6 invalid cable cards??

[ChrisMc73]

Ok, Cox has sent out 3 different techs, all tried 2 cards each, all 6 have been bad.

They are now saying my Tivo box is not reading the cards, they don't think its their cards, after 6 tries.

So should I return the box and get another one and retry it? Or give up and just not go with Tivo?

I'm a little frustrated. :eek:

[Bubbatex]

You are not providing much information as to how you concluded the cards are bad. There are a lot of things the techs can do wrong to foul up an install. Have you searched through the Cox threads (under the sticky for "official cable card threads" to see if anyone had similar problems?

[ChrisMc73]

Yeah I've looked for the "invaild card" error they got. Didn't see much out here on that.

Here is what they did...

Basically they stuck one card into the bottom slot waited, it came up with a error screen saying "invalid cable card contact your cable provider"...so they took that one out, tried another...same thing.

Then they also went to the "configure cable card 1" screen, picked the host ID option and some gray screen came up, then errored out trying to read some file. So it kicked him back to the invalid card error or sometimes went to a screen about the card not in normal operation mode...

Again, 6 cards? I know they aren't trained and most are new to this, but the 3rd guy had installed 2 cards in a S3 earlier in the day, exactly like mine, and had no issues. He's the one who concluded the Tivo wasn't "reading" the cards and should be returned.

[w2jo]

The first two CableCards brought by my Comcast/Adelphia tech would not work properly either. He went away and came back with "new edition" Scientific Atlanta Cable Cards" and they worked fine. The tech said that he was told that some equipment will not work with older version SA cable cards but would work fine with the later editions. I have no idea if your cards are SA or not, but thought I would pass this tidbit along.

[ChrisMc73]

Yes they are Scientific Atlanta PowerKey Model PKM600, and some were 2004, some were 2005, and some were 2006.

We have seen this error screen when we used some of these cards:

failed to load 'pod:///utils/cpdiag.html

[ChrisMc73]

I'm torn between calling Cox and having someone come out again with more cable cards or returning my Tivo and never getting to experience it the Tivo you all enjoy so much that I have yet to enjoy. :(

[Gregor]

Have you talked to Tivo?

Six cards seems like a lot. Are the techs following the instructions or are they just jamming both cards in the Tivo at the same time?

From what I've read here and seen at home, one at a time is the way to go.

[hookbill]

Are you seeing any numbers in these error messages? Like 161-4? That's a benign error.

[ChrisMc73]

Have you talked to Tivo?

Six cards seems like a lot. Are the techs following the instructions or are they just jamming both cards in the Tivo at the same time?

From what I've read here and seen at home, one at a time is the way to go.

No they followed the instructions well, surprisingly, and 6 cards don't work.

I don't get any errors with numbers such as 161-4 or 161-2, unless I just don't know where to see those numbers on the screen?

It basically just says the card is invalid call the cable company.

PS
I had the card out of the box all night long, just plugged it in and got the same issues, but when I went to test the channels, it actually had some of the basic channels, no HBO etc, but it sill said the "card was not in normal operation", then I removed it again, and now I get no channels, so I know its capable of giving me something!! But I can't get it to show me channels again...

[ChrisMc73]

I just tried again with Cox Tech Support on the phone, he tried to sync up the signal with the Cable Card, sent a few refreshes, the errors with the card were still the same, but when I went to test the channels, I actually got some, seemed like the basic cable channels were working...although ESPN came through and froze up. Others like my local stations were fine, 500 worked, 300 didn't, 901 didn't either. So he determined the slot reading the Card 1 was not working properly by decoding the channels right and wasn't pairing the Cable Card with the box correctly.

I've boxed this one up, and I'll be exchanging it today and hoping the next one is better!

PS.
Would it matter to all my issues here that I have not subscribed yet to Tivo?
I haven't activated my service yet, is that any reason for any of this?

[w2jo]

It still sounds like Cox Cable does not have the cards set up properly. But swapping out the TiVo will indeed "tell the tale" If the second unit fails to work with the cable cards, I would bet on the cable cards being the problem. My first two cable cards would receive the "basic cable" but none of the digital or HDTV channels. The second pair of "new production" SA cards work fine.

[ChrisMc73]

It still sounds like Cox Cable does not have the cards set up properly. But swapping out the TiVo will indeed "tell the tale" If the second unit fails to work with the cable cards, I would bet on the cable cards being the problem. My first two cable cards would receive the "basic cable" but none of the digital or HDTV channels. The second pair of "new production" SA cards work fine.

How do I get "new production" cards? Do I specifically tell them when I'm setting up the installs they have to bring "new production" cards?
Whats the Model # and Year on those you got?

[hookbill]

How do I get "new production" cards? Do I specifically tell them when I'm setting up the installs they have to bring "new production" cards?
Whats the Model # and Year on those you got?

