reconditioned panasonic digi box stuck on standby?

mother in law been in hospital for 6 weeks, sky working 100% before, had panasonic reconditioned box for 3 years. She rang me up to say that when she switches on sky unable to get it off standby i.e. change from red to green, (unable to do this on sky remote or on box itself)
I have done all the usual stuff like un plugging and leaving for 10 minutes with no joy.
Anybody any ideas to help an 85 oap?
ps i dont have sky myself