Using the 3.0 (Un)support for broadband

[gleffler]

IF YOU HAVE A SERIES 2 TiVo, YOU PROBABLY HAVE 4.0. IN THAT CASE, THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE IRRELEVANT. PLEASE READ THE SERVICE UPDATE GUIDE TO FIND OUT HOW TO SET UP 4.0 UNITS FOR BROADBAND ACCESS.

So, since 3.0 is now going to a large number of people, I thought I'd create this thread to detail how to use the UNsupport for PPP over serial, USB ethernet, and TiVo/TurboNet built into 3.0.

1) PPP over serial
This method involves you connecting a serial cable between your TiVo unit and a computer that has internet connectivity and a free serial port. First, connect the serial cable included with your standalone TiVo (or available for $4.95 from the TiVo Store (http://store.tivo.com)) to your TiVo. Then, purchase a null modem cable from Radio Shack or CompUSA or somewhere like that, and the appropriate gender changers to put it all together. (Or, if you are handy with a soldering iron, you can make the cable yourself. See the FAQ for older versions (http://www.pineaus.com/HOWTO/Tivo-DSL-HOWTO.html) which has the pinouts required.

After you have completed the physical connection, you'll need to set up your computer to expect connections. On Windows XP/2000:

Open Start>Settings>Control Panel
Open Modems (or "Phone and Modems").
Click the "Modems" tab.
Click "Don't detect my modem..."
Click Next>>
Select "Standard Modem Types" in the manufacturer list, then select "Communications cable between two computers"
Select the port you connected the cable to.
Finish the wizard.
Open Network Connections.
Click "Create a new connection" (or "New connection" or something to that effect).
Click Next.
Click "Set up an Advanced Connection"
Click "Accept Incoming Connections"
Select the Direct cable connection you added earlier.
Select "Do not allow Virtual Private Connections"
Ensure you allow the "Guest" account to connect.
If you are prompted to allow protocols, you only need to allow TCP/IP. This screen may not appear on all systems.
Finish the wizard.
Double click the new "Incoming Connections" widget that was created.
Click "Users"
Click "Always allow directly connected devices..."
Close that dialog box.
Right-click My Computer, move to Properties.
Click the Hardware tab, and open Device Manager.
Navigate to your com port where you have the cable connected, click "Port Settings", then set the settings to: 115,200 bps; 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, no flow control.
On Windows 9x (95 with Plus!, 98, or ME), you're pretty much screwed, since they don't handle authentication. Sorry. If you can happen to get a 9x system working for this method, please let me know so I can add the information here.
On Linux, use the line in the FAQ for older versions (http://www.pineaus.com/HOWTO/Tivo-DSL-HOWTO.html) to run pppd right before you initiate a call.

Now, you need to set up the TiVo to make the 'call' over the serial port. Go to Messages & Setup > Recorder & Phone Setup > Phone Connection > Change Dialing Options > Set Dial Prefix; and set the dial prefix to ,#211 -- that's Pause - Enter - 2 - 1 - 1.

Now, test the phone settings, and your TiVo should now be using the serial port exclusively.

2. Using TiVo/Turbo/USB network adapters
Drivers for a lot of USB network adapters are included with 3.0. In addition, drivers for TiVoNet and TurboNet are included, assuming you don't want to run TiVoweb or any other app. This backdoor will only let you use the ethernet for guide updates.

Just connect the TiVo correctly to your network - make sure you are running a DHCP server (most routers include one), and then enter a dialing prefix of ,#401 -- that's Pause - Enter - 4 - 0 - 1.

DO NOT CALL TIVO SUPPORT IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE WITH THIS. This is unsupported by TiVo and they will not help you if you have troubles. We, however, will help you as best we can if you post your request in the Underground.

(Also, if anyone has any corrections to any of the info above, please let me know and I'll change them -- I'm especially wondering about the 9x information.)

/gleffler

[Scutter]

Excellent. This needs to be bolted to the top of the Underground. :)

[Bort13]

yep, very helpful. Exactly what's on everyone's mind as the 3.0.x rollout churns along.

[jcthorne]

I read Otto's FAQ and it looks simple enough, but referrs only to XP. are the directions the same or similar enough under win 2000? any warnings or advise to set this up under win2000?

Thanks!

James

[Hunter Green]

I got 3.0 last night and my link lights are glowing on my $5 ethernet adapter and my hub. ,#401 fails the test call, though, on the "Connecting" stage. I'm using ICS (to share a Starband connection) rather than a router, and previous to this, I haven't used the mini-DHCP-server built into ICS since I've never needed to.

I'm not sure how to tell where it's failing; I can't even see easily how to tell what IP address is allocated (or verify that one is) so I could ping it. I haven't really had time to bear down and try to figure this out yet, but just in case, has anyone else already figured it out, or does anyone have advice on where to proceed?

(BTW, I know a router would be much better. I used to have a nice Linksys router doing this. But then Starband forced me into a "new and improved" modem that's too stupid to be hooked into a router, so it has to be linked to a computer running its software, and then shared from there. Since I'd have to run ICS anyway, the router becomes redundant and only complicates things, so I sold it. Maybe I'll move to somewhere with DSL...)

[Otto]

Hunter: odds are that ICS will not work for this purpose. Sorry, ICS is crap. You can check to see if the Tivo got a IP by looking in the Tivo logfiles. Turn on backdoors and use the CECThumbsUp code. /var/log/messages I believe.

If ICS is giving you issues, try another program like WinRoute or something. Lots of people have better luck that way.

[Zirak]

It would be nice to see a post about how to go about returning tivoweb, ftp, telnet etc after the 3.0 upgrade which uses a strategy that does not require removing the hard disk(s) from the tivo.

If I understand correctly, it should be possible to use tivo's diagnostic mode to switch the boot partition back to the current (non-3.0) setup, mount the 3.0 partition, make the necessary changes, and then switch the boot partition back. Is there anything wrong about this assumption?

I think I can muddle through it trial and error style, but I'm not expert enough in this arena to even begin writing a howto. Even concentrating JUST on getting telnet up again would be helpful. Everything else from there is straightforward, at least to me. Any takers amoung the experts?

[epsilondelta]

Both my modems recently were fried (was asleep in chair when lightning hit; ordinarily I "try" to unplug in storms) and so this sounds great. One lifetime SA has 3.0, fed by DTV.

Does the PPP serial method allow you to still use the serial port to control the DSS? I'm sure willing to hook up to PC once a week.

Would be great to have reports of success/ or lack of with 9x.

Many thanks to all who have made such great tools for us unwashed & uneducated.

epsdel

[Edit:] Tried setting up null modem in Win98 SE; .inf file edited as Otto said; apparently same as in XP. I tried setting up a modem using "Serial connection between 2 PCs," selected proper com port and the wizard said "Windows has finished setting up your modem," but when I OKed this, the modem prop box still listed only my physical modem. Tried several times, if someone knows what I'm doing wrong (I'm not asking Otto or anyone with XP of course) I'd be *so* grateful....

If not, I do have a crossover network between PCs (no router) and I wonder if a turbonet card, static IP on TiVo, & crossover connection between TiVO and PC, together with WinGate, would enable a connection--my internet is dial-up.

I should have searched for this answer, prolly, but you can tell I don't know what I'm talking about...

...4 days of guide data left


Last edited by epsilondelta on Today at 06:58 PM

Edit by Otto: Oops, I meant to reply but accidently edited.. here's the original post back.

[Otto]

Originally posted by epsilondelta
Does the PPP serial method allow you to still use the serial port to control the DSS? I'm sure willing to hook up to PC once a week.

No, it doesn't. You can't use the port for both.

[Otto]

Originally posted by Zirak
It would be nice to see a post about how to go about returning tivoweb, ftp, telnet etc after the 3.0 upgrade which uses a strategy that does not require removing the hard disk(s) from the tivo.

Tivoweb doesn't work with 3.0 yet. Wait for a new version.

And if you want to try the root switch method, go for it. Change the root to the other one, add the run_myworld=false (or whatever it is, I forget) to stop the Tivo from trying to load myworld, and you should get a bash prompt, assuming you had that in there before. Of course, if you were setup for serial ppp before then that's going to try to run. Really, how you do it depends on your setup. Really just a heck of a lot easier to pull the drive and add the lines yourself.

There's a reason it's called "hacking" you know. :p

But if you need some help to get started, you just need to add the telnet startup line back to rc.sysinit. Nothing particularly difficult there.

[Hunter Green]

ICS worked fine, it just took a reboot. Then it was able to get an IP and I had to open the firewall port for that IP. In total it took about six hours to get around to working on it, and about two minutes to solve it. :)

[Saturn]

PPP won't work like this with Win9x/ME, (nor NT) because those operating systems all NEED authentication (a username and password) sent to them before they will accept an incoming connection. Win2k/XP/Linux can all be set to connect without authentication. Sorry, but that's life.

You can still setup PPP the old way on 3.0, however, with slightly different modifications to some of the internal files. I don't have 3.0, so I can't detail them here.

[Saturn]

make sure you are running a DHCP server (most routers include one),

*sigh*. Real routers (like those made by Cisco) wouldn't bother to include a DHCP server. I think what you are referring to is those little NAT boxes that Linksys sells, and calls a router (when, in fact, they don't do routing in the conventional sense).

[Otto]

Originally posted by Saturn49
*sigh*. Real routers (like those made by Cisco) wouldn't bother to include a DHCP server. I think what you are referring to is those little NAT boxes that Linksys sells, and calls a router (when, in fact, they don't do routing in the conventional sense).

Actually, quite a lot of Cisco's routers do have a DHCP server in them now. Not all of them, but the small/medium business ones do have that functionality. Some even have limited NAT capabilities. But for a real largish setup, you generally put that sort of thing in the firewall for simplicity.

[Zirak]

Originally posted by Otto


Tivoweb doesn't work with 3.0 yet. Wait for a new version.

And if you want to try the root switch method, go for it. Change the root to the other one, add the run_myworld=false (or whatever it is, I forget) to stop the Tivo from trying to load myworld, and you should get a bash prompt, assuming you had that in there before. Of course, if you were setup for serial ppp before then that's going to try to run. Really, how you do it depends on your setup. Really just a heck of a lot easier to pull the drive and add the lines yourself.

There's a reason it's called "hacking" you know. :p

But if you need some help to get started, you just need to add the telnet startup line back to rc.sysinit. Nothing particularly difficult there.

FYI for context to this post, Tivonet, not PPP/serial.

Well, as you read into my post, getting ip/telnet back is the main concern. My problem is that I don't have a pee-cee at home, nor any other box that supports IDE. I still live in a SCSI world, and I would be shocked if hooking a tivo drive through an IDE to SCSI adapter would work.

I had a bit of help getting started (i.e. carry the tivo somewhere else), and am trying to be self sufficient!

I *assume* that tivo is providing a full ip stack to support the T*net cards, but I am in no way certain. If that is the case, simply adding a line to rc.sysinit to get telnet back would do the trick. (perhaps also a bit of file copying) Just wanting to make certain.

As for the new tivoweb... I would be interested in understanding what has changed that requires a new version, assuming the ubiquitous NDA allows it. For that matter, I have a couple of suggestions for significant, yet minor, improvements to tivoweb. Who should I send those to?

Thanks for your help.

[jab1981]

Originally posted by gleffler
2. Using TiVo/Turbo/USB network adapters
Drivers for a lot of USB network adapters are included with 3.0. In addition, drivers for TiVoNet and TurboNet are included, assuming you don't want to run TiVoweb or any other app. This backdoor will only let you use the ethernet for guide updates.

Just connect the TiVo correctly to your network - make sure you are running a DHCP server (most routers include one), and then enter a dialing prefix of ,#401 -- that's Pause - Enter - 4 - 0 - 1.


I was with you this far. I have my compatible adapter thanks to TigerDirect.com (brought to my attention by another post on the board). I've add the network cable to my LinkSys 5 port router... all appropriate lights indicate the connection is good to go. Set up my calling info with ,#401 ... It "completes" preparing and dialing... and then I get to connecting "Failed. Service unavailable."

The Test is failed and all is lost. Does this mean I'll have to wait until network support is properly integrated? Any ideas or suggestions, without voiding warranty?

[Doug Schiller]

I was having the same problem.
What is easy to miss is the pause button. I was just putting in #401 and it was failing.

Here is what I did...

Unplugged TiVo.
Hooked up network connection (I have the TigerDirect 3com USB & Linksys Router combo)
Plugged in Tivo.
Changed "Dialing Prefix to ,(pause)#(enter)401.
Then the test call worked perfectly!

I'm loving 3.0

Doug

[hutchca]

Windows 98 and Windows ME Internet connection sharing will not work.
The reason is that they don't use TCP/IP for internet connection sharing.
They require you to install client software which includes a special internet sharing protocol.

Windows 2000 and Windows XP Internet connection sharing will work.
Win2K and XP use TCP/IP routing for ICS and even set up a rudimentary DHCP server.
Win2K and XP should be compatable with TiVo.

Oh, yeah. I haven't seen this mentioned yet.
DON'T RUN THE TURBONET/TIVONET INSTALL SCRIPT!
The drivers are already installed. If you run the script you'll hose everything up.
IF you want to get Telnet running, just add the following line in rc.sysinit

tnlited 23 /bin/bash -login &

Wireless Info:
There is one wireless solution being developed for Series 1 Tivos.
The "TiVo AirNET" is not available yet but can be pre-ordered from 9th Tee (http://www.9thtee.com/tivoairnet.htm).
For Series 2 TiVo's there is no support for USB Wireless Adapters.
This is because there is no interface to configure the wireless specific parameters.
One possible solution is to use a standard USB ethernet adapter and connect a wireless bridge (http://www.linksys.com/Products/product.asp?grid=22&prid=432).

[leebo]

Hi -

I'm having the same (service unavailable) error as Doug describes. My setup is the same as he mentions, only my local CompUSA did not have a 3COM USB-Ethernet adaptor, so I purchase one manufactured by Siemens. They also had USB-Ethernet adaptors available from Belkin, HP, LinkSys and others.

I'm certain the wire, adaptor and hub function correctly.

Any ideas?

Best,

Lee

[Otto]

leebo: Describe your setup in detail. There's a lot of things that can go wrong with routing, and without detailed info about how you're hooked to what, nobody can help you.

[Leon WIlkinson]

Originally posted by Doug Schiller
I was having the same problem.
What is easy to miss is the pause button. I was just putting in #401 and it was failing.

Here is what I did...

Unplugged TiVo.
Hooked up network connection (I have the TigerDirect 3com USB & Linksys Router combo)
Plugged in Tivo.
Changed "Dialing Prefix to ,(pause)#(enter)401.
Then the test call worked perfectly!

I'm loving 3.0

Doug

I had to move my turbonet card to the other TiVo yesterday. I had put in the ,#401 in the Call Waiting. It took me 10 minutes to figure that out.

[Otto]

BTW, does anyone want to host that short HowTO at http://users.arczip.com/otto/tivo3xp/ on their server? I'm going to cancel that account soon and thus lose that webspace. If anyone wants it, make a mirror. It's free game.

[leebo]

Hi Otto -

Sure, no problem.

Here's a snapshot (in order) from the Tivo2 to the wall:

Tivo2 OS: 3.0.S7-01-2-1F0
Tivo2, Upper USB port
Siemens USB 10/100 Ethernet Adaptor: SS1001
Cat5 Cable
LinkSys EtherFast Cable/DSL Router BEFSR41 (in DHCP Mode)
Cat5 Cable
3COM Home Cable Modem
Coax to wall

I took the steps descibed by Doug:

Unplugged TiVo.
Hooked up network connection
Plugged in Tivo.
Changed "Dialing Prefix" to read: ,#401

The test yielded a connection error on step 3 of the test: Failed. Service unavailable.

I'm just suspecting that the Siemens device is not supported or may be non-functional. Is there a list of supported devices?

Best,

Lee

[Spire]

I just got PPP-over-serial working on my Windows XP machine for the very first time by following Otto's excellent guide. (Thanks, Otto!) I would just like to add that it took a little tweaking to get things working properly with my Linksys BEFSR41 router:

First, I had to allow VPN connections. Otto's guide states that "it's not needed for this connection", but I couldn't establish a connection without enabling it.

Second, I had to go into my router's setup and enable the "SPI" (Stateful Packet Inspection) option. For those who have the same router as me, this option is located on the Filters page in the Advanced section. I'm not quite sure why SPI needs to be enabled, but it does -- at least with my setup.

I did some quick checking on Usenet, and some people are claiming that enabling SPI on the Linksys router disables port forwarding. If this is true, then I've got a problem, because I make extensive use of port forwarding. Can anyone shed any light on this?

[Otto]

Spire: I did have it working thru my laptop and my Linksys router once, and I certainly never enabled SPI.

Stateful packet inspection basically means that the router will check each and every incoming packet to see if it matches an existing connection. If it doesn't, the packet is dropped. This does, in effect, cancel any port-forwarding. If you are not forwarding any ports (including port triggering), enabling this feature will add more security to your router.

So I don't see how it would make any difference to your Tivo's connection.

[Otto]

leebo: Might want to check the Tivo's log files and see if it's recognizing the dongle on bootup. I'd bet that the Siemen's one won't work.

[n4zmz]

Otto,

Just wget-ed all of the files. They are showing up as: http://www.lan.com/otto/tivo3xp/

Let me know if there is anything else you might need.

-Dennis

[leebo]

Thanks, Otto.

Here's what I found.

/var/log/kernal/

The device is recognized as the Speedstream USB 10/100 Ethernet, but is not claimed by any active driver. The pegasus driver is loaded but reports that the link is NOT established - check cable. [I know the cable is good - it works with my laptop just fine].

This is followed by a message about going into Rx mode and several other messages about not starting tests or other executables.

So - it seems to recognize the Siemens device, but something is causing an error that is preventing it from establishing the link. For grins I tried the device in my laptop (W2K) and could not get the device to start properly.

I'll take the Siemens device back to CompUSA and exchange it for something different. Other than the 3COM device, are there any other models that are known to function correctly?

Best,

Lee

[dah605]

I couldn't get my Siemens adapter to work either. I bought a 3COM adapter from TigerDirect for about $4.99 plus shipping (about $13 total).

[jab1981]

Originally posted by Doug Schiller
I was having the same problem.
What is easy to miss is the pause button. I was just putting in #401 and it was failing.

