I see that weaknees.com is selling Humax that are still eligable for lifetime subscription (LT). I also see lots of S3s and HD on sell on ebay with LT (for over 1K). Since LT is not tranferable, if theses unit ever fail, is the LT worthless? This is especially a concern with the refurb Humax units.
Humax with Lifetime
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Most TiVo failures involve components (power supply, hard drive) that can be replaced without voiding the lifetime status. It's only if you need to replace the motherboard that "kills" the lifetime, and TiVo has been known to help with replairs/transfer in this instance (haven't they?).
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tivo doesn't repair Humax boxes.megazone said:
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Humax should though, and the same policy applies to other boxes as it does TiVos.thatoneguy said:
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My humax T800 never made it out of the kick start. I called Humax and I have a life time account. They quoted me $180.00 for a hard drive replacement. Has anyone done this and whas it succesful? 
Thousands of people have replaced their own hard drives, so there is no reason at all to think that Humax can't do it.mizz.scarlette said:My humax T800 never made it out of the kick start. I called Humax and I have a life time account. They quoted me $180.00 for a hard drive replacement. Has anyone done this and whas it succesful?
Seriously, if it is a bad hard drive (and it almost surely is), it is a really simple procedure to perform.
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Humax a few month age would charge $150 to repair any Humax unit over 1 year old, no matter what was wrong with it (unless you dropped from a 3 story building I would guess). They may have increased their price or are you are getting a bigger drive ? They also would take care of Xfering the Lifetime Service. Call Humax at 866-486-2987 and just tell them the unit does not work and you want it repaired/replaced and see what they say.mizz.scarlette said:My humax T800 never made it out of the kick start. I called Humax and I have a life time account. They quoted me $180.00 for a hard drive replacement. Has anyone done this and whas it succesful?
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Hi DWIT,dwit said:
You say replace the harddrive "it is a really simple procedure to perform." Is it so simple to teach me how to do it myself?
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For many on this form it is simple, but for others it may not be so simple as they need a image, a ATA hard drive that does not make too much noise in the DVR, a T10 and T15 tool. For that person WeekKnees may the best option. If the power supply that's bad that would be another problem.mizz.scarlette said:
1. Absolute easiest diy method is to buy a hard drive that is already prepared for use in your unit. Then you simply open your unit, remove the old drive, and install the new drive.mizz.scarlette said:
Step by step instructions are included. Instructions are also online at first 2 below.
The cost will be a little less than you mention above but you will have a much larger drive with hundreds of hours of capacity.
These drives can be found at(among others):
dvrupgrade.com(forum sponser)
weaknees.com
auctionnook.com
2. The next easiest method is to buy a drive and prepare it yourself using a software product called Instant Cake from dvrupgrade.com. This method requires that you open your computer and connect the newly purchased hard drive to prepare. Instant Cake costs $20 and a new 500gb WD hard drive from newegg.com costs $100. Once you boot with the Instant Cake cd, you merely answer a couple of question that appear on the screen and your drive will be prepared.
Instant Cake Instructions(click here)
3. If you are really good with computers, you can save(possibly) the $20 and use methods at mfslive.org to prepare the drive. You can also copy saved shows on your old drive with this method.
You can also get plenty of help at the upgrade forums. Just start a new thread here: Tivo community upgrade forum(click here).
4. Warning:"...When looking inside your TiVo, you will notice a white ribbon cable running from the front panel of the TiVo to the motherboard. It is a white ribbon cable that plugs directly into the motherboard.
Here's the WARNING: NEVER power-up your TiVo with this cable either slightly or completely removed from the motherboard. It must be firmly seated when you power up the TiVo.
Here's the reason: Doing so can permanently damage your TiVo. In some cases, the TiVo will power up but will not respond to the remote. In other cases, the TiVo will not power up at all (and will just click)...." (more info here)
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You can safely booth the DVR with that cable disconnected, the DVR just won't respond to the remote. However, don't reconnect the cable with power applied.
Any method of drive replacement will require opening the DVR, if that is within your means, or else you have to send it out.
Any method of drive replacement will require opening the DVR, if that is within your means, or else you have to send it out.
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Hi Dwit,
Thanks for all the great advice! I purchased a new HD from tivorevolution, Tim was very helpful and it was shipped today. It also came with a full color step by step instructions. I printed your instructions out and I hope by the end of the week me and my Tivo will be good as new. I do appreciate the time you spent spelling out everything for me. I will let you know how all ends up.
Thanks again,
Scarlette
Thanks for all the great advice! I purchased a new HD from tivorevolution, Tim was very helpful and it was shipped today. It also came with a full color step by step instructions. I printed your instructions out and I hope by the end of the week me and my Tivo will be good as new. I do appreciate the time you spent spelling out everything for me. I will let you know how all ends up.
Thanks again,
Scarlette
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