[bigezee]

Just bought used series 2 tivo on Ebay. It is stuck in the kidzone and can't get out without a password. Of course it didn't come with that and cannot contact the seller. I can't even get to the guided setup to activate this thing!!!

How can I factory reset or some way of getting to the guided setup. I have already activated the tivo box on the website.

Thanks for any responses.....

 

[stevel]

Call TiVo Customer Care and they can help you.

 

[bigezee]

Stupid question here, but how can they fix it if I can't get to the guided setup to get it online. How are they gonna send a signal to it to reset the password???

If I am on the phone with them, don't i have to have it plugged into the phone line??

I also have it into my network through a usb/ethernet adapter.

 

[mick66]

It should still want to and try to make it's daily call regardless of what menu it's on.

 

[monroe]

Or just order a Pizza, sit back and relax and plan on spending an hour to an hour an a half running through codes! Start at 0000, then 0001, then 0002...

Well, you get it.

Chris

 

[bigezee]

So if I leave it plugged into the phone line all night, it will automatically reset everything and take me to the setup maybe in the morning?

LOL on the password. I seriously thought about it!!

 

[windracer]

So if I leave it plugged into the phone line all night, it will automatically reset everything and take me to the setup maybe in the morning?

No, but if you call Customer Support and explain the situation, they can reset the password on their side and then the next time box phones in it will get the new PIN and then you'll be able to unlock KidZone.

 

[bigezee]

I got it!! After waiting on hold for quite a while they finally gave me a temporary password to use. Shut off Kidzone!!

Thanks everyone for all your replies.

NOW I just have to get it all updated.

 

[stevel]

I don't think that the box has to call in - rather, there's some sort of algorithm based on date/time and TSN that is used to create a temporary override PIN.

 

[windracer]

That makes sense too, cool.

 

[sskraly]

My Series2 is somehow stuck in Kidzone after working fine for years. We didn't do this intentionally, so perhaps this is a sign of trouble, but it seems to play and record Kidzone programs with no problem, so the box appears to be generally functional.

I called Tivo and they gave me temporary passcodes based on the TSN, but they haven't worked. One agent said it would "take a few minutes" to take effect, another agent said that the box would have to make the daily call to take effect.

Also, they said that the code would "expire at 4PM PST", so if a daily call is required, it becomes impossible to make this work.

Does anyone know for sure how this works? Should the Tivo-generated Password take effect immediately just based on TSN?

If this isn't working, do I have any other options to salvage the box (kickstart codes, etc.)? I'm willing to wipe out saved programs if needed.

Worst case, I can probably create a fresh drive from a backup (I've expanded several of my Tivos) and start again, but hoping to avoid that if possible.

Thanks!