Question:
Just vented about Sky Customer "Service" on the vent board, but thought I might ask here in case someone here can succeed where the call centre failed!
I can view the channels fine if I use the channel up/down buttons or I tap in the channel number I want.
But if I try to access the TV Guide to see all the listings, it just says its "searching for listings please wait" and then just hangs there until it flicks back to the channel it was on previously after about 10 minutes.
I've tried turning it off and on, unplugging everything etc and all connections seem fine, but the problem is still there.
After being on the phone to them for over an hour, the numbnut said he was transferring me to somebody else and then cut me off.
We've had the same digibox for nearly 6 years, never had this happen before.
Anyone?? Please??!!!
Answers:
Try a forced software update.
1. Power off
2. Hold backup button on the box (Not remote)
3. Switch on whilst still holding backup.
4. When message appears release backup button
5. Wait for box to reboot.
If that doesn't work and you have Sky+, try this one. It's a hidden installation trick.
Select Services button on remote.
Select 4, then 0, then 1, then select. This will reveal a hidden menu. try the Sky Planner rebuild first and if that still doesn't work, try the full system reset, however this last one will delete all programmes in the planner - beware.
Answers:
Thanks headcovers
We haven't got sky+ so I'm trying the first thing. Currently on a black screen saying updating software.
Quick question though, does it need to be connected to the phone line?
Answers:
I don't think so. The phone line is only required to allow you to use interactive features, sky box office, etc.
Oh and mandatory if specified in your Sky contract if you have multiroom for instance.
Answers:
Havn't you got to press the green button now?
Answers:
Havn't you got to press the green button now?
The OP is talking about the TV Guide, not just the planner. And the green button for the Planner is only if the OP's Sky has received the upgrade.
Answers:
It didn't work unfortunately.
Tried ringing Sky disconnections in an attempt to get someone from Technical Support to ring me back, but their computers have gone down!
Nightmare.
Anything else worth trying?
Answers:
Well the only thing I can suggest further is to have a look at which has all kinds of technical advice and guidance for Sky and Sky+.
Use the Advanced Search facility and limit it to the Sky forums. When I put in "searching for listings" it came up with a few people that had experienced your problem.
I hate to say it but most had to call out the Sky engineer.
But persevere, read the forums they are packed with advice and telephone numbers and email addresses.
Good Luck
Answers:
Well the only thing I can suggest further is to have a look at which has all kinds of technical advice and guidance for Sky and Sky+.
Use the Advanced Search facility and limit it to the Sky forums. When I put in "searching for listings" it came up with a few people that had experienced your problem.
I hate to say it but most had to call out the Sky engineer.
But persevere, read the forums they are packed with advice and telephone numbers and email addresses.
Good Luck
Sorry, where is the advanced search facility, I'm being a bit blind
Edited: Don't worry, I've got it now
Answers:
Well the only thing I can suggest further is to have a look at which has all kinds of technical advice and guidance for Sky and Sky+.
Use the Advanced Search facility and limit it to the Sky forums. When I put in "searching for listings" it came up with a few people that had experienced your problem.
I hate to say it but most had to call out the Sky engineer.
But persevere, read the forums they are packed with advice and telephone numbers and email addresses.
Good Luck
Been having a read, doesn't look good, think the digibox has had it.
Let me guess, despite the extortionate cost of Sky, I suppose that if the engineer has to come out I have to pay for the pleasure? And if the digibox is dead, how much is it going to cost me to replace it - what's the betting they won't do it for free.
Any idea of cost anyone?
Answers:
Next thing I would try Purplepatch is too Unplug box from mains for a good while (rather than just 5 mins that sorts most boxes when they wound up) say a couple of hours. What make of box is it?
Answers:
Next thing I would try Purplepatch is too Unplug box from mains for a good while (rather than just 5 mins that sorts most boxes when they wound up) say a couple of hours. What make of box is it?
It's a Panasonic.
I will give the turning off a try tonight overnight. Don't think hubby will be too happy if I turn it off at the moment whilst he's watching the footie
Answers:
H had exactly the same problem on thursday, what I did was to switch off the mains supply to the tv and phone and take out the card, switch back on insert card and hey presto it worked, only problem I have now is with E4 terrible reception sometimes lots os disjointed screens and crackles impossible to watch - anyone else had this and how did you fix it?
I understand the card can get worn out after a few years but mine is less than a year old so that cant be the problem
Answers:
Aarrgghhh, spent another half hour queueing on the 0800 number only to get a clueless rep who cut me off again whilst trying to put me through to technical.
