Shouldn't I just swap the motherboard?

No. The Tivo's identity and hence lifetime subscription is tied to the motherboard(actually, a chip on the motherboard). What you want to do would essentially be the same thing as installing your tivo hard drive in another Tivo. It's just not going to work, as far as maintaining the lifetime subscription.

Your best bet is to get a (complete)6490x unit off ebay, and use it as a parts source for your lifetime unit(all except the mb, of course). I continually see "virtually new" units sold for $30 or less, plus shipping. I typically see bids as they are nearing the end advertised right on the side of all the pages here on this site.

The used power supply you saw is also a good route to take if you cannot find an entire unit to your liking.

There is also reading here on how to possibly diagnose a bad power supply and possibly repair it(replacing capacitor(s)), very inexpensively.

I appreciate the response, but I'm not sure you understood me.

I want to put my old lifetime motherboard into the brand new Tivo. It just seems to make more sense, if the motherboard is all that counts.

I did get one, $49.98 shipped, brand new.

Yes. That will work. During the set up process, if you encounter any "errors", you will need to do a "Clear and Delete everything" from the menu.

I guess the only reason it would not work is if the problem is really an issue with the motherboard. Or possibly a mistake in reassembly. Be wary of powering up without the front panel ribbon cable being properly connected. If not properly connected, unit will be unusable, even if so trying to rectify later. I will qualify that with "or so I have read".

Sorry I misunderstood the first time.

Good luck.

Thanks.

I figure if it turns out it's the mother board, I still have a new DVR for the bedroom without a subscription, and I'll have to get a Cable company DVR for the living room.

I can't see getting another subscription.

hodja451 said:

Thanks.

I figure if it turns out it's the mother board, I still have a new DVR for the bedroom without a subscription, and I'll have to get a Cable company DVR for the living room.

I can't see getting another subscription.

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Unfortunately the new Tivo will not work without a subscription so you will still be out whatever you paid for it.

Just move the PSU (and if that is what you want HDD).

You will have a case (particularily the rear label), which matches the TSN.