Brilliant - thanks! (Haven't actually plugged it back into TV yet, but the fact that it appears to be back to normal is a start!) You'd think Comet - from whom I bought the device and to whom I tried to return it the other day - would keep themselves abreats of such discussion. FYI, this is third time I've had a FreeView box go wrong just weeks outside of Warranty - but if this fix works then I suppose I can't complain too much. Thanks again world.
Marty M, May 2009
This fault is due to a broadcast issue which has led to a corrupt file being loaded onto the hard disk. For a solution paste the following address into your browser. Unfortunately you will lose all your recorded (library) files and will have to reprogram all your channel info etc.
Just got my box to turn back on using the unplug the power cable leave 20 seconds Plug in holding the standby button when red light flashes let button go and press menu /ok repeatedly and fast. leave it to sequence and it turned on. That was after several ties over 24 hours Thompsons are sh*t and no help. The help line is impossible to access, 05/05/09 7.50pm
Taddy, May 2009
Go to Top Up TV website, under "Help" there is a fix for it. Apparently it was caused by a corrupted signal the other night.