Skybox F3 Freezing

[dangerstevie]

Hey all, i have read through a few posts and not found the answer to my question.
I have a brand new Skybox F3, a friend of mine helped me to set it all up (he has done a couple now without issues and seems like he knows his stuff).
Signal Strength is 90% and quality is 78%
My friend sent me a channel list and also the "Scooby Snax" firmware which i updated the box with.
I have the sea lion setup with the same server as he is using as it has been faultless for him for ~12mths and i must say it was straight forward and has worked very well with a great channel list thats intuitive etc BUT every now and then when exiting from the epg menu the box will freeze until i switch it off and back on at the back of the box. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to when it will do it, its not just on the $ channels either which makes me think it may be firmware related.
Can anyone please provide assistance / guidance to this issue.
Many thanks

[nibblitz]

Try using the latest proper firmware release instead of scoobycrap..

http://skybox.cc/down.asp

And try using AJ's channel list from here...

This combination is known to be good...

[dangerstevie]

Done and dusted. The box immediately seems faster and more responsive to the remote inputs. Lets see if it keeps freezing.
Thanks chaps ;-)

[elrasho]

Im having the same problem can you upgrade the firmware even if you don't have the password?

[nibblitz]

Im having the same problem can you upgrade the firmware even if you don't have the password?

You can, it would need to be flashed via the RS232 port.... But why do you own a box with a password that you dont know?

[elrasho]

bought it off a friend and it came with 12month gift. My friend doesn't know the password and apparently the guy he bought it off doesn't either.

Is there a guide for flashing via RS232 port?

[freestle]

bought it off a friend and it came with 12month gift. My friend doesn't know the password and apparently the guy he bought it off doesn't either.

Is there a guide for flashing via RS232 port?

I know it may sound obvious but have you tried the default 4 zeros?

[elrasho]

yep tried that, tried all sorts like 1234, 4321, 9876 etc...

[freestle]

yep tried that, tried all sorts like 1234, 4321, 9876 etc...

Shame, not sure why anyone would set a password and then sell it without removing it.

[elrasho]

Maybe the seller didn't want anyone to reconfigure it, after the 12 month period I'd have to go to him and pay another amount for another 12 months.

Anyhow where's this guide to update the firmware using RS232 port?

[elrasho]

Both my Skybox F3 and PC have male serial port connectors, so will a cable like this work?

Startech Null Modem Cable - DB9F - DB9F 10FT (3m) | Ebuyer.com

It's Female to Female

EDIT: Also seen this: USB to RS232 Serial Null Modem Cable COM DB 9 Pin Lead | eBay It's USB makes it much more universal

[mylow]

Similar problems here...hopefully fixes it....it maybe be broadband issue as well

[elrasho]

I'm on virgin with 30meg download and 2mb upload. I've got the SkyBox going through a Zyxcel Poweline adapter to my router upstairs, could this be causing the freezing?

[Flaw3dGenius23]

My F3 worked fine for 2 weeks, now im getting constant stuttering on half the channels. Sky Sports 2 is constant stuttering every 4-5seconds and even goes off with the scrambled box coming up then picture comes back...yet Sky Sports 1 is 100% fine.

[mark8393]

Sounds like your gift is shite, get another test line and see if it improves