When my install was done I had a field supervisor come out. He'd taken some time to do a little reading about it and brought nothing but brand new cards with him. When I mentioned about the cards being the latest version he said he had read that and these were all brand new, latest versions.

I really can't tell you how to get them to bring out the correct cards. It's something you can try to pass on to them if they will listen.

[gwsat]

Man! This is all very scary. My S3 is supposed to be here Wednesday or Thursday and I have made an appointment to install the CableCARDs with Cox OKC for Friday. Time will tell how all of that goes for me, I guess.

[ChrisMc73]

Man! This is all very scary. My S3 is supposed to be here Wednesday or Thursday and I have made an appointment to install the CableCARDs with Cox OKC for Friday. Time will tell how all of that goes for me, I guess.

Don't be too scared, the 3rd tech who came out last night said he had done one exactly like mine that same day and had no issues, popped first one it, it found it and he called it in to sync, second one went the same way. Thats what made him think my cable slots were bad.

I've exchanged the Tivo box today, so I'll stick this one card in and see if it finds it or if I get more of the same, I'll post here later...

Standby....

[ChuckyBox]

Would it matter to all my issues here that I have not subscribed yet to Tivo?
I haven't activated my service yet, is that any reason for any of this?
Yes. Activate the box, then force a few connections until you get a software update. There is no point in going through all of this unless you are on a box that you know is operating normally and using the latest software.

Also, you need to be a bit patient with the cards. They can take a couple of minutes to be recognized and give you the codes you need. Then, after activating, if you get any digital channels on the "test channels" screen, you are in good shape. It can, amazingly, take several hours for the cards to show all the channels on live TV.

The real problems seem to be: 1) you can't get the box to recognize the card and give you the host ID screen you need to activate; 2) you can't get any channels (or any digital channels) to tune with the properly-activated cards in place; 3) the "firmware updating" screen, which, if it doesn't clear after a few hours, means you'll need another card (but don't pull the card or restart the box until you are certain that the card is really dead, or it really will be dead).

[greg_burns]

Yes they are Scientific Atlanta PowerKey Model PKM600, and some were 2004, some were 2005, and some were 2006.

FWIW, sounds like the same cards I have in my working S3.

Hardware Model:0600
Version:0010
Bootrom version:115

http://home.comcast.net/~greg_burns/images/safront.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~greg_burns/images/saback.jpg

[ChrisMc73]

Yes. Activate the box, then force a few connections until you get a software update. There is no point in going through all of this unless you are on a box that you know is operating normally and using the latest software.

Also, you need to be a bit patient with the cards. They can take a couple of minutes to be recognized and give you the codes you need. Then, after activating, if you get any digital channels on the "test channels" screen, you are in good shape. It can, amazingly, take several hours for the cards to show all the channels on live TV.

The real problems seem to be: 1) you can't get the box to recognize the card and give you the host ID screen you need to activate; 2) you can't get any channels (or any digital channels) to tune with the properly-activated cards in place; 3) the "firmware updating" screen, which, if it doesn't clear after a few hours, means you'll need another card (but don't pull the card or restart the box until you are certain that the card is really dead, or it really will be dead).

I've never seen the firmware updating screen...I have had some channels come up, but when I go to the CableCard1 Configure screen, thats where it tells me the card is no in normal operation or its an invalid card and to call the cable operator.

[ChrisMc73]

I received that error when first putting the cards in. It was only there for a bit and went away, so I am not sure if it is one of those benign errors.

But it doesn't stay here long, it takes me back to a Tivo screen saying the card is invalid and to contact the cable operator.

I have swapped the Tivo boxes from Ultimate Electronics and I'm about to try this card they left here yesterday in this new box. We'll see how it goes.

[ChrisMc73]

It was the BOX!! This one reads the original card fine! OMG!! TIVO!!
I now am on the phone trying to get it activated...another hellish task!

[ChrisMc73]

Ok, well I am having more technicians come out tomorrow to get this card activated, apparently they don't know how to via the phone, I gave them the card serial # and host Id but they don't know how I guess?

I get basic channels durring the channel test, but none of my digital or premiums.

I'm running through the rest of the Tivo setup, and will activate the Tivo next.
The USB wireless card worked great without a hitch. :up:

[ChrisMc73]

UPDATE!

After the exchange of the Tivo box, Card 1 and Card 2 were installed, configured, activated and work great now!

SMOOTH SAILING, now I get to go learn the Tivo software!

So lesson learned, hardware fails. :eek:

[Gregor]

Congrats! Glad to hear you got it worked out :)

[hookbill]

I love happy endings. Congrats.

[gwsat]

Thank God, Thank God All Mighty! I hope my box is all right when it gets here. At least its good to know that the problem was not Cox OKC’s fault.