Is the FUSOD always death?

[ChuckyBox]

We've all heard of the Firmware Updating Screen Of Death (FUSOD), and many of us have experienced it. My question is: has anyone ever seen this screen and then had the card return to working order?

Twice now I have had working cards go to this mode after a few hours or days, and there seems to be no return. Just another call to Charter, another tech sticks cards into the S3 until one works, and then it's back to square one.

Do firmware upgrades ever work? Is that what is really happening, or is that just the TiVo's way of saying that the card won't work? Is this Charter's fault, or TiVo's? It is just a tiny bit frustrating, and if I'm going to yell at someone, I want to make sure it is the right someone.

[Roderigo]

Do firmware upgrades ever work? Is that what is really happening, or is that just the TiVo's way of saying that the card won't work? Is this Charter's fault, or TiVo's? It is just a tiny bit frustrating, and if I'm going to yell at someone, I want to make sure it is the right someone.
I've seen firmware upgrades work, and there are other reports here that they've workied properly.

There really is a part of the cablecard spec that allows the cablecard to take over the tuner to do a firmware upgrade. That part of the spec requires any host to put up a UI, and show some text that is sent by the headend.

Unfortunately, the fault is Scientific Atlanta's CableCARD implementation (unfortunate, because it's hard to yell at them). You can yell at Charter, as they (and any other cable company using SA cablecards), are the only ones who can pressure SA to create a more robust firmware upgrade procedure.

[jdmass]

When my 2nd cablecard was installed, I got the "updating firmware" message. It completed without a problem after about 5-10 min.

[Deacon West]

I think it is always appropriate to yell at the big wigs at TiVo but they probably won't care as they are sipping Champaign in TiVo One on the way to Bangkok to....... oh, never mind, you know the drill. (In fact I think you invented the drill). :)

[ChuckyBox]

TiVo tech support is now telling me (by phone message) that the Scientific Atlanta cards can take 24 to 48 hours to complete a firmware update. Does this make any sense at all? They're saying to leave the card in for that long (during which time the tuners are useless) and if it doesn't work, to call them back. I have two problems with that:

1. Are they kidding? Who has two days of dead DVR time, at the end of which there may be no resolution to the problem?
2. The card has been yanked from the unit. I hear that is bad. Is there any chance that plugging the card back in and leaving it there for two days is going to work?

The real problem for me is that I've got a mostly-working system. It's just that one of the tuners doesn't get digital. But I don't record that many things from the digital tier (I'm thinking of cancelling it). So I really don't want to do this and be without my S3 for two days.

[ashu]

So, Chucky ... didjyo cards upgrade over the weekend?

[ChuckyBox]

So, Chucky ... didjyo cards upgrade over the weekend?
Nope. 48 hours of Updating Firmware with no result. I'm about to call TiVo.

[MurrayJimW]

I'm in the middle of one of these myself...tech is still here and we've been waiting for forty minutes...any word on this or a possible resolution....


Tech has now left to go and try to find another cablecard to try.....says he'll be back.....

[eric_mcgovern]

The worry I have is even though my CableCARDS have worked flawlessly since the install (install went perfect as well), that I may get this some day. I am on Charter and they use Scientific Atlanta equipment in my area.

Why would they need to update the firmware? A channel lineup change? I just had a lineup change (according to TiVo), and it seems the CableCARDS are still going strong, and its been over a month with them in there.

[ZeoTiVo]

Nope. 48 hours of Updating Firmware with no result. I'm about to call TiVo.


the exces in the washroom are awaiting your call as they dream up the next way to mess with just you ;)

[ChuckyBox]

I am on Charter and they use Scientific Atlanta equipment in my area.

You poor bastard. You want me to put a bullet in you before they suck your soul out of you?

[ChuckyBox]

the exces in the washroom are awaiting your call as they dream up the next way to mess with just you ;)
Any execs still in the washroom must have missed the fat cat's memo that they rented a villa in Rome for the TiVo Roman-themed Halloween Party and Orgy. If you can let them know, they can probably get there in time because it is still going on.

[MurrayJimW]

I too am using Scientific Atlanta equipment. It appears to be totally dependent on the card you get. After the firmware upgrade took 50 minutes I asked for and received another cable card and its install was simple and painless. I now have two working great on a Time Warner system in NC. Hopefully it'll stay that way.....

[eric_mcgovern]

You poor bastard. You want me to put a bullet in you before they suck your soul out of you?

LOL...not just yet, as everything has been working just fine (so far).