Here is what I did...

Unplugged TiVo.
Hooked up network connection (I have the TigerDirect 3com USB & Linksys Router combo)
Plugged in Tivo.
Changed "Dialing Prefix to ,(pause)#(enter)401.
Then the test call worked perfectly!

I'm loving 3.0

Doug

Well I'm still trying off and on, I've gotten the , in there (pause) but still no dice. Should I try to empty out my current local number? Somethings got to be going well as the light is on for the connection on both the USB adapter and the LinkSys router. I'll try unplugging the Tivo to see if it has any effect...

Running with
Tivo Series 2 Version 3.something something

PC 2.4 Ghz
Windows XP
Intel Pro 10/100 network card

LinkSys 5 port router

:(

[jab1981]

After unplugging everything, and starting again... still nothing. "Failed Service Unavailable." I see why the release didn't fully "support" network access. :mad: Time to wait for the next update I suppose. Hopefully then I'll see my dreams of removing that daft cord come to completetion.

I still love my Tivo, and having the tick mark jump back is a god send.

[Otto]

You did reboot with the USB adapter attached before trying ,#401, right? You can't hot plug the USB adapter into the Tivo.

Short of that, I'd check the logfiles on the Tivo and see what they say.

[digital-stew]

Does anyone know which USB Wireless Ethernet Adapters are supported if any?

It would be great if someone could post a list that are supposed to work.

[hutchca]

Originally posted by digital-stew
Does anyone know which USB Wireless Ethernet Adapters are supported if any?

It would be great if someone could post a list that are supposed to work. Embeem posted a list in this thread (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=54620&pagenumber=3).

[leebo]

FWIW - The Siemens adaptor is listed as a supported device. I think perhaps mine was defective. I exchanged the Siemens USB-Ethernet device for an equivalent LinkSys model (also supported) and it worked perfectly.

Thanks for the help!

[droidicus]

I am having the exact problem right now with my TiVo. I have one of the USB adapters what is on the "working" list, and a DHCP server behind a NAT/router (whatever you want to call it is fine with me). I also enabled back doors and looked in the logs, in /var/kernel it states that it found the adapter (and recognized it as the correct one) and that the pegasus driver was bound to that USB device. Finally I found that it did correctly get a IP address via DHCP. I am also able to ping the IP from my desktop computer, the average pink time is kind of long (on the order of 3ms.), but it is a TiVo, and not a top-of-the-line computer.

One last thing is that when I enter ,#401 (pause-enter-4-0-1) and do a test call the 'Tx/Rx' light on the USB adapter blinks several times (the 'Link' light is on as well), so it is trying to use the ethernet, it just cannot. And yes, I did check the Cat5 running to the TiVo as well, the run to the entrainment center works on my computer, and the run to my computer does NOT work with the TiVo (as in the same error occurs).

The only thing I can think of is maybe I need to modify my firewall settings. It should let almost anything out, but I do not know if TiVo needs incoming ports open/forwarded to it. So if anyone can tell me what port it uses I can try that.

[Ruskin]

I was with you this far. I have my compatible adapter thanks to TigerDirect.com (brought to my attention by another post on the board). I've add the network cable to my LinkSys 5 port router... all appropriate lights indicate the connection is good to go. Set up my calling info with ,#401 ... It "completes" preparing and dialing... and then I get to connecting "Failed. Service unavailable."

I am having the same exact problem. I am using the 3COM USB Ethernet adapter from Tiger Direct with a Linksys 5 port switch. Running Windows XP Professional. I have DHCP service running and my internet connection is cable. Internet connection sharing is working and I have link lights on the switch for the Tivo unit so it is connecting.

I will say this, I cannot get other computers in the house to see the internet since I switched to XP. I have done installs from scratch and the best i've gotten is an extremly slow connection in the other room, but at the same time all the computer can see each other and transfer files between them at high speed. This main computer hooked to the switch can access the internet at top speed. Anyone have any tips?

[jimborst]

I really wish someone had told me it was this easy (9th tee Mark said it was pretty much plug and play). I had not had a router before so I got the Linksys Cable/DSL router and after the PC told the router the logon, TiVo succesfully called on the internet-no problem!

[MighTiVo]

Originally posted by Saturn49


*sigh*. Real routers (like those made by Cisco) wouldn't bother to include a DHCP server. I think what you are referring to is those little NAT boxes that Linksys sells, and calls a router (when, in fact, they don't do routing in the conventional sense). [/B]

Mine do, I have two on my Lan, one ISDN and one DSL. Although each only has one LAN port and one WAN port thus limiting it ability to make many routing decisions, I do have it set up so that if a packet goes to one that needs to go to the other it forwards and issues a redirect. The ISDN router actually has mutliple virtual WAN ports even though there is one physical and it can dynamically make calls on each B chanel to set up a link that coincides with the network it needs to route to. Most of these devices can listen and broadcast RIP and do many other real routing functions. Again the real limitation is the number of ports that limit the ability/need to do much more.

As far as Enterprise routers, true most of these do not provide DHCP servers by they do almost always provide a DHCP forwarder to push those requests to an Enterprise DHCP server. I can not think of any current router code that doesn't suport NAT though as this is often necessary on large routers communicate between private networks. The little boxes usually only do N to 1 while the big boys can do N to 1, M-to-N (M>N), and N to N.

[Otto]

Originally posted by droidicus
The only thing I can think of is maybe I need to modify my firewall settings. It should let almost anything out, but I do not know if TiVo needs incoming ports open/forwarded to it. So if anyone can tell me what port it uses I can try that.

Well, without knowing more about your firewall device, nobody can help you. The Tivo's communications are all HTTP, port 80. Nothing special about them, really. Works fine with my Linksys Cable/DSL Router and all the default settings.

[spankspank]

Originally posted by Otto


Well, without knowing more about your firewall device, nobody can help you. The Tivo's communications are all HTTP, port 80. Nothing special about them, really. Works fine with my Linksys Cable/DSL Router and all the default settings.

I think Tivo also expects UDP port 123 to be open for NTP. Make sure your firewall is not blocking it.

Some folks have reported that their ISP is blocking the inbound of UDP 123. The fix for that was to rename ntpdate and create an executable shell script named ntpdate containing:

ntpdate_old -bu 204.176.49.10 204.176.49.11

This fix is only possible on Tivo Series I.

[droidicus]

Originally posted by Otto


Well, without knowing more about your firewall device, nobody can help you. The Tivo's communications are all HTTP, port 80. Nothing special about them, really. Works fine with my Linksys Cable/DSL Router and all the default settings.

Port 80 is open for outgoing traffic (otherwise I would not be able to read this forum :D ), I will have to check on UDP port 123 (I am on vacation, so it will have to wait a few days....). I think there was a problem I had in the past where my old ISP was blocking UDP port 123 for some insane reason, I hope that is not the case, as it took me over 20 phone calls and manny hours on the phone with almost everyone in the management of that ISP before they opened the port last time......

Droid

P.S. spankspank, I have a series 2, so that will not help my situation :(

[Edit: I am assuming that no INbound ports need to be open for TiVo to work over broadband (that would be a very BAD design....), can anyone verify this for me? My Firewall blocks almost every inbound TCP port.]

[Raech]

Ok, I have two Philips SAs I'd like to add to my ATT broadband connection for calls.

I have a linksys router what all do I have to do?
Do I have to open new ports? And if so what do I call the devices? 102 and 103? (Have two pcs on alread which are 100 and 101).

What parts are we sure work that I should buy to connect? Keep in mind the tivos are in the next room over from my router.

And I run windows Me. So what do I need to do on my pc's end?

Thanks cos all of the yes it does work no this doesn't was getting confusing.

[Otto]

I have a Linksys Cable/DSL Router hooked to my cable modem, with no port forwarding active, and no special setup. My Tivo works fine through it.

Actually, I occasionally open a port for a webserver to give someone a file, but I never leave it open for long. I do have a port trigger setup for IRC (identd) but it's only active when I'm on IRC. There's no inbound connections needed for the Tivo.

[spankspank]

Originally posted by droidicus


I am assuming that no INbound ports need to be open for TiVo to work over broadband (that would be a very BAD design....), can anyone verify this for me? My Firewall blocks almost every inbound TCP port.

Inbound and outbound UDP 123 is required. I agree on the design flaw of using a privleged port. On Spire's Linksys BEFSR41 router (earlier in this thread) turning on Stateful Packet Inspection prevents the (default?) inbound blockage of UDP 123. SPI says - if the request initiates from the inside then the reply is accepted.

Not being able to change a series 2 to use an unprivleged port might be a showstopper if your ISP blocks inbound port 123. Tivo should change ntpdate to use the high port.

[cameronj]

Pardon if this has been discussed, but there are SO many posts here I figure there must be a thread right up my alley..

What I have is a Tivo SA with one hard drive, series 1, and I want to connect over the internet through my Win2000 PC. I have no router/switch/network at all, but i'm more than ready to install anything I need to. I want to use the add-in Turbonet card with ethernet, obviously I have not USB anyway. Is there a step by step, made for morons guide on how to do this?

Thanks so much!

[Leon WIlkinson]

Originally posted by cameronj
Pardon if this has been discussed, but there are SO many posts here I figure there must be a thread right up my alley..

What I have is a Tivo SA with one hard drive, series 1, and I want to connect over the internet through my Win2000 PC. I have no router/switch/network at all, but i'm more than ready to install anything I need to. I want to use the add-in Turbonet card with Ethernet, obviously I have not USB anyway. Is there a step by step, made for morons guide on how to do this?

Thanks so much!

I'm not a export so I might be of some help. :)

As you heard people like the linksys BEFSR41 router.

If you read this online manual Linksys Manual (ftp://ftp.linksys.com/pub/manuals/befsru31_ug.pdf)
It will have you all setup to use your Turbonet.

Turbonet Install (http://www.silicondust.com/turbonet/turbonet.html)

Tips:

You must have DSL or Cable Internet service.

You must have DHCP in hardware or software, which the linksys BEFSR41 router has.

Do the install of the router and Turbonet (Turbonet is easier to install then a TiVonet) at the same time. Remember to change the dialing prefix on the TiVo to ,#401 If you like you can change it anytime before you install the turbonet card, the phone call still works with it in.

When you do get to turning on the Computer and TiVo power up the TiVo without the case on to see if the red link light shows on the Turbonet card, and do a test call. it should work, then unplug and reassemble.

Anytime you power-down the TiVo make sure you wait longer then 5 seconds to power up, so the TiVo will work with the router.

One question for the people that belong in here. linksys says to never have the modem off and the router on, why? I do it and nothing seems to happen.

[Raech]

Ok Otto, so what I am hearing is no special things done to my router.

So I need what two cables (I have two tivos is there a way to shunt these together? or do I have to take up two slots?) do I need? Do they make said cables long or is there a way to extend them? cos in a perfect world I would need 40ft total length.

I do not have tivonet or ther other thing, I would just be connecting to my tivo itself with the cable that came with tivo.

So all I need are cables and the know how to make it work with windows ME yes?

Please let me know if I can not traverse this distance. Since I don't know what type of cable I need to connect with I have no idea if it is fesable.

[Leon WIlkinson]

Raech they have long cables at 9thtee.com so you could order the card and the cables you need I would suggest you buy the install kit for $6, all that kit is a 3ft Rj45 patch cable with a wire tie to secure the patch cable to the in side wiring in the TiVo and a Rj45 to Rj45 adapter, so you can unplug the TiVo with out taking the box apart.

TURBONET TurboNET Ethernet Adapter $69.25

PATCH50 50' Patch Cable $8.25

TurboNET-CONNECT TurboNET Network Connect Kit $6.00

You could do as I did and buy the board from PVRSpeed so you won't have to wait for the card.

[Otto]

Originally posted by Raech
Ok Otto, so what I am hearing is no special things done to my router.

So I need what two cables (I have two tivos is there a way to shunt these together? or do I have to take up two slots?) do I need? Do they make said cables long or is there a way to extend them? cos in a perfect world I would need 40ft total length.

I do not have tivonet or ther other thing, I would just be connecting to my tivo itself with the cable that came with tivo.

So all I need are cables and the know how to make it work with windows ME yes?

Please let me know if I can not traverse this distance. Since I don't know what type of cable I need to connect with I have no idea if it is fesable.


Err.. just get a long patch cable? Look, here's the basic concept:

Cable<->Cable Modem<->Router<->Tivo (with TivoNet or TurboNet)

No computer involved. The cables are all cat5, except for the cable from the wall to the cable modem. No special setup on the Linksys Router (it handles port 123 as an outgoing connection and deals with it automatically).

40' or longer patch cables can be gotten many places. Or if you need to run a lot of cable, get a spool of cat5 and a crimping tool or something.

The Linksys router has multiple ports.. or if you don't have any free connections, then buy a cheap hub and plug it into one of the ports, then the Tivo's into it. Just make sure you use the uplink port on the hub to connect to the switch/router. Simple.

You could connect it serially using the serial cable to the Tivo, but not from 40 feet away, and not nearly as easily. You'd also not connect both of them that way, you'd have to keep switching back and forth. Screw it, just get a couple TivoNet's/TurboNet's. Easy. Why muck about with an imperfect solution?

[Raech]

so with either tivonet or turbonet all I need is the the card (tivo or turbo) for inside tivo and cat5 and the connectors. Cool. I have a bolt of cat5 already and a multi crimper.

Thanks. I hate tivo using my phone line, and the needless one tivo trying to call and failing cos the other tivo is already calling junk on the normal phone line. :)

[vertigo235]

Just ordered TurboNET $80! Im in NC :(

I'll be dropping my land line once we move later this month :)

[dcampbe1]

Originally posted by Hunter Green
ICS worked fine, it just took a reboot. Then it was able to get an IP and I had to open the firewall port for that IP. In total it took about six hours to get around to working on it, and about two minutes to solve it. :)

It's facinating to follow this thread on the various ways of connecting the PC to the TiVo. I'm pretty versed in PC system stuff but am having trouble visualizing what can be done with a connection to the TiVo. Does anyone have the background on such a connection as far as why you would want such a connection and what it can do for you, particularly if you have only a single Series 2 Tivo?

[dcampbe1]

Originally posted by tlw1981
I still love my Tivo, and having the tick mark jump back is a god send.

I've been hollering ever since I got my first TiVo for a 30 jump forward and never got any response from anyone. Yesterday, I discovered this forum and what's the first thing I stumbled into (without even looking for it)? Right, the SPS30S setting.

I see you're just as elated over "the tick mark jump back". Could you share what that feature is and why you're so excited about it?

Thanks.

Dave

[gleffler]

Does anyone have the background on such a connection as far as why you would want such a connection and what it can do for you, particularly if you have only a single Series 2 Tivo?

You can eliminate your phone line if you hook up your TiVo to your computer with one of these methods. With the elimination of the 800 number from older standalones and some people dropping landline phone service, being able to use your existing Internet connection can be very useful.

However, a Series 2 will be able to get even more benefit from the network in the future. There are plans to do some very cool things that will require broadband connectivity on the Series 2. Buy the $4.99 USB adapter and get networked! I think it'll be very nice for you to be 'future-proofed.'

/gleffler

[dcampbe1]

Originally posted by gleffler


You can eliminate your phone line if you hook up your TiVo to your computer with one of these methods. With the elimination of the 800 number from older standalones and some people dropping landline phone service, being able to use your existing Internet connection can be very useful.

However, a Series 2 will be able to get even more benefit from the network in the future. There are plans to do some very cool things that will require broadband connectivity on the Series 2. Buy the $4.99 USB adapter and get networked! I think it'll be very nice for you to be 'future-proofed.'

/gleffler
I'm running a wireless Linksys, wired to other pc's, wireless to a laptop and to a cable modem. Could I go wireless on the TiVo2? Is there a way to get the TiVo1 (2.5) connected also?

Do you happen to know what the acronym ICS is?

[granoff]

I'd love to connect my TiVo to my XP or Linux machines, but they are physically distant from one another. Making a hard connection between them would be difficult (but not impossible, although I'd prefer not to be fishing wires through ceilings. :-)

I'm wondering if there is some clever, small, device that is essentially "pppd in a box" that takes a serial connection in one side and has ethernet out the other side, at which point I could connect a wireless LAN adapter, etc...

Anyone know of such a beast? There's just no way I can setup a PC anywhere near my TiVo. And I would prefer not to have to crack open my unit (and yes, I know what forum I'm talking to. :-)

Thanks!

[jab1981]

Originally posted by Otto
You did reboot with the USB adapter attached before trying ,#401, right? You can't hot plug the USB adapter into the Tivo.

Short of that, I'd check the logfiles on the Tivo and see what they say.

I've never checked a log file on my Tivo. I did a brief search on the subject here... and came up with a detailed guide to enabling backdoor mode in order to get to a log file. But didn't have instructions for 3.0, and I'm a bit nervous about going in the "backdoor" so to speak. I would to check the log, but only if there's an "off" switch :D

So what I'm asking is how do I check my log, and how do I get it back in ordinary working order (meaning all doors opened are closed afterwards)? Sorry for being the newbie here... never wanted to hack a tivo

[Otto]

Read this (the first post) to understand backdoors: http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26530

Short answer:
1. Enter "3 0 BC" in the Search by Name, and hit Thumbsup to turn backdoors on.
2. Press CLEAR-ENTER-CLEAR-THUMBSUP on the main Tivo Central screen to get to the log files. Page up and down will scroll up and down, right arrow will cycle through the various log files, left arrow exits.

Reboot the unit to turn backdoors off again.

[hutchca]

Originally posted by granoff
I'm wondering if there is some clever, small, device that is essentially "pppd in a box" that takes a serial connection in one side and has ethernet out the other side, at which point I could connect a wireless LAN adapter, etc...I've seen devices like that but they are quite expensive.
It would be cheaper to just go straight to ethernet with a TurboNet card ($70-80)
Yes you have to open the case, but once you have 3.0, TurboNet is literally Plug-&-Play. You don't need to muck around with the disks at all.
Then you could try something like this ethernet <> wirless bridge (http://www.linksys.com/Products/product.asp?grid=22&prid=432).

[baadpuppy]

I kept seeing a lot of reports here of 3.0 not working right with turbonets, and worried about my SA upgrading to 3.0 when I wasn't here.

