Picture flashing.

[x LAGER LOUT x]

Hi, i'm having a major problem with my thomson sky+ box. Intermittently, whether watching sky, recorded or anytime programs, the picture starts flashing. By flashing I mean just that, it flashes off and back on a few times, although this is getting increasingly frequent.
Having read a few of the threads on here it would seem the most likely cause is a failing HDD, but is there any way to be sure? Can I just watch sky without the HDD being used at all, and if so, how?

[Smithy99]

Do you connect via SCART? this is the first thing I would check, it may be that it has become loose or a pin/cable has deteriated.

It sounds more like a problem with one of the leads than a hard drive, this isn't used when watching a live feed.

You could try connecting it via the RF out and see if it is any better, that would prove that the SCART was at fault.

[x LAGER LOUT x]

Cheers Smithy, I'll give it a go tomorrow (busy playing Tiger Woods now), and post back with my results.

UPDATE: Changed the scart lead and all is now well. Thanks again for the help.