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Hard drive swap service number issue

Discussion in 'TiVo Series3 HDTV DVRs' started by dktool, Jan 11, 2021 at 11:58 PM.

  1. Jan 11, 2021 at 11:58 PM #1 of 10
    dktool

    dktool New Member

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    * I have a total of 3, series 3 units with lifetime service on all.
    * 2 are in service, (i will call these A and B) the 3rd unit (I will call this one C) was purchased for a
    back up and has been stored for years, this unit's HDMI output is inoperative.
    * The hard drive in unit B has failed, (green screen of death) I swapped the hard drive from unit C into unit B
    * All the set up, connecting etc went as expected, the problem is when I go to the now playing
    tab it says there is a hardware problem....blah blah
    * What I noticed on the system information page is the the Tivo Service Number states Not Available
    000000000000 whereas on my unit "A" it states
    * The service number on unit "B" from the outside tag is;
    * Why is the swapped in drive's service number all zeros ??, is the likely the issue with the hardware
    error message ?
    BTW, I am using these with antenna
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2021 at 3:34 PM
  2. Jan 12, 2021 at 12:17 AM #2 of 10
    ThAbtO

    ThAbtO TiVoholic by the bay TCF Club

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    The problem is that the drive is from the other Tivo and the image was married to that other one.
    To marry it to this one, you must run Clear & Delete Everything. This would wipe everything that was already on the drive (shows, passes).
     
  3. Jan 12, 2021 at 12:26 AM #3 of 10
    dktool

    dktool New Member

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    And then would I run the entire set up again ?
    Once the Clear & Delete is run will the remote Tivo service or the bios load the Tivo Service Number ?
     
  4. Jan 12, 2021 at 12:44 AM #4 of 10
    ThAbtO

    ThAbtO TiVoholic by the bay TCF Club

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    Guided Setup would have to be run on it.
    Yes, the service number would be part of the image.

    This was done to prevent others from taking the hard drive to another model to copy/play there.
     
  5. Jan 12, 2021 at 12:56 AM #5 of 10
    dktool

    dktool New Member

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    Thanks, I'll give it a try.
    Also, I may want to get a replacement drive for the one I robbed.
    I'll cross that subject bridge after I get this running (hopefully).
     
  6. Jan 12, 2021 at 12:59 AM #6 of 10
    ThAbtO

    ThAbtO TiVoholic by the bay TCF Club

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    Recommend WD10EFRX or WD20EFRX (max size)
     
  7. Jan 12, 2021 at 7:03 AM #7 of 10
    tommage1

    tommage1 Well-Known Member

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    Just FYI it is not a good idea to post pictures of your TSN (Tivo service number). Someone could use it for a promotion or something and you'd lose your service. Either take down the pictures or black out the TSN. 3rd picture.

    Oh I see you also actually posted your TSNs. Don't do that ;)
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2021 at 7:11 AM
  8. Jan 12, 2021 at 12:17 PM #8 of 10
    dktool

    dktool New Member

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    Thanks....I'm a Tivo idiot in more than one way.
    I will run the re-load today and post back..
     
  9. Jan 12, 2021 at 1:52 PM #9 of 10
    dktool

    dktool New Member

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    I did the wipe and reload and all is well !
    Our of curiosity, how does the system info page get the TSN, does it come from the motherboard / bios or from the mothership ?

    Also, I would like to get a replacement drive for the one I robbed, a standard small capacity unit would be fine, I only use these for over the air recording of a few shows and news etc.
    If I buy a blank what's the learning curve for getting the Tivo software on it ?

    A good used one if fine also.
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2021 at 2:45 PM
  10. Jan 14, 2021 at 4:21 PM #10 of 10
    tommage1

    tommage1 Well-Known Member

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    Any Sata CMR (not SMR) drive should work. Max for an S3 is 2TB. Most 3.5" drives under 1TB are CMR. For copying, copying/expanding, or creating a truncated copy with just the operating system search forum for MFS Tools. Or since S3 you could actually use WinMFS, runs under Windows. Would probably have to find WinMFS somewhere on the net, not really updated anymore since the last Tivos it could be used with are S3. I probably have it somewhere on one of my computers. I occasionally use it with S2s and S3s. Used drive could be ok if not TOO used, and you run diagnostics to check for errors.
     

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