Sky are "confused". Their helpline does not seem able to grasp the concept of non-subscription customers and the non hard drive box.It looks as though EPG 3.8.8 is the problem and it is no longer available

I emailed Pace and this is what they said

"Hi
I do not think there is anything I can do to assist however I have just tried a forced update on an old DS430 and it loaded version 3.7.6 so it looks like the version you have is no longer available.

If they say you have a hardware problem why is this version (3.8.8) no longer available?

Seems a little suspicious to me.

Today I rang Sky on 0800 0466 432
Was advised to check the ventilation round the box
I insisted it was a software problem and it took some time for them to realise that I did not have a subscription

I was transferred to the Freeserve call centre
and was insistant that the spoiling of my viewing was caused by their software and wanted to know how to revert to EPG 3.7.6 from the 3.8.8 they had downloaded.

After consulting the Technical department they told me how to do a Software Download
I did it and my box is now on EPG 3.7.6
This is what to do
Software Download
1-Switch on TV
2-Switch digibox to Standby
3-Un-plug the mains to the digibox
4-Press the button on the front of the box marked BACK UP and keep it held
in
5-Plug the power to the box back on
6-the red light on the front of the box comes on first followed by the others.
7-The following message appears on the TV screen
Updating System Software
Do not disconnect from mains supply or satelite dish
This may take up to 10 minutes
8-ONLY when this message appears can you release the back up button
9-use as normal
So we will see what happens in the next few days.

aha so maybe we are getting somewhere, i will see how it goes and then may do a forced update.

gb--

Just performed a forced download on my DS430N to 3.7.6.

So fingers crossed

My HD Box (Samsung) Updated the Sky + Software this morning (or last night when I was sleeping) to Sky+9.10.13.a. Not noticed much difference yet.

It would appear the new software is for Pull VOD services that are both scheduled for a consumer launch later this year.
See this

Back on 3.7.6, fingers crossed.

I'd just like to say thanks to everyone who has posted info on the DS430N issue. Just managed to force downgrade mine back to the previous 3.7.6. Hopefully it will behave itself now...

Thanks caroletv! #877
Just to reassure folk who haven't done a forced download before..the message "Updating System Software" usually comes up after 30 seconds or so...you can then release the backup button. You just have to leave it untouched for up to 10 minutes. I have known it take a little longer. (in our house nobody moves a muscle until its done!). I think some folks might read the instructions thinking they have to keep the backup button pressed for up to 10 minutes

I just wonder how many 430N owners have scrapped their otherwise perfect boxes, or paid a call-out fee, or even gone out and bought a BBC/ITV Freesat box!

I also wonder whether Sky are capable of doing an overnight download back to 3.7.6 if the software on the box has already been updated to 3.8? I would assume that the software update routines only update when a numerically higher release is available....but who knows, as its all such a mystery?

If the overnight download is not possible back to 3.7.6, presumably Sky could do an update to the same software as 3.7.6 but call it 3.8.9. Hope Sky are reading this!

Everthing fine here since Thursday.

Does anyone remember last year when we rolled back to a previous version after there was a problem with no audio on radio channels?(CRUCIAL I think!).

It took exactly a week for Sky to realise there was a problem and download the previous version automatically.

thank you and yes i rememebr the previous time they mucked up the 430n. i'll give it a bit more time, and maybe you could come back in a month to say it stays on 24/7.

gb--

Does the fact you say it was the 430N last time not worry you that there is something wrong with it's design. Obviously Sky should have tested better but something must be different if this Pace keep getting mucked up.

Well,I updated a 430 on saturday night(to the 3.7.6) and today it was still on.

I have just received the new software
on all my Sky boxes this morning,
if you did not get them, then do the
Manual Forced Software update
Unplug the Sky box from the mains,
leave it off for 1 minute,
then press the Back Up Button
on the front of the Sky Box
and then while pressing Back Up on the Box
re-connect the Plug and all the lights should be lit,
Turn the TV on and it should say do not disconnect
the Mains and the Satellite - Software Update
for 10 Minutes - White writting on a Black background
and afterwards it should turn itself off, then turn on
using the remote control
and you should have the new software version for your box

I have a Sky box, a Sky+ box and two Sky HD boxes
and they have all now been updated

Hi Joshua...would you be kind enough to let us know the actual software release number (and EPG) from the System Details menu. Interested to know if 3.8.8 has reared its ugly head again
I think a few of us would be interested to know what your standard Skybox model is too. (after the Pace 430N debacle).

we only get south beam here,so cannot get 11.788...so can we still do force downloads...

Hello everyone. The weather's nice and I've an hour or so to spare so I was thinking adding a spare connection to my quad LNB so that I can dig out my 2 spare standard digiboxes to update them to the latest software.

Can someone enlighten what's the latest version for a Pace DS440N and for a (old faithful) Panasonic TU-DSB30 please.

Not quite the answer you want, but my TUDSB31 updated a while back to 3.8.8 So I assume the DSB30 will be on the same?

Thanks for that Dave.

I've just forced an update on the Pace (it was on 3.7.6) and it's now on 3.8.8.

Unfortunately, the Panasonic wouldn't force an update.

Have you any ideas what changes 3.8.8 made to 3.7.6?

if you cant get this trans,can youb not do a forced download,i ask again,because according to lyngsat that trans is now EMPTY

Seems unlikely to me.

Just because there are no channels on a transponder, doesn't mean it's not in use for such things as software updates etc.

I had a back release 2600C1 plugged in patiently waiting for an over-the-air update (You can't do a forced update on the 2600C1) and lo and behold it has just come up with 3.8.8. Almost forgot about it!

I then (with hands held in prayer did a forced update on a 3.5.3 DS430N and was relieved to see it came up with 3.7.6. So it would seem that Sky are stopping 3.8.8 loading onto the 430Ns after the problems earlier in the year?

Both seem well behaved so far.

we cant get this trans here,so even though no channels on this trans are there plans to shift the download trans to somewhere else,and also for normal automatic downloads,is there a time window this happens ie midnight to 6am...

Can't bloody well believe it
My Amstrad box was in standby yesterday morning as I was going to work, checked it this evening, and I'm back to 3.8.8 .
To say the least it seems Sky don't care about buggy software and release it to it's customers any way. I've lost my pretty fast
DS430N for a slower box and I'm back to the beginning again.

I use 11.739 and I get my updates no problem with an 80cm dish.