HD Box- removal of top circuit board.

davelebus · 01-01-2009, 12:22 PM

Morning all- long time listener, first time caller, and a happy new year to you all.

I've got a problem with my HD box- uncontrollable scrolling through channels, not controller related- and I believe it may be being caused by the top buttons on the the box. It's got to the stage where I'm going to replace the box because of this, and I'm entirely out of warranty so I though before I do, I may as well take the top off and have a look.

My question is, can I simply disconnect the top circuit board with the buttons on it? If I do so will the box continue to function?

If I do decide to disconnect it, what's the best way to do so? Cut the ribbon? Break solders at the top circuit board end, or the other end? Any other ideas?

Apologies for verbosity, many thanks for any suggestions.

clockworks · 01-01-2009, 1:03 PM

Rather than disconnect the board, why not remove it from the mountings, wrap it in insulating tape, then tuck it inside the case?

davelebus · 01-01-2009, 1:30 PM

My concern is that one of the buttons has suffered liquid damage, and is shorting/ misfiring in some way.

Chadford · 01-01-2009, 1:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davelebus

My concern is that one of the buttons has suffered liquid damage, and is shorting/ misfiring in some way.

Open it up and take a look - takes 2mins, see:-

Upgrading Sky HD

Could just be part of the plastic case is pressing one of the buttons, if it is a liquid problem it should be obvious and fixable with a bit of solvent.

davelebus · 01-01-2009, 2:59 PM

Thanks for all suggestions- have removed case, and there is some sign of liquid damage. I've cleaned up and reconnected without the case on. It worked for about 10 minutes, then went again.

clockworks · 01-01-2009, 6:01 PM

Disconnect the power lead and dip the switch board in distilled water with just a drop of washing up liquid. Swish it around and operate the buttons. Rinse in fresh distilled water.
Final rinse in isopropyl alcohol or vodka.
Leave to dry, then try again.

davelebus · 01-01-2009, 6:11 PM

Many thanks sir- will give that a try tomorrow am.

dreadline · 01-01-2009, 10:46 PM

you can just cut it off if you want. I have removed and faffed about with the lid on one of my boxes that many times that i actually broke of that board with the grey ribbon. Your box still works perfevtly without it. But, if you need to do a force software update, you would of course need it, as you need to press certain buttons when switching back on.

this was the case with myself so I ended up having to solder the thing back on

davelebus · 02-01-2009, 12:33 AM

Ah, good thinking! Had totally forgotten that implication. I fear rhe box is in terminal decline anyway, so would probably just be delaying the inevitable. Prob will just give it a snip and see if that actually is the cause.

BrianPK · 02-01-2009, 2:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreadline

you can just cut it off if you want. I have removed and faffed about with the lid on one of my boxes that many times that i actually broke of that board with the grey ribbon. Your box still works perfevtly without it. But, if you need to do a force software update, you would of course need it, as you need to press certain buttons when switching back on.

this was the case with myself so I ended up having to solder the thing back on

I broke mine off accidently(don't ask

) about 2 years ago shortly after getting the box.It worried me greatly at the time(boxes were very expensive then). I've managed perfectly well without it but I'm amazed you have been able to solder it back on as the wires are so close together.You must be very experienced at this type of work. I thought about getting it done professionally but never did.In the furure if anything goes wrong with the box and I need to use the top circuit board, I'll just get a replacement box.

dreadline · 02-01-2009, 9:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianPK

I'm amazed you have been able to solder it back on as the wires are so close together.You must be very experienced at this type of work.

not really, I just "dabble", the hardest part was getting the little pices of stranded wire out which had broke off in the board, but nothing a sharp needle, solder iron and alot of swearing couldn't fix

It is not the greatest of soldering jobs you will see anyway

Chadford · 02-01-2009, 9:46 AM

Probably be worthwhile checking the to see if fluid has gone anywhere else, like down the rear of the PCB with the circular LEDs and perhaps the main PCB inside the metal chassis.

Maybe get a can of this...
PCB Cleaner > Maplin

BrianPK · 02-01-2009, 3:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreadline

I just "dabble",

You might be a"dabbler" but I'm more of a "chancer"........big difference

Quote for the day........"God loves a trier but He hates a chancer"