Trouble with PTV100...

[GamingOre]

A Newbie here! In searching for this problem, I saw nothing being posted previously.

Background - I have a Phillips PTV100 that is at least 8 years old and has provided great service. I did the life-time plan. Several weeks ago I came home to screen that advised that there was a significant error and that the system would require four hours to correct (or words to that effect).

After 24-hours, nothing changed and I called TiVo. They suggested a full power-off and restart. I did so, however, even though the menus come-up and I can play and record (all from a cable box, by the way) everything is displayed in a manner that I would describe as stutter. It plays for a second or two, freezes and then skips to another scene and repeats.

TiVo advised contacting Phillips. After 8 years (with a move in between) I cannot locate paperwork to contact Phillips.

Any suggestions, please?

I thank you in advance.

Jim

[kazz244]

My first guess would be a hard drive. I'm not familiar with your model, but easy enough to repair in other models, so it should be OK with your model also. There are vendors that advertise here (Weaknees or DVR Upgrades) that sell prepared hard drives, or software that allow you to prepare one to replace a failing drive. You can call one, and they will do the repair for you if you're not comfortable doing one.

[LifeIsABeach]

Most likely your hard drive is dying. You can send it in for repair, but it will probably cheaper to fix it yourself (and you can put in a bigger hard drive while you are at it). You could buy a program called InstantCake which will allow you to create a new formatted hard drive for your TiVo or you could buy a pre-formatted hard drive from somewhere like weaknees.com or dvrupgrade.com and just put it in the TiVo.

[GamingOre]

In the meantime I located a Phillips telephone number. I called it and they said call TiVo and gave me the number. I called (which is where I called the first time) only this time they gave me the Phillips telephone number (which is 800.260.7032.

Even though I was in-line as the 1st caller for 40 minutes, the call was answered and good information was given. They have technical term for my problem (skipping and stuttering :) ) and that it is definately a hard drive issue.

I can send it in for diagnosis for $79.99 and then Hard Drive replacement (to 80 hours) for an additional $79.99 and keep it under the Life-Time program.

So based on that, and what replies I have (Thank you again) I guess I will look to the vendors here!

Thank you!

Jim