Tech: DigiTV hard drive fault

Subject: Tech: DigiTV hard drive fault
From: Penny S.
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 05:42 PM

I have a Sharp Freeview decoder with hard drive for recording. It's software is associated with Top UP TV, which I do not use. I have enough problems with watching all the stuff on the normal channels.

It has recently, since a software update, developed a problem, described below, for which Tech support can only prescribe return to factory setting. A temporary fix can be found by rebooting after disconnecting the power, but it recurs.

There are two symptoms. It may totally forget to record, and then show me an apology, wishing that I enjoy the machine's or the company's own choice of programmes. Or a recording may overrun by several hours. If I attempt to stop it during such a recording, it loses it.

Both, I have found, are due to a fault with the time it thinks it is. For example, at the moment, although the info button brings up a display with the correct time, 22.31, on the top, where it should show current programmes below, it is showing Now, 20.30, Panorama, and Next, 21.00 Silent Witness. It is still busy recording a half hour programme which started at 20.00, and has failed to record Horizon at 21.00 - fortunately I caught it and saw most of it off air.

The programme guide shows correct information.

I am busily copying programmes from the hard drive to VHS, and have got to the stage where it's nearly 80% empty - so it isn't that the drive is full or needs defragging - though there is no option for this, anyway.

There is no problem with info on my portable digital TV, using the same aerial.

Any ideas what would be causing this infuriating fault? I've had to buy a small additional decoder to record straight to the VHS while I'm away.

Penny