Formatting Drive / Warranty

929 Views 4 Replies 4 Participants Last post by mick66, Oct 16, 2007

Aaron Blanchard

Discussion Starter · Oct 16, 2007

I'm sure these questions have been asked, but I am unable to find answers after searching so here goes:

I upgraded a Series 2 three years ago, and I could swear that I just dropped a stock WD drive (purchased from NewEgg) into the TiVo and it worked like a charm. I have to purchase the drive from a non-TiVo-centric retailer, so getting a prepared one isn't an option. I'm going to purchase a TiVoHD and was hoping to have it be just as easy, but now it seems I have to format and prepare the drive before doing so. Is this the case if I just want to upgrade the TiVo right out of the box?

Also, over the years TiVo has gone back and forth about how they feel about upgrading, so how does it work now? Is the warranty shot if I upgrade?

Thanks!

ACB

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rbtravis

· #2 · Oct 16, 2007

Aaron Blanchard said:
I'm sure these questions have been asked, but I am unable to find answers after searching so here goes:

I upgraded a Series 2 three years ago, and I could swear that I just dropped a stock WD drive (purchased from NewEgg) into the TiVo and it worked like a charm. I have to purchase the drive from a non-TiVo-centric retailer, so getting a prepared one isn't an option. I'm going to purchase a TiVoHD and was hoping to have it be just as easy, but now it seems I have to format and prepare the drive before doing so. Is this the case if I just want to upgrade the TiVo right out of the box?

Also, over the years TiVo has gone back and forth about how they feel about upgrading, so how does it work now? Is the warranty shot if I upgrade?

Thanks!

ACB

I assume you mean the series 3 box which is for cable because support for HD satellite is due to end in December with the demise of mpeg2 HD. The series three I believe supports SATA which means you can purchase an external device and plug it into the back of a series 3. Hope this helps.

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Aaron Blanchard

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 16, 2007

This is for a Tivo HD (Series 3, Non-THX) internal replacement. TiVo has actually dropped the Series 3 moniker from the new model, reserving it for the THX certified model.

ACB

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classicsat

· #4 · Oct 16, 2007

Yes, you need to prepare the drive to have the OS and root database installed to upgrade the primary drive. It has been that way all along.
You used to be able to just add drives by "blessing" them, which writes a signature the TiVo will see when it boots.
I don't think it is known how eSATA add-on drives will officially work.

I don't think their policy has changed at all (with the exception of eliminating the warranty seal on Series 2s). Officially warranties are void when you open the case, and support isn't guaranteed when you muck with the insides, including drive upgrades. Unofficially, upgrades are tolerated, don't generally affect service, and there is no way to detect a "void warranty"

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mick66

· #5 · Oct 16, 2007

classicsat said:
Unofficially, upgrades are tolerated, don't generally affect service, and there is no way to detect a "void warranty"

Tivo's system knows what's in your Tivo.

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