HR 10-250 failure probably.. tech support strategies?

[Phod]

I'm sure there are threads to address this but I couldn't find specifics. I apologize if I missed it and don't mind just a straight link instead of an answer.

Anyhow, I think my DirecTivo HD Tivo is dying. I got home last night and it was on Live TV but wouldn't respond to commands. It started stuttering bad so I unplugged and rebooted. After it booted, I checked some of my recent recordings and they were only like half size or less. I try to watch some of the full recordings and everything is fine for about 20 minutes, then it starts stuttering bad and won't respond to any commands until I unplug and reboot. Rinse and repeat about 3 or 4 times. I unplug for hours same problem in the morning. It worked a bit longer but then started stuttering a bit and spontaneously rebooted.

From the posts I've seen in this forum, it's likely a hard drive issue and not entirely uncommon.

A friend of mine had his DirecTivo HD Tivo die just a week ago (annoying coincidence!) and he said he talked to Tier 2 tech support and after some attempts to get it working, they're sending a new one. Mine is around 8 months old and his is older so I assume eventually I'll be sent one.

Anyhow, my question is, thoughts on my problem (sounds like the common issues?) and what are tips on talking to DirecTV? Just call the normal number and ask for Tier 2 tech support to speak with a more advanced person (ie: not just reading from a sheet)? Any other tips?

Thanks for any help.

[Phod]

Followup.. I've read some posters suggest that you just tell the 2nd tier tech person that you already did a clear+delete because they're going to ask you to do it anyhow and it virtually never fixes the problem. Thoughts? I seem to have the classic problem that many posters are having so I'd rather not go any longer without my HD Tivo than I have to.

thanks.

[coachO]

Mine had the same symptoms. I did my first clear & delete in 15 months of ownership. It ran for almost 72 hours. Now it works great, not slow at all. It has been about 6 weeks and all is well.

[TomDac]

What is the "Clear & Delete" procedure? I'd like to try it on mine.

thx.

Tom.

[newsposter]

go under restart and you will see clear and delete

be warned it deletes every single thing on the drive and it's just like you opened the box for the first time

also as noted above, it can take a 'long' time and no one can estimate what the time is