New Life for Tivo S3

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1081 posts

Uber Geek
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#1894362 2-Nov-2017 18:35

Spong:

Batman:

ON what page does one find out how much this special chip is and how to install it?

You can find out how to install it here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5lxlJLWDNmWWVFmbzhoYTItYk0

It's not an easy job, so unless you're competent with surface mount devices, best to get someone else to do it. The demand has been huge and still is. The only chips I can supply for a few weeks, will be ones I install here. John down in Christchurch (Try reading this thread) maybe able to help with PROMS also, but I think he was low also.

Yeah I got none. Very frustrating as I have a pile of TiVos here with sockets fitted, just waiting for the chips. If they aren't here by Monday I'm going to assume they went missing and get some sent via tracked post.

sonyxperiageek

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#1894363 2-Nov-2017 18:38

So one of the TiVos here has a MAK. Do I only need one MAK in order to be able to see both TiVos in the house? Can I download the TiVo Desktop software now and input the TiVo with the MAK and it should work? It's been a while since I had a read of the HNP.

Sony

Spong

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#1894427 2-Nov-2017 20:13

gregmcc:

Maxcat:

I just tried my TIVO desktop app that was part of the HNP.

It too is working. I am transferring 800 Words recorded last night onto my desktop.

Not only does transferring programmes between Tivos work still, but so does the HNP for transferring onto PC.

It seems these functions are tied solely to the LAN - not anything outside the network.

I've just completed the 1st of 3, wife is test driving the functions, it can see the other tivo's and PC ok so it's a good bet the home networking is still functional

The latest official software update that was pushed over the last week apparently should keep the HNP working for at least a year, maybe longer. What happens after that is unknown at this stage, but it does give the community developers quite a while to figure this out if necessary :-)

PROM chips are back in short supply. This has been far more successful than many of us expected. I'm afraid I cannot supply any more PROMS until Darren can get more over to me. I'm keeping the stock I have, for replacements I'm doing here.

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

Jaxson

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#1894431 2-Nov-2017 20:18

FYI but I just reconnected my TiVo and it’s loaded an update to be applied at 2am this morning.

So those who have not yet applied the final TiVo update, you still appear to have time to get it, before undertaking the manual drive patch.

Spong

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#1894435 2-Nov-2017 20:31

sonyxperiageek:

So one of the TiVos here has a MAK. Do I only need one MAK in order to be able to see both TiVos in the house? Can I download the TiVo Desktop software now and input the TiVo with the MAK and it should work? It's been a while since I had a read of the HNP.

All Tivos on your network must have the same MAK to be able to send data to each other, and it's too late now to add others to your account officially. An email sent to Hybrid with the TSN of stray machines you've bought (assuming you haven't been able to get them deactivated) and a request to add them to your current HNP has worked recently in the past, but not sure if they would do that now. Probably not, but maybe worth a try if anyone's there answering email. Keys have to be downloaded to the machine you add to your HNP account from the official mothership and each machine knows about the others in your account.

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

FlanManNZ

38 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#1894471 2-Nov-2017 23:07

Successfully completed the prom mod on my test unit tonight, over the course of 5 days.

So for those contemplating the process themselves.........

In the end found the following process worked for in preparation for when I do my main unit.

Do the steps with plenty of rest in between, ie don't rush, take your time.

I used a magnifying headset to see everything in bigger detail as was all too small otherwise, and no point causing eye strain. An alternative option would be to use your smartphone camera rigged up to a metal coat hanger that you could shape into a stand for hands free positioning.

1 - Prepare the socket first, by slowly scoring out the inner piece. Use a hobby craft knife for this and take the time on each corner, do not use force, just slow and steady scoring strokes. Otherwise you run the risk of knocking the edge off a pin as in the case what happened to me on my first socket. Luckily, you can recover the damage if you can still grab the pin end and slowly pull it down a fraction. This can be helped by heating the pin with a soldering iron.

Otherwise, get a new socket and start over.

2 - Once you have the socket prepped, then move onto the current chip extraction. Don't bother trying to desolder it off, its throwaway anyway especially if you can't get it re-programmed, and the less time using a soldering iron on the unit is better.

Remove the hard drive off first.

To remove, use a stanly knife, that you can get from bunnings or m10, its bigger, but the blade is not as sharp as a hobby craft knife, so won't cause you to accidentally slice either the board or snap the blade. The process I used was to use the stanly knife to score / saw out the chip, leaving the pins on the board, so saw down across the top of the pin edge, but slightly against and slightly into the chip, that way you won't slip down onto the board. Take your time.

3 - If the pins are still joined together, carefully score between the pins to separate from each other.

4 - Using a soldering iron, doing one pad at a time, heat the pad and use a pair of small pliers to lift and remove the pin, this will take some of the solder away with it. You can also use a push and lift motion with the soldering iron to do this also.

5 - Clean each pad using goot wick. This works great if used correctly, ie after each pad done, cut the used wick off. Also, do not pull on the wick, this will lift the pad on you and you don't want that, if the wick sticks, just apply heat back on the point that is stuck.

Steps 4 & 5 are a slow process as you don't want to overheat the pad and cause it to lift and melt.

6 - With clean pads, position the socket, by using small pieces of the blue tack to hold in place, you can then massage the socket into correct alignment. The blue tack works really well.

7 - Begin the solder process of each pin, if you have a multi meter, check for continuity before and after of the pin to neighbouring pins that you are about to solder. This will ensure you don't end up with two pins being soldered together causing a short.

Practice the process first with the cold iron as its a very small space to work in.

8 - If you do solder two pins together, don't try and work it out with the solder, way too hard, instead use the goot wick between the two pins to draw just that portion off. I can tell you that this works brilliantly as I had to do this several times, and remember to not pull on the wick, it will lift off with heat.

9 - Use flux also on each pin.

10 - Once finished, double check all pins for continuity as a final check from socket top to pad.

11 - Air out the unit, just in case loose solder etc found its way where it shouldn't be.

12 - I just put the socket piece that was cut out, straight in, I didn't bother to glue since the chip will sit on top and hold it in place anyway.

13 - carefully and slowly insert the new chip.

14 - Put hard drive back in if you want to check its all good before doing the hard drive upgrade step.

15 - Cover back on, connect it all back up to power, and cross your fingers that it boots up as per normal.

16 - Move onto the hard drive upgrade process if all good.

Apple TV

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TonyS071

57 posts

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#1894500 3-Nov-2017 06:38

The sacrificial approach to prom extraction described above really makes this process seem viable again. It was the removal of the entire package that looked the scariest step. Brilliant. I am going to order a set of flux/lowtemp solder and wick. I am aware of 5 tivos in my circle of friends and I think I will be busy doing this for a while. Who knows, if it works out well, I might be able to help others in wellington out. If anyone here is willing to sell me a few chips and sockets, pm me. I understand stocks are low right now, I mean when supplies arrive.

Jaxson

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#1894501 3-Nov-2017 06:49

Jaxson: FYI but I just reconnected my TiVo and it’s loaded an update to be applied at 2am this morning.

So those who have not yet applied the final TiVo update, you still appear to have time to get it, before undertaking the manual drive patch.

Confirmed latest 11.3b10.2017-1506-01-Z-663 patch was downloaded and installed last night.

Symondo

42 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#1894502 3-Nov-2017 06:53

I'm using hot air for extraction and solder paste / hot air for the replacement. No socket required. This does mean that I am ending up with intact original eproms that could be reprogrammed. Although I do not have the gear to perform the programming. Its a possible option though as it sounds like there could be quite a delay / shortage of replacement eproms.

I would suggest trying to remove the originals intact if possible. I know equipment limitations are a factor though.

TonyS071

57 posts

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#1894508 3-Nov-2017 07:22

Quote "Confirmed latest 11.3b10.2017-1506-01-Z-663 patch was downloaded and installed last night"

Which is interesting in itself. TiVo support turnoff date can't have been an absolute shutdown. Wonder if the existing mothership is slowly having her functions removed instead?

Jaxson

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#1894525 3-Nov-2017 08:44

TonyS071: Quote "Confirmed latest 11.3b10.2017-1506-01-Z-663 patch was downloaded and installed last night"

Which is interesting in itself. TiVo support turnoff date can't have been an absolute shutdown. Wonder if the existing mothership is slowly having her functions removed instead?

Yeah that's why I posted it here.

Not sure if the new community software patch 100% requires this update (it was suggested earlier that it wouldn't be necessary) but the latest info post suggest it's advantageous to update to this level first.

Just letting people know that this is still possible, well was at least as of last night.

Lego

Shop now for Lego sets and other gifts (affiliate link).

Jaxson

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#1894528 3-Nov-2017 08:51

FlanManNZ:

In the end found the following process worked for in preparation for when I do my main unit.

Nice write up.

As you say, be very careful to pull the solder wick tape away cold, as you will then be pulling directly on the board terminals.

I posted a similar technique with photos a while back, which may be of use to others just entering this thread now.

My focus at the time was on cheapness, so undertook with no special aids at all, and on minimising the heat/interaction time with the board.

When firing my TiVo up again last night to get the last official update patch, it initially did not boot. Just sat there with a green light flashing quickly on the front.

I opened it back up and readjusted the chip, as it wasn't sitting level in the socket.

Worked fine after that, but just a heads up to all to watch the packing underneath and ensure that the chip goes into the socket nicely.

marcW

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1894680 3-Nov-2017 11:46

With this new service that hopefully will be a long term success project after all the hard work that some dedicated people have put in, there will obviously be some long term constant maintenance required with the EPG updates.

I (although not anywhere near as savvy as other posters) would like to be able to help/volunteer is some way to this upkeep. Is there any assistance I could be to the long term team? eg. Gathering EPG data files or something like that which need constant updates to keep the service running. If there is a list of trained volunteers, we could help guarantee the long term future of the project for everyone.

If this is feasible, who would I contact to offer my services?

Cheers,

Marc

TCSwivel

26 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#1894689 3-Nov-2017 12:11

Maxcat:

old3eyes:

At the age of 71 now I'm not sure if I can be bothered doing this mod. Will watch and see what happens over the next month or two before I decide..

Remove the drive - send it to me and I will do the software upgrade for you after you get the TIVO EPROM chipped.

No charge - just want to help, like the others are.

I to would love to get this done, I have 3 Tivos, 2 going and 1 with a dead hd. Where could i get atleast 2 chips as I love my Tivo.

And the biggy that my wife (who had a stroke a few years ago) can still work the tivo, Not sure if she could get her head around something else.

Tomo

Maxcat

273 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 74

#1894746 3-Nov-2017 13:30

One of the issues that is going to come up is what to do with Activating and Deactivating Tivos.

And what to do with Tivos have been deactivated and ready for sale.

Are they paperweights irrespective of the new EPG from Oz?

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