[PhilipGearSolid]

My TiVo Bolt + 3TB that I've had for a little over 3 years just died, well the hard drive at least. Had to unplug it for half a day, and after plugging it back in I could hear the HDD whirring a bit with it completely dying 24 hours later (all 4 blinking lights on start up).

I called TiVo and they offered to replace it with a 2TB Edge for 199.99, and they explained how the device is normally 399.99 and it's an upgrade (even though I'm losing a TB). At the end of the day I just want my cable working again (just recently renewed my annual service too) so I agreed to it. However when calling back to check on the order, it turns out it's a "renewed" device which they never mentioned when I agreed to the transaction.

For those that have dealt with a similar situation with a replacement, what would you suggest? Should they be offering me a new one for 199 as a replacement or should I just be ok with the refurb? I called back and they said a new one would be 399.99 (retail price) but offered to lower my monthly plan instead. Any advice or insight would be appreciated.

PS: Their technical department also said I could rollback the TiVo Experience back to 3 on the Edge, is that possible?

 

[JoeKustra]

PS: Their technical department also said I could rollback the TiVo Experience back to 3 on the Edge, is that possible?

NO.

I don't have a Bolt or an Edge.

 

[DeltaOne]

My TiVo Bolt + 3TB that I've had for a little over 3 years just died, well the hard drive at least. Had to unplug it for half a day, and after plugging it back in I could hear the HDD whirring a bit with it completely dying 24 hours later (all 4 blinking lights on start up). I called TiVo and they offered to replace it with a 2TB Edge for 199.99

Have you considered putting a new HDD in your Bolt? Cost would be less than $100. There are more than a few threads here about replacing hard drives.

 

[PhilipGearSolid]

Have you considered putting a new HDD in your Bolt? Cost would be less than $100. There are more than a few threads here about replacing hard drives.

I have no problem physically swapping out the drive, the issue would be in formatting it, buying the correct one etc. and any concern that the Bolt may have another issue sooner than later. I'll check out those threads, thanks for the suggestion.

 

[kpeters59]

Check this thread:

Bolt hard drive upgrade

-KP

 

[PhilipGearSolid]

NO.

I don't have a Bolt or an Edge.

Thank you, I had to call back again and they finally confirmed this.

 

[PhilipGearSolid]

Check this thread:

Bolt hard drive upgrade

-KP

Thanks a alot, they ended up offering me a brand new Edge for $249, but if I cannot stand the new experience I will definitely try to replace the hard drive on the Bolt. I'm concerned it might have another issue, but 60 dollars isn't too much for a replacement drive.

 

[DeltaOne]

I have no problem physically swapping out the drive, the issue would be in formatting it, buying the correct one etc. and any concern that the Bolt may have another issue sooner than later. I'll check out those threads, thanks for the suggestion.

The Bolt models use a 2.5-inch drive. There are many threads here with buying advice, I guess the biggest things to watch for are 5400 RPM and CMR (not SMR).

If you're adventurous, buy a 3.5-inch drive. Leave it external and connect it to the Bolt's SATA port on the logic board.

Once you power on the Bolt it'll notice the new HDD, format it and then take you through the set up process. Easy peasy.

 

[lhvetinari]

(snipped)
For those that have dealt with a similar situation with a replacement, what would you suggest? Should they be offering me a new one for 199 as a replacement or should I just be ok with the refurb? I called back and they said a new one would be 399.99 (retail price) but offered to lower my monthly plan instead. Any advice or insight would be appreciated.

PS: Their technical department also said I could rollback the TiVo Experience back to 3 on the Edge, is that possible?

You can't revert the Edge to TE3. If TE3 is important, you want to keep the Bolt. They're offering you an Edge because they just flat-out don't have Bolts to send out anymore.

I have no problem physically swapping out the drive, the issue would be in formatting it, buying the correct one etc. and any concern that the Bolt may have another issue sooner than later. I'll check out those threads, thanks for the suggestion.

Buy a 3TB drive like you had before (or smaller, but hell, why would you want that? Bigger, always bigger!) and the Bolt will self-format - just drop it in, turn it on and wait awhile.