So gritted my teeth and dialled the 0870 number and went through to disconnections where I spoke to someone HELPFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shock horror. Is that the only way to get a response out of Sky - threaten to disconnect.
The problem with panansonic boxes is still ongoing and the technical number is jammed with people like me trying to find out what is going on. He said I've got to bear with it and try switching the machine off and on every few hours.
Answers:
£65 is the standard call out charge, which includes any parts, replacement box etc.
If the box has lasted 6 years you've done quite well.
There are lots of threads of people getting the box repaired for less or nothing by trying the "I'm going to cancel routine", which would be worth a go.
PS
If you are that antiSky why don't you go for freeview?
Answers:
£65 is the standard call out charge, which includes any parts, replacement box etc.
If the box has lasted 6 years you've done quite well.
There are lots of threads of people getting the box repaired for less or nothing by trying the "I'm going to cancel routine", which would be worth a go.
PS
If you are that antiSky why don't you go for freeview?
We looked into freeview in the past and it got dismissed by DH for some reason - probably something to do with the Sports channels. Do you get all 3 Sky sports channels and sports news on freeview? If not, that will be why we can't have it
Answers:
Its definitley worth a try Purplepatch, if it does work it may well give the problem again tho. The Panasonic boxes are particuley prone to having problems with the microprocessor, this can give lots of different symptoms. There is a modifaction for them (am sure its not official tho) and to be honest its not that succesful, one thing ALL digiboxes need is decent ventilation (especialy panasonic ones). They all run fairly warm, and are often in a nice cabinet with a back on it and doors on front so cook themselves, if this is the case try n see if can be placed somewhere more "open" .
If u are on a high package and you have had it for some time you MAY be able to push sky for a free call out by threatening to cancel when they tell you its £65 ( again they seem to change this a bit, here different amounts from different people who contact em), i know of people in past have managed this ( you can always ring next day and say changed mind if they let u cancel). If you have any mates that have upgraded to sky+ could ask if they got an old box they can sell/give you. ... having said all that hopefully leaving it unplugged over night might sort it!
Answers:
Its definitley worth a try Purplepatch, if it does work it may well give the problem again tho. The Panasonic boxes are particuley prone to having problems with the microprocessor, this can give lots of different symptoms. There is a modifaction for them (am sure its not official tho) and to be honest its not that succesful, one thing ALL digiboxes need is decent ventilation (especialy panasonic ones). They all run fairly warm, and are often in a nice cabinet with a back on it and doors on front so cook themselves, if this is the case try n see if can be placed somewhere more "open" .
If u are on a high package and you have had it for some time you MAY be able to push sky for a free call out by threatening to cancel when they tell you its £65 ( again they seem to change this a bit, here different amounts from different people who contact em), i know of people in past have managed this ( you can always ring next day and say changed mind if they let u cancel). If you have any mates that have upgraded to sky+ could ask if they got an old box they can sell/give you. ... having said all that hopefully leaving it unplugged over night might sort it!
Thanks, funny you should mention ventilation as saw that on the digital spy forum. It could well be this as said digibox is currently in a stack with DVD and vid, in a not very well ventilated wooden cabinet. I'll take it out and see if that helps.
Mind you, it's been stacked like this inside the cabinet for the past 6 years, so funny it's only just starting to complain. Did upgrade the DVD player to a recorder a couple of weeks back though, perhaps that gets hotter than the old one.
Thanks also for the tip off about threatening to cancel. I will certainly give that a go if necessary.
At least we can still get the channels I suppose - will just have to buy a TV guide.
Answers:
OMG I hate Sky.
I've rung them again this evening on their freephone number. I got through straightaway to somebody that got me to do a channel scan thing from a hidden menu, but it didn't work.
He then transferred me to the next level of support and it took 35 minutes of hanging on before I got answered. This person was able to tell me in 2 minutes that they have loaded some new software their end and they have had incompatability problems with Panasonic digiboxes. He expected it to have been fixed by now, but it shouldn't be too much longer.
I suggested that they put a message on their answerphone thing, but he reckoned it wasn't worth it now as nearly fixed .
I can't believe how useless they are.
Still, relieved that it isn't my box I suppose. And glad I didn't pay for 0870 all that time.
Thanks for the help on here - hopefully if somebody else has the same problem they might find this thread and save themselves some stress.
Answers:
Make a note of the date and time that Sky told you that (and the name of the CS rep if you have it).
When the problem persists, then make sure Sky are aware that you were told of this problem and don't take any stick if they try to charge for an engineer to come out.
Sky are notorious for saying one thing to a customer and then denying it to another.
I would also post it onto the (or do a search for "panasonic) to see if anyone else if having the same problem.
Just found these posts - well worth a read: