TIVO stopped working

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Bebimax

11 posts

Geek

#224010 28-Oct-2017 13:18

Hi TIVO discussers,

I turned on my TV/TIVO yesterday and it was blocked at the 'Almost There' screen.

I waited of course but nothing moved. I turned the power off to hopefully reboot but no success.

I decided to change the antennae to my TV so that I could at least watch tv last night. Haha but then I couldn't change channels etc because the TIVO remote doesn't work anymore and I can't remember where the original is. Oh dear.

I then attached the antenna back to the TIVO and it wouldn't work anymore either saying there was no internet connection.

Hands in hair now.

Q1. Does anyone know what is happening. Why did my TIVO suddenly stop working. I had expected to watch till 31 October and now I read maybe 2 weeks longer.

On the replacement TIVO discussion:

I have been following the replacement of the TIVO and am I correct that there is some change that can be made internally to the mechanism that will allow us to use the TIVO via another 'provider'.

It was a lot to try and understand and I am not in a position to open up the machine to do any soldering etc.

I live in Hastings and hope there is someone or a business I can bring my TIVO to to make this change. That would be fantastic - it such a shame to have to disgard it and buy something new.

So: Q2. Is there anyone in my area that can help me with the change and revive my TIVO back to health.

Thank you in advance.

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1081 posts

Uber Geek

#1891857 28-Oct-2017 13:49

It is most likely a coincidence, but an underlying problem may have come to light due to the recent software upgrade. Usually that fault (stuck at the "almost there" screen) is due to hard-drive failure. However I have a couple of TiVos here that have the same problem, and putting the motherboards with a good HDD and good power supply does not solve the problem.

So, you can the the PROM chip replaced, and a software modification done to use the community 'mothership' server instead, to continue using your TiVo for years to come.

Please read through the other thread, as I think there are people in North Island who are willing to do the hardware modification. Otherwise you can post to me in Christchurch with a new HDD if none else is willing.

If your HDD is faulty, then you can kill two birds with one stone, upgrade to 1TB and get the mods done (however you'll lose all your recordings unfortunately).

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=114&topicid=222696

rphenix

985 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1891880 28-Oct-2017 15:22

So did you get it booted in the end minus internet connection? If that is the only remaining issue try reseating all the connectors including the usb wireless dongle if thats what your using - if it still doesn't work try switching to wired connection if possible rather than wireless - also worth restarting your internet router.

Hopefully someone local can help you - whatever you do don't throw your Tivo out its still fine even if the hard drive is dead its fairly easy for someone experienced to replace/upgrade.

Bebimax

11 posts

Geek

#1891888 28-Oct-2017 16:42

Skolink: thank you for replying. I have been ringing around Hastings to find a technician that can do the job. I am thinking maybe over time too much dust has accumulated in the TIVO. I have read a lot of the thread about Replacing the TIVO and am so grateful to those involved in getting this 'community' mothership server available for us to use. I am still not completely sure what it all entails but understand that we will be able to use our TIVOs for the foreseeable future.

Just for my information how much does it cost to make these modifications to the TIVO? Just so I can budget for it.

And thank you for your offer to install this for me - hopefully it won't come to that.

rphenix: thank you for responding. I have not managed to get the internet connected again to the TIVO. My laptop and mobile phone are working fine so I can't see how it is the wireless broadband that I have. The TIVO was working 'fine' before this incident...

You know I believe things happen for a reason. So because I also have not found the original remote for my Sony TV - it might be the universe saying read a book instead and go to sleep on time. lol.

I can watch tv on another set in the dining room and have my laptop to watch TV on Demand if necessary.

Hopeful next week I find a technician that knows what to do and I can have my TIVO 'rewired' so to speak and up and running again.

The gentleman on the other discussion forum that posted the photos of him changing his TIVO - he showed everything that had to be done eh. So that I know what to talk to the technician about. Or I could even show him the photos etc.

Okay very appreciative of both your help. go well and have a lovely weekend.

Starscream122

568 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#1891890 28-Oct-2017 16:44

I think you should open it up take it outside and spray compressed air inside to blow all the dust out.

