Lifetime on motherboard...now what

1276 Views 7 Replies 4 Participants Last post by m.thomas, Apr 8, 2021

m.thomas

Discussion Starter · Apr 3, 2021

So I have an issue on my HD Tivo. I got the dreaded blinking green light on the front and would not power up. I bought a new never used identical model and started by switching the power supply...no luck. Then I switched the hard drive again...no luck, so I am assuming that the motherboard is bad but the lifetime membership is based on the serial number on the board. I did hook up the new one and it powered up all the way to the guide and then told me I had to call to activate service so no go there. Is there a CPU or something on the motherboard that can be swapped to try and retain service or is there another thing to try? Thanks in advance

Save

1 - 8 of 8 Posts

HerronScott

· #2 · Apr 3, 2021

Check out this thread on heating around the RAM chips.

Blinking green light, will not reset, black screen

Also I believe it mentions a crystal as a possible suspect as well.

Scott

Save

WVZR1

· #3 · Apr 3, 2021 (Edited)

With this age on anything that has a 'coin battery' and I believe yours does I'd replace the CR2032 if you haven't already. In the OLED S3 it was believed to do 'only the clock' but I doubt that also. I'd think it the 'least expensive' next attempt!!

Save

m.thomas

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 3, 2021

Firstly...thanks for the responses and I want to apologize as I did a search and found nothing on this before I started a new thread. I did read all 14 pages of the thread and will try the hair dryer work around tomorrow. I did switch the batteries to see if that made a difference and it did not. I still was hoping I could just switch a CPU from the old unit into the new unit so that the SN and lifetime membership would transfer to the new unit...guess that would not be economical for TiVo. If I can get the old unit to boot with the hairdryer method, I will most likely use the new PS, HD, fan and battery since they are newer and hope for no power outages. One other thing about my old unit is that the picture was pixelating very bad even when watching live TV so I decided to reboot the unit and when I plugged back in, that is when the green light started.

Save

WVZR1

· #5 · Apr 3, 2021

m.thomas said:
Firstly...thanks for the responses and I want to apologize as I did a search and found nothing on this before I started a new thread. I did read all 14 pages of the thread and will try the hair dryer work around tomorrow. I did switch the batteries to see if that made a difference and it did not. I still was hoping I could just switch a CPU from the old unit into the new unit so that the SN and lifetime membership would transfer to the new unit...guess that would not be economical for TiVo. If I can get the old unit to boot with the hairdryer method, I will most likely use the new PS, HD, fan and battery since they are newer and hope for no power outages. One other thing about my old unit is that the picture was pixelating very bad even when watching live TV so I decided to reboot the unit and when I plugged back in, that is when the green light started.

You don't 'switch' - you buy NEW!

Save

m.thomas

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 4, 2021

They don't know me very well...lol

Save

Reactions: 1

Teeps

· #7 · Apr 7, 2021

m.thomas said:
I still was hoping I could just switch a CPU from the old unit into the new unit so that the SN and lifetime membership would transfer to the new unit...guess that would not be economical for TiVo.

It might be possible.
Start here:
The Chip With The Lifetime Information On It

Save

m.thomas

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 8, 2021

Thanks for the link, unfortunately, I have the THD so it is integrated. The really good news is that I used the hairdryer trick to get it to boot up and with the brand new HD and PS, hope to get another 8 years of use. I am actually watching it now.

Save

Reactions: 1

1 - 8 of 8 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month