I think one of my boxes has gone bad?

[Jasonbp]

My Directv box in my bedroom is all messed up. I can't get an channel to come on. It just has one of those messages at the bottom of the screen "call ext. *** (forgot the number)". I checked the signal, coming in good. Checked the card it's in the box. I then checked my living room box. It's working fine.

I called directv and after being on hold for 12 minutes I gave up being so late at night. I bought an extra warranty at Best Buy last year when I got the box, so if somethings wrong with the box itself I can get a new one.


Does anyone have any idea's on what it might be wrong?

[MarkA]

It might be the card. It's their property, they own it, but if they're like DISH they'll charge you to replace it anyways.

[Karl Foster]

What type of receiver do you have? Have you tried unplugging it for a few minutes and plugging it back in? That seems to clear up many of these kind of problems.

[HarryD]

I would agree with Mark. It sounds like you card got zapped.. it happens

[MarkA]

The sad thing is - it's THEIR card legally, THEY zap it with an ECM that's misfired, and THEY CHARGE YOU TO REPLACE IT!

[Jasonbp]

Yep, talked with directv and it's the card. I'll have to buy a new one too. Don't wanna walk back upstairs to get the price, maybe I'll just buy a new box and the good box in my bedroom.

[MarkA]

Threaten to cancel, you'll get to seak with somebody in customer retention. They may give you a new card. Sure, some people think this is wrong. But it isn't. What's wrong is charging you for a card they destroyed. I know dish charges about $15 "shipping" on a "free replacement"

[Steve Mehs]

I agree with Mark, call D* up and threaten to go to E* or cable. They zapped it, you didnt.

[MarkA]

In fact. I'd take it one step further - ask for a discount off the additional receiver fee for the time your receiver is offline.

[Jasonbp]

Those were all really good idea's guys, thanks.

I didn't do that though, I just took the box back into Best Buy, and said "This piece of junk doesn't work anymore." Well, long story short, I walked out with a new box and a new warranty. Now that isn't wrong. Is it?

[Steve Mehs]

Not at all :) Thats great! Did they replace it with the same model or a better one?

[MarkA]

Great! That's the best situation!

[Jasonbp]

Better one. Smaller size (I had an older bigger model), different style remote. "Plus" reciver, which my old one wasn't. Now, I only have to replace my living room reciver to get the locals when they start up here.