Since 6.3e, Tivo's freezing - Page 4

snookuda · 09-25-2007, 09:06 AM

I got another complete freeze up on my 6.3e R10 tivo this morning. I thought my problem might have been fixed because the last freeze up happened like 3 days ago. NOT.

Phantom Gremlin · 09-25-2007, 11:52 AM

I haven't seen anyone mention this before, but yesterday I had a freeze on only one of my two tuners on my R10. I could use the "Live TV" button to switch to the other tuner and it was working fine.

Jumi · 09-25-2007, 03:22 PM

Since 6.3e:
One freeze (picture frozen, no remote response, rebooted, OK).
Several black & white episodes (hitting pause fixes).
A few minutes ago I lost all to-dos from 10/3 to 10/7 but they returned in a few minutes!

SDVR80 with newer Weaknees 140 hr drive

Risten · 09-26-2007, 01:54 AM

Complete freezes of one of my HDVR2 units since 6.3e. No remote response whatsoever, and required complete reboot. The unit has no modifications whatsoever. Has happened twice. Last reboot seems to have 'taken' for three days, and it appears to be working.

My other HDVR2 spontaneously rebooted twice, after 6.3e, but never froze. That one has a 40 + 120 drive upgrade.

newsposter · 09-26-2007, 06:55 AM

maybe not E related but i went to FF last night thru the Unit and it didnt respond at all...then it rebooted of course

llurgy · 09-27-2007, 06:58 AM

Mine had a complete freeze last night again.
No remote response I had to unplug it again.
I hate unplugging it, it feels really wrong to just unplug it and is ironic when I have the APC on it to stop hard shutdowns.
I am upset as now only have the last 25 minutes of the season premiere of Criminal Minds and the last half of the Series Premiere of The Practice.
Why did it have to cr*p out at Prime time?

mboge · 09-27-2007, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llurgy

I hate unplugging it, it feels really wrong to just unplug it and is ironic when I have the APC on it to stop hard shutdowns.

How do you think I feel that my three TiVos reboot constantly even with the UPS!

Quote:

I am upset as now only have the last 25 minutes of the season premiere of Criminal Minds and the last half of the Series Premiere of The Practice.

Not to mention, when TiVo picks up the remainder of the show after a reboot, not only does it appear as two "partial" showings in the Now Playing list... it also counts against the maximum number of shows to keep!

That's right... if you have "keep 5 episodes" chosen and it's rebooted, then it will knock off the oldest show to make room for the new "partial" recording.

theta.bowden · 09-27-2007, 10:11 AM

Happened twice to me last night. First time as just a solid freeze and had to unplug.
Second time was an auto reboot. Both while I was watching a recorded show.

FWIW, there's a thread on the directv site where a bunch of folks are complaining about this, but I haven't seen any participation by DirecTV tech support folks:

It's the tech support/troubleshooting forum and the thread number is 10274448.

tigercat74 · 09-27-2007, 10:19 AM

No more reboots or freezes in the last 10 days until another heavy rainstorm this morning. This is were it gets weird. The one that froze was while I was watching Bionic Woman that I recorded the night before. The other two had the lost their signal and was giving the message searching for signal on SAT 1/2, but they never froze or rebooted. I wish I knew what was going on.

RLJinCT · 09-27-2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llurgy

Mine had a complete freeze last night again.
No remote response I had to unplug it again...I am upset as now only have the last 25 minutes of the season premiere of Criminal Minds...

The same thing happened to me, crashing during Criminal Minds and recording first 25 min and last 25 min as two separate recordings.

My HDVR2 has been freezing weekly since the v6.3e update, but twice in last 2 days.

luckyllucke · 09-27-2007, 04:27 PM

Hi all new member but same problems, I found that if my dvr is turned on from standby one of the tuners will be black no picture and the software thinks it has a full 30 minutes of data? If I hit play or try to jump to the start of the buffer it locks up and or reboots. If I switch to a new channel without trying to access the missing data it resets the buffer to zero and works fine. This has happened on music channels where no recording buffer is allowed (OE Software). I also have the dreaded color dropouts on a Sony RP tv again. I called DTV and spent an hour trying to explain the issues and was told they have not heard any other complaints about these problems and asked to reboot, unplug, swap cables, tvs, universe ,etc.

