Out of the blue - "Failed while configuring"

[sooner]

My Tivo (TCD24004A) is wirelessly connected through a Linksys router and adapter and has worked flawlessly for years. Now all of a sudden I'm getting "Failed while configuring" errors. I've reset and rebooted everything including cable modem/router/adapter/and Tivo. I've disconnected everything from my router except the Tivo in case two things were trying to access the same IP address - but that didn't help.

I've even gone back to a phone connection, but now it too will not work and gives me the same error - "Failed while configuring".

Whenever I test the connection whether by network or phone - its tests just fine. It's just once you get to the configuring stage - it fails.

I can connect to the Tivo just fine. It is assigned an IP address. And I can telnet into the Tivo using Putty just fine and do a directory listing, for example.

So what in the world is wrong? It's almost like my Tivo subscription has been suspended or something. I own a lifetime subscription which I bought several years ago.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

- Chris

[worachj]

Strange that you have the same problem with an internet or phone connection. It could be a problem on TiVo’s end, like a server problem not recognizing your TiVo. I would call TiVo if the problem exists for more than a couple of days, and verify that your lifetime subscription is still valid.

[SubEffect]

I have this EXACT same issue. We went to download channel changes from our cable provider (TWC) and now we're stuck in eternal guided setup mode. It will complete the setup, to the final stage where it checks in to get program data from TWC, then fails on the configuration step.

We too, tried using a phone connection. I verified the number is valid (I get a modem tone) and it fails at the configuration stage. We also have an original Series 2 240 model, Linksys router and use the official TiVo wireless network adapter.

I have made no significant changes to our network and the TiVo connects just fine and my router gives it an IP address.

To "sooner": Have you modified your TiVo box in any way? About 2 years ago I replaced the main drive with a larger size and when I called TiVo they refused to support me since I had opened the case. I am OK with this, but am wondering if this is a possible cause of our problem (is TiVo doing something to disable our boxes?)

Any insight would be great, from anyone. The error, by the way, is N18 (P18 if you are using a phone line) after the failure occurs. I tried resorting to using the kickstart codes, but can't seem to get them to work.

Thanks!

[SubEffect]

Some additional info for this -

The main reason why we are trying to reconnect with the cable service is because we received a notification that our channel lineup would be changing soon. My current theory is that this is a cable service problem simply because of the questions I get asked when configuring the channels during guided setup (i.e. it asks me about a future channel being on channel 40, not something I currently receive). Everything else works fine (we can even transfer recordings from this unit to another TiVo), except the connecting phase of guided setup, which I believe is the point that it contacts the cable company.

We have Time Warner Cable.. so i am wondering if anyone else that has this issue also has Time Warner and the TiVo is simply getting confused since the channel lineup is in a state of flux. I may call TWC to see if they have a clue (I doubt it).

[Eccles]

Anyone have an update on this? I'm in exactly the same boat - everything was working fine until I (foolishly) decided to deselect the unreceivable HD channels in my lineup last night, my S2 tried to connect to download setup information, and "Failed while configuring." It's obviously not a network issue, because the TiVo has an IP address, is pingable, and successfully connects to the TiVo servers to verify account status a few steps earlier in Guided Setup.

Anyone? My wife's gonna kill me if she gets home from her work trip on Saturday and can't get her TiVo fix!

I'm on Time-Warner Austin, btw.

[sooner]

I posted another message in Tivo Underground because I had to hack my TiVo about 3 1/2 years ago and disabled software updating on it (thus didn't think this was the appropriate forum). Thus, it is likely TiVo has recently changed something that disallows program guide updates for TiVo's with old software - and it's been suggested to me to update the software to current version, of course.

So I'm headed that direction, still have not done it yet. I'm trying to make sure I don't lose recordings, I've had to set up a serial connection (finally got that to work) and now I'm trying to figure out if I can hack my TiVo once again after updating software versions - without having to pull my drive. I hate doing that as I've fried a PC motherboard or two in the past in the process of doing this.

[Eccles]

Well I don't believe that's the cause with mine - it's been connecting and updating regularly all its life, and when I checked the status screen the other day it was on version 9.1.something.

[SubEffect]

I posted a similar response on the main forums and one of the all-stars basically said that doing the configuring step, the TiVo contacts TiVo's servers, not TWC, so I guess my latest hunch was wrong.