It probably will have an issue in the future, because Bolts aren't exactly known for reliability. But we burn that bridge when we come to it. Keep it cool (laptop pads are good) and it'll live longer.

The Bolt models use a 2.5-inch drive. There are many threads here with buying advice, I guess the biggest things to watch for are 5400 RPM and CMR (not SMR).

If you're adventurous, buy a 3.5-inch drive. Leave it external and connect it to the Bolt's SATA port on the logic board.

Once you power on the Bolt it'll notice the new HDD, format it and then take you through the set up process. Easy peasy.

Hell, if you don't want to bother with formatting and you want to go the 3.5 inch route, Weaknees sells complete 3TB kits for 250 dollars - includes the enclosure, power adapter, and tools. And if you ever do go Edge (or get another Bolt when yours kicks it) you can just move the kit to the new system.

 

[UCLABB]

I don't understand. You have a subscription that includes warranty. Why are they trying to charge you for a replacement? Shouldn't they just give you the Edge for free?

 

[LarryAtHome]

Continual care exchange fee for 3-4 years old $199
Tivo Customer Support Community

 

[uj80s]

The Bolt models use a 2.5-inch drive. There are many threads here with buying advice, I guess the biggest things to watch for are 5400 RPM and CMR (not SMR).

If you're adventurous, buy a 3.5-inch drive. Leave it external and connect it to the Bolt's SATA port on the logic board.

Once you power on the Bolt it'll notice the new HDD, format it and then take you through the set up process. Easy peasy.

Done all that and my screen says Starting Up for hours!

 

[UCLABB]

Done all that and my screen says Starting Up for hours!

Done all what? Put in a new 2.5" drive? Attached a 3.5" drive? Tried both?

 

[DeltaOne]

Done all that and my screen says Starting Up for hours!

Formatting the new HDD should only take a few minutes...certainly less than ten minutes or so.

Hours? You've got a different problem.

 

[uj80s]

I've tried the kickstart steps .. any other suggestions?

 

[uj80s]

Done all what? Put in a new 2.5" drive? Attached a 3.5" drive? Tried both?

Brand new WD 2.5 blue, never formatted.

 

[brucedelta]

I had a 3 TB Bolt that started with 4 flashing lights over the weekend. I called Tivo and as mine is 2-3 years old they offered a replacement to the 2 TB Edge for $149. They offered an advance replacement if I pay a $499 deposit (for the device they sell for $399) and I went ahead and did that since it is my only TV source. I spoke to them on Saturday and I still have not seen a ship notification. I tried a support incident through my account and got no answer and chat told me I have to call. So I called and eventually got a foreign support person who told me that there is an issue and he would escalate the incident so I should hear back within 24 hours. So far I have not heard anything back. Does anyone know how to get US support? I have been a Tivo user for 20 years, but am thinking I should give up on them.

 

[tommage1]

Brand new WD 2.5 blue, never formatted.

Try running a full format (not quick, even better write zeroes) to the new drive. I've heard even blank new drives sometimes have trouble formatting in a Tivo. Full format or even zeroes should not take THAT long since only 500GB drive. Also make sure your connection to the drive is good.

 

[tommage1]

This new continual care policy, can be ok if you have a lifetime device (Roamio or Bolt). Monthly/yearly better to just buy a used Bolt or Roamio with monthly/yearly, probably $30-50. Perhaps put in new drive if needed.

 

[tommage1]

Brand new WD 2.5 blue, never formatted.

Oh, you say 2.5" but not capacity. 500GB should be ok as it is CMR, anything more is SMR and may/probably will not work. Welcome to the world of CMR/SMR with 2.5" drives.

Current model WD 2.5" drives, only 500GB Blue and Black and 1TB Red are CMR. Anything else is SMR and will most likely not work in a Bolt. Black is 7200 RPM so not really recommended either. If you go with 3.5 in an external enclosure (there are threads on how to do it, pretty simple) you have a lot more choices. But need to choose a CMR drive.