Exchange Sky Box for original box

[Gofor120]

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

[Mark39 · Accepted solution]

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

[Gofor120]

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

[Mark39]

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@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

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

[Gofor120]

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.

[Mark39]

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@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.

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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.

[Gofor120]

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

Regards ... Gofor 120

[Gofor120]

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

[GD1]

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@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

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[Gofor120]

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

Thanks.... Gofor120

[Mark39]

@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.

[Gofor120]

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

Regards ..... Gofor 120

[Gofor120]

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

[Mark39]

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@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., ..... 

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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.

[Gofor120]

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.