I unplugged my hosed S2 box all night a few nights ago, tried again the next day and still have the same problem. I've tried selecting other nearby ZIP codes and different cable system selections.. nothing works.

As for system versions, this particular S2 has always checked in and gotten updates. All the latest features are in our version (swivel search, all the online stuff, etc..) so I don't think it's an account/OS problem.

The only thing I did was replace a dying HD about 2 years ago with a larger model. It's the same OS, same everything else.. mine isn't truly hacked and i've never tried to connect to it any other way that with my other TiVo or the TiVo desktop, so I can't figure out what is hosing it up.

Unfortunately it's just sitting downstairs as a storage unit for all our older recordings. We've been transferring stuff to our other working S2 just to watch them.. other than that it's just collecting dust. Yes, that means it's fully on the network and functioning, it's just stuck in guided setup hell. If there were a way to cancel setup, i'm sure it would be just fine.

[Eccles]

I posted a similar response on the main forums and one of the all-stars basically said that doing the configuring step, the TiVo contacts TiVo's servers.Everything points towards something having changed at TiVo's end, not ours.

The only thing I did was replace a dying HD about 2 years ago with a larger model. It's the same OS, same everything else.. mine isn't truly hacked and i've never tried to connect to it any other way that with my other TiVo or the TiVo desktop, so I can't figure out what is hosing it up.Likewise, I added a second drive back when I first got the S2, but otherwise it's unhacked and has been working - and connecting - perfectly for just over five years now.

Unfortunately it's just sitting downstairs as a storage unit for all our older recordings. We've been transferring stuff to our other working S2 just to watch them.. other than that it's just collecting dust. Yes, that means it's fully on the network and functioning, it's just stuck in guided setup hell. If there were a way to cancel setup, i'm sure it would be just fine.Wow, thanks for that tip - I discovered that mine is also visible from TiVo Desktop and from my new HD. I'm going to call TiVo's help desk in the morning and see if I can find someone who can escalate this past their standard support scripts.

[sierrawells]

I too have the EXACT same problem. Started about 1 week ago. Phone does not connect and neither does the internet connection work (same error..."Failed while Configuring").

I have a Series 2 with an upgraded hard drive (322 hours..). Everything has worked well for the past 5 or 6 years. No problems at all.

A week ago, I got the "Failed while Configuring" message. Tivo was no help. Checked the phone number and everything is good there. I even disconnected the unit overnight, took it to work and used the analogue phone line there. Same problem. I'm glad to see I'm not alone and am beginning to think this is a Tivo problem, not a problem with my unit.

Please keep this post alive. If anyone finds a solution, please share it here. Tivo wants to charge me $149 to send my unit in, xfer the lifetime, and get a refurbished unit back. I'm not excited about this route.

[chuckdiegoo]

I am having the exact issue with my Series 2. I posted a similiear link in the official Tivo.com site, with the heading "The dreaded N18 error message" .

So far no luck. I have tried almost everything, including modifying the MTU setting. I have RCN as a cable provider.

http://forums.tivo.com/pe/action/forums/displaysinglethread?rootPostID=10370424

[Eccles]

Thanks for the link - I added my data point there as well. Probably won't help, but it can't hurt.

[SubEffect]

So far, the common thread has been that we've all done *some* type of modification, so I'm going to guess that it's something on TiVo's end.

Well, since I can't get warranty support, I am likely going to try to update the OS version like Sooner did. I don't really have anything to lose at this point, and so far, my account is in good standing.

I am going to try and see if I can query the unit to see what version it's at. If it's at the current version I will just hold out for a solution. I don't mind if I lose recordings, I just don't want to brick it completely.

For further info on this, I'll post in the Underground.

- I also posted on the main TiVo forums since it seems like we all read both.

[SubEffect]

I'm going to call TiVo's help desk in the morning and see if I can find someone who can escalate this past their standard support scripts.

Actually, if I could just get a TiVo person to admit that I've been nuked in some way due to my HD upgrade, I'd be content with that. They gave me the same $149 replacement deal. If I wanted to do that, I'd just buy a new Series 2 DT unit instead!

