Tivo Desktop problems after software update

singletb · 03-24-2006, 08:08 AM

Is anyone else having problems with the home network services after the latest software update? The Tivo is showing up on my home network list, and it is still making connections for programming updates, but for some reason the Tivo Desktop software can't find the device and vice-a-versa. The server is running and I have checked and doublechecked the IP addresses. Oh, and yes, Tivo desktop was working beautifully before the update.

singletb · 03-25-2006, 08:38 AM

As an update: TiVo's support had no answers, but I don't think I was talking to the sharpest knives in the drawer.

AV_Novice · 03-25-2006, 12:05 PM

Which software version are you now trying to use? What brand and type of network adapter is plugged into your Tivo?

singletb · 03-25-2006, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singletb

The Tivo is showing up on my home network list, and it is still making connections for programming updates, but for some reason the Tivo Desktop software can't find the device and vice-a-versa. The server is running and I have checked and doublechecked the IP addresses. Oh, and yes, Tivo desktop was working beautifully before the update.

I just updated to the newest software 7.2.2. I don't think my wireless adapter matters since my network is still picking up the tivo and the tivo is still making update connections. The only issue is that the Tivo Desktop software can't find the Tivo and vice-a-versa.

greg_burns · 03-25-2006, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singletb

I just updated to the newest software 7.2.2. I don't think my wireless adapter matters...

I think you are right since you are still getting guid data, but out of curiosity is it on this list?
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb...d.php?t=291938

AV_Novice · 03-25-2006, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg_burns

I think you are right since you are still getting guid data, but out of curiosity is it on this list?
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb...d.php?t=291938

That's exactly where I was going. It seems that Tivo has created a problem with their latest software version.

greg_burns · 03-26-2006, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AV_Novice

That's exactly where I was going. It seems that Tivo has created a problem with their latest software version.

I just noticed that list was about wired adapters only, not wireless. Probably not related to his problem anyways.

Andrewp75 · 03-27-2006, 10:53 AM

Can you do MRVs?

A

singletb · 03-27-2006, 02:33 PM

What are MRVs? Basically the Tivo is showing up on the network and making all of its connections to the internet with no problem. The only issue seems to be communication between the software and the Tivo. I have tried turning off the firewall and re-installing Tivo desktop to no avail. Weird thing is that I was having absolutely no issues with transfers in late February.

Dan203 · 03-27-2006, 03:13 PM

MRVs are transfers between two TiVos not involving a PC.

Instead of trying that just try using the web browser interface instead. Open up your browser and go to...

https://<tivo ip>/nowplaying/index.html

When prompted eneter tivo as the username and your MAK as the password. That should give you a HTML listing of the programs that are on your TiVo. Try clicking one and downloading it. If that works then you know it's a problem with TiVo Desktop or something else.

Dan

singletb · 03-27-2006, 04:03 PM

Thanks Dan. I will give that a shot tonight when I get home. I couldn't believe how unhelpful the over the phone tech support was. You wouldn't happen to know when Desktop 2.3 is coming out, would you? I am just itching to get shows on my iPod. (Yes, I have trie TV harmony, but it is just too buggy)

Dan203 · 03-27-2006, 04:55 PM

From what I've read it should be released sometime next month. However I'm not sure if that timeline is still on track or not.

Dan

singletb · 03-27-2006, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan203

MRVs are transfers between two TiVos not involving a PC.

Instead of trying that just try using the web browser interface instead. Open up your browser and go to...

https://<tivo ip>/nowplaying/index.html

When prompted eneter tivo as the username and your MAK as the password. That should give you a HTML listing of the programs that are on your TiVo. Try clicking one and downloading it. If that works then you know it's a problem with TiVo Desktop or something else.

Dan

So that worked! Exciting, but still stuck with the same problem. What would you suggest the next step is?

greg_burns · 03-27-2006, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singletb

So that worked! Exciting, but still stuck with the same problem. What would you suggest the next step is?

I would uninstall TivoDesktop altogether. Reboot. Then delete this folder (Note: Application Data is a hidden folder)

C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Local Settings\Application Data\TiVo Desktop

Then reinstall and see what happens.

singletb · 03-27-2006, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg_burns

I would uninstall TivoDesktop altogether. Reboot. Then delete this folder (Note: Application Data is a hidden folder)

C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Local Settings\Application Data\TiVo Desktop

Then reinstall and see what happens.

TiVo Desktop isn't in Application Data. I wonder if the uninstall deleted it. What is weird is that I tried uninstalling and reinstalling before, but when I reinstalled the program took me through virtually no set-up process. It even already had my MAK. Any other suggestions on places to look for TiVo's application data?

greg_burns · 03-27-2006, 08:54 PM

Don't confuse:
C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data

with correct one:
C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data

It will probably remember MAK from registry setting somewhere, you could nuke that as well if you wanted to clean house

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\TiVo]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\TiVo]

singletb · 03-28-2006, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg_burns

I would uninstall TivoDesktop altogether. Reboot. Then delete this folder (Note: Application Data is a hidden folder)

C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Local Settings\Application Data\TiVo Desktop

Then reinstall and see what happens.

Awww heck, it didn't work. This is very very strange!

greg_burns · 03-28-2006, 08:07 AM

What error are you getting in TivoDesktop? Are you seeing that one that says "There are no TiVo DVRs available on the network."?

