FAQ: Swapping your Smart Card

H

Hugh

New member
I have been getting a lot of emails from people about the SmartCard swap so I have created a number of threads.

These threads are really just information from the Bell site but I feel they are necessary since I can't take any more emails from people!


Yikes!

If you'd like to discuss the Card Swap in general and your experiences, please see this thread and leave this thread for genuine questions from newcomers who are unsure about the way to swap their card
 
Hi. About point 8.

''8.What do I do with the old cards?

Once you activate your new SmartCard(s), your old card(s) will expire and no longer work. You should destroy any old cards after you can view your programming with your new cards.

It should be noted that you should keep your old card at least a few weeks after the swap. sometimes the new card go bad, for any reason, and a new card have to be send, in this case the agent is able to reactivate your old card just for the time your new card arrives.
 
1.Why do I need to replace my SmartCards?

To continue accessing your programming and prepare your receiver for future enhancements, you must replace and activate your new SmartCard(s). If you don't replace your card(s), your receiver will no longer be able to receive the satellite signal.

2.What's the purpose of this card?

All Bell ExpressVu, satellite receivers use SmartCards to help decode the programming information from our satellites.

3.Where is the SmartCard located?

On most receivers, the SmartCard is located at the front, on the left. The card fits into a small slot and, depending on your model, is either exposed or behind a protective panel. Some receiver models don't currently have a SmartCard in the slot. If this case applies to you, you just have to insert the new card in the slot.

4.What happens if I don't replace the card?

It's important to replace and activate the SmartCard in your receiver as soon as possible. Otherwise, your programming will eventually be discontinued and you'll be required to return any unused new SmartCard. Failure to do so will result in a $100 SmartCard charge being applied to your account.

5.How do I perform the SmartCard replacement and activation?

A package containing your new SmartCard(s) and detailed instructions on how to replace and activate them was sent to your billing address. If you need further assistance, please call 1 866 395-9995 to speak to a representative.

6.I misplaced the new card(s) you sent. What should I do now?

Please call 1 866 395-9995 to speak to a representative.

7.How long will it take to replace and activate my new SmartCard(s)? When's the best time to perform the swap to ensure I don't miss my favourite programming?

It will take approximately 15-30 minutes for you to replace your new SmartCard, and then from 15 minutes to 2 hours for your programming to return to normal following reactivation. For more details on activating your new SmartCard, see question #14. Therefore, we recommend that you replace and activate the card at least 3 hours before your favourite show hits the airwaves.

8.What do I do with the old cards?

Once you activate your new SmartCard(s), your old card(s) will expire and no longer work. You should destroy any old cards after you can view your programming with your new cards.

9.Why should I want to replace the cards? How does it benefit me?

This replacement will prepare your receiver for the technological enhancements we're planning in the future. As such, you must replace and activate your new SmartCard(s). This is a necessary step we must take in order for you to continue receiving the same level of quality programming that you have enjoyed with Bell ExpressVu.

10.I replaced and activated my new SmartCard(s), but I can't seem to access my programming. What should I do?

Keep in mind that it will take between 15 minutes and 2 hours for your programming to return to normal after you've activated your new SmartCard(s). If you're experiencing a delay of greater than 2 hours, please go to the activation site, select the receiver with which you're having problems and follow the troubleshooting steps. If you still have issues after completing those steps, call 1 866 395-9995.

11.I have a receiver at my summer cottage and will not be able to replace my SmartCard until next summer. What should I do?

If the receiver at your summer cottage is currently on Temporary Programming Suspension (TPS), you will not receive your new SmartCard(s) in the mail until you reinitiate your service. You'll then be expected to replace your SmartCard(s) as soon as possible.

If your summer cottage account is not on TPS, you'll receive your new SmartCard with no delays. You're expected to replace and activate the SmartCard as soon as you're able to do so.

12.I have a receiver in my basement that I don't use and that isn't on my account. Will I have to replace its SmartCard?

No. Only receivers that are on your account and that are active are subject to the card replacement. However, if you plan on using this receiver in the future, you'll then need to get a new SmartCard.

13.I have a receiver in my garage that is active on my account but that I'm not currently using. Will I need to replace the SmartCard on this receiver?

Yes. All active receivers, whether rented or owned, will be part of the new SmartCard replacement. You'll be sent a new SmartCard for every receiver on your account, whether in use or not, and you'll be required to activate new SmartCards on all receivers.

