satellite TV died in the storm.. help please...

Tech, TV, Mobile, Internet and Geek Corner
21
Thank you so much to all you kind folks for helping me try to figure this one out...

As I was on the phone to one kind individual the silly thing starts to pick up channels again during the scan!

So, I'm going to guess somewhere water is getting in and it dried out... fingers crossed it works long enough for me to get replacement parts...

Thanks to those of you explaining this stuff to me. I'm usually ok with most technology but the Satellite set up was never really explained to me. Normally Mark insisted I learn everything so as to be independent but this was a "gift" so yeah..

Thanks!! I owe a few of you a beer

22
So glad it looks as if it might have cured itself.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you (that's the nearest I get to any technical solution!)

P

23
Looks like I spoke to soon...

24
ok so, problem is as follows:

I did the scan as mentioned above and I get a list of channels but all my "favourites" from the settings just say n/a. Ok so I check in the all channels list and there they are. So If I then select them I can see what show is supposed to be on, but the screen remains blank... any ideas???

I have a dreambox running gemini on it (hey I got smart and looked it up on the machine )

Now on my laptop I have something called Dreambox Edit which has all the settings and stuff backed up but I can't connect to the box and can't seem to set it up either...

25
to use dreambox edit, you need to know the IP address of the DM, the username (root) and the password.

you should then download the channels from the box and create bouquets (buckets?) and then save and send to the box. I assume this is what you mean by favourites.

Even I've lost a channel or two tonight. This is thick cover we have!!

26
yup that part I got but the problem is that I can't find where to check the DM's IP address and the error I get on the edit is that it can't find the DM.

So, now I have figured out yet another part of the mystery... it would appear that the channels I am finding are in fact cablecom channels NOT satellite. Which brings us back to the same problem.. ie some hardware has fallen victim to the storm.

So I guess, therefore, I must continue with the original quest of replacing bits like cables and LNBs right?

(god I miss Mark...)

27
Hi Lynn,

As per your call last night, I have brought an LNB into the office with me. I'll try and call you later to arrange a time/place to meet. I'd come over and look at this for you, but getting to that side of Zurich even by motorbike will be a real pain due to the road closures (and I live in the totally opposite direction and have to get home early tonight).

To find your IP address, this is in the setup menus. Not sure if you have a fixed IP or using DHCP (where your network assigns you an IP address automatically).

Neil

28
Cough, Moron. Turn off box, and attach cable that had fallen out of the back of Sky box.

29
Ok so, after tinkering around with LNBs and other fancy gadgets some kind soul lent me, I discover... that the window cable has a tear in it!

So mystery solved. Off to Media Markt in the morning to replace the cable. Hope that will solve it!! But I might just grab a spare cable incase there is a fault there and that way I'll be equipped in case I'm wrong...

Thanks again for all your help folks!

30
Hurrah.

P

31
I HAVE SATELLITE TV!

32
Glad to hear you got it sorted.

I have a window cable as well, and was wondering how yours got the tear in it - do you think it had anything to do with the storm, or was that just a coincidence?

I'm only asking in case mine decides to go the same way - it would be good to know in advance what could cause it so, prevention being better than cure and all that...

33
If you use one of these flat cables in a door or window that is often opened/closed, then it will suffer from wear and tear. Mainly from Friction, but frequent bending will also cause metal and or plastic to break.

34
Thanks, that's pretty much what I thought, these things are bound to only last so long. Guess the storm was just coincidence.

35
I guess the other thing will be the weather. i.e. Heat/Cold water which can effect plastics. So depends on how well the cable insulation can withstand the elements.

Plus every joint you add to a cable is a potential failure point.

36
Forgive me if the answer is here somewhere and I've been too stupid to find it....but believe me, I have looked!

We're accustomed to losing the signal temporarily during storms and at worst everything is back to normal the next day.

Last night however, we had a new twist:

the image stayed, despite a few wobbles, but we have lost all sound. And only for the satellite - the sound on the cable channels is fine.

Does anyone have any idea what has happened and what a total technological imbecile can do to fix it?

37
You've reset your satellite receiver, right?

38
Thanks Ed.

After the usual re-sets and stuff and no luck I gave up, swore at it and switched it all off for several hours.

Lo and behold......last night everything was back to normal.

39
Sometimes it help if you force a Firmware upgrade. Do this by unplugging (at the mains end not the satellite end is safer), then plug it back in while holding the 'backup' button in. Continue to hold the button till you see all the lights come up on the receiver (if you have the TV on then you'll see a message on the screen too, but it is NOT necessary to have the TV on at this point). Wait till it's finished which takes around 10mins.

Otherwise check:

Dish Alignment/LNB positioning

Cable & LNB condition

It might be necessary to replace the cable and/or LNB or even get a bigger dish. I'd recommend Invacom LNB's.