New S3 Acting up

Shawn95GT · 12-01-2006, 07:09 PM

I got my #2 S3 today from the TCF Store.

I fired it up, did guided setup and all seemed fine. I then scanned for channels (I wanted to scan in the QAM locals). I pressed select to finish the channel scan and went ot live to check out what all the QAM scan picked up.

I quickly noticed that the QAM channels weren't in the channel list. about 30 seconds of video diplayed when the screen went black and the front display just shows the clock - almost like it went to sleep.

I tried several cycles of un-plug, plug in to get it to come up. I was able to ge tinto the menu and allow the QAM locals in the channel list.

I went to test signal strength and shortly after the screen froze like I had paused it (without the progress bar) and the S3 stopped responding to the remote or the front keypad.

If I unplug for a little while it'll come back up. It's almost like it's over heating. It's sitting out in the open on an end table while I set it up.

Is this a lost cause? I'll likely see how the TCF store return policy is

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TydalForce · 12-01-2006, 07:12 PM

I sorta just had something similar happen... I was playing around, changing channels and such... watching Doctor Who, and i hit TiVo

I got an error about a communications failure downloading program information, and wouldn't let me off this window without telling it what to do. So I told it to connect, and it just stopped

The light on the front lights up whenever I push a button, but most buttons have no reaction from the UI -- except the left arrow.

I'm giving it a moment, and then gonna reboot it.

I doubt it matters, but I also got mine from TCF. It also arrived today. Ooooo scary.... ;-}

CrispyCritter · 12-01-2006, 07:23 PM

One thing to make sure of is that you try unplugging at the TiVo end. It seems to be a fairly weak connection. On my replacement S3, I had symptoms like yours that I was sure were caused by over-heating (freezing after a couple of minutes and front display going mostly black (or entirely black but fan still going)). But all my plugging and unplugging were at the power-strip end and not the TiVo end. Very embarrassing to call TiVo and have them point that out! No problems since. Not quite enough power seems to have unexpected consequences.

Shawn95GT · 12-01-2006, 07:32 PM

Yeah, I'm plugging / un-plugging on the Tivo end of the cord.

The latest news is that it's now stuck on 'Almost there. Just a few minutes more...' and the picture flickers roughy every 30 seconds.

I called Tivo. They had me describe the problem and their advice was to exchange it. I hope I can get a replacement before the lifetime transfer option expires

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TydalForce · 12-01-2006, 08:06 PM

at the tivo end? Is this just because it can come loose? Or is it a bit of "magic"?

CrispyCritter · 12-01-2006, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TydalForce

at the tivo end? Is this just because it can come loose? Or is it a bit of "magic"?

Yes, it was evidently just a bit loose - supplying power, but not enough for full operation.

TydalForce · 12-01-2006, 08:31 PM

Oh weird
Thanks for the tip! I'll make sure that's nice and snug

I did reboot it, via TiVo-end. I've got it sitting on the floor in front of my so-called entertainment center, and have been putting the box it came in on top of it to block my Series2 -- to block the remote signals. I may have nudged the power cable a bit too much

Shawn95GT · 12-01-2006, 08:47 PM

Ok this is wierd... I boxed up the 'new' S3 and upon switching inputs I found my old S3 to be in the exact same state the new one started with. The video was frozen and the Tivo wasn't responding to the remote or front controls.

A power cycle cured my 'old' one.

I'll try the new one one more time on a different TV to see if the if it was some goofly interaction problem.

TydalForce · 12-01-2006, 08:54 PM

oh man you're haunted!

You should never let broken technology within 20 feet of good technology. They conspire against us you know

Shawn95GT · 12-02-2006, 10:52 AM

Well - to be safe I physically separated the units (lol) and connected the new Tivo to another TV with no connection to cable.

The Tivo booted started to play the THX animation... hiccuped.... crashed.

I think the hard drive got affected in tranport

.

Luckily the TCF store is handling this wonderfully.

TydalForce · 12-02-2006, 11:02 AM

oh no!

Keep us posted, me especially!

The actual TiVo -packaged cardboard box on mine had a hole/tear in it, that reached through to the white fluffy stuff wrapped around the actual unit itself (which had some tiny holes in it). My TiVo itself, though, didn't have any scratches or anything so whatever caused the dent I don't think actually touched my TiVo.

Of course, I got it last night, and then left for the weekend, so I haven't had much chance to play with it. I left it on, will poke it on Monday plenty before I call for my lifetime transfer ;-}