Powering on an SVR-2000

[sheffield]

Recently the listings database on my SVR-2000 became corrupted. After waiting a couple of weeks, hoping that it would correct itself, I pulled the hard drive and used mfstools to reload the 3.0.0 image from a CD made several years ago. No problem.

When I reinstalled the hard drive in the SVR-2000, I got the usual start up screen ("Your recorder is starting up..."). After the "Almost there. A few more seconds..." screen, it said to "Press POWER to turn on the recorder", then powered off (although the disk continued to spin).

The problem is, the power button on my remote hasn't worked in several years. (The rest of the remote is fine.) In the past we just left the TiVo on, so this wasn't a problem. However, now it's off. Is there some other way to turn on an SVR-2000?

Thanks for your help.

[Mars]

A universal replacment remote ($7 from Wal Mart) might get you back on.

[KQuigley]

You can easily fix that remote by opening it up and cleaning the rubber contacts. If the conductive coating has worn off then just superglue a small piece of aluminum foil on the rubber where it contacts the PC board. It works everytime and I wish more people knew this trick...

Take a look at how much people are paying for remotes on eBay when they could easily fix their existing ones for nothing.

[sheffield]

Thanks for both replies. Much appreciated!

I had just assumed that a universal remote wouldn't work on a TiVo. That was a mistake - never assume - and I appreciate Jim's suggestion. WalMart sells a Sony multi-brand Remote Commander (RM-V202) for $9.86 that says right on the back that it works for Sony TiVos. It does. My problem is solved.

At the time I hadn't seen the advice about how to repair my existing remote. However, it makes sense, and I will give it a try.

Thanks to you both. Much appreciated!

[Mars]

just superglue a small piece of aluminum foil on the rubber where it contacts the PC board

K,

This is an interesting fix. I work at a radio station and have to replace expensive rubber key pads on the studio equiptment all the time. I'll give this a try on the next key pad failure.