No guide data on R10

[rwmair]

I have two (supposedly) identical R-10 DirecTivo receivers. Both were purchased on eBay from owners who previously owned (not leased) them. Both are, therefore, listed on my bill as leased receivers. Both receivers are running 6.3e (no sign of 6.3f here yet).

Tonight, as of 7pm EST, one has no guide data.

I began noticing problems a few weeks ago when certain PPV events (cricket matches) were not listed in the guide on this one receiver, but were listed on the other R-10 (and, of course, on my ancient HNS E-11 receiver). However, it was a shock to pull up the guide at 6.30pm this evening, and see every single channel listing "to be announced" from 7pm onwards. The programs are available if I tune to any subscribed channel - just no guide or info data. And, of course, no ability to use "DVR service".

If I go into the "Pick Programs to record" menu, there is a little notice at the bottom of the screen telling me there is no guide data, that it is being downloaded, and that guide data may be available in the next 1-2 days (!!). Consequently, there is absolutely nothing in the "To Do List", not even daily programs that appear at the same hour every day.

Of course, the unit is not currently doing its "record the black screen" that it does in the wee hours when actually downloading data. It tells me it last downloaded service data at 3am EST today (Dec 28). I forced a dial-in, which went successfully, but of course, this doesn't bring guide data. The system info screen also tells me the guide data is only current to Dec 27 - which you would think would trigger some alarms!

The second unit also last downloaded service data at 3am EST today - yet it says it has guide data through Jan 8 or so. And the To Do List on that unit seems to support that.

Any advice on this problem? Do I need to contact DirecTV? Is this a Tivo fault, or something screwy on DirecTV's end, not recognizing the access card or Receiver ID as being one supposed to receive guide data?

Thanks

[IminMs]

IF you haven't done so, you may want to restart the receiver. Power down and back up.
They should be listed as "additional receiver(s)" if they are owned by you. If you activated them through a regular CSR, they can only list it as a leased unit. If you cancel,they could make you turn the unit over to them because an idiot will think that you leased the units from them, instead of looking at the activation dates. Call and ask for the "access card team" or tech sopport and ask them to list the units as owned.

[dtremain]

IF you haven't done so, you may want to restart the receiver. Power down and back up.You beat me to it.

Where did the access card come from? Was it the previous owners? Could there be a problem with their account?

If you have not, definitely re-boot it first. That could well solve the whole problem.

If it does, by the way, it will take a few days for the guide to completely re-populate.

[rwmair]

Where did the access card come from? Was it the previous owners? Could there be a problem with their account?

If you have not, definitely re-boot it first. That could well solve the whole problem.

If it does, by the way, it will take a few days for the guide to completely re-populate.

Thanks guys. That was a no-brainer. With all the computers I use, I should have thought to do that!

Right after the re-boot, I still had no data, but about 20 mins later, the current program guide is mostly populated. The system information now says guide data is available thru Sun Dec 30. The To Do List is still empty, but the note at the bottom of the "Pick Programs to Record" menu now says the guide data is being downloaded, and will be fully available in 24 hours - which is an improvement on 1-2 days!

So, it looks like its working. I'll check it in the morning.

Is this a common or known problem? Possibly related or unrelated.... this R10 had been having the occasional spontaneous 6.3e-related reboot in recent weeks, while the one that never lost the guide data did not.

The access card in this unit was a new one I purchased from DirecTV for this DVR. (The non-faulty DVR was activated to my account with the access card from the previous owner - the CSR preferred this to using a spare one from my account!)

Re leasing.... both were activated by regular CSR's who can no longer list them as owned. The folks at dbstalk forums convinced me it did not matter. The story went that in another year or two, R-10's will have so little value I wont want to bother selling one; while if it breaks, DirecTV should give me an R15 for free as they believe the units are leased. (Although I'd naturally try to pick up another R10 if I could!) Canceling isn't an issue, as we just bought this house a year ago and don't plan on moving; and I detest cable in Boston and like unusual foreign programming that cable will never provide. So, that's how I'm playing it for now.

[magnus]

I think I'd still go owned instead of leased. Not sure what DTV would do if say the box got stolen but the value that they have them set is not what the market would be.

Also, if you notice the latest agreement... there is a section about not returning the access card... and it costing $300. So, who knows if they really would do that but I'd hate to be the one stuck with a bill like that.


Re leasing.... both were activated by regular CSR's who can no longer list them as owned. The folks at dbstalk forums convinced me it did not matter. The story went that in another year or two, R-10's will have so little value I wont want to bother selling one; while if it breaks, DirecTV should give me an R15 for free as they believe the units are leased. (Although I'd naturally try to pick up another R10 if I could!) Canceling isn't an issue, as we just bought this house a year ago and don't plan on moving; and I detest cable in Boston and like unusual foreign programming that cable will never provide. So, that's how I'm playing it for now.

[dtremain]

I think I'd still go owned instead of leased. Not sure what DTV would do if say the box got stolen but the value that they have them set is not what the market would be.

Also, if you notice the latest agreement... there is a section about not returning the access card... and it costing $300. So, who knows if they really would do that but I'd hate to be the one stuck with a bill like that.I'd say if it's their property, it's their problem.

It's one thing if you throw it out the window, but theft from your home is a risk (very slight in most cases) that they would have to assume.

I would tend to agree with the advice the OP received from DBSTalk. In my view, the lease/own controversy only matters in principle since the device is useless if you are not a subscriber and re-sale value probably will become minimal with any SD unit.

To the OP: I'm glad re-booting worked out. I figured it would.

While the problem appears to occur occasionally, I doubt if it happens often. I have never had it with either of my two units. I still wouldn't be surprised if a full repopulation takes a couple of days, by the way.

[magnus]

With DTV.... I would not take any chances.... but that's been my experience with them.


I'd say if it's their property, it's their problem.

It's one thing if you throw it out the window, but theft from your home is a risk (very slight in most cases) that they would have to assume.

I would tend to agree with the advice the OP received from DBSTalk. In my view, the lease/own controversy only matters in principle since the device is useless if you are not a subscriber and re-sale value probably will become minimal with any SD unit.

[magnus]

FYI, for reference... they might not ever charge this to anyone but still.

2 (R10s) = $400
2 (Cards) = $600


So, I guess they could charge the OP $1000 but who knows if they would or not.

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=P400042
(2) Access Card Replacement Fee: If you do not return the Access Card when requested to do so, or if we have to replace the Access Card, we may charge you a replacement fee of up to $300.00. If you return the old Access Card to us, you may receive partial credit to your account. If you request overnight delivery of the replacement Access Card, you must pay a shipping and handling fee of up to $16.50.

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=P500014
In the event that all of the DIRECTV equipment is not returned to DIRECTV within thirty (30) days of the termination of your DIRECTV programming services or is damaged when it is returned to DIRECTV, you agree to pay DIRECTV the sum of $55 per each DIRECTV standard receiver; $200 for each DIRECTV DVR Receiver; $240 for each DIRECTV HD Receiver; or $470 for each DIRECTV HD DVR Receiver that is not returned to DIRECTV or that is damaged when it is returned to DIRECTV as compensation for a portion of the expenses incurred by DIRECTV in establishing your account and providing you the DIRECTV equipment for your use.