Newbie need helps - tivo do and don'ts

[Kiteflyer]

Hello all, I am new to tivo, I have read thru many of the threads, and have some questions. Are there some basic dos and don't I need to know before working on a tivo's software or hardware. For example, in one thread I read that you should not unplug a tivo without going in to standby mode first. Or avoid static electricity when working inside a tivo (that is common to most electronic repairs today). What are the other basic rules that could cause serious damage to a tivo. Like when using kickstart or installing a hard drive?

I was given several tivos, one of which was a series 1 Philips with a flakey hard drive, I followed the Hinsdale instructions using mfs tools and replaced the drive, it works great now and it has a Lifetime Subscription! I have several more tivos that need repair, including a Sony with the GSOD and a Philips that will not get dial tone. I have a decent backround in computers and electroic circuit repair.

Thanks
Kiteflyer

[classicsat]

There is no problem unplugging a TiVo in normal operating mode.
Ground yourself as normal when playing inside it.
The power supply has exposed high voltage components. You need to remove power before messing around in there, especially moving drives.

[wmcbrine]

Going into Standby is useful on a DirecTiVo, since it turns off live buffering, which should minimize disk access. Unfortunately there's no way to do an orderly shutdown on a TiVo, so that's about the best you can do. I'd still do it on a standalone, too, but that's just me.