My smart card looks like its melting!!

=GAMMO= · 29-10-2006, 08:59

Been having problems with my tv for a couple of weeks we keep just constant clitches in tv programs, phoned ntl up they ran through the usual checks when they asked me to remove the smartcard from the pace box it looked like it had began to melt!!!

the card has gone a very dark brown all around the chip on it and it looks like the chip itself has gotten very hot, has anyone else experienced this? the box is just over 6 years old btw.

Gammo

Stephen · 29-10-2006, 09:13

That is usually normal. Doesn't usually cause any problems though.

=GAMMO= · 29-10-2006, 09:23

its only just been lately tho the freezes and glitches have become unbearable, we keep getting told to reset top box and everytime we do we are left with no channels at all so we have to leave it with the box saying tune over night. after doing it yeaterday whilst on the phone to ntl we ended up with about 5 channels working in total!

ntl have booked an engineer to come out this wednesday to take a look.

Doing the Page up Page down blue button thing looking through the list of options it says 'Card Status- Waiting' is that normal? or is this my problem? I didnt know it was normal at all for the card to get that hot

is that even safe?

spiderplant · 29-10-2006, 09:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by =GAMMO=

Doing the Page up Page down blue button thing looking through the list of options it says 'Card Status- Waiting' is that normal? or is this my problem? I didnt know it was normal at all for the card to get that hot

is that even safe?

Card Status of "Please Wait" is normal. It's also normal for the card to go brown. And yes it's safe.

I think your problems probably are caused by heat over a long period, but the damage is to the tuner not the smartcard. It's a very common failure.

In general, don't worry about the boxes getting hot. As long as you aren't blocking the ventilation holes they'll be fine.

=GAMMO= · 29-10-2006, 09:54

Is it something easily fixed, or will it just be a replacement box?

SnoopZ · 29-10-2006, 09:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by =GAMMO=

Is it something easily fixed, or will it just be a replacement box?

Probably a replacement box.

=GAMMO= · 29-10-2006, 09:58

thanks for your replies, nice to know its not going to go up in flames on me

ill wait for the engineer to come out and let ya know what happens

SnoopZ · 29-10-2006, 10:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by =GAMMO=

thanks for your replies, nice to know its not going to go up in flames on me

ill wait for the engineer to come out and let ya know what happens

It's been known to go up in flames! but not often.

=GAMMO= · 29-10-2006, 10:10

Tijer · 29-10-2006, 10:45

been having similar issues myself with both my boxes. Both smartcards look little brown... Dowstairs box starts glitching and freezing at the same time every night.... upstairs box still keeps turning its self over... I will call ntl again tomorrow, but they will tell me to do the same checks as they did last time, of which i was told it would stop the problems i was having..... LIES! Was fine for 2 days.... then started again.... Can i ask for 2 new stbs? or will i have to continue calling ntl and doing the same useless checks, and having them send a signal each time?

spiderplant · 29-10-2006, 12:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnoopZ

It's been known to go up in flames! but not often.

I've never known a smartcard actually burn, and I've tried pretty hard!

I have seen two STBs power supplies that have burnt out. In both cases the fire was contained within the case (as it's designed to do).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tijer

been having similar issues myself with both my boxes. Both smartcards look little brown... Dowstairs box starts glitching and freezing at the same time every night.... upstairs box still keeps turning its self over... I will call ntl again tomorrow, but they will tell me to do the same checks as they did last time, of which i was told it would stop the problems i was having..... LIES! Was fine for 2 days.... then started again.... Can i ask for 2 new stbs? or will i have to continue calling ntl and doing the same useless checks, and having them send a signal each time?

The second time you call they should send someone out. You might need a new box, but it's more likely just to need the signal levels adjusting. Slightly brown smartcards are not going to cause any problem.

Oh, and why not call today?

AntiSilence · 29-10-2006, 12:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by =GAMMO=

Been having problems with my tv for a couple of weeks we keep just constant clitches in tv programs, phoned ntl up they ran through the usual checks when they asked me to remove the smartcard from the pace box it looked like it had began to melt!!!

the card has gone a very dark brown all around the chip on it and it looks like the chip itself has gotten very hot, has anyone else experienced this? the box is just over 6 years old btw.

Gammo

Our old STB smartcard looked the same. Seemed to work ok though.

SnoopZ · 29-10-2006, 12:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by AntiSilence

Our old STB smartcard looked the same. Seemed to work ok though.

Mine to, but i did have 2 Pace STB's replaced also.

AntiSilence · 29-10-2006, 14:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnoopZ

Mine to, but i did have 2 Pace STB's replaced also.

When we moved in April, they came out and gave us a new STB. They didn't when we moved the time before that though.

spiderman2 · 29-10-2006, 16:28

the brown colour of the smart card is very normal buddy
its bcoz of the excessive heat produced by the stb
the freezing of pictures generally occurs coz of loose connectiona at the back of ur stb or signals issue
check ur connections at the back of the stb
try restarting it from the mains
if it doesnt work call faults on 151 from ur ntl phone(its the new free no ntl has introduced)