Tivo Server no longer shows up in Now Playing list

[jayportland]

Has anyone else had this problem.

I'm using Tivo Desktop 2.3a on Window XP, and all of a sudden it just doesn't show up on my tivo anymore. I don't have a VPN and I've uninstalled and reinstalled the software once already. My Media Access Key (MAK) is set properly and I've even called Tivo for support and was given a case number.

At this point in time, the only remedy that the Tivo Service Representative has given me was to unintsall and clear my Recycle Bin.

Has anyone else run into something similar?

[ShadowByte]

Jay,

I have the exact same problem. I just started searching for an answer as well .. did you ever figure it out?

[windracer]

When you uninstall TiVoDesktop, make sure it's completely uninstalled before you re-install. This requires going through your registry and removing any reference to "tivo."

You can tell if you purged it right because when you re-install it won't remember your MAK (or if you've upgraded to Plus).

If that doesn't work ... any firewall software running?

[jayportland]

Hello everyone. I'm about to attempt my fixing Tivo Server issues. I'm going to do the following steps and then once that is complete I'll get back to you guys here on the forum.


My corrective Actions:
I'm going to uninstall my Tivo Desktop software.
I'm going to check my registry, thanks for the tip windracer
I'm going to empty my recycle bin
I'm going to disable any anti-virus and firewall settings
I'm going to publish all my media during the installation process


Let me give these things a try and I'll get back to you guys.

In the infamous word from the terminator: "I'll be back."

[jayportland]

Okay I'm back.

So I'll give you guys a rundown on what I've done so far and what the result has been for me. But then I've gotta split because I have a meeting in downtown Portland Oregon for lunch.

Steps I took to resolve Tivo Server issue:
Emptied Recycle Bin
Uninstalled Tivo Desktop Software
Turned Off computer - not "restarted," there is a difference
Turned on computer
Used Regedit to remove any Tivo Registry entries
Turned off computer again
Turned Computer on - "not restarted"
Disabled firewall & antivirus
Downloaded Tivo Desktop 2.3a from Tivo.com
Reistalled Tivo Desktop and was prompted to re-enter my MAK
During re-installation, I accepted to publish all media
"Restarted" my tivo
Launched Tivo Desktop and started Tivo Server
In Music, Photos, Products & More on TivoCentral I diabled and re-enabled home media applications
I called Tivo for Technical Support

I think I've listed everything I've done so far.

The result!?:
I got good news, I have bad news, and I have some really bad news.

First for the good news. I can now play my music and see my photos and Tivo can even display the name of my computer in Music, Photos, Products & More under Tivo Central. I can veiw photos and play music so I know there is a connection.

The bad news is that I still can't see my computer icon in my Now Playing list, even though my server status said it was on and I could play music and view photos from that same computer.

The really bad news is that now I can't even transfer video from my Tivo to my computer, let alone trying to go from my computer to my Tivo.

So there it is. As a consumer, I've exhausted all of my possibilities that I know of. Keep in mind I'm not a computer scientist nor do I know much technically about the Tivo or the Tivo Desktop software. Personally I don't think that as an average consumer of these products I should have those kinds of credentials. But worst of all, I'm pretty sure I've even exhausted the possibilites of the Technical Specialist from Tivo. I'm still at the same point that I was after trying all of those things but before I called her.

So these past two hours have been a learning experience for me. The only thing I can think of at this point is that I've got some bad Tivo Firmware. Is something goofy going on with the lastest Tivo Software Version that automatically updates? What version is everyone running? I'm running Tivo Software Version: 7.3.1-oth-01-2-649

You can find your Tivo Software Version by going to: Messages and Settings > Account & System Information > System Information.

[windracer]

Do you have at least one .tivo file in your "My TiVo Recordings" folder? If there's not at least one file, your PC won't appear on your TiVo's NPL.

Can you connect to your TiVo using your browser? Put in https://{your TiVo IP} and login with username 'tivo' and your MAK as the password. If you can't get to the NPL through your browser, TiVoDesktop won't be able to either.

I'm using 7.3.1 as well.