Bebimax

11 posts

Geek

#1891892 28-Oct-2017 16:51

Ai that might be the answer but I don't know how to open it and don't have any compressed air. but thank you for the idea.

3puttssuck

744 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1891920 28-Oct-2017 17:22

My Tivo won't fire up either. I have a Green flashing light on the far left of the LCD panel. No matter what I try, it won't power up. Any ideas anybody?

Spong

1005 posts

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Trusted

#1891924 28-Oct-2017 17:40

3puttssuck:

My Tivo won't fire up either. I have a Green flashing light on the far left of the LCD panel. No matter what I try, it won't power up. Any ideas anybody?

This generally suggests a general motherboard fault. Often it's one of the RAM chips that's failed, and heat can temporarily bring it back to life, but replacing one or more of the RAM chips requires specialist desoldering gear and skills. It's probably not worth it.

Tivo upgrades to operate with the new OzTivo EPG, support and service. Over 400 performed here so far. See: www.hillcrest.net.nz

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3puttssuck

744 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1891925 28-Oct-2017 17:44

Spong:

3puttssuck:

My Tivo won't fire up either. I have a Green flashing light on the far left of the LCD panel. No matter what I try, it won't power up. Any ideas anybody?

This generally suggests a general motherboard fault. Often it's one of the RAM chips that's failed, and heat can temporarily bring it back to life, but replacing one or more of the RAM chips requires specialist desoldering gear and skills. It's probably not worth it.

Thanks Spong. I have another one sitting idle, I will try that. If it fires up, I may get someone to do the mod for me.

Stu

Hammered
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#1892001 28-Oct-2017 21:51

One of our units has done the same thing today and it's "almost there", it seems. Have just cycled power to see if it comes right.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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No matter where you go, there you are.

Stu

Hammered
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#1892031 28-Oct-2017 22:26

No good on the power cycle. Failed firmware update perhaps? Will check the other three units tomorrow to see if they've had the update yet.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

Referral Links: Sharesies - Backblaze -

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? If so, please consider supporting us by subscribing.

No matter where you go, there you are.

mattwnz

20147 posts

Uber Geek

#1892033 28-Oct-2017 22:49

This is a concern if it is affecting multiple People. I will have to test rebooting mine when I get home as I turned mine off yesterday when I was cleaning and haven't switched it back on yet

The TiVo is supposed to continue working after 1 October. And should still be able to be used for manual recordings

Spong

1005 posts

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#1892037 28-Oct-2017 23:46

Stu: No good on the power cycle. Failed firmware update perhaps? Will check the other three units tomorrow to see if they've had the update yet.

The update that's happening around now is not a firmware update. The changes are happening on your hard disk only, and it's just possible that a few 8 year hard disks are showing the affects of a few bad sectors, possibly when this update is applied. It's safe to say that your machine won't be bricked forever. Once the PROM is replaced, a new standard Tivo image can be installed onto a new hard disk, the new patch installed (when ready) and a guided setup can be carried out connected to the new OzTivo mothership. If you don't want to go that way, you'll only have 3x days to do a guided setup using an unmodified Tivo with a new drive and clean image.

Tivo upgrades to operate with the new OzTivo EPG, support and service. Over 400 performed here so far. See: www.hillcrest.net.nz

Bebimax

11 posts

Geek

#1892042 29-Oct-2017 00:29

Hi Spong - I just need to check you talk about an 'OzTivo mothership'.... is this different to our Tivo provider/mothership.

I thought Tivo was also stopping for the Australian market!

I thought I had understood that when the changes are made to the Tivo - prom and mods etc - that it could connect to NZ TV EPG mothership.

I hope someone in the 'know' will soon write a piece about what we all need to do to have our Tivo's changed, what it involves, who can do it, where can parts be obtained. Who the new provider/mothership is and what can we expect from them etc.

Maybe I am asking to much too soon - if so please let me know so that I don't pee people off here. okay.

thanks again - I'm sorry to read that more people are experiencing what I have had - it sucks when things happen unexpectedly when you think you still have a few days and from what I have read even till 14 November to use our present Tivo's.