14.I have installed my new SmartCard. How do I activate it?

Activate it using our online tool.

15.I have heard about the new SmartCard activation, and my friend has received his new SmartCards, but I haven't received mine. Will everyone be a part of this initiative?

Whether you've opted to rent or purchase your receiver, you'll eventually need to replace your SmartCard. In fact, all our customers will be expected to do so and to activate all their new SmartCards. The exceptions are the new 9242 HD PVR Plus receivers and 6141 HD receivers, which will not require a card replacement. The distribution of new cards is now in progress. Since this process will take several months, it's possible that you may not have received your replacement yet. You don't need to contact our customer service department nor to visit a Bell store. Your new SmartCard and all related information will be mailed to you at the address provided for your account.
 
is there any deadline for doing the swap? is there a date they have set to cut off service to receivers using older cards?
 
I could not agree more with Lohengrin25, keep the old Cards for at least a month after the swap.

If you suddenly see the "Smart Card is not Valid for this receiver" error message, you can be almost certain the new Card has failed.

Bell will ship you a new Card, it should still be possible to have your TV service restored with the old Card until the second new one arrives.

Failures are running at a low level but they do occur, less than 0.25% from my observations.

Please also try to ensure that Defective Cards are shipped back to Bell as otherwise they may try to charge you for them.....
 
I Agree...
its quite true new cards somtimes just goes faulty witout any reason...suprisingly it somtimes gives Error 019 "S/c not inserted correctly" or Error 021"Please insert smart card"....even wen the card is in properly...if u r lucky unplug the receiver from wall for 20-30secs and replug it and then take out the card put it back again ... it should read the card..otherwise u gotta get a new 1..

*1.the software version sud strt wid E6/V2 ..otherwise the new card is not read by many receivers...
2.sometimes the receivers card reader gets faulty to determine that TRY ANY OTHER CARD AND IF IT GIVES THE SAME ERRORS THEN ITS UR RECEIVER OR IF IT GIVES ERROR 020"S/C NOT VALID FOR THE RECIEVER "..then u know that receiver's reader is good so u r sure that the card is faulty.
 
Hmm...

My dad has a 3500 and a 4100.

After changing cards, the 3500 is having picture dropouts. The picture drops out for a second or two every couple minutes. He mainly watches CNN and Fairchild TV. The problem only happens on CNN, not Fairchild. It could be happening on other channels too, but he rarely watches them. Has anyone else seen this problem? The software is version E611. It this the latest version?

The 4100 seems to be completely unaffected.
 
Make a call to Bell, explain that the 4500 worked flawlessly for many years with the old cards but now it is acting strange. At the very least they wil replace the card, best case they will exchange the receiver.
 
Regarding question #12 in the FAQ Listing, I have an inactive receiver that is not on the account and want to use it soon. The answer states that a new card will be needed but doesn't state how to obtain a new card in this case. I'm assuming the answer is the same as question #6, to just call Bell and get the receiver on the account and ask for a new card?

It makes sense, but I'm just wondering if there's more to it or alternatives...
 
I had this issue before the new cards and it remains after having swapped out. For me, it's intermittent, but usually occurs once over a two to three hour session of watching. If I just leave it long enough, or just change channels, picture and sound comes back. However, I'd have trouble buying that it indicates a failing receiver. Mine's been doing this at least since the last card swap.

Like us humans, all electronics eventually fail, usually for some physical reason. So, in a way, you could say that all receivers are "failing". :)
 
Thank you. I missed that info. So it is expected the that card swap will be completed on the 15th? Or rather the swap is complete and Nagravision 2 will be pulled from the stream on that date?
 
I started to renovate my family room into a home theatre. It's a slower process than I had first thought so I decided to put my programming on suspension for two months whilst I ripped out a fireplace, redid a wall, installed wiring and put down new hardwood.

A day or two after suspending the service the smart card arrived. My TV system is in pieces and there is no way to hook up the receiver, and even if I did it's suspended- so probably wouldn't work.

After reading the sticky it says if you suspend your service you will receive a new smart card soon after you reactivate-then install asap. Also that if you receive a smart card and don't activate it you will get all sorts of problems.

I seem to be caught in the middle. The automated phone reminders have stopped. Will this be a problem when I reactivate the programming? What should I do?
 
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