So, a week or so ago, I put ,#401 in the dialing prefix and figured I'd be safe enough.

Lo and behold, my SA upgraded to 3.0, and my DirecTiVo to 2.5.2 last night.

So, I thought I'd test my turbonet in my SA, and it got a Failed message. I checked, and it had an IP, which was pingable.

So I thought about this for a little bit, then I remembered the whole transparent proxy problem that I had to correct in the tcl code when I first got my turbonet installed. Thinking this might be the problem, I disabled transparent web caching on my router (smoothwall on a PC), and it fixed the problem.

I know that tivo connecting over ethernet is an "unsupported" thing, but I really would have thought with all the publicity this transparent proxy problem has had on this forum that TiVo would have fixed it by now. I'm fortunate that my ISP doesn't do transparent proxy caching, and that I could easily disable it in my own router.

So, for those of you the Failed message, perhaps this is your problem as well.

*sigh* I would have to get the upgrades the day before leaving the state for 4 days! :(

[pin87a]

Originally posted by dah605
I couldn't get my Siemens adapter to work either. I bought a 3COM adapter from TigerDirect for about $4.99 plus shipping (about $13 total).

Add another failed attempt to get the Siemens adapter to work.
My Tivo loaded the drivers, but failed to do anything else.
Maybe we should remove it from the list??

I exchanged it for the Belkin adapter, and it worked perfectly.

[jab1981]

Originally posted by Otto
Read this (the first post) to understand backdoors: http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26530

Short answer:
1. Enter "3 0 BC" in the Search by Name, and hit Thumbsup to turn backdoors on.
2. Press CLEAR-ENTER-CLEAR-THUMBSUP on the main Tivo Central screen to get to the log files. Page up and down will scroll up and down, right arrow will cycle through the various log files, left arrow exits.

Reboot the unit to turn backdoors off again.

What exactly should I look for.

I have loads of tcphonhome[126] messages. And before that PromoRotation Could not find a valid promotion.

That seems to be all in relation to my attempt (I deleted a channel just before attempting to connect and the channel deletion info is just above the screen of promo errors and the screen of tcphonhome errors.

Any more ideas?

[Otto]

Well, look for the kernel logs and so forth. Is the driver for the adapter loading? Do you get an IP from the DHCP server? And so on. I'm not going to go all out and explain the intracies of linux and TCP/IP networking here. :p

In short, find the problem and remedy it. If you can't tell what the problem is, find someone who can look at your box and do so. But everything you need to find the problem is in those logfiles.

[droidicus]

Originally posted by Otto
Well, look for the kernel logs and so forth. Is the driver for the adapter loading? Do you get an IP from the DHCP server? And so on. I'm not going to go all out and explain the intracies of linux and TCP/IP networking here. :p

In short, find the problem and remedy it. If you can't tell what the problem is, find someone who can look at your box and do so. But everything you need to find the problem is in those logfiles.


Well....... maybe not EVERYTHING ;-)

I have looked in the log files, my TiVo series 2 is recognizing the USB adapter, it is getting an IP address. I can ping the box (as can a friend that is located outside the LAN with some port forwarding), but no luck on connecting on a test call. Always the same error everyone else is getting, "Failed to connect".

I have opened UDP port 123, and have even tried DMZ forwarding. No luck.

My ISP says that they do not block any ports, except for port 80 inbound (code red, that and they do not want servers). I think that they do have a transparent web proxy set up on their end though, baadpuppy mentioned that his personal transparent proxy messed things up, so maybe it my ISP's that is doing it.

Anyway, don't be so sure that the logs have EVERYTHING in them that is needed to fix a problem, as some of us linux geeks are still having problems getting our TiVos connected. :D

Droid

[Otto]

Well... everything *he* needs then. You have your own special issues. You lucky dog! :D

I dunno why web proxies would break it. Seems odd.

[droidicus]

Originally posted by Otto
Well... everything *he* needs then. You have your own special issues. You lucky dog! :D

I dunno why web proxies would break it. Seems odd.


My mommy always said that I was special!!

:p

[pin87a]

Originally posted by droidicus

My ISP says that they do not block any ports, except for port 80 inbound (code red, that and they do not want servers). I think that they do have a transparent web proxy set up on their end though, baadpuppy mentioned that his personal transparent proxy messed things up, so maybe it my ISP's that is doing it.

Droid

Go here (http://www.all-nettools.com/tools1.htm) and do the proxy test on the bottom of the page. It will tell you if you are behind a proxy or not.

[Bort13]

bought the Linksys USB100TX, and it's working great with 3.0-01-2-1F0. Thanks for the tips!

[phinlum]

Hi, I just posted this over at the coffee shop but wanted to try here too. Any ideas??
Ok I got 3.0 and am now trying to get the broadband connection working. I plugged in my turbonet card and hooked in a cable then ran it to one of the jacks that one of my computers is on. That jack is wired directly to a lynxssys BEFSR41 cable router, and from there to a time warner cable modem. My other computers all plug in to this router. I then changed the dialing prefix to ,#401, but didn't change any of the other numbers. Now when I try to connect the green light flashes on the turbonet card but the connection fails. Help Please.

[phinlum]

Hmm, ok a couple of more things I've found. The green light on the turbo card blinks a slow steady green, no red light comes on that I can see. The upper light on the router does not come on, this is the one that shows there is a connection, so I guess something is wrong. Any ideas??

[voxelman]

Motivated by the imminent loss of the 1-800 dial-up connection I was spurred to install the TurboNet card that has been sitting on the shelf for some months. The TurboNet install CD sets up the system with a fixed IP address. My TiVo has software version 2.5.1a-01-1-000. I have a Linksys router but I have DHCP turned off. I'm able to ping, telnet, and ftp to my TiVo. Do I still need to enable DHCP or has this been addressed in the latest TurboNet drivers?

[voxelman]

After reading some more I forced a daily call and it worked the first time. Yay! I love the TiVo experience!

[droidicus]

Originally posted by pin87a


Go here (http://www.all-nettools.com/tools1.htm) and do the proxy test on the bottom of the page. It will tell you if you are behind a proxy or not.

It looks like I AM behind a transparent proxy owned by my ISP. Can anyone who is still having trouble connecting (and people who can connect just fine) please go and see if you are behind a proxy here (http://www.all-nettools.com/tools1.htm)?

If we can confirm this or rule it out that would help.

Droid

[Otto]

voxelman: When you get the 3.0 upgrade, using that install CD won't work right anymore. But the drivers are already built in to 3.0.

So when that happens, you will need to enable DHCP. Fortunately, with a Linksys "router", you can set the DHCP start address and range (assuming you have the latest firmware upgrade anyway). So what you'll do then is easy: turn on DHCP, set the start address as the address you want the Tivo to get, and set the range to 1. Voila. You can leave the rest of the computers as static IP's if you like. The router will route them just the same. The whole trick is to not have any static addresses in the range of the addresses the DHCP expects to give out.

I have a one computer using a static address, and everything else dynamic. The reason for that is that that computer has a webserver on it and sometimes I want to forward ports to it. Be kinda difficult if its internal IP changed from time to time.

[jbyrd]

Originally posted by pin87a


Add another failed attempt to get the Siemens adapter to work.
My Tivo loaded the drivers, but failed to do anything else.
Maybe we should remove it from the list??

I exchanged it for the Belkin adapter, and it worked perfectly.

Me too. Exactly the same.

[shnozyee]

apologies if this is already covered, but I am new here.

will what you describe work through the serial port with a Mac (with keyspan usb/serial adapter) on a series 2 machine or better to go with the usb ethernet to ethernet port on Mac, or will a Mac not work at all for this purpose?

once I get this hooked up, can I change titles in the now playing section?

Thank you all,
:confused:

[Laserfan]

Originally posted by Otto
...Fortunately, with a Linksys "router", you can set the DHCP start address and range...

Thanks, Otto, for this clear description. I have a Linksys router and it seems this feature got added somewhere along the way of firmware upgrades, but their "Help" files haven't caught up with it.

I'm sitting on a Tivonet card (not yet installed), awaiting my SA upgrade from 2.5.1 to 3.0; are you and everyone saying that once I'm upgraded I won't even need to execute Chris Worley's tivonetfloppy script??? If yes this will be very cool.

[hgelpke]

Maybe I missed comething but after you have set up your direct connection in winxp or 2k what do you do next. I went through the guide and everything is set properly but I just don't know what to do next. I ran hyperterminal and got a bunch of garbage so I know the connection works. Do I need to run something else? Please help.

[Laserfan]

once I'm upgraded I won't even need to execute Chris Worley's tivonetfloppy script???

Sorry, I should have looked first. The answer apparently is "no, you don't need nuthin' else" so now I am real anxious to upgrade to 3.0.

[AlanShutko]

IT WORKS! Thanks for all the informative posts, folks! With this thread as a guide, I got PPP over serial working in about 10 minutes, not counting the Radio Shack run for connectors. I didn't even have to do anything about my transparent squid proxy... I must not be proxying the 192.168.10 range.

WHEEE!

[tpunder]

Originally posted by hutchca
DON'T RUN THE TURBONET/TIVONET INSTALL SCRIPT!


What if I did? :) Stupid of me not to check here before running it, I know.. :(

[RevRick]

Originally posted by hutchca
Windows 98 and Windows ME Internet connection sharing will not work.
The reason is that they don't use TCP/IP for internet connection sharing.
They require you to install client software which includes a special internet sharing protocol.

Wireless Info:
There is one wireless solution being developed for Series 1 Tivos.
The "TiVo AirNET" is not available yet but can be pre-ordered from 9th Tee (http://www.9thtee.com/tivoairnet.htm).
For Series 2 TiVo's there is no support for USB Wireless Adapters.
This is because there is no interface to configure the wireless specific parameters.
One possible solution is to use a standard USB ethernet adapter and connect a wireless bridge (http://www.linksys.com/Products/product.asp?grid=22&prid=432).

UPDATE or ANOMALY? You decide . . . I was able to get my Tivo to connect through both Windows Me and my wireless USB connection. Now, all my calls have gone through, and I haven't even had to reboot the Tivo. I have been unplugging the CAT5 cable, since I haven't drilled the holes in the floor yet. Yet, my Tivo still gets and IP from the computer. This is quite different than what I was experiencing last week. However, one must understand that operator error is the main cause of most problems (at least in this house). Now, was it that I installed ICS software, but later uninstalled it? I don't know. But Windows Me is working.

"What was the problem?" you may be asking. I had jarred the TivoNet card off its connection when reinstalling the little "foot" on the bottom of the Tivo. Be sure to read that section of the 9thTee web page. (I didn't skip the step, but didn't think I would knock it off it's connection by gently putting it halfway back on.)

Bottom line? It's possible to use a wireless connection other than the bridge that has yet to be shipped by Linksys. However, if you haven't bought your wireless adapter I would wait for the bridge. I keep waiting for my setup to quit.

Good luck!

[Cypher]

Ahhh...
I'm kinda frustrated... hope someone can help!

I had my turbonet adapter working perfectly under 2.5.x (Phillips SA) w/ daily calls going out over the internet, tivoweb, etc.

Well, i got my 3.0 update and things stopped working. No big deal, right, just put ,#401 in the dialing prefix and at least I'll get daily calls... nope.

I get the "Failed. Service Unavailable" message that a lot of other folks have been getting. Now, I know my router is setup properly b/c it was working with 2.5.x, right? And I can ping my tivo (i had assigned it IP address 192.168.0.100 before my upgrade, but now with DHCP it's 192.168.0.4). I entered backdoor codes, checked the logs, and it looks like it's getting out to the servers ok, but failing like this (from /var/log/tclient):
connection to host 204.176.49.2 port err 0x0
read 1027 bytes of upload data for HServerRqst
Required Parameter ERR_MSG not present
VERSION not present
CODE not present...

etc.

Now, when I originally setup my turbonet under 2.5, I had a content length 0 problem that i had to fix (thanks to some folks out on these forums). Could that same bug be popping up again?

Does anyone have any idea what's going on here?

Thanks for any help!
Jeff

[Riggs]

I'll leave the text up here just in case you're interested in what I had to say, but I figured out my problem - bad ethernet cable. I switched to a diferent cable and the entire thing went through without a snag.

Looks like I need to recrimp my old cable. I just wish I found this out about 4 hours ago...

********************************************************
I'm having some installation issues, and I'm hoping that one or many of you might be able to help me out!

My Series 2 just updated to 3.0 and I bought a Linksys 4-port router so I could do updates via the Internet. I did all of the wire connections properly, I *think* I set up the router properly (my computer connection is working, if that says anything), but the TiVo was always failing on the connection part of the test call.

I opened up the log file and found out that it's sending a DHCP request to 255.255.255.255 but not receiving an IP, at which point it says that the network connection is down. It turns out that the Linksys router is trying to assign an IP address to the TiVo, but it only lists the TiVo for a few moments after restarting the TiVo.

Since my apartment building has in-house broadband wiring, my connection is somewhat unique in that I just plug my router into the wall and not into a modem. I also am assigned a range of static IP addresses I can use.

Does anyone has the faintest idea what could be wrong? Could I have set up the router incorrectly? Is the TiVo trying to look at the wrong address for it's IP assignment (since the subnet mask is *.0 and not *.255)? Is the problem due to my static IP?

Thanks in advance for all of your help!

[anddmx]

THANK-YOU TiVo!! ;)

Thanks for the "Unofficial" built-in network support! Had it up in 60 seconds on my linksys cable-shared network.

Woo Hoo! :D :D

anddmx

PS - Now if TiVo could look down and say... Okay, whoever has a dialing prefix of ,#401, send them a month of programming data, I would be VERY happy. HINT HINT :cool:

[QAI]

I have gone to the proxy check website. No I am not behind a proxy server and yes, I cannot get ppp over serial to work. I am connecting to my Linux server and using masquerade firewall going out. Port 123 has been enabled but I don't think it is getting stuck there. TCPDUMP reveals that a connection attempt is being made across port 80 to 204.176.49.2 There doesn't seem to be a response back from that address. I am considering that the MTU/MRU needs to be adjusted. My understanding of the TCPDUMP line is very limited however I see a line that stated 1514(1452) I wonder if those are the numbers. I also wonder if going over pppoe is a problem. The MTU/MRU is set to 1492 in this case.

Suggestions?

[QAI]

Well it seems that by adding a mtu 1492 mru 1492 to the linux pppd command line worked. I was able to make a test call. I am now testing guide data d/l. The command line for linux should read: /usr/sbin/pppd ttyS0 115200 noauth debug local nocrtscts mtu 1492 mru 1492 192.168.10.1:192.168.10.2. This is for a DSL connection.

[jab1981]

Originally posted by Otto
Well... everything *he* needs then. You have your own special issues. You lucky dog! :D

I dunno why web proxies would break it. Seems odd.

I'd like to argue... but I have no clue about anything to do with this. :p

If only I knew setting up a Tivo to my network would involve so many tweaks and what not. My XBox was simply plug and play...

Guess I'm back to waiting for the next update. I'd like to figure out what's going on, but I don't have the time to learn how to hack another piece of tech. It's not worth going through to have network support I guess. It's a shame they didn't release a more functional version.

*Edit - I've gotten a slew of messages, but it seems the errors are in var/log/messages

"Couldn't restrict write permissions to /dev/cua1 R(ead) only file system."
"DHCPDISCOVER on eth0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 6"
"DHclient send_packet: Network is down"


but it does say local IP address 63.15.82.20
remote IP address 206.115.151.154
and most promising pppd[1419]:Sent 5788 bytes, recieved 2518 bytes.

Not sure at all how to take it. Something is definately going on just not sure what. Switching IP's in the next week or so, perhaps I'll investigate it more on my next day off after the switch.

[Graeber]

Hello --

I am running Redhat Linux and previously had PPP via serial working perfectly. Now I have 3.0 and I cant get it to work. I used to log into linux and run a command "pppd with lots of parameters" that would initialize my connection. Then I could call and everything was fine. Now that doesnt work.

I know my linux box is setup to work with PPP and tivo -- I just dont know how to adjust to this new 3.0 way of doing things. ALSO, I dont care if i get an always on connection or not -- I JUST WANT GUIDE DATA :)

Anyone know how to take a 2.5.1 setup and make it work for 3.0?

thanks,
Graeber

[Otto]

Graeber: Shouldn't be any more complex than adding ",#2xx" to the dialing prefix, where xx is the first two characters of the speed of the connection (like ,#211 for 115,200). Then, when it makes the call, it'll try to connect ppp over serial to the linux box. If you had it setup already, then you're good to go.

[stormsweeper]

3.0 doesn't keep a permanent ppp connection over the serial line. You should be able to start pppd on the linux box and it will wait until the Tivo side accepts. A more elegant solution is to use mgetty, which should already be installed on your linux box. You need to look up the AutoPPP option.

[Graeber]

Hmm, I have tried this and no luck :( It is pretty odd because a few times I have gotten the test call to work but with no consistency. Never has the Daily Call worked! Darn 3.0! So basically a few times I have run my pppd command and the test call has worked but only make 3 of the 12 times I have tried. Any ideas? I was very excited because my 1st test call worked and then the Daily failed (service unavailable). I am using the correct value of 115200 as well.

(Also, I tried to set up my tivo using the XP setup that Otto described and this also doesnt work! I am able to see the ~plus garbage if I look at the input from HyperTerminal (yes, I also eventually see the "User Request" text) but I never get any indication that an incoming connection is coming. It is very odd.) My setup is a cable modem->Linksys router to my PC. My tivo is connected to this PC correctly. I am a little confused in this area because I am not sure if I need WinRoute or not. I think I do -- I just dont know what I need to do with it :)

Anyone, if anyone can help me with either XP or Linux I would be very happy.

-Graeber

[Otto]

Graeber: My setup was like yours when I made that XP page.

Cable Modem -> Linksys Router -> PC -> Serial to Tivo

No WinRoute needed. I just followed the instructions on that page exactly and it worked, first try.

But if you have already gotten it to work on Linux before, do that. If you can get a test call to work only sometimes, then lower the speed of the connection. Without hardware flow control, it's a bit difficult to make it work consistently. I never did get a consistent connection at 115,200, but I got 57,600 to work okay 80% of the time. Just use ,#257 instead of ,#211 and set the computer side up appropriately. Failing that, try 38.4 (,#238) and so forth. If all else fails, give 9600 (,#296) a shot and see how it works.. This should nearly always work if your setup is correct.

