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Pretty bizarre Roamio issue... please help

1878 Views 25 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  JoeKustra
I woke up today to all lights on my Roamio flashing & stuck on the "Welcome" screen.

-unplugged it for around 15 minutes, plugged back in
-tried 2 different power cords
-opened it up, removed the hard drive (500GB Seagate)

I have a 4 bay external dock I attempted to use to scan the drive for errors for the dock would not even power on with the hard drive inserted.

-I connected the drive directly to my Windows PC. On first attempt, the PC would not power on. Unplugged the PC & tried again. This time it powered on but the hard drive immediately started to give off a "burning" odor so I shut the computer off right away.

-I have many spare hard drives, however, they aren't the same "slim" size as the one the Tivo came with but I figured I'd use one temporarily until I could buy a replacement. I connected a 2TB Seagate to the Tivo, plugged it in and it was in an endless boot attempt cycle. Tried a second drive, had the same result. at this point I have no idea what else can be done.

I even tried turning on the Tivo with no hard drive as a longshot thinking I'd at least be able to watch TV but it's stuck on the "welcome" screen.

Any help is appreciated.
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I woke up today to all lights on my Roamio flashing & stuck on the "Welcome" screen.

-unplugged it for around 15 minutes, plugged back in
-tried 2 different power cords
-opened it up, removed the hard drive (500GB Seagate)

I have a 4 bay external dock I attempted to use to scan the drive for errors for the dock would not even power on with the hard drive inserted.

-I connected the drive directly to my Windows PC. On first attempt, the PC would not power on. Unplugged the PC & tried again. This time it powered on but the hard drive immediately started to give off a "burning" odor so I shut the computer off right away.

-I have many spare hard drives, however, they aren't the same "slim" size as the one the Tivo came with but I figured I'd use one temporarily until I could buy a replacement. I connected a 2TB Seagate to the Tivo, plugged it in and it was in an endless boot attempt cycle. Tried a second drive, had the same result. at this point I have no idea what else can be done.

I even tried turning on the Tivo with no hard drive as a longshot thinking I'd at least be able to watch TV but it's stuck on the "welcome" screen.

Any help is appreciated.
Ouch, search this site for compatible Roamio HDs. Lots of info here.
I do not have personal experience with a Roamio, but I have not heard that they are touchy about what drives will work in them like Bolts are.

It sounds to me like your drive developed SERIOUS power faults that started sucking way too much power and destroyed something else inside the Roamio. The fact that both a dock and a PC had problems turning on with that same drive almost guarantees this.
I woke up today to all lights on my Roamio flashing & stuck on the "Welcome" screen.

-unplugged it for around 15 minutes, plugged back in
-tried 2 different power cords
-opened it up, removed the hard drive (500GB Seagate)

I have a 4 bay external dock I attempted to use to scan the drive for errors for the dock would not even power on with the hard drive inserted.

-I connected the drive directly to my Windows PC. On first attempt, the PC would not power on. Unplugged the PC & tried again. This time it powered on but the hard drive immediately started to give off a "burning" odor so I shut the computer off right away.

-I have many spare hard drives, however, they aren't the same "slim" size as the one the Tivo came with but I figured I'd use one temporarily until I could buy a replacement. I connected a 2TB Seagate to the Tivo, plugged it in and it was in an endless boot attempt cycle. Tried a second drive, had the same result. at this point I have no idea what else can be done.

I even tried turning on the Tivo with no hard drive as a longshot thinking I'd at least be able to watch TV but it's stuck on the "welcome" screen.

Any help is appreciated.
If you have the base Roamio, not the Pro/Plus, you should also consider that the power supply might have gone south. I would consider replacing that also but get one with slightly higher amps.
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Ouch, search this site for compatible Roamio HDs. Lots of info here.
I don't want to take the chance & buy a new drive when I tried 4 drives and none worked. Can you guys tell me if any drive is compatible or does the Roamio need a specific type drive?
When I put the drive in the dock it completely screwed it up. It's a 4 bay dock all with separate power buttons now 1 of the 4 drive slots will only power up.

If you have the base Roamio, not the Pro/Plus, you should also consider that the power supply might have gone south. I would consider replacing that also but get one with slightly higher amps.
I have a Roamio that accepts a cable card. The power cord does not have a brick. I believe it's a Plus but not positive.

