Tivo Disaster

[illininuke]

This is surely a newbie question but I am new to the use of forums so please excuse me if I asking a common question. I have a Directv Tivo model DVR-40. I've had it for almost 2 years and added a Maxtor Quantum 200 GB HD about 1 year ago. The unit has operated flawlessly until we had a lighting storm about a week ago. It gives me a green error screen at start-up saying leave the unit plugged in for 3 hours and after that call DTV. Of course it hasn't fixed itself and Directv Tier 3 support said "it's fried". My question is how can I remove the stored programs from the hardrives? I remember reading something about being able to convert the Linux video to a windows compatable when I did the hardrive upgrade but have been unable to find any info again. ANy info would be greatly appreciated. I have been deployed for the last 2 months and there are a lot of shows waiting for me!

[Colbyt]

I also am a newbie but I think the green screen you are refering to is the GSOD (green screen of death). This is a major hard drive problem. During that 3 hour window TIVO trys to recover and go on. Your TIVO may still have life but it sounds like your hard drive is dead.

[mr.unnatural]

Run the drive manufacturer's diagnostic on the drive to see if it's fried. If it is recognized by your PC there may still be hope. Get a copy of SpinRite and you may be able to recover enough data for the drive to repair itself under the GSOD. If the problem occurred as a result of a lightning storm it may be a total loss. I would highly recommend getting a UPS with surge protection for your DTivo so this doesn't happen again.

[Colbyt]

Originally Posted by mr.unnatural

If it is recognized by your PC there may still be hope. Get a copy of SpinRite and you may be able to recover enough data for the drive to repair itself under the GSOD. .

Would that be the test for a "dying" drive? The PC bios not able to recognize it?

I ask because I just replaced two smaller drives with one larger because I knew one of them was going. The Linux boot CD was able to identify both once I set the bios to none installed and I did manage to make a back-up image.

[mr.unnatural]

If the PC doesn't recognize the drive then chances are the controller card on the drive got fried. This could also occur if you have a bad IDE cable connection so check the connection to eliminate the cable as the cause.