Well, okay, so there's no 28.8 bps. :p

[stormsweeper]

I'll note (as I have a few times before) that the pppd equivalent in Win2k (RRAS) doesn't seem to set up routes correctly every time. And the route command doesn't like the 255.255.255.255 mask for some reason. With 3.0, I just force another call when this happens. With 2.5 I had to reboot the Tivo.

[Saturn]

Otto: I've never seen a serial port that can be opened at 28800 bps.

Valid port speeds for most serial ports: (assumed dial-prefix)
300 (,#230)
1200 (,#212)
2400 (,#224)
4800 (,#248)
9600 (,#296)
19200 (,#219)
38400 (,#238)
57600 (,#257)
115200 (,#211)


Disclaimer: I haven't tried ANY of these, as I use an always-on PPP connection, and use the same prefix you use for Ethernet (after modifying rc.arch)


Edit: change baud to bps for the pedants of the group.

[Saturn]

stormsweeper: You must have a strange 2k box, because I've never had problems with the routing on my 2k box. And my route command accepts a 255.255.255.255 mask too (I've used it for other purposes).

[evvo]

I have a series 1 that's been working just fine with my TivoNet card ever since I put in the Transparent-Proxy fix.

I just got upgraded to 3.0 and now all my calls fail. I'm assuming that it's due to RCN's transparent proxy. Is there a fix for this yet?

[stormsweeper]

Originally posted by Saturn49
Otto: I've never seen a serial port that can be opened at 28800 baud.

<pedant>Serial doesn't go above 9600 baud. </pedant>

[Saturn]

Originally posted by stormsweeper


<pedant>Serial doesn't go above 9600 baud. </pedant>

i'm confused

[stormsweeper]

Originally posted by Saturn49
stormsweeper: You must have a strange 2k box, because I've never had problems with the routing on my 2k box. And my route command accepts a 255.255.255.255 mask too (I've used it for other purposes).

Possibly. But this is a fresh install of Win2k Pro, updated w/ SP2. The hardware isn't even all that flaky - Celeron 466 on a 440ZX Intel mobo.

The route command that bombs is


route add 192.168.251.102 mask 255.255.255.255 192.168.251.101


which should make the route, correct? but it chokes on the netmask. I've tried specifying the interface, too, but that gives a different error.

my Linksys router shows the leases for .101 and .102, and ipconfig shows the windows side of the ppp connection as having .101

It only seems to happen the first time the tivo connects to the win2k box after a Win2k boot. *shrug*

[stormsweeper]

Originally posted by Saturn49


i'm confused

http://www.cnet.com/Resources/Info/Glossary/Terms/baud.html


Most people use baud to describe modem speeds in bits per second--but they're wrong. They may say a 9,600-bps modem transmits at 9,600 baud, but really baud is a measure of how frequently sound changes on a phone line. Modern modems transmit more bits with fewer changes in sound, so baud and bps numbers aren't equal. However, only editors, pedants, and communications engineers now care about the distinction. But if you run into members of these groups, use bps instead of baud.


So even my pedantry is incorrect, as a serial line won't use baud at all.

[gleffler]

baud != bps

/gleffler

[Saturn]

Your route command looks ok to me. ::shrugs::

Maybe it is something quirky with Win2k's PPP. I only use NT 4.0's, but I've done a lot of route manipulation with my 2k box (cuz the cable co sticks the different computers on different subnets, despite being connected to the same switch and cable modem).

[Kevin]

I understand that you can get your daily calls on a Series 2 to go over broadband. I'm wondering if I can get the initial setup call to go over broadband as well?

I'm not an owner (YET) of a TiVO box and I have no phone line at home. Can I get a new Series 2, bring it home, set it up with my DSL Hub/Switch, configure the calls to go out with ,401 and make the setup call over the broadband?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Kevin

[baadpuppy]

Those with the "proxy problem" might want to check out this thread:

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=62830

That thread references the original thread where we could modify the tcl doing the http posts to "work around" the problem. However, with 3.0 having the tcl gone, there's no easy solution yet. Wish TiVo had managed to get that one tiny tiny change into their new code.

[stormsweeper]

Originally posted by Kevin
I understand that you can get your daily calls on a Series 2 to go over broadband. I'm wondering if I can get the initial setup call to go over broadband as well?

I'm not an owner (YET) of a TiVO box and I have no phone line at home. Can I get a new Series 2, bring it home, set it up with my DSL Hub/Switch, configure the calls to go out with ,401 and make the setup call over the broadband?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Kevin

Probably not, for now. It will likely be awhile before Series2 units ship w/ the 3.0 software.

[bwiley]

I recently received the 3.0 update and my serial communications have ceased as expected.

I have tried to us the (un)supported ppp feature ,#219 to have the Tivo communicate over the serial port with limited (very limited) success.

When I tell the Tivo to test this setting, my null modem adapter does indicate it is trying to communicate ("answering") but then it just hangs up again.

Part of my modem log says:

Interpreted response: connect
Answering the call
Send: Hello
Conection established @ 19200bps
Error Control Off-Unknown
Data Compression Off-Unknown
Hanging up Modem
Hardware hangup-lowering DTR
Session Statistics:
Reads: 396 bytes
Writes: 48 bytes
Modem closed

How can I get the Tivo to realize it is connected and start communicating or get my Windows 98 null modem to realize Tivo is connected and start communicating?

[stormsweeper]

Try forcing a full call. That looks about right for a test call.

[bwiley]

I would like to continue and try forcing a call, but it does not let me go past this screen because when I test the connection, it says service unavailable and will not allow me to go past this point.

The only way it allows me to get off this screen is to remove the updates that were just entered.

[TxPres]

I have been using tivnet for some time. Worked great. Got the 3.0 on Monday. Added the dialing prefix and the unit made test call fine. Made successful daily call Tuesday and downloaded guide data.

Then, failed Wednesday daily call. (Not sure what the message was).

Tried test call. Successful !!!

Forced daily call.
First time failed getting Accout Status.

Second time got past that and begin downloading. After 3 min of downloading failed due to Call interupted.

Have tried several times. Always fails. Sometimes fails getting Account Status and somtimes shows Call Interupted.

I can look at the logs using the backdoor code but not sure which log to look at or what to look for. I think the unit is connecting to the TiVo servers but not sure why it is having problems.

Anyone have any ideas what is going on?

TxPres

[timbck2]

I have an upgraded Philips Series 1 SA with a dead modem. I had PPP over serial working reliably at 115200 with 2.5.1. After getting the 3.0 update (and of course losing my telnet ability) and putting ,#211 in the dialing prefix, I was able to get TiVo to "dial" out twice -- first a successful test call, then a successful daily call. But since that first daily call about a week ago I've only had one other successful call (in process as I type now after several tries and restarting my TiVo) -- most attempts fail with "Service unavailable".

Any idea what's going on? Should I try a slower speed (such as 57600), or is that a red herring? And if I do, am I correct in saying I should change the dialing prefix to ,#257?

Thanks.

p.s. In case it matters, my "host" machine is RedHat Linux 7.2, which is running NAT and getting its broadband from a Win2K box with a cable modem (ICS is running on that box). Yeah, I know it's pretty convoluted, but it was working before!

[Otto]

timbck2: Yeah, I'd try a lower port speed. And ,#257 is correct.

[bwiley]

Does #3 add a username and password somewhere along the line? Or is it that #2 is just a direct serial connect right out of the gate and #3 does some form of script first?

If #3 does a script, is there any way to edit that script and add a username/password?

[tsawyer]

I've had mine fail on Getting Acct Status as well last night. It took four tries in a row, but on the fourth try, the entire call was successful. Nothing changed between each try.

(This is with hdr112, v3.0, turbonet)

[richtuck]

I am seeing the same problems that TxPres and tsawyer have seen.

I use a TurboNet that worked great before v3.0 came out. Since then I have changed the dialing prefix and the test call works fine.

But then, everytime I tried a daily call for the first few hours I got the "call interupted" message. The last few times that I tired I started getting the "failed getting account status message."

I have the daily call at least 10 times now and cannot get it to complete.

Could the server be extremeley busy due to the v3.0 rollout? Has anyone else seen this problem 'fix itself' like tsawyer has seen?

Thanks in advance.
Rich

[gleffler]

The Call Interrupted is a TiVo problem at the moment and isn't indicative of problems with your settings. Read http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=552212#post552212 for details.

/gleffler

[Spire]

OK, so I've managed to get PPP-over-serial working under 3.0 in conjunction with my Windows XP box. DHCP wasn't working reliably for me, so it's set up with a fixed IP address (forced range 192.168.1.105 to .106). The unit is able to call in over the serial cable with no problems.

Now that there is a new beta version of TiVoWeb (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=62273) that kinda works with 3.0, I figured I'd try to get that working to see what it's all about. I've never installed TiVoWeb before, so this is all new to me.

I downloaded and installed the TiVoWeb package, put a line to start it in rc.sysinit, and crossed my fingers.

The results: TiVoWeb works if I point my Web browser to http:/192.168.1.106, (not .105 - why?), but only while the unit is making a Test Call or Daily Call. As soon as the call ends, the Web connection dies.

OK, this makes sense, I figure, since the PPP connection is enabled only during calls. Question is, how do I change this behavior and make the PPP connection permanent? I tried reading up on various FAQs on the subject, but they are all written for pre-3.0 versions of the TiVo software, and I don't want to risk breaking anything by installing something that might interfere with the nifty ",#211" support in 3.0.

Would some kind soul be willing to post simple step-by-step instructions for the best way to make 3.0's PPP connection permanent, so that TiVoWeb can run at any time, and ",#211" will still work? I suspect that as the 3.0-compatible TiVoWeb package matures, demand for these instructions will increase dramatically.

[Laserfan]

Bought a fully assembled TivoNet card when it first came out, then sat on it (what's it been, a year?). Since I was upgraded to 3.0 this week, thought I'd finally give it a try:
- Set-up my Linksys router to give out 1 dhcp address.
- Install the TivoNet board(s), plug in the Tivo.
- Route the network cable.
- Plug into Linky and get a green Link light.
- Run Angry IP Scanner. No joy. No can find a Tivo at the IP I chose.
- Try ,#401 and find Tivo wants to test the change; no connection yet!
- Restart the Tivo.
- Run Angry Scanner again; hello IP! Pings beautifully.
- Open Hosts file and enter 'Tivo' so its name appears in Angry.
- Try ,#401 again; Test Call following is good! "Resetting clock"!
- Try a Daily Call; get the usual prompts except:
- While downloading sez "Phone not in use"
- Pick-up telephone; modem not active nor is amber LED lit. This is Good.
- Downloading, downloading,downloading geez this is taking a long time.
- Screen finally goes into LiveTV but I'm eating dinner.
- Ended w/"Call interrupted"; not successful.
- Tivo tries again on its own a few minutes later, this time it works!

Amazing. I have a networked Tivo without taking my drive(s) out. Very happy here!

[Otto]

Spire: basically, you setup PPP the same as previous to 3.0, then edit rc.arch to have the call use ppp0 instead of eth0. Then you use ,#401 to make the call. You can't do always on ppp with ,#2xx.

[LisaD]

Please help me. I'm ignorant to this and if someone could decipher/sum up this 6 page thread for me - I'd be very appreciative. I was going to post a new thread for people like me, but I didn't want to hog the boards.

I have a Sony SVR2000 SA. I have AT&T cable (net & TV). I have a Netgear router. I have a 15ish port hub. I have various rooms of the house hardwired to my cable modem & the above. I have RJ45 ports near my Tivo. I have an extra D-link USB adaptor. I have a phone line to my TIVO spaning 20 feet in the house that I'd LOVE to get rid of. Hubby doesn't know how to create/move the phone jack.

Questions:

1) Am I to understand there is a way to hook my Tivo to my system to be able to minimally eliminate that darned phone cord?

2) If the above is correct; Do I need to purchase anything else to make this work?

3) If I can pull this off; What other benefits would I gain besides eliminating the phone cord? And to get these benefits, would I need to buy the Turbonet/Tivonet deal?

I guess I'm just looking for a little help - or a summary of this because right now, you guys are pretty much doing the equivalent of speaking in tongues. :)

Lisa

[stormsweeper]

You'll need TurboNet. Once you get the 3.0 TiVo update, you'd just plug it in and use the ,#401 dial prefix.

Main benefit is losing the cord, and not having the phone line used. Secondary benefit is that "calls" take much less time.

[LisaD]

Well, that's pretty much a bummer. It sounded too good to be true so I pretty much assumed I read it/understood it wrong. :(

So I have to spend $70 bucks for a turbonet card. I could probably get someone in to create a better located phone jack. Or just deal with it till we remodel.

So then the only advantage to 3.0 with this is it is simply easier to install right? I have 3.0 and got all excited that I could pull this off with my existing system. :(

[LisaD]

Whoa! I just looked at Otto's FAQs on this.

At the beginning, it says: "How to setup Tivo 3.0 to talk to Windows XP via Serial PPP -
The usefulness of this is clear: it lets you do your daily calls over your high speed internet connection without getting a TivoNet or TurboNet card."

Stormsweeper - I think I read your post incorrectly. I took it to mean that if I had 3.0, the install would be much simpler (just use the 401 prefix).

LOL - I told you I was ignorant! Back to reading comprehension class for me! Now - Assuming I already have 3.0 - Can I pull this off with the various hardware/system (as stated above) without buying anything? I don't need to buy the Turbonet card. Correct?

[bwiley]

No, you really don't need a special turbonet card unless you really want it.

I am using my Tivo over a serial connection with a null-modem cable and Windows 98 dial up server to connect over the internet.

With as much hardware as you described having and your obvious interest to tinker and hack with the Tivo, I don't think you would have any trouble setting up your system in a similar fashion.

[Otto]

Lisa:

Perhaps a concept explanation would help.

The idea is to eliminate the need for the phone line. To do this, the Tivo will connect to TivoHQ over the internet. In order for this to occur, the Tivo must have some way of talking to the internet. This takes two basic forms:

1. Give the Tivo an ethernet device and route that to the internet.
2. Have the Tivo talk to a computer and have the computer route the communications to the internet.

Method 1 = TivoNet/Turbonet/USB dongle on Series 2 boxes

Method 2 = Serial PPP to a internet connected computer.

With Method 1 and 3.0, installation is damn near trivial. The 3.0 software has built in drivers and can recognize the card when it's put in, get an IP via DHCP, and the ",#401" code tells the Tivo to make the daily call over that ethernet connection instead. Then it's just a matter of having your network setup right.

With Method 2 and 3.0, it's easier than it used to be, but not as easy as with method 1. You need to connect the Tivo's serial port to a serial port on a computer, which then will route the communication off to the internet. That 3.0->XP HOWTO I made shows one way to do it. There are others.

Hope that helps a bit.

[LisaD]

Thanks. I think I understand. But having a huge thick serial cable running to a laptop probably isn't going to add to my quality of Tivo life. Unless I keep it semi-hidden and just plug in here & there.

I guess I need a Series 2. :( Too bad because I just bought this around Christmastime.

[spankspank]

Originally posted by LisaD
Thanks. I think I understand. But having a huge thick serial cable running to a laptop probably isn't going to add to my quality of Tivo life. Unless I keep it semi-hidden and just plug in here & there.

I guess I need a Series 2. :( Too bad because I just bought this around Christmastime.

CAT5 can be used for serial data.

[stormsweeper]

Or you can just get TurboNet. If the aesthetics of having a phone line and the annoyance of having a computer nearby are too much, shell out the money. It's $75.25 + shipping for the turbonet and a small patch cable and whatnot.

[bwiley]

But having a huge thick serial cable running to a laptop probably isn't going to add to my quality of Tivo life. Unless I keep it semi-hidden and just plug in here & there.

Huge thick cable??

For the serial connection, I am using 3-10' sections of 1/8" stereo cables connected to the serial cable that comes with the Tivo connected to a gender changer and null-modem adapter into the back of my computer.

The cable for serial is not really thick or obtrusive at all. In fact, you could have it set so that one of the female ends of the cable could be on the floor near a wall or something (the other end connected to the back of your Tivo) and then just connect the male end into that whenever you were wanting to initiate a ppp connection?

[kyiakr]

I was trying to connect my Tivo to my broadband connection today and did everything I was supposed to do but the test call was failing. I used the browser based utility to look at the DHCP setup on the router and discovered that I could view the "DHCP Clients Table" where my PC was listed with its I/P address but no other devices were listed. Then I realized that the number of DHCP users was set to 1. I changed it to 2. I unplugged the ethernet cable that is connected to the Tivo via the adapter from the router and plugged it back in. I viewed the DHCP Clients Table again and refreshed the screen a couple of times and voila ! another device showed up in the list. I tried the test call again. it was successful and was done in the blink of an eye !

Thanks for all the great info that allowed me to do this quickly and painlessly.

I have been "lurking" around" the forums since February and finally decided to get one of my own. I have only had my AT&T Tivo which I received pre-upgraded to 140 hours for a short while and I have fallen in love with it. Can't figure out how I lived without it ! I am so happy that I am on my own TV watching schedule instead of the networks.

[bobb929]

Yeah, I was having the same problems with getting the "Service Unavailable" message after getting the 3.0 update. Since everything was working up until yesterday I didn't think that I would have any problems - just ,#401 right?

After ~30 minutes of bashing my head against the wall, I realized that the problem was my router. I had a link light and activity, just no go. The problem was I couldn't get an address from my DCHP because the update had changed the MAC address of my turbonet card. My wireless router doesn't let me turn on MAC filtering for just wireless access so I have to turn it on for both. Turned it off, checked the log, got the new MAC address and VROOMM! I feel kinda dumb.

For those who don't know what a MAC address is, it's a semi-unique hardware address that identifies network interfaces. The reason that it never occured to me that this was the problem is that for most devices the MAC is not changeable. After some thought, I do remember blowing by a MAC address setting back 2 months ago when I first got my card.

I hope that someone can benefit from my folly...

[mogwai]

For them that care, here are my dumb mistakes with a Series 2, a LinkSys cable/dsl router, a garden-variety USB ethernet adapter, and how I fixed them.

Dumb mistake #1) Failure of hope versus logic in trying the call without a reboot. (I know, already covered in these posts).

