What's wrong with "dead" Series 2?

[dmlove51]

We have two Series2s and a Toshiba SD-H400. They were all purchased within a few months of each other mid-2004. Two of them are going strong, but just recently one of the S2s died. I know that it's likely the hard drive or the power supply, but is there a simple way to determine which of those it might be?

The particular TV this one is connected to is not HD -- does it make sense to even try to fix the existing box, or should I just buy a new S2 -- $99 for a new dual tuner S2? (this was not a "lifetime" subscription; it's a multi-box discount montly sub)?

[rambler]

Test the hard drive from the bad S2 by putting it in the good S2. I am assuming they are the same model.

[wscannell]

What are you seeing on the TV screen when you power on the TiVo? If you see the "Welcome" screen, but nothing else, it is probably the hard drive.

What lights light up on the front of the TiVo?

This may help determine what component is the problem.

Since TiVo recently raised the multi-box discounted subs price, I believe you will pay the new price with a new box. Also, you will have a term commitment. If you fix the old box, you continue with the same price you are paying now.

[dmlove51]

I will check those things out.

Meantime, what is the difference between the Series 2 54XXXX series and the 69XXXX series? It seems I can get a 54XXXXseries for free?

[wscannell]

The 540 series is one of the older series 2 units (single tuner).
The 649 series is a Dual Tuner. The second tuner of a Dual tuner only works with cable without a cable box. Both are standard definition boxes.

The primary difference is the second tuner. The dual tuner box also has a RJ45 jack for a network cable, eliminating the need for a USB network adapter if you go wired.

[classicsat]

Also, the DT(649) and 542 (refurbed 540 TiVo has been sending out) can only tune cable with their built in tuners. Older Series 2s can record analog OTA.

[dmlove51]

Thanks all -- the dead TiVO is only a 40-hour Series 2 single tuner, and that's really all we need for this particular room (we have 7 tuners altogether between the various TiVOs and cable co DVRS, so we're pretty well covered), so I may replace it with a freebie. I'll call TiVO today.

While I'm at it, what's the difference between the TiVO HD and the Series 3 HD?

[BobB]

While I'm at it, what's the difference between the TiVO HD and the Series 3 HD?

Both have the same operating system. The S3 has a larger hard drive and and an informational display on the front, while the HD has just two red lights that tell you when the tuners are recording something. The HD can use one M card or Two S cards, while the S3 can only use two S cards. Finally, the HD can only be used plug-and-play with the "TiVO approved" My DVD Expander, while the S3 allows you to add almost any external e-Sata expansion drive, which may or may not work. Check the sticky posts in the S3 forum for more details.