Don't want to replace my beloved Tivo. She is dead. Options please

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DizzyD

523 posts

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#175128 18-Jun-2015 12:22

Hello Guys. It looks like my Tivo has finally kicked the bucket. Anyway I am not quiet ready to let her go! They say there are plenty of fish in the sea but unfortunately there is just nothing else quiet like her.

I have looked at the Pana’s/Dish TV’s, but they do not impress (Not my type). I have a soft spot for intelligent brunettes! I got her for free on an old Telecom contract about 4 years ago. She is way over warrantee. It sounds like it’s the disk drive as I can hear a clicking noise when turning her on (She just does not respond like she use to). Nothing happens, she does not even boot up!

I could probably change the disk myself but I have no idea on how to load the firmware/software. So where to from here? I’m not interested in something else. I would love to get my Tivo fixed. Can anybody recommend someone in NZ who specializes in Tivo repairs or replacements? Ideally it will probably be good to just have a new hard drive delivered which contains the required software. Cheers

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3885 posts

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#1327229 18-Jun-2015 12:34

Try ringing the 0800 number. I have had mine replaced twice recently, well out of warranty, no questions asked. They just send out a refurbished one and you courier yours back.

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gregmcc

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#1327235 18-Jun-2015 12:41

there are how to guide floating around on setting up and installing a new HDD, and there is a place in Australia that does do repairs as well

BigPipeNZ

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BigPipe

#1327244 18-Jun-2015 12:59

If you don't have any luck getting it repaired, I might be able to be persuaded to sell you mine in the next couple of weeks. It's all in good working order.

with freeview+ coming very soon, I've been working on persuading my wife to let me buy a new TV, so if that happens the TiVo will probably become surplus to requirements. (we don't really use it that much anyway, mostly watching Lightbox and Netflix)

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josephhinvest

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#1327248 18-Jun-2015 13:02

I have one to sell too, good working order (tested in January). Additional remote too (Glo Premium remote) (Auckland).

Cheers,
Joseph

DizzyD

523 posts

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#1327253 18-Jun-2015 13:06

Thanks for all the tips and replies. I will get hold of Tivo support first and see what they say.
It would be nice though to replace the hard drive because then I can upgrade it to a 1TB. I think its currently a 320GB or something.

Also good point on freeview+. I did not even think about that. Depending on how good the new freeview+ service is it may make my Tivo obsolete anyway.

graemeh

2078 posts

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#1327265 18-Jun-2015 13:23

DizzyD: It would be nice though to replace the hard drive because then I can upgrade it to a 1TB. I think its currently a 320GB or something.

2TB is also an option and not much more money than 1TB.

Skolink

1081 posts

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#1327527 18-Jun-2015 20:33

If you are in Chch I can help you flash a new HDD. It's really easy.
When you say it doesn't boot at all, do you at least get the initial 'sunrise' screen? That is loaded from the PROM.

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demdix

13 posts

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#1327659 19-Jun-2015 09:41

If you are in Wellington I can help you out with a flashed hard-drive. I also have the original Tivo hard-drive that has never been used ( I replaced it with a 2TB as soon as I got the unit)

old3eyes

9119 posts

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#1327675 19-Jun-2015 09:59

It's a pity the TiVo when they designed these didn't put the OS on a flash drive and left the Hard disk (the weakest part) as end user replaceable. Pity they TiVo haven't seen fit to release new ones down this part of the world or license their software for OEMs.

Regards,

Old3eyes

DizzyD

523 posts

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Inactive user

#1329118 22-Jun-2015 11:31

WOW so Tivo/Spark are replacing my unit. Really impressed. Thanks for the heads up guys.

So it looks like I may just be keeping my beautiful Tivo for the next few years then. I may upgrade to 2TB but I suppose that will void the existing warranty. If the upgraded one fails I may then not be able to get a free replacement from Spark?

With regards to Freeview+, I don't think its ever going to be a good enough replacement for my Tivo. I imagine that freeview+ service is going to be pretty similar to Hulu in the States (Full of adds, which are impossible to skip through!). Could be wrong, does anybody know?

Yabanize

2350 posts

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#1329122 22-Jun-2015 11:36

We've always had troubles with our Tivo remote, ever since the first week or so. Should've really claimed it under warranty but never got around to it.

The Tivo and TV doesn't usually respond to it, Sometimes when you put new batteries in it works for a little bit then stops.

Perhaps I should try that 0800 Number

graemeh

2078 posts

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#1329124 22-Jun-2015 11:38

DizzyD: So it looks like I may just be keeping my beautiful Tivo for the next few years then. I may upgrade to 2TB but I suppose that will void the existing warranty. If the upgraded one fails I may then not be able to get a free replacement from Spark?

Great service from Tivo/Spark.

I can't see how an upgrade would void the warranty. If the 2TB drive fails then you replace it, if something else has failed you put the 320GB drive back in and call Spark.

I don't recall breaking any seals on the case when I did my drive upgrades.

BronxNZ

23 posts

Geek

#1330788 24-Jun-2015 15:58

Yabanize: We've always had troubles with our Tivo remote, ever since the first week or so. Should've really claimed it under warranty but never got around to it.

The Tivo and TV doesn't usually respond to it, Sometimes when you put new batteries in it works for a little bit then stops.

Perhaps I should try that 0800 Number

Sounds like a similar problem we had. Got a free remote sent through by Tivo at the time but it turns out the remote was working fine. The TV's power saving function was causing interference with the signal being sent from the Remote to the Tivo unit. As soon as we turned this off on the TV the remote worked fine and has ever since. May be a similar issue?

marlinz

441 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1331982 26-Jun-2015 11:31

I just pulled our Tivo out of storage and had a problem with it starting up , just spent 30 plus minutes on hold with Saprk .

But Spark are sending me a replacement refurbished one also

Very good customer service Spark A +

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Jaxson

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#1345804 16-Jul-2015 21:28

scuwp: Try ringing the 0800 number. I have had mine replaced twice recently, well out of warranty, no questions asked. They just send out a refurbished one and you courier yours back.

Mines just this last month started doing a video drop out thing. I'd guess it's capacitor related, as it matches every other product that's failed in that way over time with the handshake issue.

Assume the number you called is :

0800 My TiVo(0800 69 8486)

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