Solution: (TiVo) Messages & Setup | System Reset | Restart the Recorder

Dumb mistake #2) Turning on obscure router settings in my giddy excitement when I first got the router, and then forgetting about them.

DHCP was setup okay--on and giving out the required number of addresses. But the DHCP address starting point I had instructed it to give out was outside of the range of addresses that I had exempted from the requirement to use Zone Alarm/PC-Zillin in the "Security" tab of of the router configuration.

Solution: Either turn off ZoneAlarm enforcement altogether, or make sure that the range of addresses you allocate for DHCP (DHCP tab) is exempted here. Note: It has been said before and bears repeating: if your router has a Wireless Access Point included, you may wish to make sure that you are allocating the minimum number of DHCP clients necessary, and enable WEP encryption of either type to help prevent your network from becoming easily joinable by anyone with a wireless card.

Side note: I did not have to enable anything involving UDP port 123 to get the call to work.

Best of luck,
mogwai

[shallowpockets]

Originally posted by epsilondelta
Does the PPP serial method allow you to still use the serial port to control the DSS? I'm sure willing to hook up to PC once a week.


You can using my little hack, but it only makes sense if you have the extra hardware laying around (already using a Linux box for PPP and it has a spare serial port) and you don't want to open up your Tivo to install an ethernet card.

http://www.bdt.com/david/tivo/gateway.html

Just follow your favorite FAQ for getting PPP working, then follow the instructions in the link above to get DSS control via serial working again.

[Mars]

NEW QUESTION, I've set up the 3.0 ppp connection and have it working with Windows 2000. It only sucessfully connects when I force a call in, never on a scheduled call on it's own. Is this a manual connect only or is something not quite right?

[Laserfan]

Originally posted by LisaD
Please help me... I have a phone line to my TIVO spaning 20 feet in the house that I'd LOVE to get rid of. Hubby doesn't know how to create/move the phone jack...I think there are two other options that have not yet been mentioned:

1. Find another husband--installing a new phone jack is not that difficult.

2. Look into those "extension phone via power outlet" gizmos.

Idea 2 may be scoffed-at as I think some people have succeeded though others have had trouble. Idea 1 may I think be your best bet, but resist like heck any thought of allowing one of us Tivo nerds to approach you--none of us has a real life!!! We all live for our toys!!! :D

[jonb]

Originally posted by Otto
Lisa:

Perhaps a concept explanation would help.

The idea is to eliminate the need for the phone line. To do this, the Tivo will connect to TivoHQ over the internet. In order for this to occur, the Tivo must have some way of talking to the internet. This takes two basic forms:

1. Give the Tivo an ethernet device and route that to the internet.
2. Have the Tivo talk to a computer and have the computer route the communications to the internet.

Method 1 = TivoNet/Turbonet/USB dongle on Series 2 boxes

Method 2 = Serial PPP to a internet connected computer.

With Method 1 and 3.0, installation is damn near trivial. The 3.0 software has built in drivers and can recognize the card when it's put in, get an IP via DHCP, and the ",#401" code tells the Tivo to make the daily call over that ethernet connection instead. Then it's just a matter of having your network setup right.

Otto, can you elaborate on this "trivial...having your network set up right"?
Say I have a tivo SA with 3.0 & turbonet card<>Linksys BEFSR41<>Win98 PC connected dial-up to my isp. Is there a HOWto available? What if later I get dsl or cable to isp? Will I still use the BEFSR41 or is some other setup required? I know I will need a dsl or cable modem. Understand, I ONLY want the tivo to make daily calls. I DON'T want to change any code in my tivo. And most important....will this be reliable? I keep reading "well, 80% of daily calls are successful". Or is that unreliability with serial connection only?

With Method 2 and 3.0, it's easier than it used to be, but not as easy as with method 1. You need to connect the Tivo's serial port to a serial port on a computer, which then will route the communication off to the internet. That 3.0->XP HOWTO I made shows one way to do it. There are others.

Hope that helps a bit.

[Unclegeek]

Originally posted by hutchca

Oh, yeah. I haven't seen this mentioned yet.
DON'T RUN THE TURBONET/TIVONET INSTALL SCRIPT!
The drivers are already installed. If you run the script you'll hose everything up.



I'm one of those feeling really foolish right now... I ran THE SCRIPT!!

Now what?

I have a couple things I've gleened from the thread to try tonight when I get home.. (allow more than one DHCP client, check the rc.arch file contents)

I have 3.0 now.. daily calls broke.. pulled the hard drive and mounted it in the PC under linux boot cd.. ran the tivonetfloppy script.

I can ping & telnet to the Tivo now.. I added the ,#401 dialing prefix.. enabled DHCP on the LAN.. rebooted.. test call fails.

How do I undo what I did by running the tivonetfloppy script? How do I restore the 3.0 ethernet drivers if that is in fact what I clobbered?

Thanks for the help..

Unclegeek

[shnozyee]

Originally posted by Otto

Perhaps a concept explanation would help.

The idea is to eliminate the need for the phone line. To do this, the Tivo will connect to TivoHQ over the internet. In order for this to occur, the Tivo must have some way of talking to the internet. This takes two basic forms:

1. Give the Tivo an ethernet device and route that to the internet.
2. Have the Tivo talk to a computer and have the computer route the communications to the internet.

Method 1 = TivoNet/Turbonet/USB dongle on Series 2 boxes

Method 2 = Serial PPP to a internet connected computer.



I am appealing to Otto or anyone who can help clarify this for me (a tivo newbie)
I have a series 2 ATT, 3.0 upgrade and Mac (although I could get virtual PC to work on it if necessary).

My only goal in life right now is to be able to edit the titles on my Now Playing screen (to archive some of my son's videos).

Can this be done with the system/computer I have now?


:( :confused:

[Otto]

shnozyee: No. Not yet. Tivoweb lets you do this, but S2 units haven't had the BIOS cracked yet to let you modify the kernel to disable initrd.

[Knouse]

My setup: An unmodified TiVo Series routing through a Windows XP Pro box routing through a Linksys 4-port Cable/DSL Router (BEFSR41) running firmware 1.42.6. XP gets it's IP address via DHCP from the router.

I followed Geffler's and Otto's instructions with these exceptions:

I used the TiVo Null Modem cable sold by 9th Tee <http://9thtee.com/tivoupgrades.htm>. No gender changers or null modem adapters are needed as the cable the right connectors -- a 1/8 inch stero plug for my TiVo and a D9 jack for my XP box's serial port.

TIVONMCABLE TiVo Null Modem Serial Cable - 10' Long $7.95
TIVONMCABLE20 TiVo Null Modem Serial Cable - 20' Long $9.95

Like Spire I had to allow VPN connections, but I didn't have to turn on SPI Didn't have to open any ports.

I did several test calls and every other succeeded/failed. I'd just had a modem call before adding the PPP connection so haven't been through a regular call yet.

[jonb]

Originally posted by Knouse
My setup: An unmodified TiVo Series I routing through a Windows XP Pro box routing a Linksys 4-port Cable/DSL Router (BEFSR41) running firmware 1.42.6. XP gets it's IP address via DHCP from the router.

I followed Geffler's and Otto's instructions with these exceptions:

I used the TiVo Null Modem cable sold by 9th Tee <http://9thtee.com/tivoupgrades.htm>. No gender changers or null modem adapters; just the right connectors on each end to my 9-pin serial connector.

TIVONMCABLE TiVo Null Modem Serial Cable - 10' Long $7.95
TIVONMCABLE20 TiVo Null Modem Serial Cable - 20' Long $9.95

Like Spire I had to allow VPN connections, but I didn't have to turn on SPI Didn't have to open any ports.

I did several test calls and every other succeeded/failed. I'd just had a modem call before adding the PPP connection so haven't been through a regular call yet.

I am confused. Why do you need BOTH ethernet(which the turbonet/BEFSR41 uses AND serial(null modem cable)? Can't you do everything much easier and more reliably with ONLY the turbonet/BEFSR41 setup?

[c3]

Originally posted by jonb


I am confused. Why do you need BOTH ethernet(which the turbonet/BEFSR41 uses AND serial(null modem cable)? Can't you do everything much easier and more reliably with ONLY the turbonet/BEFSR41 setup?

I don't think that person has a TurboNet, just using serial.

[Knouse]

Originally posted by jonb
Why do you need BOTH ethernet(which the turbonet/BEFSR41 uses AND serial(null modem cable)? Can't you do everything much easier and more reliably with ONLY the turbonet/BEFSR41 setup? My TiVo is unmodified. It does not have a TurboNET Ethernet adapter. Hence the need to run serial to an XP box which routes me to my home intranet. Here's the configuration:

TiVo serial port -- serial cable -- XP box serial port / XP box Ethernet port -- Ethernet cable -- Linksys router

If I'd added a TurboNET card I would be able to go directly to the router, skipping the XP box. This would be the configuration:

TiVo TurboNET port -- Ethernet cable -- Linksys router -- Ethernet cable -- Cable modem

The cool thing about 3.0, and Geffler's instructions (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=61226), is it allows me download program info via my cable modem rather than the phone and I don't have to buy an TurboNET card or open my TiVo. I do have to leave my XP box on but that stays on all the time anyway.

[ksv666]

Hi,

I've been reading through a lot of posts on Tivonet, and I want to make sure that i have all the correct data. Here's what I have and what I have/have done:

Upgraded stand alone Tivo
Upgraded and blessed drives (2 - 120GB drives)
v3.0 (newly upgraded)
Tivonet
I used MFS tools to back up my machine originally
I installed the "kazymyr" suite (boot disk to enable Tivonet and ran the tivonet script :-( )
TivoWeb (this is really awesome)

So, I can telnet to my Tivo, browse it, but I can't dial out. It reports back a failure when it tries to dial. I inserted the ",#401" (no quotes) in the prefix, but it still fails. Do i really have to go in and edit the "/etc/rc.d/rc.arch" file? Should I copy over the files that this other post listed--> see: "tivonet does not work after using Kazymyr's Bootable Utility CD on 3.0"

Any guidance would be appreciated.

-Kirk

[rchaynesjr]

So yesterday I spent a few hours connecting my TiVo to my computer using the null modem option. Eventually I got it to work, although it is a tad unreliable. But it's still better than lugging the TiVo to my parents' house once a week.

This morning my roommate turned on the TV, and just as I was about to tell him that he couldn't use the TiVo remote to change the channels on the cable box (serial sitting unplugged next to the TV and haven't had a chance to hook up the IR yet), he entered the channel number he wanted. LO AND BEHOLD THE TIVO CHANGED THE CHANNEL ANYWAY!!!! I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I grabbed the remote from him and began changing channel after channel. All that is going from my cable box to the TiVo is the three RCA cables. And I'm sure that the remote isn't changing the cable box directly, as there is still the standard pause between the time that the TiVo registers the numbers and the channel changes on the cable box. I'm thrilled beyond words, but am confused as all hell. Anybody know what's up here?

Rob

[c3]

Originally posted by rchaynesjr
Anybody know what's up here?

I don't use it myself, but I believe the TiVo is transmitting infrared signal to the cable box, through the "eye" on the front panel.

[Otto]

Originally posted by rchaynesjr
LO AND BEHOLD THE TIVO CHANGED THE CHANNEL ANYWAY!!!! I couldn't believe what I was seeing. ... Anybody know what's up here?

Yeah, behind the "eye" is a built in, front facing, IR blaster. It sends the signal which rebounds off your furniture and gets seen by the cable box. It's highly unreliable. Hook up the little wired IR blaster and it'll work more reliably.

Oh, and unless you have a newer cable box that can grok the serial connection, you've been using it all the time anyway. Most cable boxes don't do serial channel changing. The few that do are very new-ish.

[draHeiD]

I have searched this thread looking for an answer to this, but have not seen anyone address it yet.

I have installed TurboNet and configured it with the ,#401 and everything works great.

One of the things I remember reading on my notice that the 800 service was going to be terminated, was that there will be changes to how the data is delivered in an effort to reduce the length of calls.

My question (confusion, perhaps) is this:

Do I need to change the Dial-In number from 'TiVo's 800 Number' to a local/direct number in for the new features to work?

Thanks for the great thread and forums in general.

[gleffler]

No, what the dial-up number is doesn't matter.

/gleffler

[bonscott87]

I don't post much in the Underground so hello everyone! It looks like soon I will finally be able to say goodbye to my phone line now with 3.0. Here is my plan, tell me if you think it won't work.

I have a cable modem connection with Netgear router and 2 computers currently. I plan to purchase a new laptop soon with Win 2k (perferred) or XP. I'll be putting in a wireless access point on my router to use the WiFi connection of the laptop.

What I've thought about doing is setting up the laptop for the Serial PPP connection. Once a week I take the laptop to the Tivo. I connect up the serial cable of my stand alone to the null modem cable into the laptop. Change the dialing prefix and let it dial out using the laptops wireless connection. After it's done it's thing, I can reconnect the serial cable to the DirecTv receiver.

Once I get 3.0 on my DirecTivo, I can do the same thing once a month or so.

Sound reasonable?

[FlippedBit]

Got it working! I had a Netgear EA101 USB adapter lying around but unfortunately it didn't work with my AT&Tivo. Not that it should have worked since it wasn't on the compatibility list. So I order the 3COM 3C460B from tigerdirect and bingo!

[tarkus42]

I just tried setting up ppp over serial for the first time on Windows XP Proffesional following Otto's instructions and I'm experiencing a problem that I don't think has been addressed. I tried the troubleshooting method described by Otto using HyperTerminal. The serial connection tests OK but when I try a test call with the Tivo, on the third step the message "Failed. Service not answering" is returned. Is this a problem on my end or theirs?

Also, it should be noted that I live in an area that requires an area code to be dialed for all calls. I previously had my area code set as the dialing prefix. This was replaced by the ",#211" prefix. Could this have anything to do with the problem or is the dial-in number irrelevant?

Setup: Serial port connected to PC running Windows XP Proffesional> Linksys BEFSR41 ver.2 Router> Motorola Surfboard Cable Modem

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.

[Knouse]

When I first set up the PPP link from my unmodified Series I every other call would fail. After a week it wouldn't connect at all. I didn't try rebooting the XP machine servicing the connection. Guess I ought to try that but since the modem works ok and it's never been a bother making telephone calls I didn't bother.

I think I'll probably get a TurboNet board to play around with when I get back from vacation in late July.

[jakegrove]

With Tivo 2.5:
SA series 1 Phillips tivo
Windows2000
Lynksys 4 port router
TurboNET
Installed perfectly: had ping, telnet, ftp, and call-in through internet
Installed WebTivo with little problems.

With Tivo 3.0
Changed the dialing prefix to ",#401" and now have the call-in.

NO Ping, telnet, ftp

I tried to use "Tivo™ 3.0 SCRIPT FOR ENABLING TELNET ACCESS" @ http://www.jsprod.net/tivo30script.htm

It installed fine, but after putting the drive back in still no ping etc.

I assume that the router is okay; it was working with the Tivo before. I set the password on the router when I bought it a year ago and forgot it the next day. So I can't 'browse' the settings first hand.

With the Tivo doing it's test-call without a problem, I have to assume it's making it through the router without a problem.

This is driving me nuts! I was just about to install some other software when I discovered I was "Upgraded"

I just had a thought:
When I installed the TurboNET with the software from 9thTee, the software asked for an IP address I wanted the Tivo to be. I set the IP address to 192.168.1.200, and that is the address I'm trying to Ping to. Because of the upgrade and the new driver, I'm guessing that my set IP is no longer valid. Am I right?

I'm going to crack open the case again and see if there's an IP written on the card, and then try pinging to it.

Thanks for any help or suggestions.

Jake Grove:confused:

[Robs67]

Hopefully someone can help me.

I wanted to try out the Ethernet "stuff" and have had no luck.

My setup:
ATTiVo running 3.0
Linksys USBTX100
Linksys BEFSR41 Router

I have DHCP enabled on the router. The router indicates a connection to the TiVo with its little lights. Put ,#401 as a dialing prefix. Rebooted both TiVo and router a few different times. The test call always fails upon trying to connect.

Thanks for any help.

-Robert

[gardavis]

I recently upgraded my A drive from 30 to 120 and my TurboNet stopped working. The link light on the Tivo was solid instead of slowly blinking.

I started moving the cable around, maybe a loose connection and the network started working again.

Actually, it was not a loose connection. I had pushed the cable bertween the 2 hard drives (snug fit) and it did not seem to like that location. I pulled it out and just let it drape over the components and the link light started blinking again. The ping command on my PC (that I left running) started getting responses and all was back to normal.

[jakegrove]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I just had a thought:
When I installed the TurboNET with the software from 9thTee, the software asked for an IP address I wanted the Tivo to be. I set the IP address to 192.168.1.200, and that is the address I'm trying to Ping to. Because of the upgrade and the new driver, I'm guessing that my set IP is no longer valid. Am I right?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FYI to anyone that's reading this: I was right. I read this in another thread. The old (2.5) IP is gone. The IP for the Tivo is dynamic now; assigned by the DHCP, weather it comes from the router or other.

My problem was that I lost the password I assigned to my linksys, and couldn't check to see what IP was assigned to the Tivo.

I went to the Linksys website (again) and finally found out how to change the password. Just hold the reset button in for 5 seconds. ALL the settings will reset to the default.

I got in and found the IP for the Tivo. I have a BASH prompt now!

I have ping, and telnet. BUT no ftp. I looked in the bin folder and found that the ftp proggy was gone.

Anyone know how I can get ftp working again? Linix hurts my head. I've been able to figure out just about every other OS I've come across over the last 20 years, but I just want to put my head through the screen after about ten hours of working with it.

BTW: for some reason telnet is real flaky now: lots of dropped characters.

[jakegrove]

Update:

I have FTP now!

I downloaded NetTerm and telnet works great now. I found a copy of tivoftpd in the old Tivo-bin folder and "cp /tivo-bin/tivoftpd /bin/tivoftpd" (I don't know if I had to do this)

I then set r/W "mount -o rw,remount /"

then "chmod +x tivoftpd" to add execute permissions

Then ran it with "tivoftpd"

And I was in.


I have no ideal how much of this I had to do. but the ftp is working now.

I guess I have to add "/bin/tivoftpd" to the end of my rc.sysinit. is this right?