[Solver]

Most of the TiVos out there are connecting just fine, including mine.

How is THIS problem localized?
Is it a specific area?
Is is a specific TiVO model or software version?
It seems to exist with a network or phone connection.
Getting as much data as possible can be helpful.

Has anyone who is having this issue tried a different nearby zipcode or another media provider? It may not provide the right data, but if it works, it will help diagnose the real problem.

[Eccles]

I'll try a different zip and provider - good plan. However, I must point out that I successfully took my new THD through the exact same setup without any problems a day or two after the S2 started having trouble.

[nogee]

I've experienced the same thing. See my post "Account not Active - Long Existing account".

I was able to re-boot and perform a service connection. My next service connection is tonight so I'll see what happens.

I did not have any messages concerning line up changes, however just now while I was checking my Tivo, my Cox cable box read "LOAD". When I switch to a channel, the bottom banner which shows program information read "No Data". My Channel Guide presents programming information properly.

After a few minutes, the cable programming update must've completed and the program information in the lower banner (program name and time) began to appear.

[Eccles]

Well my first attempt at subterfuge was a failure. I seem to recall at least a couple of other folks saying they were on Time-Warner, so I left my zip unchanged - 78757 - and told it I was on Grande instead of TW. No joy; same result. Guess maybe I'll try 90210 next.

[sierrawells]

I have the exact same problem. I'm in zipcode 84098 (Utah) and use comcast. Doing the "Test connection" yields a successful test but still no joy getting a download.

Any ideas? HELP....I hate to give up my 300+ hour Tivo Series 2 for whatever happens to be in the que if I did a swapout with Tivo for $149...

Thanks

[Eccles]

If it's still busted tonight, I'll try hooking up a hub and a laptop running WireShark, to see if there's any human-readable error message being returned by the server.

[SubEffect]

I read elsewhere where some folks were having issues with channel lineups so they selected a ZIP code other than their own and were able to get a lineup download. I have tried this with about 3-4 other codes and various cable systems... none worked, so I figured this didn't have much to do with my problem, even though I know a lineup change is coming soon.

Localized? I don't think so, i'm in Ohio, Eccles is in Texas..

Mine's a S2 240, Linksys router, TiVo adapter (i have two different wireless adapters, it's not a local network problem), Time Warner Cable, and I am fairly sure the OS was at version 9.1.x before this all started.

[nogee]

I've gone through two updates with TiVo and the updates are being processed correctly since my problem occurred.

I don't know what caused my update to fail the other night and all the problems it created.

I'm in Southern California with Cox Cable

good luck

[Eccles]

Well the IP trace didn't show any glaring error messages, so I called TiVo service and added my voice to the crowd. I was escalated to level 2 support, who told me that they are aware of the problem and are investigating, though he couldn't give me an estimated fix date. I offered to send the capture file to their engineers if it might help.

I urge anyone who hasn't yet called Support, to do so - the more people report it, the higher priority it'll get in their queues.

[Eccles]

Oh, one other thing I noticed the other day - when I go into TiVo Central Online to schedule a recording via the web interface, the failing S2 doesn't appear in the list of available targets, though it does still appear in My Account, so perhaps it's a database problem at their end. I called back and added that piece of information to my trouble ticket.

Can other folks with this problem confirm whether or not they see their problem machine in TCO? I wonder if that may turn out to be the one thing all these machines have in common.

[sierrawells]

I spent 90 minutes on the phone with L2 support. They claimed they had not heard of the problem with other users. All they did was have me try about 20 different connection numbers, both in my area code and others. No solution yet.

If tech support has a case number or something I could mention the next time I call in, I'd appreciate it. Do they have any "code" I could mention so that I can trigger them to look at the right place to see if a solution is forthcoming....

Thanks

[Eccles]

If tech support has a case number or something I could mention the next time I call in, I'd appreciate it.
My case number is 8629360, and the L2 tech I spoke with was well aware of the problem.

[Eccles]

TiVo must have fixed whatever the problem was at their end, because I simply told my S2 to try again just now, without changing *anything* from the last time it tried (and failed) this afternoon, and it went through to completion without a single hiccup.

[chuckdiegoo]

Good news, my system is fixed also, case closed. I also was feeling risky and ran this on my S3 box, no problems either.