Lots of pixels

[Garth]

Sorry to only ever say anything when something goes wrong but to be honest most of what is said on here goes right over my head.

My Tivo has started to play up a bit and I'm getting concerned, I keep getting moments of pixelation happening and the odd moment where it seems to get stuck like a scratched record, repeating the same word 2 or 3 times while having a pixel explosion then carries on as if nothing has happened!!!

Please tell me its not the begining of the end!!!!!!

I have a 160GB upgraded Tivo with a lifetime sub (no other upgrades) through a Ferguson freeview box.

[alan_m_2004]

How old is the hard disk now?

Pixelation could either be from the freeview box (I used to have this all the time with channel 5 and abc1 on my freeview) or the hard disk.

The repetition implies to me it's the hard disk.

Replacements are available and relatively cheap (depends on whether you want to buy a new disk and do the install yourself or buy a prepackaged disk from one of the suppliers on this board).

HTH,

Alan.

[Garth]

My disk is about 18 months old.

I was having problems with my old panasonic freeview box which made me get another but I have a feeling you could be right about the disk although I thought it would last a bit longer then that.

Would dust build up have a bad effect? When I replaced the origional disk the dust was very thick and I removed it with a can of expensive stuff from PC world, maybe I should get dusting again.

[Mike B]

I've experienced this problem before (although for some reason it only seemed to happen when watching back recordings from Channel 4 :confused: ). At the time I had a 160GB Samsung (7200rpm) drive which I'd put in as a replacement for the original 40GB Quantum unit.

I've since upgraded to a 250GB (5400rpm) Samsung and haven't seen it again, so I guess it was related to the drive.

However, I'm now using the 160GB drive in my PC, as it passed Samsung's disk diagnostics test without an issue.

[TCM2007]

Sounds like classic drive failure to me. Depending on the make of drive, you could well be within warranty and entitled to a free replacemnet.

[Garth]

Thanks, I just need to remember where I got it from!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I appreciate the advise

[TCM2007]

Thanks, I just need to remember where I got it from!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Warranties are returned direct to the manufacturer. Normally you can type in the serial number on their web site and it will tell you if it's in warranty. they'll usually send you a replacement straight out (they'll charge your credit card if you don't return the duff disk within a certain time).

[Garth]

Thanks guys.

[blindlemon]

If the drive is a Samsung then you can get an RMA from www.rexo.co.uk, otherwise via the manufacturer's website.