Just wondered if anyone else was seeing the same problems.
Thanks Dan

thommygeenh · 09-28-2007, 08:58 AM

Hi All...newbe here. We've had an R-10-80 GB unit for over a year now, that has also worked flawlessly, until 6.3e. We have many of the problems stated on these forums, specifically, the slow remote response in 30 second skip, and the freezes/resets. I've found, that if I just reset the box myself once a week, (usually on a Sat. when we're not recording a lot), it helps PREVENT freezing up, and seems to run a little better overall. While its not something I'm happy to have to do, its a kind of work around/preventative, at least til D* fixes the problem--let alone admits there is one.
8 calls to them, 3 e-mails, and they still say "we don't have any reports of those problems." Nice customer service. And of course, each time they want to replace this unit with their lousy R-15--and then extend my committment by 24 more months! I told them, why would I want to be locked into 24 more months of this kind of customer service! (Had the R-15 when it came out...our first ever DVR...went thru 6 of them in 10 months, before they finally replaced the last one with the Tivo unit...and extended my contract by 24 months!). Been there, done that, never again.
One note...last week while talking with Customer Retention, the Rep told me the following: "TIVO UNITS ARE NO LONGER COMPATABLE WITH DIRECTV'S UPDATED SYSTEMS." Not sure just what he ment by that, especially when we've recieved phone calls, and mailers announcing the "new enhancements" coming. If this is what the new "enhancements" are going to do...I'd rather not have them!
We're considering just getting a new hard drive, with 6.2 on it, but we'd like to know, if we upgraded to a 160 GB (from 80 GB), will we need to upgrade any other part of the system...power supply, fans, etc.? Will the bigger hard drive strain the the rest of the parts? I'd appreciate any feedback regarding that.
Other than that, all I can add, is to baby sit your TO DO lists--not fun I know, RESET ONCE A WEEK, and KEEP CALLING/E-MAILING D*TV just to let them know you're still having a problem...perhaps we'll hit that magic "patch" number soon, and they will release a patch for the mess they created. Or at least stop saying they don't know of any reports of these problems!!!

robpickles · 10-01-2007, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckyllucke

Hi all new member but same problems, I found that if my dvr is turned on from standby one of the tuners will be black no picture and the software thinks it has a full 30 minutes of data? If I hit play or try to jump to the start of the buffer it locks up and or reboots. If I switch to a new channel without trying to access the missing data it resets the buffer to zero and works fine. This has happened on music channels where no recording buffer is allowed (OE Software). I also have the dreaded color dropouts on a Sony RP tv again. I called DTV and spent an hour trying to explain the issues and was told they have not heard any other complaints about these problems and asked to reboot, unplug, swap cables, tvs, universe ,etc.

Just wondered if anyone else was seeing the same problems.
Thanks Dan

Dan this sounds like the same "buffer problem" I explained in another thread.

I also found that the only way to clear it is by switching the channels to clear the buffers that are frozen.

What dvr are you using? Does it have the 6.3e software?

Rob

thommygeenh · 10-02-2007, 02:57 PM

Reports on other blogs say directv is now telling customers they are now aware of the problem with the 6.3e update and are currently working on a fix! They don't know when the fix will be available though. At least they are now acknowledging the problem! Hopefully it won't be long til the r10 is back to normal!

kenr · 10-02-2007, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thommygeenh

Reports on other blogs say directv is now telling customers they are now aware of the problem with the 6.3e update and are currently working on a fix! They don't know when the fix will be available though. At least they are now acknowledging the problem! Hopefully it won't be long til the r10 is back to normal!

Can you provide a link to these other blogs?

leftstrat · 10-02-2007, 05:19 PM

Haven't had freezing yet, but I've had the B&W picture. It clears up when I hit the 8-second rewind button..

I'm wondering if the freezes have to do with suggestions being turned on. I don't have my record suggestions option turned on, and I guess the only thumbs up I have, is for stuff that has a Season pass, or I manually record.

I hope I don't have any freeze-ups..

My unit is a Phillips DSR-708.

Joey Bond · 10-05-2007, 12:45 AM

My Tivo has been freezing up alot lately at least once a day and it seems to me that so many people are having the same problem that it all cant be our harddrives.

I thought that maybe the whole mars being so close to the earth thing was somehow interferring with the sattelites because Ive noticed my XM radio audio has been blipping out alot lately too but now after coming here I'm not sure what to think but I do know I'm missing alot of shows and it sucks.

IndyMark · 10-05-2007, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thommygeenh

Reports on other blogs say directv is now telling customers they are now aware of the problem with the 6.3e update and are currently working on a fix! They don't know when the fix will be available though. At least they are now acknowledging the problem! Hopefully it won't be long til the r10 is back to normal!

Came here this morning because I've been having the freezing problems with BOTH of my DTivos that just started this past week. I have a HDVR2 and an R10, both unmodified, and at least once a day once of them locks up. I talked to DTV last night and they again stated that they weren't aware of an issue (yeah right!) and suggested I do a complete reset. After reading this, I'm glad I didn't go that route yet.

