very old sky box

[peter2512]

My senior citizen neighbour has a very very old sky box - he's had it for 20 years or so. The viewing card is undoubtedly welded to the box.. Will Sky give him a new box and card? If not, how much will a new viewing card cost? Many thanks in advance for any advice.

[caesarome]

If he wants a new box then it will be a Sky Q one now, no idea on costs as he would be better of talking to Sky about this.

A new viewing card might not costs anything but are you sure it is welded or stuck in the box as a new card would be no good if you can't get this one out.

[peter2512]

Thanks, but given the amount of years it's been in the box I'm pretty sure that the card is welded. I certainly wouldn't advise him to remove it on the off chance it can be successfully inserted in a Sky HD+ box.

My neighbour lives in a retirement block of flats which has a communal supply box and dish. It's very unlikely that Q can be established without a bigger box being needed.

The initial idea was to change his old box for a second hand HD+ box which is still on, but we can't find any info on getting a new viewing card and cost, if any.

I thought it worth asking the community if Sky have a policy of replacing old boxes as a part of the sub.

Thanks again for your reply.

[caesarome]

If a Sky Q box can not be installed then Sky should supply a Sky+ box so you/he would need to speak to them about this.

[Annie+UK]

The card would not have been in the box for 20 years as Sky used to replace cards every 5 years or so back in those days

[peter2512]

The card has been in the box for 8 years that I know about, my neighbour has no recollection of the card ever being changed in the 20 years he's had the - very very old - box.. If he bought an HD + box I would not be at all confident that it could successfully be transferrred.

[oj01]

@peter2512 He wouldn't get a new Sky +HD box from Sky as they haven't been made for over 5 years. So you may as well get the second hand one and try to swap the card over. If it doesn't come out (I can see no reason why it wouldn't) then ring Sky and they would replace the card (maybe a small charge) . You would probably need to ring them anyway to get the Sky+ features added to the account (no charge for that) 

[TimmyBGood]

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@peter2512 wrote:

I thought it worth asking the community if Sky have a policy of replacing old boxes as a part of the sub.

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No: Sky+ boxes are bought by the subscriber as part of taking out the initial contract.  The price may be subsidised by the initial minimum subscription period, but it's still a purchase.