Andrewp75 · 03-28-2006, 08:26 AM

Try rebooting any Tivos that you have, and also try disabling sharing, do a connect to tivo, then reenable it and do another connect to tivo then reinstall tivo desktop. It basically refreshes everything tivo company and tivo product has as far as transfers are concernened. But you also must delete the C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Local Settings\Application Data\TiVo Desktop info that was stated in other parts of this thread.

Hope this helps!

A

singletb · 03-28-2006, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg_burns

What error are you getting in TivoDesktop? Are you seeing that one that says "There are no TiVo DVRs available on the network."?

Yes, that is the message at the top of the transfers screen. Also, the TiVo isn't picking up on my computer as a server. Do you think some file on my computer became corrupt, and I haven't been able to find it with my re-installations? I tried installing Desktop on a friend's computer and it was having the same issues.

dcahoe · 03-28-2006, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singletb

So that worked! Exciting, but still stuck with the same problem. What would you suggest the next step is?

If you are just trying to copy recordings to your PC from your TiVo, you can also use Galleon or TivoPlayList.

Check here: http://bellsouthpwp.net/d/c/dcahoe/tivo/index.htm

greg_burns · 03-28-2006, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singletb

I tried installing Desktop on a friend's computer and it was having the same issues.

That pretty much eliminates the problem from your PC side of things. Since TivoDesktop seems to know our Tivo(s) w/o the need of plugging in a IP address anywhere it must be doing some sort of broadcast message...

Is your router (do you have a router?) blocking broadcast messages somehow?

Dan203 · 03-28-2006, 12:22 PM

OK this sounds like a firwall problem. The TiVo discovery protocol uses UDP to operate. Some firewalls, and wireless accesspoints, block UDP traffic by default. I'm not sure what firewall you're using but see if you can get into it and open UDP ports 123 and 2190. If it's a wireless accesspoint causing the issue you'll have to log onto it's web interface and see if you can turn on UDP transmission.

Another thing you might check is to make sure TiVoBeacon is running. Hit Ctrl+Alt+Delete to bring up the task manager. Then check the Processes tab and make sure TiVoBeacon is running.

Dan

Das Achteck · 03-29-2006, 08:27 PM

Fortunately my Tivo Desktop still works after the 7.2.2 installation, because that made my Galleon ToGo disappear!

/edit
After a reboot of the TiVo and the computer Galleon was able to connect again.

singletb · 03-30-2006, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan203

OK this sounds like a firwall problem. The TiVo discovery protocol uses UDP to operate. Some firewalls, and wireless accesspoints, block UDP traffic by default. I'm not sure what firewall you're using but see if you can get into it and open UDP ports 123 and 2190. If it's a wireless accesspoint causing the issue you'll have to log onto it's web interface and see if you can turn on UDP transmission.

Another thing you might check is to make sure TiVoBeacon is running. Hit Ctrl+Alt+Delete to bring up the task manager. Then check the Processes tab and make sure TiVoBeacon is running.

Dan

I have tried all of the above to no avail. Very strange that I can download from the web interface, but not via Tivo Desktop. I have tried changing the router settings too. It is even stranger that a month ago I was having zero problems using Tivo Desktop, and that all changed out of nowhere. Not a big deal now, but when Desktop 2.3 comes out, I will be using it much much more.

Supermike · 03-30-2006, 11:26 PM

I'm having the exact same problem that you are describing. I'm almost positive it has to do with the most recent service update. I downloaded a show from my Tivo to my computer two days before the update (which by the way was forced on my at 3am, much to my surprise). Ever since that update Tivo Deskop hasn't been able to find my Tivo on the network even though the Tivo can access the shows on my PC. I'm getting real frustrated as I'm filling up my Tivo with shows I'd like to save but at the moment can't. I'm going to try the alternative method of downloading that was mentioned above.

Supermike · 03-30-2006, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supermike

I'm having the exact same problem that you are describing. I'm almost positive it has to do with the most recent service update. I downloaded a show from my Tivo to my computer two days before the update (which by the way was forced on my at 3am, much to my surprise). Ever since that update Tivo Deskop hasn't been able to find my Tivo on the network even though the Tivo can access the shows on my PC. I'm getting real frustrated as I'm filling up my Tivo with shows I'd like to save but at the moment can't. I'm going to try the alternative method of downloading that was mentioned above.

Well its working, but this is a pain in the neck. They better get their act together on this.

singletb · 03-31-2006, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supermike

Well its working, but this is a pain in the neck. They better get their act together on this.

I hate to say it, but it is somewhat comforting knowing that at least other people are having the same problem as me. At least I know it isn't something on my end now. Thouogh, communication is shut-off both ways for me between my PC and the TiVo. At least it is still making the service connections.

s4guy · 03-31-2006, 03:03 PM

Does anybody have the desktop working with 7.2.2? I upgraded because I bought a Linksys wired USB enet dongle.

I'm a new user installing the desktop for the first time, but I seem to be experiencing the same problem that you have.

Discovery is obviously working because the desktop can see the IP address (and name) of my tivo box, but nothing shows up in the "now playing list".

I'm new to the world of tivo, so this is a fresh install.

My guess is that this is 7.2.2 regression, but if so that would be suprising to me since I would expect Tivo's sqa group to have better a better regression test then this.

greg_burns · 03-31-2006, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s4guy

Does anybody have the desktop working with 7.2.2? I upgraded because I bought a Linksys wired USB enet dongle.

FWIW, my TivoDesktop 2.2 is working perfectly against 7.2.2. I have a wired Linksys USB200M (v1) on one Tivo and a Tivo wireless adapter on the other.