I've never even come close to filling up the stock 500GB drive it came with so I wouldnt really need anything bigger than that to replace it.
I don't want to take the chance & buy a new drive when I tried 4 drives and none worked. Can you guys tell me if any drive is compatible or does the Roamio need a specific type drive?
When I put the drive in the dock it completely screwed it up. It's a 4 bay dock all with separate power buttons now 1 of the 4 drive slots will only power up.

I have a Roamio that accepts a cable card. The power cord does not have a brick. I believe it's a Plus but not positive.

I've never even come close to filling up the stock 500GB drive it came with so I wouldnt really need anything bigger than that to replace it.
Maybe, but I thought the only Roamio that came with a 500GB drive was the base/4tuner unit and that the Plus was 1GB and the Pro 3GB...but maybe my memory is off.
Maybe, but I thought the only Roamio that came with a 500GB drive was the base/4tuner unit and that the Plus was 1GB and the Pro 3GB...but maybe my memory is off.
Your memory is solid.
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I don't want to take the chance & buy a new drive when I tried 4 drives and none worked. Can you guys tell me if any drive is compatible or does the Roamio need a specific type drive?
When I put the drive in the dock it completely screwed it up. It's a 4 bay dock all with separate power buttons now 1 of the 4 drive slots will only power up.

I have a Roamio that accepts a cable card. The power cord does not have a brick. I believe it's a Plus but not positive.

I've never even come close to filling up the stock 500GB drive it came with so I wouldnt really need anything bigger than that to replace it.
Any drive will work to test. I have not had a Roamio that was finicky about a drive. At the same time, my Roamios are all on TE3.

First, what ever drive you use in the Roamio, use WD diagnostic and do a quick erase of the drive before you use it in the Roamio. Also, Roamios can only self format 3 TB or less sized drives and still boot successfully. If you are going to use a drive permanently in the unit, run a complete read and write diagnostic prior to using it.

Other issue is that the power block on the base Roamios were barely sufficient for powering the whole unit. So if a replacement drive requires a little more power, you will have the same issue. As previously mentioned, getting a power block that has about 50% more amperage (same voltage) will ensure that does not happen.
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Any drive will work to test. I have not had a Roamio that was finicky about a drive. At the same time, my Roamios are all on TE3.

First, what ever drive you use in the Roamio, use WD diagnostic and do a quick erase of the drive before you use it in the Roamio. Also, Roamios can only self format 3 TB or less sized drives and still boot successfully. If you are going to use a drive permanently in the unit, run a complete read and write diagnostic prior to using it.

Other issue is that the power block on the base Roamios were barely sufficient for powering the whole unit. So if a replacement drive requires a little more power, you will have the same issue. As previously mentioned, getting a power block that has about 50% more amperage (same voltage) will ensure that does not happen.
Like I said, I tried 4 drives, all under 3TB & all were quick erased in Windows beforehand. Couldnt get any working.
When you say "power block" , what are you referring to? My model Roamio does not have a power brick if thats what you mean.
I'm very worried either the internal power supply or motherbaord is damaged.
Like I said, I tried 4 drives, all under 3TB & all were quick erased in Windows beforehand. Couldnt get any working.
When you say "power block" , what are you referring to? My model Roamio does not have a power brick if thats what you mean.
I'm very worried either the internal power supply or motherbaord is damaged.
What is the model number of your Roamio.
What is the model number of your Roamio.
The model number is TCD846500.
You guys know of a reputable place I could send it out to to have it repaired?
You should have a power block with that one.
You should have a power block with that one. Not a wall wart.
I don't know what a wall wart is, but I've been using what ever plug it came with which does not include a power brick since I purchased the unit 5 years ago.

Anyway, just got off with tech support. They offered to replace the Roamio with the Bolt & transfer the lifetime sub for $248 total. What do you guys think?
I don't know what a wall wart is, but I've been using what ever plug it came with which does not include a power brick since I purchased the unit 5 years ago.

Anyway, just got off with tech support. They offered to replace the Roamio with the Bolt & transfer the lifetime sub for $248 total. What do you guys think?


