The engineer was fast to arrive, completed job in about an hour and gave me a thorough run through on the improved control and operation, of my recently new, TV, so I now have access to things available on the TV I wasn't aware were there ... another lesson I learrned!!!

Price ??? ....., of course Sky box was F.O.C., the engineer guessed about £30 if one had to be acquired (but be careful where you buy, history, usage and age ! ).............but the labour time was impressively not expensive.

Hope my experience helps others and your earlier help is greatly appreciated.

Best Wishes....... Gofor 120

Re: Exchange Sky Box for original box

Mark39 — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 16:15:53 GMT

Many thanks for the update @Gofor120 and I'm glad it all went smoothly. Back to uninterrupted viewing!

£30 sounds about right for a used Sky+ box and I agree that you would only want to go for the most recent models. Even they're 7 or 8 years old by now.

Don't hesitate to post again if you need help with Sky tv in the future.