Off to bed now - lovely weekend everyone.

Spong

1005 posts

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#1892043 29-Oct-2017 01:23

Bebimax:

Hi Spong - I just need to check you talk about an 'OzTivo mothership'.... is this different to our Tivo provider/mothership.

I thought Tivo was also stopping for the Australian market!

I thought I had understood that when the changes are made to the Tivo - prom and mods etc - that it could connect to NZ TV EPG mothership.

I hope someone in the 'know' will soon write a piece about what we all need to do to have our Tivo's changed, what it involves, who can do it, where can parts be obtained. Who the new provider/mothership is and what can we expect from them etc.

Maybe I am asking to much too soon - if so please let me know so that I don't pee people off here. okay.

thanks again - I'm sorry to read that more people are experiencing what I have had - it sucks when things happen unexpectedly when you think you still have a few days and from what I have read even till 14 November to use our present Tivo's.

Off to bed now - lovely weekend everyone.

At the moment (up until 31st October) Tivos in NZ and Aussie connect to what we call "The Official Tivo Mothership" operated by Hybrid in Aussie. This as you know, closes down after 31st Oct. You'll then have up 2x weeks of EPG left from that final connection. A community of Tivo enthusiasts have developed an alternative mothership that will be able to take over. This is an extension of the community who have been doing this for the old model Tivos going back to 2002. This community called themselves "OzTivo", although it consists of members in NZ and Aussie, and still does.

The new EPG you'll be able to receive (assuming your Tivo has had it's PROM chip replaced, and the new software patch installed) will be a proper NZ EPG, but the server it comes from, could quite likely be located in Australia. I'm not certain about that. You will be able to do a guided setup should a machine ever need to, and there will possibly be additional features added as time goes on. New software updates will be pushed down from this new community mothership. One new feature at launch will be the 30 second forward skip button, that has always been disabled for the NZ/Aust market to keep the advertisers happy. There are other features that maybe enabled in future such as an extended recording buffer, and some that can't be discussed at this stage.

I hope this Beginners Guide helps. Please check out Dr Tivo's site for more info: http://kingey1971.wixsite.com/tivorepairs/buying-a-tivo

Tivo upgrades to operate with the new OzTivo EPG, support and service. Over 400 performed here so far. See: www.hillcrest.net.nz

Spong

1005 posts

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#1892044 29-Oct-2017 01:25

An update on PROM chips and the Software Update process to come.

I received a shipment of 58x pre-programmed PROM chips from Darren today, and more sockets arrived on Friday, both sooner than expected, so anyone whos been waiting for them, should have them soon. If anyone would like PROMS and sockets, or would like them replaced in your Tivo here in Auckland, please PM me. I'm prepared to do small quantities for now, and the software update when it is ready for release.

As mentioned previously, the software is not quite ready yet. Installation of the software update will be fairly simple. You'll need a USB memory stick (4GB or up should be fine) and a PC with a spare SATA connector or a USB to SATA adapter. The document will be easy for most Geeks to follow. Basically you'll download a Puppy Linux ISO and create a bootable USB stick using a small Windows app. You'll then extract the contents of a zip file (containing the patch and utils) into the root of the USB stick. You'll then connect your Tivo hard disk to either of the SATA connections above, and set your PC to boot from your newly created USB stick (This can be a challenge for some modern Win8/10 PCs with secure boot). From there, the process is simple and menu driven. You'll choose your Tivo drive from the list of drives it finds, and great care has been taken to ensure it only patches Tivo drives. The final installer will likely have a few new features that I haven't seen yet in the test versions. Once complete, you reattach your Tivo drive. This process should allow you to keep all of your recordings intact. I think it's likely you'll need to recreate your Season Passes etc, and it maybe necessary to "Clear program information and ToDo List" from the "Restart or Reset" Menu, before doing a forced Network connection to the new OzTivo Mothership to get the new EPG data, but that step hasn't been confirmed yet.

Tivo upgrades to operate with the new OzTivo EPG, support and service. Over 400 performed here so far. See: www.hillcrest.net.nz

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