So does that look like what your Roamio uses to get its power. If it is then that is what we are talking about. It takes the 110-120 volts out of your wall and converts it to 12 volts and about 2 amps. That is what needs to be replaced with one with more amperage (3 to 3.33).

The price for the Bolt is not bad. Not sure I would do it unless I tried to replace the power block first as it may be about $30.
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You should have a power block with that one.
You had me confused with your original post that said the OP should have a power block and not a wall wart. You removed the reference to the wall wart but posted a picture of the Roamio OTA (846500).

I call the power supply directly attached to the power prongs a wall wart. My Roamio Basic and Roamio OTAs, along with my routers and switches, all have wall warts.

I call the power supply that has a cord that plugs into it and the wall outlet a power block. It looks like a brick, with ~5' of cord going to the power outlet and ~5' of a second cord going to the device being powered. My laptops and my NAS units have power bricks (or blocks).

Maybe that was part of the OP's confusion.

As to what HDDs he tried, model numbers would help more than "they're less than 3TB". 7200RPM is no good. Erased in Windows is no good. Use WD Data LifeGuard and write zeroes.

And try another wall wart before replacing the Roamio OTA. IMHO, a Roamio w/ 3.5" HDDs is more reliable than a Bolt w/ 2.5" HDDs.
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So does that look like what your Roamio uses to get its power. If it is then that is what we are talking about. It takes the 110-120 volts out of your wall and converts it to 12 volts and about 2 amps. That is what needs to be replaced with one with more amperage (3 to 3.33).

The price for the Bolt is not bad. Not sure I would do it unless I tried to replace the power block first as it may be about $30.
Yes, that is the plug it came with that I've been using ever since.

As to what HDDs he tried, model numbers would help more than "they're less than 3TB". 7200RPM is no good. Erased in Windows is no good. Use WD Data LifeGuard and write zeroes.

And try another wall wart before replacing the Roamio OTA. IMHO, a Roamio w/ 3.5" HDDs is more reliable than a Bolt w/ 2.5" HDDs.
You guys thiink BOTH the hard dive and power cable are faulty? I tried the hard drive in 2 docking stations and it won't even spin up.

I didn't know 7200RPM would not work.

I've tried a Seagate Barracuda ST32000542A8 (Don't know the speed).
Seagate 40GB ST340014AS but it's 7200RPM
Seagate 3320820AS also 7200RPM.

So I should try a 5400RPM hard drive and erase it using WD LifeGuard writing all zeroes next?

BTW, I appreciate all the help so far.
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I don't know what a wall wart is, but I've been using what ever plug it came with which does not include a power brick since I purchased the unit 5 years ago.

Anyway, just got off with tech support. They offered to replace the Roamio with the Bolt & transfer the lifetime sub for $248 total. What do you guys think?
Just on first impression, that sounds high. Although, your Roamio box is 5 years old and they're transferring the Lifetime--and so really, you're just paying for a new box. Hmmm. I still might call back and see if they would go lower.

Also, note that the new TiVo Edge box is coming out now--I wonder if you could raise that possibility with the TiVo rep., either as a possibility or to lower the price.
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You had me confused with your original post that said the OP should have a power block and not a wall wart. You removed the reference to the wall wart but posted a picture of the Roamio OTA (846500).

I call the power supply directly attached to the power prongs a wall wart.
I do too. My bad. I replaced the wall wart when I first got it years ago with a power brick and I forgot what came with it originally. I realized the error and made the correction.
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Yes, that is the plug it came with that I've been using ever since.

You guys thiink BOTH the hard dive and power cable are faulty? I tried the hard drive in 2 docking stations and it won't even spin up.

I didn't know 7200RPM would not work.

I've tried a Seagate Barracuda ST32000542A8 (Don't know the speed).
Seagate 40GB ST340014AS but it's 7200RPM
Seagate 3320820AS also 7200RPM.

So I should try a 5400RPM hard drive and erase it using WD LifeGuard writing all zeroes next?

BTW, I appreciate all the help so far.
The older drives you are using may require more power than the current transformer providing power to the Roamio can supply. Consequently the drives may never come to ready. So the transformer might not be adequate but not bad.
I am not sure how small of a drive can be formatted and be functional on a Roamio. The smallest drive they come with is a 500GB drive. That may be the minimum. I do not know as I never tested that configuration.
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