I'll cross my fingers for now and wait for a s/w fix.

Malolo · 10-05-2007, 09:35 AM

I spoke with DTV this morning (10/5/07) and a Technical Support Supervisor DID NOT acknowledge they were aware of a problem with 6.3e. He denied there was a problem and denied that DTV is aware that this is an issue. After the standard suggestion of the electrical connection and after he heard what i had to say, he said it most likely is the way the update reacts when a bad harddrive sector is encountered.

He also said every time there is a software update customers/forums point to that as the cause of any problem they may have.

Strange that their reaction is complete denial. When i describe what is going on it seems like it is the first time they are hearing about it. Either they are being honest or real good liars.

BHyde · 10-05-2007, 09:36 AM

We are now having this same problem. We have three machines - two are Samsung DTivos, one is the DirecTV Tivo from a couple of years ago. In the last few days, they have been freezing or rebooting, often at the exact same time. One of the Samsung machines seems to have started having the problem a few weeks ago, before the other two machines.

I have called DTV twice now, on Wednesday evening, when the problem was restricted to freezing up, and yesterday, when the units started rebooting. Both times I was told that the problem would be "passed to the engineers," who would call me back in the next few days. The tech people I spoke with seemed to acknowledge that, since this is happening to multiple machines, it probably is not hardware related.

I hope the problem can be fixed. We're definitely not going to switch to non-Tivo units, even if that means going back to Cable. (I've looked at what we spend annually on DTV. Over three years, it would cost me the same to have Comcast, buy three Series 3 Tivos, and pay for monthly Tivo service as what I have been paying to DTV, because of all the extras we get (NFL Sunday Ticket, Setanta Sports, ESPN football) that aren't available on Comcast.)

Has anyone gotten any response from DTV indicating they have found a solution? I remember a year or so ago there was a similar problem, and DTV had a fix after a while.

jbl82 · 10-05-2007, 09:58 AM

Been having the same problem for a week - TIVO DVR freezing, now it starts to reboot. It's in service less than 2 months. Tech. Support at Directv says if it's a problem with 6.3e, it's Tivo's fault - not them! They disavow any responsibility for that upgrade. Furthermore, they said they are not aware of any known issues with that upgrade and no customers are calling to complain! Their suggestion was to do a complete delete and restart - (it can take 4-6 hours - "do it before you go to bed")
If that doesn't work I will have no choice but to let them replace it with "their DVR".

They were not helpful, rude, yelled at me, and suggested I try a different power cord. Anyone know the number for Comcast?

snookuda · 10-05-2007, 04:02 PM

We need for more people to call in and complain about this problem. If you have the R10 like myself and it is freezing or rebooting, call in and have them log it. When they tell you they can replace the R10 with an R15 tell them to create a fix because many others are having the same problems. Call them!!!

Willie1961 · 10-05-2007, 04:20 PM

I have two Samsung 4040 units that have both been freezing up since aproximately the 21st of September.

They both freeze up randomly, it started out as an ocassional freeze up back on the 21st, but now its as much as 3-4 times a day on both units.

I called Directv and they dont seem to be taking ownership of this problem. I offered the following advice for them to fix the problem: Provide a working software upgrade, (doesnt seem to be coming anytime soon), or provide equipment at no charge that will correct the problem.

Directv wants to upgrade my recievers and charge me a small amount, plus have me committed for another 2 years. I told them this is a conflict of interest because they caused a problem that made my equipment obsolete (or non functional, reboot unit 3-4 times a day).

Finally I agreed to the following, but I still think it is hogwash that i have to pay:
Upgrade to HD DVD 99.00 (Capacity - 200 hour standard, 50 hour HD)
Free HD Service for 12 months
Free Standard DVR unit.
HBO free for 6 months, automatically shuts off at 6 month point.
Free installation of HD unit, plus new dish.
Free credit on shipping charges upon activation.

Anyone in a similar situation where you are forced to upgrade? I will miss my TIVO :-(

Willie1961 · 10-05-2007, 04:45 PM

I emailed the Connecticut State Attorney General (Richard Blumenthal) on this matter, here is what I complained about.

Directv is acting unethical, and creating fraud by not owning up to a problem that they caused.

Copy of email...

I would like to register a complaint towards DirecTV. The recently put out a faulty software upgrade, version 6.3e. Since about the 21st of September when this upgrade was sent out, It has caused thousands of older TIVO units across the country to lock up and requires you to unplug the unit and plug it back in, then wait for a 10 minute reboot process. This system freeze up can happen several times a day, causing much frustration.

Another potential source of the freeze up could be the signal that they send out for anti piracy, it could be causing older units to lock up.

