1. Before ASSUMING that your Digibox itself is faulty, PLEASE check it as follows:

(I've tried to avoid technical jargon while, at the same time, giving you enough information to carry out the tests and make your own deductions).

a) Firstly, look at the "secret" Installer Menu by pressing the following buttons quickly:

[sky] [services] 401 [select]

Now press [1] (LNB SETUP) and press the red button to reset everything. If something changes on the screen, press the [down] arrow to move the highlight bar down to "Save all settings" then press [select] and [backup]

Repeat for the second menu settings:

[2] DEFAULT TRANSPONDER

b) If that didn't help, simply disconnect your receiver from the wall socket power for a minute then reconnect (use the wall socket switch if there is one and DON'T wiggle or pull out the little plug at the rear of the receiver as this can cause dangerous arcing!). Wait a minute for the receiver to "search for listings". If it now works, you probably had a typical "computer lock up" problem. If it's even worse, or won't turn on at all, the Digibox may have an internal fault.

c) If it's still faulty, leave the 230v mains power OFF for several hours and let it cool down completely. Now reconnect power and let it warm up for a minute. If it now works OK, you have an overheating problem. Make sure it's installed on an open shelf in a cool room. If it goes wrong when warm, try letting it cool down with power off then leave the cover off (keep children and animals away!) If this helps then fitting a miniature fan might keep the problem away for a while. Otherwise it will need professional repair.

d) If the fault symptom remains but the Digibox can be turned ON (comes out of standby), unplug it again but this time HOLD the "backup" button on the front panel while you reconnect power (use the wall socket switch - NEVER the rear panel connector!). Release the "backup" button when all the front panel lights come on (about ten seconds). Now leave the receiver for 15 minutes while it downloads new software. NOTE: DO NOT DO THIS with a receiver that is showing poor signal quality because it can permanently corrupt the data in the internal memory chips! If the fault symptom remains, or it continues to 'load software' after the 15 minutes, read on:-        

2. If there is any doubt, it is imperative that you determine whether you really have a faulty receiver:

a) Take it to the house of a friend or relative and connect it, making sure that you disconnect 230 v power before disconnecting anything else, and that you reconnect the power plug LAST, after reconnecting everything else. Also check the screw-on "F" plug to make sure that none of the outer strands of "shield" braid can touch the centre wire as a short-circuit here can damage the receiver.

'F' plug

b) If your receiver works OK and continues to work after an hour or two to warm up, then take it home and try again. If the fault symptoms are still there at home, then the receiver is probably OK but you have an installation fault with your cable, dish or LNB. Ask us to test it for you.

c) Note that, occasionally, the receiver will show a fault only after it has warmed up but this can be confused with a faulty LNB which may also exhibit a fault only after it has warmed up. The only way you can check an LNB is with a substitute receiver. Even then, some receivers are "allergic" to certain LNBs! Let us check it for you with professional equipment.

d) Some odd intermittent faults are caused by local interference, for example:

• Neighbour using a wireless remote extender the same as your own
• Thermostat causing interference
• Neighbour with "Snooper" type radar device in car
• Street light of the mercury or high-pressure sodium type
• Energy-saver or fluorescent light
• Microwave transmitters used by local company
• Mobile telephone
• Portable "DECT" home telephone
• Computer wireless LAN system
• Microwave oven
• Coaxial cables too close to mains wiring or similar

e) To check for the possibility of interference, test your receiver at a different house. If the fault remains then your Digibox is faulty. If the fault is gone, then the problem lies with your installation or with local interference. You can remove or reduce interference by mounting a dish temporarily at ground level. Make sure it's aligned accurately then connect your receiver to the LNB with a short length of double-screened coaxial cable. If the fault is gone then it could be caused by interference (or by a faulty LNB or cable - try a new LNB and cable on your existing dish to eliminate these possibilities).        

3. Digibox won't light up

a) Disconnect the LNB cable (in case it has a short-circuit) then plug the mains cable back in. If the Digibox now lights up then you might have a cable fault or the internal Power Supply Unit might be faulty. Testing your Digibox at a friend's house (see above) will prove it either way.

Otherwise, check the mains plug wiring and replace the fuse with a good one. If that doesn't help then...

b) Look at the internal fuse. If the wire inside the glass tube has melted without leaving a black mark, the fuse may have failed simply because it was protecting the Digibox against a mains power surge. Replace the fuse with exactly the same type. If the fuse is blackened or if it melts again, the Digibox is definitely faulty. Replacing a blackened fuse can cause more damage. The power supply will need repair and, possibly, the mother board as well.        

4. Stuck in Standby

EVEN WHEN COLD

If unplugging the Digibox overnight and letting it cool down doesn't cure it, then you probably need a replacement.        

5. Other Intermittent Symptoms

Such as:

• Jumping to the information channel 998
• Sticking in standby when hot
• Slow to respond

These symptoms DO NOT OCCUR WHEN COLD? Unplug the Digibox and leave it overnight to cool down. If it is OK when you plug it back in then you have an overheating problem. If you can't cure this by making sure that your Digibox is on an open shelf in a cool place then you probably need a replacement.        

6. Some channels missing (and other symptoms)

This can occur if your Digibox has been unplugged for weeks and missed a software update. Leave it plugged in for a few days or try the method desxcribed above in 1d.        

If you have "lines on the picture" or "ghosting" then this is caused by something after the Sky box (or a faulty box). Try connecting the box to your TV with a new fully-screened Scart lead.

DO NOT STACK EQUIPMENT!

Freeview boxes, in particular, are very susceptible to the effects of heat and interference from other equipment. They should be installed on a cool shelf (not metal) away from other equipment. The proximity of metal can interfere with correct operation. If you do experience problems, move your Freeview box at least a metre away from your TV and from other electronic equipment and see if that helps.