Series 2 TiVo Upgrade/Repair Question

jkathrineberg · 01-25-2010, 01:24 PM

Hi All,

I am helping a nice old lady get her TiVo set-up. Here daughter passed down a Series 2 TiVo to her, along with lifetime service.

After I connected the TiVo it froze on the Welcome Powering Up screen. After doing all the trouble-shooting I could find, plus calling TiVo customer service, it is determined that it needs to be repaired. Based on my research it seems that the hard drive is likely bad and needs to be replaced.

I have found the upgrade/replacement kits on the internet, which is great. I should be able to accomplish that easily. My question is, are there any brick and mortar stores that carry these upgrade/replacement kits? I would like to help her get this going as quickly as possible and was hoping to find a kit locally (Phoenix area).

Thanks in advance...

pdonoghu · 01-25-2010, 01:45 PM

If you are asking about the availability of drives that come pre-formatted with the correct Tivo software, I'm not aware of any. You could buy a blank hard drive of the appropriate type locally, then purchase Instacake online, and if you have access to a computer, load the Tivo OS onto the new drive, then install it in the Tivo. If you don't want that hassle,the extra money for a pre loaded drive from Weaknees or DVRupgrade are worth it.

CrispyCritter · 01-25-2010, 01:45 PM

Depending on your computer background, you can do it all now. You'll need to buy a hard disk (IDE) locally, but then download the software (InstantCake). You'll need a computer with IDE disks, a Torx screwdriver to open the TiVo case, and the ability to connect disks to your computer.

There are no physical stores that carry disks with the pre-loaded software on them, that I know of.

jkathrineberg · 01-25-2010, 01:48 PM

Great info, thanks. Torx screwdriver? Is this something special from TiVo or can I get my hands on one another way (or maybe already have one in my vast array of tools)?

CrispyCritter · 01-25-2010, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkathrineberg

Great info, thanks. Torx screwdriver? Is this something special from TiVo or can I get my hands on one another way (or maybe already have one in my vast array of tools)?

You can find them in any big hardware store - you should check the upgrade sites for which sizes you need (on some models you need two different sizes, one for the case and one for the disk enclosure screws). DVRupgrade has instructions on how to use instantcake and details like this, and weakknees should also have the screwdriver instructions.

Stormspace · 01-25-2010, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrispyCritter

You can find them in any big hardware store - you should check the upgrade sites for which sizes you need (on some models you need two different sizes, one for the case and one for the disk enclosure screws). DVRupgrade has instructions on how to use instantcake and details like this, and weakknees should also have the screwdriver instructions.

I believe it's a number 10 torx bit. Not certain tho.