TV/Cable help, aka IJAG's an idiot

[imjustagirl2]

So last night around 3:30 a.m., my television screen goes to black. I can still watch stuff on my Tivo, and when I change the channel, the new channel's info shows up in the little blue bubble in the upper right hand corner, but no picture.

I don't pay for my cable, my apartment complex does, so I called the office this afternoon when I woke up. They said they hadn't heard any other complaints, and seeing as to how it was 2:30 p.m. they were guessing it wasn't a problem.

Normally, when the cable loses a station or something, the screen goes blue and Tivo says it's lost contact with the cable. None of that here.

So what do I do? Is there anything I can do? Just hope it magically comes back? And I'm looking first and foremost for do-it-yourself type stuff, because I'm sure they won't be able to come out and look at it for a couple days.

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

Maybe the TV itself is gone.
What those of us in Grandpa Simpson's HS class refer to as the tube burning out.

 

[imjustagirl2]

Would I be able to watch my Tivoed shows? See the channel mention up in the corner?

 

[andyouare?]

So last night around 3:30 a.m., my television screen goes to black. I can still watch stuff on my Tivo, and when I change the channel, the new channel's info shows up in the little blue bubble in the upper right hand corner, but no picture.

I don't pay for my cable, my apartment complex does, so I called the office this afternoon when I woke up. They said they hadn't heard any other complaints, and seeing as to how it was 2:30 p.m. they were guessing it wasn't a problem.

Normally, when the cable loses a station or something, the screen goes blue and Tivo says it's lost contact with the cable. None of that here.

So what do I do? Is there anything I can do? Just hope it magically comes back? And I'm looking first and foremost for do-it-yourself type stuff, because I'm sure they won't be able to come out and look at it for a couple days.

Did you try the 'ol "unplug your box and wait 1 minute before plugging it back in" trick. That's what they always tell me when I call.

Also, make sure you're looking at the TV, not the microwave. Happens to me all the time.

 

[imjustagirl2]

I don't have a "box." I guess I just unscrew the cable cord and then screw it back onto the little nugget thing sticking out of the wall.

 

[Ace]

Don't leave the popcorn in too long or your TV will smell awful.

 

[andyouare?]

I don't have a "box."

No comment.

 

[wickedwritah]

Try undoing the cable wire then putting it back in. Try unplugging everything, too, maybe it's a power cycle issue (though doubtful).

 

[Buck]

So last night around 3:30 a.m., my television screen goes to black. I can still watch stuff on my Tivo, and when I change the channel, the new channel's info shows up in the little blue bubble in the upper right hand corner, but no picture.

I don't pay for my cable, my apartment complex does, so I called the office this afternoon when I woke up. They said they hadn't heard any other complaints, and seeing as to how it was 2:30 p.m. they were guessing it wasn't a problem.

Normally, when the cable loses a station or something, the screen goes blue and Tivo says it's lost contact with the cable. None of that here.

So what do I do? Is there anything I can do? Just hope it magically comes back? And I'm looking first and foremost for do-it-yourself type stuff, because I'm sure they won't be able to come out and look at it for a couple days.

Did you try the 'ol "unplug your box and wait 1 minute before plugging it back in" trick.

Do you work for our IT Dept.?

 

[imjustagirl2]

Try undoing the cable wire then putting it back in. Try unplugging everything, too, maybe it's a power cycle issue (though doubtful).

Neither of those things worked.

How screwed am I? It's obvious (to me) that it's got to be a wiring problem inside the wall if the outside unplugging didn't change anything.

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

I am biting through the base of my thumb rather than comment on the phrase "outside unplugging."
Ow.

 

[imjustagirl2]

THAT'S the one you latch on to? Not the fact that I inexplicably said "I don't have a box" earlier?

 

[Ace]

So are the shows you TIVOed all from earlier than 3:30 a.m.? Could be that it is a cable problem and nothing is getting through since then.

I would check back with the apartment guy. Just because no one reported anything doesn't mean everything is good.

 

[imjustagirl2]

Yeah, it apparently tried to Tivo something at noon, so I went to go watch it and as soon as I hit play, it said "delete now' or 'do nothing' or whatever, so it recorded nothing.

I'll try again when I get home from work. I'll unplug everything and leave it there.

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

THAT'S the one you latch on to? Not the fact that I inexplicably said "I don't have a box" earlier?

Why go for the layup when you can, you know, score from deep?

 

[shockey]

sorry. i'm among the immature idiots who can't get past, "i don't have a box." ;D ;D

 

[Pastor]

Yeah, it apparently tried to Tivo something at noon, so I went to go watch it and as soon as I hit play, it said "delete now' or 'do nothing' or whatever, so it recorded nothing.

I'll try again when I get home from work. I'll unplug everything and leave it there.

This seems like the proper play. The only other thing I can think of would be the channel that the television is set to. Could that have changed? (I'm not referring to the TIVO box, the actual TV)


Also, I believe IJAG's box is just fine.

 

[imjustagirl2]

FWIW, I bought a magnet last year at a small quirky shop here in town. This is it:

 

[imjustagirl2]

Yeah, it apparently tried to Tivo something at noon, so I went to go watch it and as soon as I hit play, it said "delete now' or 'do nothing' or whatever, so it recorded nothing.

I'll try again when I get home from work. I'll unplug everything and leave it there.

This seems like the proper play. The only other thing I can think of would be the channel that the television is set to. Could that have changed? (I'm not referring to the TIVO box, the actual TV)


Also, I believe IJAG's box is just fine.

Um, thanks for your vote of confidence?

And no, the channel didn't change. I had the TV on in the background last night while surfing SportsJournalists.com and waiting for the rain to let up so I could go to sleep. It just suddenly went black.

 

[shockey]

FWIW, I bought a magnet last year at a small quirky shop here in town. This is it:

excellent! i knew there was a reason i heart you.