Sky+ HD Box not powering on

[Aegris]

Have had the same Sky+HD box for over 10 years, never gave any real issues until recently - I'd say around 5 times over the last 3 months or so it would randomly turn itself off when I would be watching something (live or recorded) in the same way as would happen if I unplugged it, it would take a couple of minutes before I could turn it back on.

Today I went to turn it on and when it was unresponsive I saw the red standby light wasn't on, as though it was unplugged. But the usual "Check signal cable" message on the TV was flashing on and off as though something was being repeatedly connected/disconnected. When I unplugged the box the signal message on the TV remained solid, like it usually would when the box was turned off and in standby mode. 

Have disconnected & reconnected all the cables, changed the fuse in the plug, tried different sockets etc but no sign of life. Does anyone know what the issue might be and if it's repairable? Thanks!

[Annie+UK]

https://www.sky.com/help/articles/sky-plus-box-stuck-on-standby

[Mark39]

@Aegris if Sky's help doesn't resolve it, and the red/amber standby light remains unlit, it's likely that your Sky box has failed. If so, you'll need to speak to Sky about a free upgrade to Sky Q, or switch to Sky Stream.

[Aegris]

Thanks for the reply - I've only noticed since the room got dark that the power LED is actually flickering on and off when the box is plugged in but very faintly, would probably explain why the signal message on the TV is flickering too.

I'd really prefer to get it repaired rather than replaced as I've a bunch of recordings I'd like to watch so will have to look into that

[Mark39]

Most likely a failed power supply board which should be repairable. If there's no local repairer, you could look at Digifix (I've no connection with them). Bear in mind that all hard disks fail eventually.....

[Aegris]

Thanks again for the reply - I've spent the last week trying to find a place to repair it (I'm in Ireland so Digifix not an option sadly) and either received no reply, or an option to replace the box which would defeat the purpose as I'd lose my recordings doing that. No place willing to repair or transfer the drive to another box. 

So I bit the bullet today and have opted to change to Sky Q. If I keep the old box I would most likely find a way to repair it eventually, in that case would it be possible to view what's on it by swapping viewing cards or something?

[Mark39]

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@Aegris wrote:

So I bit the bullet today and have opted to change to Sky Q. If I keep the old box I would most likely find a way to repair it eventually, in that case would it be possible to view what's on it by swapping viewing cards or something?

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I'm afraid not, for two reasons. Firstly the box needs to receive a satellite signal to function, and a Sky Q enabled dish can't provide a compatible signal. Secondly, your Sky+ Viewing Card is disabled when you order Sky Q.

[TimmyBGood]

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@Aegris wrote:

would it be possible to view what's on it by swapping viewing cards or something?

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No: hard drive playback is a subscription function, and by definition after moving to Sky Q you'd no longer have a Sky+ subscription.