Thx, Jake

[MAP]

Originally posted by hutchca
Oh, yeah. I haven't seen this mentioned yet.
DON'T RUN THE TURBONET/TIVONET INSTALL SCRIPT!
The drivers are already installed. If you run the script you'll hose everything up.


Any suggestions on recovering from this mistake? After my SA TiVo
updated itself, I didn't notice for a while, until I got the notice that
it hadn't gotten new data in a while. Unfortunately that was late at
night, and I didn't pay enough attention to realize that I might not
want to just do the same thing I've done a dozen times before.

Oops. :( So, what do I do now to recover?

This is a stand alone Philips unit with the TiVoNet from 9thTee. It does
still have the older software on the other partition, which would talk
over the net, but one note I saw suggested that going back was not
a good idea. I can telnet into it over the net, and I also have
a serial console connected. It just won't make "phone calls" using
The net.

[NSX29]

ok maybe I missed it, but is there a way to hook a first gen tivo to a LAN?
I have a linksys router running DHCP, with several machines running on it to distribute internet.
I see the serial cable at the tivo store.
but what do I do to hook that to my router?
I assume I need something else in between?
or maybe it just can't be done yet?
they should make a box you can just hook to the phone and serial jacks that plugs into the LAN.
sell it to me for $30-$40 it would be worth it.
:confused:

[jakegrove]

NSX29 "is there a way to hook a first gen tivo to a LAN?"

Yes, I have an old Stand-Alone Series 1 Phillips Tivo running on my Lan through my LinkSys router.

1. It's a little easier then it use to be if you're Tivo is running 3.0. Go to the setup menu and choose System Information. At the top it will tell you what version software you have. If it's 3.0 you're all set. If it's 2.5 I'd wait for the upgrade.

2. Go to www.9thTee.com and buy a TurboNET or a Tivonet card. I got a TurboNET, it works great, very easy to install. http://www.9thtee.com/turbonet.htm

3. Plug a RJ45 (Cat5, network cord) into the TurboNET card. Plug the other end into the Linksys router.

4. In the Tivo menu, go to phone setup and set the Dialing prefix to ",#401" (without the quotes).

That's it. If everything works, the Tivo will go out on the internet to get it's updates. Tell the Tivo to proform a test call.

You're ready to Telnet, FTP, WebTivo, or whatever then.

A serial cable connection is a completely different method of connecting the Tivo to a computer. I don't know much about it, but I'm pretty sure there is no way it can be hooked up to a router directly.

I believe there are other network cards out there that will work with the Tivo, this is just the one that worked for me.

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by hutchca
Oh, yeah. I haven't seen this mentioned yet.
DON'T RUN THE TURBONET/TIVONET INSTALL SCRIPT!
The drivers are already installed. If you run the script you'll hose everything up.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


If any of this information is wrong or unclear, don't hesitate to correct me!
:)


Jake Grove

[NSX29]

cool!
I even have a lan cable over there, is there a spot in the unit to knockout for the RJ45 then?
my warranty has already passed and I have changed to an enormous drive, so I am enjoying the extended recording time already.
I will have to buy one of those cards
thanks!
:D

[gear02]

I just got a new TIVO (thanks in part to reading this forum). It's a Tivo2. I'm trying to get the ethernet adapter working since I don't have a phone line.

I have a Linksys USB network adapter (USB100M) and when I plug it into both my Linksys router and the TIVO, the ethernet adapter doesn't light up.

I'm not sure what version of TIVO I have (I'm assuming 3.0) and I'm trying to do this during the initial setup phase.

I really need some help!!!

Thanks!

[Bob]

Did you un-plug the Tivo's AC, attach the USB eithernet dongle, and then plug the AC back in?

The Tivo only looks for the dongle on boot up.

[gear02]

yeah...tried it many times...in both USB ports...

I'm thinking two things: 1) It doesn't work during the initial programming setup or 2) I don't have TIVO 3.0

btw I plugged the USB adapter into my computer and it works so it's not the adaptor's fault.

[c3]

Originally posted by gear02
2) I don't have TIVO 3.0

That's your answer.

[Bob]

Push your "TiVo" button.

Select "Messages & Setup".

Select "System Information".

What does it say after "Software Version:"?

[gear02]

yeah...my assumption that the newest tivo models come with the newest software version was flawed. it was version 2 something, but I couldn't check until I brought it to a friends do to the initial downloading.

the good news is that about an hour after all the initial downloading and processing finished, I started another call. This call has been going on for the past hour so I figure this must be the version 3 upgrade call. Let's hope so...

thanks for all your help!

[jakegrove]

NSX29

I had the network line running through a hole above the fan; when the cover is on, the center cover-screw covers it.

the last time I had the cover off, I bent the screw-tab back away from the hole, giving the network line more room so it wasn't pinched.


Do you have 3.0 yet?

Jake

[MAP]

Originally posted by MAP


Any suggestions on recovering from this mistake?

[replying to my own post, since noone else did before I finally figured it out]


After several days of perusing other posts, and playing around (temporarily breaking it even worse :( than just this), I have discovered that if you ran the full TiVoNet install script, there's only two minor changes needed to recover from that. You only want part of the additions to rc.sysinit, keep the lines that start bash on the console and tnlited, but lose the lines that do insmod and configure the eth0 interface. Then in rc.arch edit the line that does an insmod of tivone and add the -f option.

That seems to be all that's needed. The tivone.o that the script installed seems to work OK, it just needs the -f to override the version difference, and you want to let the standard scripts do the net setup rather than doing it in rc.sysinit (since they do other things contingent on the insmod command working there).

:)

[specialk]

hi yall. i'm a newbie very close to purchasing my first tivo, but do not currently have a phone line or a home network. i would like to make this as cheap as possible, but keep headaches to a minimum.

coupla questions:

1. if i take the tivo to a friends to do the intial setup and get 3.0, will it pull the software down on the first call, or might i end up waiting for days until it comes?

2. do i need to buy the linksys router? the ~70 is a little steep. would a cheaper model (D-link) work? or can I just use a Hub or some software solution?

as you can tell, i'm not to networking savvy. thanks for the help!

[Bob]

I am using a D-Link DI-704P router and it is working just fine.

[DaveLessnau]

specialk: There's no telling when you'll get the 3.0 upgrade. I doubt it would be on the first call, though. At a guess, you'd probably get it within a couple of days.

[dialectic]

specialk, using a hub alone won't work. I tried that and it failed. The key thing is having a router with a DHCP server.

I bought several routers that didn't work. I finally ended up with this Belkin router and everything worked fine: http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=2094&pcount=&Product_Id=113464&Section.Section_Path=%2FRoot%2FNetworki%2E%2E%2EndCables%2FC ableDSL%2E%2E%2EyRouters%2F

Good luck!

[PD^renegade]

Originally posted by jakegrove
NSX29 "is there a way to hook a first gen tivo to a LAN?"

Yes, I have an old Stand-Alone Series 1 Phillips Tivo running on my Lan through my LinkSys router.

1. It's a little easier then it use to be if you're Tivo is running 3.0. Go to the setup menu and choose System Information. At the top it will tell you what version software you have. If it's 3.0 you're all set. If it's 2.5 I'd wait for the upgrade.

2. Go to www.9thTee.com and buy a TurboNET or a Tivonet card. I got a TurboNET, it works great, very easy to install. http://www.9thtee.com/turbonet.htm

3. Plug a RJ45 (Cat5, network cord) into the TurboNET card. Plug the other end into the Linksys router.

4. In the Tivo menu, go to phone setup and set the Dialing prefix to ",#401" (without the quotes).

That's it. If everything works, the Tivo will go out on the internet to get it's updates. Tell the Tivo to proform a test call.

You're ready to Telnet, FTP, WebTivo, or whatever then.

A serial cable connection is a completely different method of connecting the Tivo to a computer. I don't know much about it, but I'm pretty sure there is no way it can be hooked up to a router directly.

I believe there are other network cards out there that will work with the Tivo, this is just the one that worked for me.

Jake Grove

OK, new to the TiVo scene!

Got a TurboNET adapter installed. Have version 3.0(was installed using PPP over serial on a W2K box).

Question(s) are:

1. I have installed the TurboNET(connected to Linksys router) and it works 100% for test calls, and daily calls, etc... For whatever reason I cannot telnet, or FTP into it though. I used the directions from http://www.jsprod.net/tivo30script.htm as posted on 9thtee where I got the TurboNET from. Reading the above statement, did I not need to install the telnet/FTP access proggy as stated in the mentioned thread ?

2. If no to the above, what is the easiest way to "go back" just install the back up I made with 3.0 prior to install ?

I guess I should mention the TiVo in question is a series one Sony SVR-2000 with TurboNET installed and functioning correctly for daily calls.

[joev]

Having just installed broadband cable and 'net in my new apartment, I just purchased a spanking new Tivo Series 2.. Unfortunately, I don't have a phone line (just cell, ma'am)... I'm using a Linksys adapter, plugged into my DHCP-capable router. I don't get any link lights when I turn the Tivo on with the adapter, but it works just fine when I plug it into my laptop (ie, link light, and I get a DHCP address). During setup, I can get as far as the "Test Connection" screen, and I'm giving it the ,#401 dial prefix, which fails (which makes sense, the link light on the adapter and router stay dark).

So, I suspect my spankin' new Series 2 does not have 3.0 on it... Can anyone verify this? It looks like I may have to drag my TiVo to a friend with a land line...

Thanks for any clues...

:confused:

[dialectic]

I am convinced that the series 2 machines are not shipping with 3.0.

Looks like you'll need to go to a friend's house.

[DavidJ]

Just had to post my success story.

I received my Tivo II on Wednesday and got around to setting it up on Thursday (what a mess recabling the AV system!). By Friday, it had downloaded the upgrade to 3.0 and it was installed this AM.

Started reading and posting in the forums, and a response to a question I had regarding phone calls led me to this thread. I made it a point to stop at Comp USA today and I picked up a Linksys USB/Network adapter !

Even though I've read most of this thread, and all others regarding this topic, I didn't see anything that indicated that existing phone #'s needed to be deleted or left alone. As it turns out, I couldn't find a way to delete the area code & phone #, so I just let them be and entered the ,#401.

I plugged in the USB adapter, connected it to my NetGear Gateway Router and no lights, nothing :-( (I didn't see the posts about cycling the power) Also, WinXP didn't see the new adapter. So I plugged the adapter into my USB hub, Windows saw it and asked for the drivers. Installation was flawless.

Tried a test call and it failed. Came back and read some more and realized I had to reboot. Made another test call which was completed. (yes the phone line was unplugged)

All of that to say it was a pretty painless process. The only quirk (which may of been a result of not re-booting the Tivo) was that I had to install the adapter in the USB hub in order for Windows to see it.

David...

PS... For the Tivo WebMaster. If the spell check program alows you to customize the dictionary, you may want to add Tivo as an acceptable word :)

[DOT NOT]

Can any one give me some advice.

I hooked a null modem cable 55 feet from tivo and connected it to com1.
I saw telnet traffic with the USER REQUEST message on my computer.
I configuerd the mdmhayes.inf file with the additional two lines.
I created a network connection for remote usage.
I saw NONAUTHENICATED user connect and send/ receive 400/500 bytes
Then tivo says services failed to connect (during test connection).

I assume this hack does not require access to the internal TIVO Box
Any advice ?

:confused:

[DriverJohn]

Followed directions; /http://tivohelp.swiki.net/6 and have telnet access. DHCP gives me the Tivo IP address. But when I tried; ,*401 Failed. Line unavailable. Confused about 'Line unavailable', is it still trying to 'call' home? Thought the 'line' call would not occur, just the 'lan' call? Anyone?

[dialectic]

Originally posted by DriverJohn
,*401 Failed. Line unavailable. Confused about 'Line unavailable', is it still trying to 'call' home?

You are misssing the pound sign.
You need to use:
,#401

[DriverJohn]

Ha.. just fell off the turnip truck. Been fighting this all day, and that's what it was. Thanks.

[dialectic]

You're very welcome!

Also because the ethernet access is unsupported, TiVo still refers to phone calls and "line unavailable." Eventually if/when this becomes a supported feature, then you will more than likely see a better user interface for broadband access.

[P-Funk]

I followed Ottos instructions (you're the man) on connecting my series 1 SVR-2000 to my Linksys Router through my XP machine. However, I DID have to allow virtual private networks AND allow port 123 both ways.

Tivo connects to my computer fine
Tivo gets an IP from my router
Tivo succeeds 100% of the time with TEST calls
Tivo FAILS 100% of the time with forced daily calls. It fails on connecting....

Huh?! :confused:

Help me please! Ive tried slower speeds but I get the same results.

P.S. Regarding allowing 123 and VPN, tivo just would not reach the internet - even for test calls - if either of these weren't selected. I must have a different firmware version in my router or something.

[P-Funk]

Yeah...I think TiVo was designed to make me crazy.

All of a sudden it just decided to start working. Randomly on its next scheduled daily call, it connected through my computer, downloaded a new software version and then downloaded program data! Sweet!

I think that TiVo knows just when youre about to kick it out the window, and right then it does what youve been trying to get it to do all along.

Whatever.
:p :)

[aubin]

my modem died somehow and i didnt notice the tivo complaining about running out of guide data. now i have none left, which means the tivo will not let me into the ouija screen to activate debugging mode so i can see if it's getting anywhere with the usb nic i have. i have two, actually. a netgear fa-101 that definitely does not work, because the tivo doesn't even "dial", and a second siemens ss1001 model where the tivo "dials" but cannot connect to the service. i have restarted the tivo subsequent to plugging in both nics. i have a feeling the netgear just isnt supported, but the siemens was in a list of working cards i saw somewhere on this forum...here's my setup. i have coax coming into my motorolla sb3100 cablemodem, cat5 goes to my 4port netgear router, which is plugged into the siemens nic on the tivo among other things. with either nic i cannot get a link light on the router from the tivo, but with the siemens nic the unit completes the "dialing" step but fails to connect. did i just get lucky and end up buying 2 unsupported nics? any insight would be helpful, especially since i cannot enter debug mode it seems since my tivo will not let me access the ouija because it is out of guide data. is there a way to access debug mode without ouija access? i have not done much hacking of my tivo as yet so unfortunately i have no shell/telnet/ftp access to it. :-/. any help would be much appreciated.

-aubin

[jab1981]

Originally posted by tlw1981


I'd like to argue... but I have no clue about anything to do with this. :p

If only I knew setting up a Tivo to my network would involve so many tweaks and what not. My XBox was simply plug and play...

Guess I'm back to waiting for the next update. I'd like to figure out what's going on, but I don't have the time to learn how to hack another piece of tech. It's not worth going through to have network support I guess. It's a shame they didn't release a more functional version.

*Edit - I've gotten a slew of messages, but it seems the errors are in var/log/messages

"Couldn't restrict write permissions to /dev/cua1 R(ead) only file system."
"DHCPDISCOVER on eth0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67 interval 6"
"DHclient send_packet: Network is down"


but it does say local IP address 63.15.82.20
remote IP address 206.115.151.154
and most promising pppd[1419]:Sent 5788 bytes, recieved 2518 bytes.

Not sure at all how to take it. Something is definately going on just not sure what. Switching IP's in the next week or so, perhaps I'll investigate it more on my next day off after the switch.

After switching to Comcast High Speed Internet... Tivo On-line Support has worked wonderfully!

[madperk]

I have recently had a problem with the phone lines in my home. after much discussion with the helpful people at TiVo they decided that my problem was that there was not enogh voltage being regulated inside my home phone wireing?!? OK so i decided to try out the FAQ that OttO has published. i have triple checked my connection setting and everything looks correct to me. I cannot get anything out of the connection that i set up and see no garbage when i try to connect via Hypreterm. I have noticed in the trouble shooting log in my modem that some activity is occuring. I am not trying to make a daily call but rather got stuck in a loop when trying to add a satilite reciever to my a/v system. I am stuck in the first of two parts in the "first time connection" dialogue. here is a copy of the activity log the is attached to my modem.

08-19-2002 21:51:34.412 - 115200,8,N,1, ctsfl=0, rtsctl=1
08-19-2002 21:51:34.412 - Initializing modem.
08-19-2002 21:51:34.412 - Waiting for a call.
08-19-2002 21:53:12.413 - TSP(0000): Making Call
08-19-2002 21:53:12.413 - Passthrough On
08-19-2002 21:53:12.413 - TSP Completing Async Operation(0x00010100) Status 0x00000000
08-19-2002 21:53:12.413 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_CONNECTED
08-19-2002 21:53:22.427 - TSP(0000): Dropping Call
08-19-2002 21:53:22.427 - Passthrough Off
08-19-2002 21:53:22.427 - 115200,8,N,1, ctsfl=0, rtsctl=1
08-19-2002 21:53:22.427 - Initializing modem.
08-19-2002 21:53:22.427 - Waiting for a call.
08-19-2002 21:53:22.427 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_DISCONNECTED(0x1)
08-19-2002 21:53:22.427 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_IDLE
08-19-2002 21:53:22.427 - TSP Completing Async Operation(0x000100dd) Status 0x00000000
08-19-2002 21:53:22.427 - TSP(0000): Closing Call

Any help would be greatly appreciated. My tivo is down and it has been over two years since i bought my tivo and I don't understand how TV works without it.


Thanks

Madperk

[z_corey_z]

I just want to give major props to anyone and everyone involved in making turbonet a reality! My modem died awhile back so rather then spend the same amount of money to fix it, I got turbonet and a wireless linksys router. Unfortunately, some jackass from Airborne Express decided to leave the wireless router + wireless PCI card by the door in my apartment. That got stolen. Then I ran to Radio Shack and got a regular old 4 port 10/100 router. I was a bit worried having NO EXPERIENCE with networking, hacking, or much else of the stuff needed to do this, but after 2 hours my Tivo was downloading the latest program data via my cable modem. I didn't think it would be this easy! Thanks to all who posted good info and how to's!! I can't wait to get telnet and FTP going!

