Vanishing recorded programmes

[devo1977]

My TiVo has started to do something wacky out of no where, I'm hoping someone will have a clue as to why.

I have Sky Freesat and Freeview hooked up as per TiVo UK, no problems with watching live TV at all. I only have channels set that I can actually receive and watch.

My problem relates to pre recorded TV. When a show has been recorded I can watch it just fine, however if I go back to watch it again or output it, the TiVo tells me that "the programme didn't record due to a lack of signal or recording a channel I don't receive". However I do receive the channel and I've already watched the programme once!!

I have a Life Time Subscription and a fairly big drive so there's no way I'm out of room. 99% of my recordings are via Sky with only a handful of recordings via Freeview. This problem occurs with recording from both systems. Any ideas as to what's going on?

[blindlemon]

Two possibilities IMHO:-

1. You have a drive problem that's causing corruption in the TiVo database.

2. You are running a drive over 137gb without the LBA48 kernel.

[devo1977]

Thanks. Can't report any other problems with the drive, recordings are okay. No break up etc. My drive is 250GB, how can I determine if I have the LBA48 kernel? Via the backdoor?

[blindlemon]

Yes. After a reboot, check the kernel log. There will be a line similar to the following that tells you the kernel version:-Jan 1 00:00:16 (none) kernel: Linux version 2.1.24-TiVo-2.5 (millert@xerxes.courtesan.com) (gcc version 2.8.1) #14 Wed Oct 8 12:06:25 MDT 2003 If it is as above then you do have the LBA48 kernel.

[devo1977]

Thanks. I DO have the string you've provided word-for-word. So this isn't causing my problem I guess.

I've read on Tivoheaven that having software version 2.5.5a can cause problems, I have this. Any truth?

[blindlemon]

Only if you get it via a download from the TiVo servers after you installed the LBA48 kernel.

However, as you have the correct kernel I would suspect database corruption, possibly caused by a failing drive. Have you checked the logs for errors? (Look for mention of 'uncorrectable sectors' or 'DMA disabled' etc..)

[devo1977]

I can't see any 'uncorrectable sectors' or 'DMA disabled' messages via the backdoor. Should I be looking at the "main screen" or the kernel section accessed via the right arrow. I've checked both. This is sounding like a problem I might just have to live with.

[alextegg]

Or rebuild the drive? :eek:

I wouldn't be living with that, I'd be attempting a rebuild, or a replace of the drive?

[blindlemon]

Could just be transient database corruption then, or a drive problem that's not showing in the logs yet.

As you don't have network access, you could try a kickstart 57 and/or 58 (http://alt.org/wiki/index.php/TivoDiagnostics) to force a check/cleanup of the MFS, then check the logs (tvdebuglog) to see if it found any errors.

If the problem persists after an MFS cleanup then, if you don't have a lot of SPs that you value, you could try the 'Clear Guide data & ToDo List' option from the System Reset menu.

[devo1977]

Thanks. I'll try the kickstarts and then maybe a rebuild using Hooch! Seems simple enough to do.

I bought this machine from Loot sometime ago and it's been problem free. I'm wondering if it's the version 'a' causing problems since that would have been installed by the last owner for their situation/TV and not mine. Wonder if I can back-track to the standard version.

[devo1977]

The kickstart 57 seems to have given me the 'green screen of death'. I've got wait 24H for it to try and recover from a severe error. Alextegg, this is why it's often better to live with a problem! Have I killed the machine?

[Raisltin Majere]

I think it's supposed to produce a GSOD

[mikerr]

The only problem having 2.5.5a is likely to cause is the lack of programme data downloads if tivo HQ gets confused. This is caused when people put 2.5.5a on manually.

Doing a manual restore back to 2.5.5 will only force tivo to upgrade you to 2.5.5a on the next daily call...

[devo1977]

Yes, I think you're right thanks G-d. I saw that after my intial heart atack!! I didn't see any data but at least my TiVo is alive again. Maybe I'll stick with the format and Hooch! option before I ruin my machine for good.

[mikerr]

Hooch restores 2.5.5 doesn't it? That would cause problems if you don't ring up tivo and get them to change your record to say you have version 2.5.5

Ignore me if blindlemon tells us there is a 2.5.5a verion of hooch. ;)

[devo1977]

Hooch! provides either 2.5.5 or 2.5.5a. You can buy Hooch! with just one or the other. I guess if I formatted and used Hooch 2.5.5 only I guess that's what I'd get...

[alextegg]

If you are using 2.5.5a, is that for a reason? i.e. the bug fix that is in it?

If so, you probably do want it again? :confused:

[devo1977]

Thanks Alex. I probably will install 2.5.5a. As you say, I have it so there must be a reason even if it's historical / relating to the last owner of the box.

[alextegg]

I'm not an expert on 2.5.5a but IIRC it's something to do with certain TVs and a NICAM stereo bug? I'm sure someone else will jump in and tell us what 2.5.5a does, specifically...

If you are unsure though, you might as well go with it as I know you can run it even if you don't need it, if you see what I mean...

[blindlemon]

The kickstart 57 seems to have given me the 'green screen of death'. I've got wait 24H for it to try and recover from a severe error.The kickstart manually starts a GSOD, but it should normally complete in less than half an hour unless your MFS is seriously shafted.
Thanks Alex. I probably will install 2.5.5a. As you say, I have it so there must be a reason even if it's historical / relating to the last owner of the box.If your TiVo currently has 2.5.5a and you are creating a drive > 120gb then you must put 2.5.5a on it, or you will run into serious problems when the TiVo downloads 2.5.5a and replaces the LBA48 kernel with the standard one :eek:

The only difference in 2.5.5a is that it doesn't output teletext info to the TV, so no teletext subtitles on the one or two channels that support them.

[devo1977]

Thanks. I've done the kickstart 57/58 so I guess I should wait to see if that does the trick. Failing that I'll buy a copy of Hooch! from Tivoheaven and re-format my drive completely.

My other half is going to buy me Cache card whilst in the US next week (allot less than in the UK) and I've heard that Hooch! has the drivers and Tivoweb pre-installed so it should save me some time in the long run.