Initial config problems/ series 2

[chayced]

Ok, this is a long sordid tale. It started about a month ago when I tried to connect after letting my channel data lapse. Suddenly the tivo could not phone home and it kept giving me the 'failed while configuring' error. After trying everything imaginable on my end i finally decided to do a system reset and see if there were some temp files clogging it up or something similar. Note: My network had not changed between when it was working and when it stopped. My Isp is a small town cable company and I'm not sure if they know what cat-5 is... so...

Now I'm stuck at the initial config and no way to get the tivo to download from my wired network, and I have no phone line. From what I have read, you have to boot the tivo initially with an ethernet adaptor for it to recognize the wired network. Well I didn't the first time, and I've tried ,#401 to no avail.

The good news is that I am able to telnet into the tivo and tinker around as required, also I mount up the drive and change whatever I need to with the system down. The bad news is that I have no idea how to reset the initial config, or trick the tivo into defaulting to the network card that obviously does work. So, anyone have any suggestions other than turning it into a web server or a boat anchor?

[chayced]

Well, I've poked around, but can't seem to find where the appropriate config files are located, nor are there any posts online about how to hack the tivo app to make it use the network.

I may end up bringing it to a friends house and attempting to get it out of initial config using a real phone line, but that's not my first choice.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[ggieseke]

Have you cold booted all of your network equipment? Unplug everything, then start at the wall with the cable modem and plug everything back in one at a time. Wait until each unit is completely stable before plugging in the next device.

[chayced]

Yup. Tried cold booting everything several times. The tivo connects to the network just fine, but will not update through the network. At this point I would just be happy to be out of initial config.

Figure the initial problem was caused by a corrupted update or temp file.

[ggieseke]

I'd go ahead and call customer support. Since the IP stack is actually working they may be able to work some of their magic tricks.

My Series 2s are all "unhackable" 649s so I don't have much more to suggest, but you might find some clues in /var/log since you can telnet into yours.

[chayced]

Ok I fixed it, but let me preface by saying I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THIS WORKS.

After googling my eyes out I found a posting for getting Dtivo to use Ethernet.


change
DEBUGBOARD=false
to
DEBUGBOARD=true

in rc.sysinit

also used the ,#401 code.
Now I'm going to watch TV for the next few days.