I used a different model to aim the satellite for my installation - it was an old junker w/o card that had been discarded - perfect for taking out in the yard with a small tv. I was able to hit the menu button on the remote several times when the receiver was first powering on and get the menu to come on before the "please insert your smart card" popped up.
Yeah, it would have been easier to buy a sat signal meter, but free is free...