[Jpres11]

I'm having the same issue. I was transferring shows to my PC last night and they were taking a VERY long time. I checked this afternoon when I came back from work and only 14 seconds converted over. Now I cannot even view any of my shows from the PC. I receive an error message statting "There was an error while attempting to retrieve data from the selected DVR." Sounds like the software is buggy?? Please help. Thanks.

[jayportland]

What about you Jpres11?

What Tivo Software Version are you running?

[jayportland]

Do you have at least one .tivo file in your "My TiVo Recordings" folder? If there's not at least one file, your PC won't appear on your TiVo's NPL.

Can you connect to your TiVo using your browser? Put in https://{your TiVo IP} and login with username 'tivo' and your MAK as the password. If you can't get to the NPL through your browser, TiVoDesktop won't be able to either.

I'm using 7.3.1 as well.


I two *.tivo files in My Tivo Recordings folder.

Oh, and one more thing. I did forget one of the steps I took. I upgraded my Tivo Desktop software.

I actually paid for this software, so I could get the Convert to PSP functionality. So this is really getting to me. I've paid for a piece of software that isn't working 100%, so that upsets me to say the least.

[jayportland]

I'm having the same issue. I was transferring shows to my PC last night and they were taking a VERY long time. I checked this afternoon when I came back from work and only 14 seconds converted over. Now I cannot even view any of my shows from the PC. I receive an error message statting "There was an error while attempting to retrieve data from the selected DVR." Sounds like the software is buggy?? Please help. Thanks.


You know, I just replied to windracer and I mentioned that I was a little upset. Now that we are on the subject of being upset, let me share something with you in particular Jpres11 Another thing that upsets me is your request for help.

Please help. Thanks

What kind of corrective actions have you taken? Did you go to the web and post to this forum? Is that the extent of you trouble shooting your problem?

Dude, I spent an hour on Tuesday trying to figure this out before I called Tivo Technical Support. I spent an additional hour on the phone with the Technician.

I spent an addition hour today trying to figure this out. Then when I couldn't figure it out, I called Tivo Technical Support again for the second time, and gave them my case number to look up. I spent another 45 minutes withe the Technician.

Not only that but I also spent a lot of time organizing my thoughts in a way that I could present to the forum in a way that would clearly communicate what I'm experiencing. I don't know if you noticed how I formatted my thread or not but I think it is very reader-friendly. Believe it or not, I spent about 30-45 minutes getting all of that informaiton posted. I don't have to share that ammount of detail with the group but I chose to do it that way so we can start a dialoge. "Please help. Thanks." doesn't provide any value.

If you really do want help, you should post what you've done up until this point man. You reply to this thread so far has no value. You didn't add anything to what this problem is. I even asked for people to provide the Tivo Software Version and I even told people how to get it.

You didn't post it. Why?

Listen, man I don't mean to be a hard ass or a jerk or even worse. I'm just a little frustrated with the process and I'm sure you've been there at one point or another with some other situation. So I appologize to you jpres11 for taking this tone.

I guess overall what I'm asking is for you to share with us what you may have done. There may be something your doing that I may have missed that might be key to getting this figured out.

[windracer]

You said you disabled your firewall ... which one are you using?

Did you try the https connection through your browser?

[jayportland]

You said you disabled your firewall ... which one are you using?

Did you try the https connection through your browser?


Yes, I mentioned firewall. I don't actually have a firewall, so I never did disable it. And yes I did try the HTTPS connection with the IP address and used tivo as the user and my MAK as the password.

I did infact view a list of my current Now Playing List through the web browser. Also noteworthy is the fact that I checked up on my Tivo Desktop Transferes and I noticed that the Interrupted files that I chose to download earlier today have already been downloaded.

So remember when I said I had good news, bad news, and really bad news. I guess you can forget about the really bad news. The Tivo Desktop software is infact downloading the recorded programs even though it emmidiately give me an error message that the scheduled transfer has been interrupted.

I just don't know what to make of this because I actually do have 2 *.tivo files in My Tivo Recordings list but I just can't see the Computer Icon in my Now Playing list of the Tivo?

It's killing me!

[windracer]

It still sounds like a firewall or something is "blocking" your TiVo from seeing your PC. You're not running Norton Internet Security, ZoneAlarm, Windows Firewall, anything like that?