[tepickering]

the old FAQ gives a pppd command line that is sufficient for testing a serial connection between a tivo and a linux box, but not really suitable for regular use. once i got my serial connection set up and tivo's dialing configured appropriately, i put this line in my /etc/rc.local:

/usr/sbin/pppd ttyS0 115200 noauth debug local nocrtscts persist passive 192.168.10.1:192.168.10.2

the key option is 'persist' because without it pppd will just die once the tivo hangs up. with it pppd will reset itself after tivo hangs up and wait for another connection. putting the line in /etc/rc.local ensures that pppd will always get started up after a reboot.

at any rate, my serial/PPP connection has been working great for a couple weeks and i'm relieved to be completely qwest-free now. many thanks to those in this forum who've posted the info and tips on getting this set up.

tim

[jrock]

I got a new Series 2 from Best Buy last week and have been on this forum almost every day since. It's been a great resource. I ended up getting a Linksys USB Ethernet adapter from pvrjoe.com for $20, I know I saw links for cheaper ones but they no longer had them and I read the linksys one is the best and he has them in stock and ships them priority mail. I used the forum to set it up and I just wanted to add one thing for novice users. I plugged it in and the lights didnt come on, I had to reboot the tive to get it to work in the messages and setup, system reset, restart the recorder. Then when it started the lights started flashing and it made the call using the ethernet with the ,401 as stated in the first post in this thread. Maybe the origonal poster could edit the first post to add this, I'm sure it will help a lot of newbies like me. Also just to let people know that are still using the phone with the modem, the updates are much faster this way, even making a test call is 10x faster. So if you have broad band and a router with an extra port you should consider this option especially if you have to call long distance for the tivo service, I was lucky I had a local # but I still wanted this.

-Joe

[slackerVCD]

I have 3.0 working PPP over serial <woohoo!>

Not sure if this has been posted yet, or if anyone else out there has the same config/problem, but maybe somebody can benefit from this.

My hardware:

Tivo series 1
Linksys BEFN2PS4 Cable Router (DHCP Server ON)
Linksys Wap11 Wireless access Point (Encryption currently off)
Orinoco Gold Wireless PC Card
Dell Laptop running XP
(Time Warner Broadband)

I couldn't get Tivo past the "connecting..." stage after following the FAQ, so I hit the forums and tried various tweaks (opening UDP 123 in/out, putting the tivo on DMZ, VPN enable, SPI on/off etc...)

Nothing worked. I checked the outgoing access log on the router, and saw that the Tivo IP was infact hitting an external address on port 80 (good news). From the laptop I was unable to ping the TIVO IP... This was suspicious, so I changed the IP settings for the serial connection to a static address and was able to ping.

Well needless to say that worked, and the Tivo began completing the call. I'm not to sure why a DHCP didn't work with my config, but I'm not going to lose sleep on it. I've been fighting it for over an hour.

Good luck!

[ElijahDProphet]

Ok, heres what i got
Tivo series 1
Linksys NIC in my XP machine
RCA cable modem

Now, my tivo connects to my PC--i can ping the assigned IP addy, and it keeps the connection open for a few mins ending with the service unavailable error.
Now, SOMETIMES in send/recieves a few 1000 bytes, sometimes only a few hundred.
Does anyone have any ideas?

______
edit----i am using a null modem cable to connect the tivo to the pc, and as i said, THAT connection is working fine, is there a log file i can view on my pc to see the signal going to wherever it goes?

[ElijahDProphet]

:confused: :confused: :confused:
Ok, heres what happened, i read about a billion posts and tried using wingate, which i didnt understand, so i got winroute.
The only thing i dont get with winroute is why i cant choose "DHCP server" in the configuration, its greyed out.
but, with WR running in the backround I got a test call through, but the daily call failed. Sometimes when i tel tivo to try the test call i see around 5000 bytes sent but usually it sits right around 250.
I tried to traceroute to the tivo server and it was slow as hell and timed out on a few steps, the one worrying me being the 1 right after my cable modem---Any Ideas? I gotta ditch this phone cable...

[slackerVCD]

Originally posted by ElijahDProphet
:confused: :confused: :confused:
The only thing i dont get with winroute is why i cant choose "DHCP server" in the configuration, its greyed out.


Just a thought... for Winroute to function as a DHCP server, the PC cannot have a DHCP address itself. It should be a static IP.

That's the first place I'd look.

Good luck.

[ElijahDProphet]

i actually got it working, for some reason i couldnt route through the high speed connection more than once per reboot, i assume its something in XP or winroute that logs connection IPs and wont let tivo get through on the same IP twice, but its working...

[BarryD99]

I need suggestions please.
Tivo Series 2 RUNNING 3.0
LINKSYS Etherfast 10/100 USB adapter
SMC Barricade 7004 VBR
50 Ft or more of CAT 5 cable

I have a Windows 2000 Computer right next to my Tivo, about 50 feet from my smc router. I could not get the Windows 2000 network card to work at 100 mb/sec, so I lowered it to 10 mb/sec half duplex thru device manager.
If I connect the Linksys USB adapter to the Windows 2000 computer and then to my network, it too won't work (at the 50 ft distance and 100 mb/sec). If I slow it down to 10 mb/sec, half duplex it works fine at the 50 ft distance. It will work at the 100 mb/sec setting on a 10 ft CAT 5 cable.

When I say doesn't work, I mean the link light isn't on and I can't ping it.
Sometimes it shows up on the DHCP server screen, sometimes not.

OK, I have to assume the problem is trying to go 100 mb/sec at full duplex AND 50 PLUS FEET
With the Windows, I can throtle it back to 10 mb/sec. I don't know anything about Linux serial PPP connections, etc.

Would a 10 mb/sec USB instead of 10/100 USB adapter solve my problem?
Is there such animal?

Is there an easy way for a dummy to have the Tivo use the current adapter at 10 mb/sec?

Is there any kind of booster that would amplify the signal so that it would work at 50 plus feet?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[jaldana]

I was having the same problem.
What is easy to miss is the pause button. I was just putting in #401 and it was failing.

Here is what I did...

Unplugged TiVo.
Hooked up network connection (I have the TigerDirect 3com USB & Linksys Router combo)
Plugged in Tivo.
Changed "Dialing Prefix to ,(pause)#(enter)401.
Then the test call worked perfectly!

i did all of this.. the test was successfull.. i made my daily call which took an hour. but i still only have 5 days of programming on my guide.. where am i going wrong??

[jaldana]

nevermind... after finishing off a delayed show.. my tivo was fully updated.. needless to say i am once again elated about tivo :)

[BarryD99]

Solved my problem of needing to run at 10 mb/sec instead of 100.

I just connected the Linksys adapter on the Tivo to an old 10 mb/sec hub and then connected the hub to my router. The result was that I forced the Linksys to negotiate at 10 mb/sec

Not very elligent, but it works

[stickram]

I just bought my TIVO series two. I am trying to get it set up via Broadband (I don't have home phone). I've followed the posted directions but no luck.

I've got the Tivo plugged into my netgear (via USB to ethernet converter). I've try the #401 directions and it is still looking for a dialtone. Help?!

I am running XP, using a Netgear RP 614, and am NOT very techincal.

Any help would be appreciated.

[c3]

Originally posted by stickram
I just bought my TIVO series two.

You need a landline to upgrade the OS to 3.0, and then you can use broadband.

[pmrowley]

Has anyone managed to get a wireless ethernet setup to work with a Series2? I really don't feel like dropping a bunch of CAT-5 from my switch upstairs to the TV area. (That was the biggest reason to put in the darn wireless network in the first place; everything downstairs connects via 802.11b, everything in my office is connected to the wired network.)

What I am looking for, are there any drivers on board that will work with a USB wireless adapter (obviously, I would configure the adapter from my laptop, before plugging it into the Tivo unit.) Or do I need to buy a USB Ethernet adapter for the Tivo, then plug that into a wireless bridge?

Thanks,
-Pat

[stickram]

So basically I have to take it over to buddy's place, upgrade it to 3.0, then Set it up for ,#401? No offense, but TIVO hasn't thought this through. Is it really worth the trouble?!

Is there another way?

[c3]

Originally posted by stickram
So basically I have to take it over to buddy's place, upgrade it to 3.0, then Set it up for ,#401? No offense, but TIVO hasn't thought this through. Is it really worth the trouble?!

Is there another way?

Broadband connection is NOT officially supported by TiVo.

[richtuck]

Problem: Cannot get program data with TurboNet because I cannot set the dial-in prefix to ,#401.


Ok - I have a setup that was working great... I have a stand-alone Philips Tivo (Series 1) that has a blown modem running v3.0. I have been using the TurboNet Ethernet connecter (connected to a LinkSys router) for a few months and like I said everything was working great - until recently.

First I started getting the following message:

Subject: You must pick a dial-in number

Your recorder is no longer authorized to call the Tivo Services's 800 number. You need to choose a dial-in number

My ethernet was unplugged for a few days and then another week when my DSL/Phone Service was completely dead. Now I have my DSL service back and I cannot get the Tivo to connect.

Ok, so first I went to the phone setup and for some reason everything is blank!

First I tried to set the prefix back to what it was - ,#401 and then continue. This fails with a "Failed. No dial-in number choosen."

So - I go back to the Set Dial-in number and enter my area code. The "Update Numbers" fails with a "Failed. Couldn't connect" message. Is this trying to get the dial-in number through the phone line since I was unable to save the settings with the ,#401 prefix? If so, how do people ever get broadband to work without first having a phone line connected? Is there some way that I can hack into a file in Linux and put a number there myself?

Thanks in advance for help!!

[Kevin]

My new Series two came with version 2.0.3. I hooked it up to the phone and 3.0 was installed.

I then got confused on where to change the prefix to ,#401. So I told the system delete everything to get back to the setup guide.

Did this place the unit back to the original 2.0 version?

My LinkSys USB adapter connected to a D-Link DSL router does not allow me to connect over my broadband. I get green lights at the USB and on the router.

Is there a way to check the software version when then system is trying to make it's initial setup call? Hitting the TiVo button does not get me to the main screen to select Setup.

Thanks
Kevin

[FunGuySF]

I am having problems changing over from phone use to USB Ethernet. I plugged in a Linksys USB Ethernet adapter to my DHCP-enabled home network, and plugged it into the TiVo series 2. No link lights, nothing.

I changed the dialing prefix to ,#401 and asked it to do an update. It dialed via telephone, ignoring the network.

I unplugged the telephone cable, and tried again. This time it just complained that it had no dial tone. Where have I gone wrong?

Thanks!

Mike

[Robs67]

Mike,
Did you restart the TiVo after you plugged the USB adapter in?

[FunGuySF]

... that did the trick. I'm so used to WindowsXP recognizing new USB devices on the fly, it didn't occur to me that I would have to restart.

thanks!

Mike

[FunGuySF]

If I follow this discussion correctly, the only thing I can get via Ethernet is the program information... everything else, including software updates, can only be gotten via telephone. Is this correct? If this is the case, is TiVo sending out messages about this sort of stuff, or should I get in the habit of periodically reconfiguring and connecting via telephone to get this other important "stuff"?

Mike

[c3]

Originally posted by FunGuySF
If I follow this discussion correctly, the only thing I can get via Ethernet is the program information... everything else, including software updates, can only be gotten via telephone. Is this correct?

No, you should get exactly the same data through ethernet as through the phone line.

[huntersa]

In attempting to get my fried modem to work, I did a full reset of the TV.

Will this communication work for the initial call too, or just the nightly updates?

Stuart

[Otto]

I think it'll work for the initial call, as long as you have it hooked up properly and add the ,#401 prefix to the dialing options.

[FunGuySF]

It will only work on 3.0 and above... so initial call yes, but make sure you're at 3.0 or above.

Mike

[alexjohnson]

I've posted a couple of times here about TiVo - I was a UK user until a few months ago and basically was waiting for the Series 2 to come out with the 3.0 software factory installed - I do not have a landline phone (or plan to get one) but I do have broadband through cable. Well, enough waiting - I am just about ready to order but I have a couple of questions for you guys.

1. I could use my office TV and cable one Saturday to set up the TiVo for that first phone call. Question though - would the 3.0 software automatically get downloaded during that first call? If not, could I force it? How long does it take? The IT department would not be pleased so leaving it plugged in for a few days waiting for a programmed upgrade is not an option!

2. What is the cheapest and most reliable of the USB - ethernet connectors, and hubs? Compared to the public at large I am reasonably technical but compared with members of this board I am fairly clueless, especially when it comes to networking. It seems like the 3Com adapter has a proven track record and is available cheaply, but I am a little confused by which LinkSys router/hub to get. I see people are successfully using the LinkSys BEFSR41 EtherFast Cable/DSL Router BUT I also use an Apple AirPort - which is a DHCP router too (I have the original one-port model unfortunately or this would all be much simpler). Excuse my ignorance but would having two DHCP routers on the same network cause problems? Would a simple and cheap LinkSys 4-port ethernet hub be enough?

Advice appreciated, and looking forward to getting TiVo back!

[mdscott]

Originally posted by alexjohnson
I've posted a couple of times here about TiVo - I was a UK user until a few months ago and basically was waiting for the Series 2 to come out with the 3.0 software factory installed - I do not have a landline phone (or plan to get one) but I do have broadband through cable. Well, enough waiting -

This thread (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?threadid=77234) indicates that the new 80GB SA units now available at Best Buy and at listed on the tivo.com site come with 3.2 installed.

mds

[alexjohnson]

Fantastic! Thanks - I woiuld still appreciate thoughts on the router question though if anyone has a second.

[mdscott]

Originally posted by alexjohnson


2. What is the cheapest and most reliable of the USB - ethernet connectors, and hubs? Compared to the public at large I am reasonably technical but compared with members of this board I am fairly clueless, especially when it comes to networking. It seems like the 3Com adapter has a proven track record and is available cheaply, but I am a little confused by which LinkSys router/hub to get. I see people are successfully using the LinkSys BEFSR41 EtherFast Cable/DSL Router BUT I also use an Apple AirPort - which is a DHCP router too (I have the original one-port model unfortunately or this would all be much simpler). Excuse my ignorance but would having two DHCP routers on the same network cause problems? Would a simple and cheap LinkSys 4-port ethernet hub be enough?

Advice appreciated, and looking forward to getting TiVo back!
AJ -- I have no idea where "best" or "optimal" lies...
My connection to ISP is via DSL using the LinkSys WAP CABLE/DSL Router (BEFW11S4) which serves as the WAP for the rear half of our apartment and is the DHCP server. Front of apartment (where TiVo lives) is connected to rear by a pair of LinkSys Powerline bridges (PLEBR10).

The front "net" has TiVo and a Airport (old type) connecting to the bridge through a Intel 4 port switch. The Airport is set as a bridge (no DHCP server capability).

TiVo happily uses the LAN to call in daily and my wife can roam he PowerBook G3 from front to back without any problems. Except for the TiVo I have given all other equipment a static internal IP -- so only TiVo is served the DHCP address.

mds

[gwn21]

Has anyone tried the Ethernet Connection with the NEW Series2 80 Hour unit, that now comes with software v.3.2.0???

From the looks of it the v.3.0 BackDoor code doesn't work....

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=77497

GWN21

[huntersa]

I bought a Tivo with a nuked modem from eBay, and was really upset that I might have to send it in to get it fixed.

So I had nothing to lose except time by trying this.

It worked great for me - and I run Windows 2000 on that machine. The only problem I had is that my laptop has 2 IP addresses associated with it wanted to associate the Tivo with the IP address of the built in NIC (where there was nothing attached - so no DHCP) instead of the wireless card that hooked back into my router where the DHCP lives. I got round that by specifying the IP range to use as per Otto's instructions.

My Tivo is nowhere near a PC and I didn't want to drag it over or have a long serial cable installed, so I used my IBM Thinkpad with a wireless 802.11b card which I just sat on top of the Tivo.

The Tivo didn't come with the serial cable either, but I tried using the cable that hooks my camcorder up to my PC for transferring digital still images and that worked just fine.

Stuart

[kerflop]

Well I have just attempted to set up a serail connection between my Tivo and my PC running XP. However once I connected the two toghter, the Tivo begins to hum/buzz... When I unplug the connection it stops... I am very lost, any suggestions?

Bob

[glitch1369]

Originally posted by tepickering
the old FAQ gives a pppd command line that is sufficient for testing a serial connection between a tivo and a linux box, but not really suitable for regular use. once i got my serial connection set up and tivo's dialing configured appropriately, i put this line in my /etc/rc.local:

/usr/sbin/pppd ttyS0 115200 noauth debug local nocrtscts persist passive 192.168.10.1:192.168.10.2

the key option is 'persist' because without it pppd will just die once the tivo hangs up. with it pppd will reset itself after tivo hangs up and wait for another connection. putting the line in /etc/rc.local ensures that pppd will always get started up after a reboot.


I chose to add the following to /etc/inittab:

# Run pppd on ttyS0 for TiVo connectivity
#
T0:23:respawn:/usr/sbin/pppd ttyS0 115200 noauth local nocrtscts nodetach passive persist 192.168.0.1:192.168.0.254

Putting it in rc.local will indeed start it up at system bootup, but if for some reason it does terminate, it's gone. If you put it in inittab with the 'respawn' option, init will start it back up should it ever die. Be sure to use 'nodetach' on the pppd command line though, or pppd will background itself and init will think it died and try to start up another instance.

[CedarJustin]

Alright, I can't get any sort of connection between my TiVo and cable modem. Here is what I have.....

Cable Modem > Linksys Router > WinXP > Serial > TiVo Series 1 with 3.0

I have tried everything. I have lowered the port speed on my COM1 all the way down to 9600. I changed its properties in Device Manager, I changed its properties when I setup a modem. I changed the prefix to ,#296.

I've followed Otto's directions perfectly (other than changing the port speed to 9600 later on).
I've tried DHCP
I've tried specifying an address between 192.168.1.100-200
I've tried using HyperTerminal and have never gotten any input back from the TiVo.

Help! What else can I try! I've been without TiVo for 3 months and I'm going crazy!

Is there anything I can do to at least make sure that my TiVo is able to talk to my computer? Can I somehow test my port to see if it actually works?

Thanks
Justin

[CedarJustin]

i found my mistake, i'm too embarrassed to admit what it is

<walks away quietly with tail between his legs>

[Laserfan]

Originally posted by CedarJustin
i found my mistake, i'm too embarrassed to admit what it is

<walks away quietly with tail between his legs> C'mon CedarJustin, we all make mistakes all the time! To make a post that just says "never mind" is only compounding yours! Tell us, we will forgive you.

[Otto]

Fast guess: Had it plugged into the IR port by mistake?

