Sky+ HD error 28 and half channels not working

[bezmon]

Hi ya

i am new to this, also this is my first post

am looking for any help with getting my Sky back up and fully running

FYI i live in a block of flats with a communial dish and a single feed only

for the past couple of days about half of my channels have simply stopped working stating "no satelitte signal being recieved" most annoyingly its has effect all of my HD sports channels and the SD version!!! some of the HD movies work not all.

for example 520 doesnt work yet 536 does (discovery)

please help, sky CS say after a 30 mins call that an engineer visit is neccassary costing me £65 or £8.25 per month for 12 months for a warranty plan?

any advice greatly appriciated.

Cheers

Carl

[Scubbie]

I would hope that the CS person checked that you are on 'Single Feed Mode'. In case this is not what happened, perform the following:

On your remote, press <Services> <Right> (now highlighting Settings) <Down> <0> <0> <1> <Select> <Down>

On your screen now you should see that the Single Feed Mode is On, if not please change it.

The next thing that could be causing you a problem is if you have a Thomson Sky+ HD box and the PSU is failing. If this is the case, then you could search eBay for a replacement kit. Have a look at this forum first for the better brand though.

How do you know which model you have? Easy: look at the rear of your STB. There are various manufacturers who have made Sky boxes over the years.

Post back if any pf this has worked or failed. Others can provide more info.

[bezmon]

Hiya

thanks for getting back to me

YES i do have a THOMPSON box and from reading on other threads i think this maybe a common theme.

if an engineer was to come out at £65 how do i know that the problem will be fixed??

Many Thanks

Carl

[bezmon]

sorry also yes i am using the "single feed mode"

[Scubbie]

There are a lot of posts on this forum regarding the issue with the PSU in the Thomson box. Search 'thomson psu' and you will find a lot of success stories and links to where to order the parts.

Your box is out of warranty, so if you are comfortable with doing the work, you could save a few ££s and do it yourself.

If the Sky engineer comes around, he/she is unlikely to fix it, but is more likely to swap your STB for a reconditioned box. This would mean that you would loose all your saved recordings.

The replacement could be any of the HD STBs that Sky have had made. It would really depend on what he/she has in the van.

Judging by what others have discussed, the fix could last for several years. There is more than one type available though. The cheaper option replaces like-4-like. A more expensive option provides a unit that will last much longer.

[Kenedin]

Make sure that the fault is not with the communal system by checking first with other people in the block.

[bezmon]

i have checked with a few neighbours and they report no problems is looking more and more likely to be my box

Cheers

Carl

[Kenedin]

OK. So it's pretty certain that one or more capacitors on the box are kaput.

If you want to keep the box for whatever reason, get a RELKIT33JS from Satcure for around £17 incl p&p, then get a Local Repairer near you to do the job. Mine did it for £17 ( rates vary elsewhere in UK ). I also upgraded the hard drive to 500Gb. Very successful all round.

If you're not fussy about keeping the box, phone Sky. Tell them your Thomson has gone faulty. Other people have complained bitterly about Sky's poor Thomsons and their well-known capacitor fault, and have been lucky enough to wangle a new box. Try it.

[bezmon]

think im going to go for the sky enginner @ £65

another question does anyone no if i end up getting a "refurbed" box will that come iwth any warranty?

Cheers

Carl

[Scubbie]

Normal industry practise is to provide a 1 or 3 month warranty. I don't know which Sky go for, but if they do replace the box, make sure it isn't another Thomson. It will likely have the same problem further down the line.