What about under Music, Photos, Products, & More. Can you see your music and/or pictures there?

[jayportland]

It still sounds like a firewall or something is "blocking" your TiVo from seeing your PC. You're not running Norton Internet Security, ZoneAlarm, Windows Firewall, anything like that?

What about under Music, Photos, Products, & More. Can you see your music and/or pictures there?

windracer,

Yes I can see my Music and Photos. I posted that under "The Results:!? in "the good news".

You may be right about a fire wall or something blocking but I'm not sure. Is there an easy way to tell if I have a firewall, or some other service blocking the Tivo Server?

[Solver]

windracer,

Yes I can see my Music and Photos. I posted that under "The Results:!? in "the good news".

You may be right about a fire wall or something blocking but I'm not sure. Is there an easy way to tell if I have a firewall, or some other service blocking the Tivo Server?
Try: C:\Program Files\TiVo\Desktop\LogFinder.exe. This will provide a bunch of log files and may show which TCP/UPD port(s) are being blocked, but not what is blocking them.
If you have Windows XP Firewall installed and turned off, IT STILL CAN BLOCK PORTS!
If you uninstall it or disable it from the network it doesn't block ports.

[cmtk05]

ok i have it too.

Woke up this morning and poof it is gone. Here is what is wierd. I can go to my pc and transfer a file from tivo. It pulls up all my shows so i know it is connected. I have restarted both pc and tivo. What gives?

You know when i got tivo a year plus ago everything was great. now i cannot connect to pc and the tivo runs so slow!! I want them to stop updating!!!

We need to figure this out.

[Jpres11]

You know, I just replied to windracer and I mentioned that I was a little upset. Now that we are on the subject of being upset, let me share something with you in particular Jpres11 Another thing that upsets me is your request for help.

Please help. Thanks

What kind of corrective actions have you taken? Did you go to the web and post to this forum? Is that the extent of you trouble shooting your problem?

Dude, I spent an hour on Tuesday trying to figure this out before I called Tivo Technical Support. I spent an additional hour on the phone with the Technician.

I spent an addition hour today trying to figure this out. Then when I couldn't figure it out, I called Tivo Technical Support again for the second time, and gave them my case number to look up. I spent another 45 minutes withe the Technician.

Not only that but I also spent a lot of time organizing my thoughts in a way that I could present to the forum in a way that would clearly communicate what I'm experiencing. I don't know if you noticed how I formatted my thread or not but I think it is very reader-friendly. Believe it or not, I spent about 30-45 minutes getting all of that informaiton posted. I don't have to share that ammount of detail with the group but I chose to do it that way so we can start a dialoge. "Please help. Thanks." doesn't provide any value.

If you really do want help, you should post what you've done up until this point man. You reply to this thread so far has no value. You didn't add anything to what this problem is. I even asked for people to provide the Tivo Software Version and I even told people how to get it.

You didn't post it. Why?

Listen, man I don't mean to be a hard ass or a jerk or even worse. I'm just a little frustrated with the process and I'm sure you've been there at one point or another with some other situation. So I appologize to you jpres11 for taking this tone.

I guess overall what I'm asking is for you to share with us what you may have done. There may be something your doing that I may have missed that might be key to getting this figured out.


Should I grab you a tissue? I actually trouble shooted a lot, but I didn't go into that on my post. I just wanted to add to the fact that I too was experiencing a similar issue. I don't have time to write up a 45 minute post about my Tivo.. I have better things in life to worry about/ spent my time doing. You need a life bro.

[cmtk05]

so back on topic.

I remembered that the system worked fine on thursday. I also remembered that windows downloaded some updates over the weekend. I did a system recover back to friday. no dice. then i did a recover back to thursday and boom, all was fixed.

I guess if you can remember when it last worked and are on xp, you can roll your system back. Not sure what microsoft download made the problem. I am using a netgear usb adapter if that matters.

[jayportland]

Try: C:\Program Files\TiVo\Desktop\LogFinder.exe. This will provide a bunch of log files and may show which TCP/UPD port(s) are being blocked, but not what is blocking them.
If you have Windows XP Firewall installed and turned off, IT STILL CAN BLOCK PORTS!
If you uninstall it or disable it from the network it doesn't block ports.