[albrandwood]

Originally posted by kerflop
Well I have just attempted to set up a serail connection between my Tivo and my PC running XP. However once I connected the two toghter, the Tivo begins to hum/buzz... When I unplug the connection it stops... I am very lost, any suggestions?

Bob

The TiVo begins to hum? or you get a hum via the speakers on the TV?

If its the former, I've no idea ...

If its the latter, try attaching a length of copper wire (picture hanging wire is fine) to the two machines (I undid a case screw on each, and wound it around those).

Ashley

[DVDerek]

GREAT! Count me as a "success story". I'm gonna test this for the next few days and then I'll be calling the Telco and canceling the land line! Of course, this just makes me a slave to the cable company, but oh well.

Now, I've gotta save up and get myself a wireless router so I can be free of more cables (yes, I know I'd still have to wire the tivo). God I hate wires.

[CedarJustin]

Alright, I figure out my dumb mistake, but I still can't get it working (although i've made progress).

I can get my connection regonized (through HyperTerminal). I have my port connection set at 9600, I figure that I can test it at higher levels once I get it to work fine.

Here's what my port's log file says-

"10-15-2002 16:57:00.096 - Recv: ~
10-15-2002 16:57:00.096 - Interpreted response: Ring
10-15-2002 16:57:00.096 - Recv: <ff>}#<c0>!}!}!} }4
10-15-2002 16:57:00.096 - Unknown Response
10-15-2002 16:57:00.106 - Recv: }
10-15-2002 16:57:00.106 - Unknown Response
10-15-2002 16:57:00.106 - Recv: "}&} } } } }%
10-15-2002 16:57:00.106 - Unknown Response
10-15-2002 16:57:00.116 - Recv: }
10-15-2002 16:57:00.116 - Unknown Response
10-15-2002 16:57:00.116 - Recv: &} } <ff><ae>}'}"}(
10-15-2002 16:57:00.116 - Unknown Response
10-15-2002 16:57:00.126 - Recv: }
10-15-2002 16:57:00.126 - Unknown Response
10-15-2002 16:57:00.126 - Recv: "yg~
10-15-2002 16:57:00.126 - Unknown Response
10-15-2002 16:57:03.101 - Recv: ~
10-15-2002 16:57:03.101 - Interpreted response: Ring
10-15-2002 16:57:03.101 - Recv: <ff>}#<c0>!}!}!} }4
10-15-2002 16:57:03.101 - Unknown Response
10-15-2002 16:57:03.101 - Answering the call.
10-15-2002 16:57:03.111 - Recv: }
10-15-2002 16:57:03.111 - Unknown Response
10-15-2002 16:57:03.121 - Send: CLIENTSERVER
10-15-2002 16:57:03.121 - Connection established at 9600bps.
10-15-2002 16:57:03.121 - Error-control off or unknown.
10-15-2002 16:57:03.121 - Data compression off or unknown.
10-15-2002 16:57:06.706 - Hanging up the modem.
10-15-2002 16:57:06.706 - Hardware hangup by lowering DTR.
10-15-2002 16:57:08.709 - A timeout has expired waiting to comm event to occour.
10-15-2002 16:57:08.709 - 9600,8,N,1, ctsfl=0, rtsctl=1
10-15-2002 16:57:08.709 - Initializing modem.
10-15-2002 16:57:08.709 - Waiting for a call.
10-15-2002 16:57:19.705 - 9600,8,N,1, ctsfl=0, rtsctl=1
10-15-2002 16:57:19.705 - Initializing modem.
10-15-2002 16:57:19.705 - Waiting for a call.
10-15-2002 16:57:20.145 - 9600,8,N,1, ctsfl=0, rtsctl=1
10-15-2002 16:57:20.145 - Initializing modem.
10-15-2002 16:57:20.155 - Waiting for a call.
10-15-2002 16:57:28.707 - Recv: +
10-15-2002 16:57:28.707 - Unknown Response
10-15-2002 16:57:28.707 - Recv: ++
10-15-2002 16:57:28.707 - Unknown Response
10-15-2002 16:57:29.709 - Recv: A
10-15-2002 16:57:29.709 - Unknown Response
10-15-2002 16:57:29.709 - Recv: TH<cr>
10-15-2002 16:57:29.709 - Unknown Response
10-15-2002 16:57:46.263 - Passthrough On
10-15-2002 16:57:56.267 - Passthrough Off
10-15-2002 16:57:56.267 - 9600,8,N,1, ctsfl=0, rtsctl=1
10-15-2002 16:57:56.267 - Initializing modem.
10-15-2002 16:57:56.267 - Waiting for a call."

Does that help at all?
What else do you need to know? using 3.0, series 1, dialing ,#296, behind router with DHCP.

Justin

[CedarJustin]

Success story here!
After my thousands of mistakes and foolish dealings, I have finally succeeded. The key? I had to set an IP range for my TiVo connection.

Thanks for everyone's help. I am now done with my 2 months away from TiVo. How could I last that long?

[hexum411]

I was Following Ottos Guide Perfectly and still no success, so i decided to mess around a little bit. I did everything exactly the same but instead of selecting "Accept incoming Connections" i decided to try "Connect Directly to another Computer" and it ended up working Great, it works good and fast. So for all of you with the same problem, give it a try, it may work for you.
By the way I have a SOny TIvo Series 1, Winxp, DLINK 4 port router, and am going through a serial cable (tivo serial cable connected to a null modem adapter connected to a gender changer)

[bmoura]

Originally posted by gwn21
Has anyone tried the Ethernet Connection with the NEW Series2 80 Hour unit, that now comes with software v.3.2.0???

From the looks of it the v.3.0 BackDoor code doesn't work....

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=77497

GWN21

OK, that may explain why the Ethernet Connection doesn't work here.

I tried it with the ,#401 prefix and a Netgear USB/Ethernet adapter on a Series 2 80 Hour Tivo box with no luck.

[dobosdelights]

I think the key is to be sure to unplug the Tivo box and then replug it in after making your USB/ethernet connections.

My setup didn't work either until I did the unplug/replug thing.

BTW, I am connecting through a Linksys USB Network Adapter USB100M to a Linksys Etherfast Cable/DSL Router BEFSR41.

FWIW, the Tivo box doesn't show up in Network Places, just my XP box and my Printer Server. I am assuming it just uses the router to connect directly to the internet through the router's DHCP settings.

Kevin Dobo-Hoffman
Dobo's Delights Bake Shoppe
Piqua Ohio
www.dobosdelights.com

[trubin]

Network Places are manually configured, or deligated from the domain controller, via WINS/DNS type porotocol. netbui may also allow browsing in this fasion, but not eactly available on linux. Its kinda like asking for a copy of IE for unix.

To map the drive on using a PC, the samba server would need to be installed and started on bootup.

DHCP is a connection leasing service, that has been adopted as a standard on all network platforms, and can be served from devices, or servers.

[captaintemerity]

Originally posted by hutchca Wireless Info:
There is one wireless solution being developed for Series 1 Tivos.
The "TiVo AirNET" is not available yet but can be pre-ordered from 9th Tee (http://www.9thtee.com/tivoairnet.htm).
For Series 2 TiVo's there is no support for USB Wireless Adapters.
This is because there is no interface to configure the wireless specific parameters.
One possible solution is to use a standard USB ethernet adapter and connect a wireless bridge (http://www.linksys.com/Products/product.asp?grid=22&prid=432). [/B]

I have a Tivo2 and have just received the 3Com USB-to-Ethernet adapter, and a D-Link Wireless Bridge (DWL-810). I've got an existing D-Link wireless network based off a DI-713P.

The bridge is connected through a switch to the Tivo's adapter (so I'm using a regulat patch cable instead of the crossover it comes with). I tested the bridge with my laptop first through the switch and it seems fine, but I'm not able to connect with the Tivo itself.

I keep seeing stuff saying I need to be running a DHCP server, but there's no real details to it. Otherwise, I think I have everything set up correctly.

Any advice? If this works out, it could be what gets rid of my phone line.

[captaintemerity]

Scratch the last post. Right after, I saw a note from someone saying that you need to unplug and replug in the Tivo to get it to recognize the USB adapter.

It's always the simple stuff.

Just connected wirelessly and updated the unit. I'm elated.

[seven]

I don't know much about networking and I've read many posts on here about how to get the Tivo to work over the ethernet. I think maybe I've read too much and just keep confusing myself more, so could someone please help me.

I don't have a phone line, so my Tivo is at my parents house and I only watch it on the weekend. This week I got hooked up with a cable modem, so I'm wanting to try and get it to connect that way.

Currently, my TV is down stairs and my cable modem is upstairs, so I don't think I could easily run a cable to connect. So, I'd like to do it wirelessly. I know that the Tivo will not recognize a wireless adapter though. I was wondering if instead I could split my cable and have 1 line to Tivo and 1 to the cable modem and then have a wireless router there such as Linksys BEFW11S4 which would connect to the Tivo through one of the supported USB adapters. Then, I could use a Linksys WUSB11 adapter to connect my laptop to the router wirelessly. Or would that not work? Or, is there a better/cheaper way to do it?

BTW, my Tivo is a Series 2.

Thanks,
7

[mdscott]

Originally posted by seven
I don't know much about networking and I've read many posts on here about how to get the Tivo to work over the ethernet. I think maybe I've read too much and just keep confusing myself more, so could someone please help me.

I don't have a phone line, so my Tivo is at my parents house and I only watch it on the weekend. This week I got hooked up with a cable modem, so I'm wanting to try and get it to connect that way.

Currently, my TV is down stairs and my cable modem is upstairs, so I don't think I could easily run a cable to connect. So, I'd like to do it wirelessly. I know that the Tivo will not recognize a wireless adapter though. I was wondering if instead I could split my cable and have 1 line to Tivo and 1 to the cable modem and then have a wireless router there such as Linksys BEFW11S4 which would connect to the Tivo through one of the supported USB adapters. Then, I could use a Linksys WUSB11 adapter to connect my laptop to the router wirelessly. Or would that not work? Or, is there a better/cheaper way to do it?

BTW, my Tivo is a Series 2.

Thanks,
7
No idea if better or cheaper... but our Series two is connected thusly:
TiVo --> CompUSA USB to Ethernet adapter --> Intel 4 port hub --> linkSys PowerLine Adapter (PLEBR10) --> Apt 120V AC --> LinkSys PowerLine Adapter (PLEBR10) --> LinkSys Wireless Router (BEFW11S4 -- serves as a WAP for our home LAN) --> DSL Modem

TiVo is happy as a clam. The hub near the TiVo also supports an Apple AirPort base station so we use the wireless laptops at either end of the house,

mds

[seven]

Thanks, Amazon has the powerline adapters for $80 so that would be $160 for 2 + I'd still need a router (I think).

They have the wireless cable router for $99 and the WUSB11 adapter for $50 (after $10 rebate which ends tomorrow) so it seems this way will be a little cheaper.

I'm just hoping someone can tell me that it's going to work (or not) before spending $150 on it.

7

[captaintemerity]

A wireless router should be pretty cheap. About $100-$130 at your local store (check the weekly ads from Best Buy and whatnot). I got the 3Com USB adapter for the Tivo2 on the 9thTee site for about $20 with shipping, so you can't go wrong there. The bridge was another $100 though, and I could only find it online.

I'd say if you're already looking to do a wireless network for other reasons, like multiple computers, game systems or whatever, then go for it. If not, well, then I can see that it's a lot of money to spend and you may just want to stick with the phone.

[captaintemerity]

A wireless router should be pretty cheap. About $100-$130 at your local store (check the weekly ads from Best Buy and whatnot). I got the 3Com USB adapter for the Tivo2 on the 9thTee site for about $20 with shipping, so you can't go wrong there. The bridge was another $100 though, and I could only find it online.

I'd say if you're already looking to do a wireless network for other reasons, like multiple computers, game systems or whatever, then go for it. If not, well, then I can see that it's a lot of money to spend and you may just want to stick with the phone.

[seven]

Well, I don't have a phone now, so I figured even though it costs a little to get set up I'll save about $30/mo by not getting one. And, I have a laptop and would like to be able to use it in different rooms, so I kind of wanted a wireless network anyway. I ordered the Linksys wireless router for $99 and WUSB11 adapter for $59 (-$10 rebate) from Amazon. Minus a $30 GC it was about $125 which I didn't think was too bad. Of course, I still need to get a USB ethernet adapter for the Tivo, but that shouldn't be too much.

7

[pukka]

will the network work in the uk with the same number??

many Thanks

Paul

[mg058]

I am trying to get ppp over serial working (modem died). My environment is Philips Series 1 TiVo -> TiVo Serial cable -> Null Modem Cable -> laptop (win2k) -> Wireless LynkSys Router

The "Connecting" phase reports (Failed. Service not answering.) on each attempt. Here's my modem log in case someone can spot something here. If this looks normal, can anyone point me to other diagnostic information that I should look at?

Thanks...

11-05-2002 22:21:35.469 - 115200,8,N,1, ctsfl=1, rtsctl=2
11-05-2002 22:21:35.469 - Initializing modem.
11-05-2002 22:21:35.479 - Waiting for a call.
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - Recv: ~
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - Interpreted response: Ring
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINE_NEWCALL
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_OFFERING
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINEDEVSTATE_RINGING(0x1)
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - Recv: <ff>}#<c0>!}!
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - Recv: }
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - Recv: !} }4}"
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - Recv: }
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - Recv: &} } }
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - Recv: }
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - Recv: }%}&<ff><ff>
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - Recv: <88>
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - Recv: <c5>}'}"}(
11-05-2002 22:21:47.376 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:21:47.386 - Recv: }
11-05-2002 22:21:47.386 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:21:47.386 - Recv: "z$~
11-05-2002 22:21:47.386 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:21:50.381 - Recv: ~
11-05-2002 22:21:50.381 - Interpreted response: Ring
11-05-2002 22:21:50.381 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINEDEVSTATE_RINGING(0x1)
11-05-2002 22:21:50.381 - Recv: <ff>}#<c0>!}!
11-05-2002 22:21:50.381 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:21:50.381 - Recv: }
11-05-2002 22:21:50.381 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:21:50.381 - Recv: !} }4}"
11-05-2002 22:21:50.381 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:21:50.391 - Recv: }
11-05-2002 22:21:50.391 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:21:50.391 - Recv: &} } }
11-05-2002 22:21:50.391 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:21:50.391 - TSP(0000): Answering Call
11-05-2002 22:21:50.391 - Answering the call.
11-05-2002 22:21:50.391 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_ACCEPTED
11-05-2002 22:21:50.391 - Recv: }
11-05-2002 22:21:50.391 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:21:50.391 - Recv: }%}&<ff><ff>
11-05-2002 22:21:50.391 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:21:50.391 - Recv: <88>
11-05-2002 22:21:50.391 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:21:50.391 - Recv: <c5>}'}"}(
11-05-2002 22:21:50.391 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:21:50.391 - Recv: }
11-05-2002 22:21:50.391 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:21:50.391 - Recv: "z$~
11-05-2002 22:21:50.391 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:21:50.401 - Send: CLIENTSERVER
11-05-2002 22:21:50.401 - Connection established at 115200bps.
11-05-2002 22:21:50.401 - Error-control off or unknown.
11-05-2002 22:21:50.401 - Data compression off or unknown.
11-05-2002 22:21:50.401 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_CONNECTED
11-05-2002 22:22:20.404 - Read: Total: 508, Per/Sec: 13, Written: Total: 0, Per/Sec: 0
11-05-2002 22:22:23.438 - TSP(0000): Dropping call
11-05-2002 22:22:23.438 - Hanging up the modem.
11-05-2002 22:22:23.438 - Hardware hangup by lowering DTR.
11-05-2002 22:22:25.441 - Recv: <00><00><00><00><00><00><00><00><00><00><00><00><00><00>
11-05-2002 22:22:25.441 - Unknown Response
11-05-2002 22:22:25.441 - 115200,8,N,1, ctsfl=1, rtsctl=2
11-05-2002 22:22:25.441 - Initializing modem.
11-05-2002 22:22:25.451 - Waiting for a call.
11-05-2002 22:22:25.451 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_DISCONNECTED(0x1)
11-05-2002 22:22:25.451 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_IDLE
11-05-2002 22:22:25.451 - TSP(0000): Dropping call
11-05-2002 22:22:25.451 - TSP(0000): Closing Call

[kemcards]

Thanks to this site, I got one of those 3Com adapters from TigerDirect almost six months ago. Now that I finally have 3.0, I checked back for the instructions and set it up.

I have a D-Link wireless router (713P) that you can also use as a regular Ethernet router. I have my computers set up with wireless connections, but since the router is close to the TV I used a simple Ethernet connection for the Tivo.

My Tivo is an AT&T model which just got 3.0. At first I didn't think to reboot it, and it didn't recognize the USB adapter. Once I rebooted, it worked great, and now I don't have a phone cord snaking across my living room! Hurray!

Thanks to all of you who post helpful info like this on the Tivo Community website.

KEM

[flightrisk]

First, I want to thank Otto and everyone who's posted in this thread. I was wracking my head trying to figure out why it wasn't working.

As a few others have reported, using DHCP on the connection was a major stumbling block. WinXP and TiVo logs would both report a successful connection, and the router logs would show an HTTP request, but there was never any response and the test call would fail. I couldn't ping the TiVo, so that was strange. Assigning an IP range was the only way I could get it to work.

One other stumbling block that I had -- when editing the mdmhayes.inf file in WinXP, my editor (gvim) created a backup file mdmhayes.inf~, and Windows happily used the original file instead of the updated one. Took a while before I noticed that in the modem log. Doh!

I have a Sony SVR-2000 (unmodified!) <-> WinXP <-> Linksys BEFSR41 <-> Verizon DSL (Westell).

[DJRobX]

mgo058: Check your "baud" rate settings, looks like the PC and the TiVo aren't communicating at the same speed.

-- Rob

[jpirone]

OK, Maybe I should just scour the web for a USB-Ethernet adapter that is absolutely on the (un)approved list. Got a Siemens from CompUSA, but I don't think it is specifically the one that's on the (un)approved list. I have a Linksys 4 port that utilizes DHCP, and get connection, but then it says the service is unavailable. The Tivo is daisy chained through a second hub however, might that be the issue??? I think I may try to connect directly to the linksys and see what happens.