Bought a Series1... slightly confused

[mrbrown2195]

I bought a Series1 Phillips TiVo (model HDR212) off of eBay. The previous owner did not know much about it and apparently used it as a CCTV recording device. The description in the auction said the TiVo had been hacked to keep it from making daily/weekly calls.

I have a couple of concerns:
1) System information shows the service as "5: Lifetime Subscription". Was there any possible way for the previous owner to trick the system into thinking it has a lifetime subscription? (i.e. am I being fooled?)
2) Will a simple "Clear all data" get rid of the fake call hack? I want to be able to dial out and get guide data.

[unclemoosh]

It may have lifetime sub or may have had it and it was transferred to a new unit. If it never called in since the transfer, it doesn't know it is no longer lifetime.

In order to stop running fakecall, you will need to see what's running it. It is probably in your rc.sysinit.author and running from cron. If you find where it's located, you could just delete it from the drive. You can force a call manually every few days to get your guide data.

[mrbrown2195]

It may have lifetime sub or may have had it and it was transferred to a new unit. If it never called in since the transfer, it doesn't know it is no longer lifetime.


Is there anyway to tell online if it had its subscription transferred (for example, could I log in to my tivo.com account and try to add it), or would I have to give the TiVo folks a call?

[unclemoosh]

You could try to add it to your account. Also, just force a daily call. That will update the subscription status.

Or, if you like pain, you can call TiVo. :eek:

[mrbrown2195]

Well, I like pain, so I gave TiVo a call. Turns out the unit doesn't have a lifetime sub.

Can't say I was deceived - the guy didn't claim it had one. I just thought I had gotten lucky!

[unclemoosh]

No shots, no ducks! :D