Hello Solver

I tried like you asked about LogFinder.exe I don't know exactly what it did other then create a log file. I couldn't make heads or tales out of it nor could I figure out what services might be potentially blocking the Tivo Server.

At this point, I think I'm having an issue I don't understand and I'll just have to call Tivo Technical Service Reps again.

You know, its funny to me that I'm not the only one having this problem.

Oh, and I never did install Windows XP Firewall. Is that something I have to do extra or does it come installed when you install Windows XP Pro?

[wfg97079]

Your not alone, been working for ages and this just happened to me

[windracer]

Oh, and I never did install Windows XP Firewall. Is that something I have to do extra or does it come installed when you install Windows XP Pro?
It's built into XP. If you look in the services control panel it's listed as "Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)."

[Solver]

Hello Solver

I tried like you asked about LogFinder.exe I don't know exactly what it did other then create a log file. I couldn't make heads or tales out of it nor could I figure out what services might be potentially blocking the Tivo Server.

At this point, I think I'm having an issue I don't understand and I'll just have to call Tivo Technical Service Reps again.

You know, its funny to me that I'm not the only one having this problem.

Oh, and I never did install Windows XP Firewall. Is that something I have to do extra or does it come installed when you install Windows XP Pro?

Start with just the TiVo Beacon log. Is this working for you?
Here is about what my system looks like when it works:
Computer at 192.168.1.25
TiVo at 192.168.1.12
Gateway at 192.168.1.255

Info |Beacon |Host |4:05:07 PM |0D60 |New local IP address: 192.168.1.25
Info |Beacon |Host |4:05:07 PM |0D60 |Forcing high freq mode
Info |Beacon |Host |4:05:12 PM |0334 |Broadcast to 192.168.1.255: TiVoConnect=1
Machine=MYPC
Identity={40A278F7-E026-4822-874F-401BD3C13244}
Method=Broadcast
Platform=pc/WinNT:5.1.2600
Services=TiVoMediaServer:8080/http

Info |Beacon |Host |4:05:12 PM |0334 |Broadcast to 127.0.0.1: TiVoConnect=1
Machine=MYPC
Identity={40A278F7-E026-4822-874F-401BD3C13244}
Method=LocalHost
Platform=pc/WinNT:5.1.2600
Services=TiVoMediaServer:8080/http

Info |Beacon |Host |4:05:12 PM |0334 |Received 154 byte udp packet from 127.0.0.1:
TiVoConnect=1
Machine=MYPC
Identity={40A278F7-E026-4822-874F-401BD3C13244}
Method=LocalHost
Platform=pc/WinNT:5.1.2600
Services=TiVoMediaServer:8080/http

Info |Beacon |Host |4:05:12 PM |0334 |New machine heard: 127.0.0.1
Info |Beacon |Host |4:05:16 PM |0334 |Received 192 byte udp packet from 192.168.1.12:
tivoconnect=1
swversion=7.3.1-oth-01-2-540
method=broadcast
identity=5400001D020GGHG
machine=HOMETIVO
platform=tcd/Series2
services=TiVo-ServeTcdVideo-1:2191/tvbus_v3,TiVoMediaServer:80/http

[jayportland]

Hey guys,

You won't believe this. After all of that trouble shooting, and after all the time I spent trying to figure this out, my computer suddenly shows up in my Now Playing List. I don't know how it happened but I'm glad that it did.

It just sort of fixed itself.!?@&*

I was getting really frustrated with this thing. You know it still a little too late though. I don't think I ever talk to you guys about why I needed that functionalitiy and why it was so important that I got it to work.

Long stroy short, there was a series on PBS that was broadcast about Green Building Design calle Design E2 (E-squared). And working for an Architectural firm, I talked about this show to all of my co-workers and they finally got intruiged enough to watch it. Luckily, I had be saving this series on my computer as it ran is 6-episode run over the course of a month-and-a-half. So the day finally came that I was scheduled to bring my Tivo into work and finally show what I was talking about to these people. Wouldn't you know it, I ran into Murpheys Law.


Anyway, I'm glad its working now and I'll continue to check this tread to see if you other guys get your Tivo Server resolved.

Good luck guys.