My big problem with this is that DirecTV is offering nothing to fix this problem, except to upgrade you at a charge to newer equipment, isn’t this a conflict of interest? They are making money off of problems that they have created.

Here is proof of this happening all over the country:
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb...0&page=1&pp=30

You can also find similar threads by looking at:
http://www.tivocommunity.com

You can see that several hundred people have complained already in various threads in these forums. If you go off the general rule of thumb that for 1% of the peoples complaints actually make it to the forum, then this problem is affectin thousands and thousands of customers. We personally know of 3 other people in CT that are experiencing the same Freeze ups, they actually have newer equipment than us.

William XXXXXX
Gales Ferry, CT
Call me if you need to on this matter
860-XXX-XXXX H
860-XXX-XXXX C

Here is a post that I made on the site:

I have two Samsung 4040 units that have both been freezing up since approximately the 21st of September.

They both freeze up randomly, it started out as an occasional freeze up back on the 21st, but now it’s as much as 3-4 times a day on both units.

I called Directv and they don’t seem to be taking ownership of this problem. I offered the following advice for them to fix the problem: Provide a working software upgrade, (doesn’t seem to be coming anytime soon), or provide equipment at no charge that will correct the problem.

Directv wants to upgrade my receivers and charge me a small amount, plus have me committed for another 2 years. I told them this is a conflict of interest because they caused a problem that made my equipment obsolete (or non functional, reboot unit 3-4 times a day).

Finally I agreed to the following, but I still think it is hogwash that i have to pay:
Upgrade to HD DVD 99.00 (Capacity - 200 hour standard, 50 hour HD)
Free HD Service for 12 months
Free Standard DVR unit.
HBO free for 6 months, automatically shuts off at 6 month point.
Free installation of HD unit, plus new dish.
Free credit on shipping charges upon activation.

Anyone in a similar situation where you are forced to upgrade? I will miss my TIVO :-(

kolah94 · 10-06-2007, 02:03 AM

This is strange but i too live in ct, have a R10 with same problems, and have called DTV with similar results. Is there a way to go back to earlier software version to solve problem? I was about to order a new hard drive when i found this forum n(that would have been a waste of money) I Can't believe they are getting away with this, any one know of a good class action lawyer? Good luck to all of you and thanks for any suggestions.

kolah94 · 10-06-2007, 07:51 AM

Just got off the phone with direct tv, She said that my call was the first she has heard of this problem. She instructed me to unplug the unit for 15 sec and plug it back in while she re-authorizes my reciever or something like that. Once it reset the picture was back, she said "did we solve your problem today" (I wanted to throw the phone thru the tv), I said nicely that time would tell. As i sit here typing this the thing just rebooted. I don't know what else to do. keep calling direct tv?

lmd · 10-06-2007, 08:46 AM

I called DTV last night. I insisted to the rep that this was a software problem related to the 6.3e download and that I wanted him to check with a higher level of tech support. He finally checked with his supervisor. When he came back to me he told me that this is a known problem and that DTV is working on it. Ha! Of course, he had no real info on the fix for the problem. Then he insisted that a tech come out. Whatever. But I told him that under no circumstances would I take their DVR in place of my TiVo.

Rafier · 10-06-2007, 05:06 PM

Well, I decided to write DTV per their agreement, about problems with my Tivo unit freezing and re-booting. I copied all interested parties including TiVo. Guess what I recieved a call from them. I did request a written reply also, I was told "a written response would need to go through legal". I have great confidence that will be ocurring immediately. Probably 60 days out. That is the time limit before you can go to arbitration.

I guess if they don't receive it in writing, "it is as good as the air it is written on". Read your agreement, to complain or request resolution, it has to be in writing.

I recommend everyone write DTV and TiVo regarding the freeze-ups for the TiVo HR and R units. Certified with return receipt is best.

BHyde · 10-07-2007, 04:03 PM

It has happened to me several times again since Thursday. One of the three DTIVO's reboots. The other two just freeze up. I called Tech Support again today (Sunday). She had me clear and delete. I only did it to two of the units, not the one with the most Season Passes. The person I spoke with said if this doesn't work, they'll replace the units with new DTIVO's, for a fee, and a new two-year commitment. I really don't know if I'm going to do that or not. I'll see if the clear and delete has made a difference.

Daryl62756 · 10-07-2007, 05:55 PM

I have a Directv Hughes series 2 Tivo and also have had several freeze ups. They seem to occur while watching and recording simultaneously. I read somewhere to turn off thumbs up recording. I can't see what this has to do with anything but I have had two days of viewing with no problems. I live in Middletown Ct.