Sorry to hear about double trouble with your units. The Tivo identity is in a chip on the motherboard. You can always change the hard drive without changing the Tivo identity (see the Upgrade Forum). My understanding from reading this forum is that even though the Tivo identity stays the same when you change the hard drive, that the cablecard relationship will still need to be updated by the cable company.
Tivo HD Slavage
I have 2 Tivo HD units. 1 has blown out one of its tuners we'll call it Tivo "A". The other has a failed hard drive we'll call it Tivo "B". What I have decided to do is take the hard drive from the Tivo "A" and replace the hard drive in Tivo "B" resulting in 1 working Tivo. I'm sure this will result in a call to TWC to come out with a new cable card. I'm curious as to what identity the hard drive swap will make Tivo "B" assume. I guess the question is what determines the identity of a Tivo the software or the hardware?
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You should do a "Clear & delete everything" on TiVo A prior to removing the hard drive so that TiVo B will have less to do when you boot it up.
You shouldn't need a new CableCARD. If TiVo B has a CableCARD in it, you just need to get the pairing info written to the hard drive. Probably just a "hit" by TWC.
If TiVo B doesn't currently have a CableCARD, just take the one out of TiVo A, install it in TiVo B, and TWC to get it paired to TiVo B. No truck roll necessary.
Also, it would be a good idea to make a backup of the drive to make it easier to create a replacement if (when) it dies. Preferably after the CableCARD info is written to it. Ideally, you want to use the existing drive to create a replacement drive but sometimes they die so suddenly and completely that it is not possible. I assume that's what happened with TiVo B.
You shouldn't need a new CableCARD. If TiVo B has a CableCARD in it, you just need to get the pairing info written to the hard drive. Probably just a "hit" by TWC.
If TiVo B doesn't currently have a CableCARD, just take the one out of TiVo A, install it in TiVo B, and TWC to get it paired to TiVo B. No truck roll necessary.
Also, it would be a good idea to make a backup of the drive to make it easier to create a replacement if (when) it dies. Preferably after the CableCARD info is written to it. Ideally, you want to use the existing drive to create a replacement drive but sometimes they die so suddenly and completely that it is not possible. I assume that's what happened with TiVo B.
Actually he should copy the failed tuner TiVo's hard drive to a new hard drive, install that in the failed tuner TiVo, make sure it works, then do a clear and delete, then transplant it to the other TiVo.You should do a "Clear & delete everything" on TiVo A prior to removing the hard drive so that TiVo B will have less to do when you boot it up.
You shouldn't need a new CableCARD. If TiVo B has a CableCARD in it, you just need to get the pairing info written to the hard drive. Probably just a "hit" by TWC.
If TiVo B doesn't currently have a CableCARD, just take the one out of TiVo A, install it in TiVo B, and TWC to get it paired to TiVo B. No truck roll necessary.
Also, it would be a good idea to make a backup of the drive to make it easier to create a replacement if (when) it dies. Preferably after the CableCARD info is written to it. Ideally, you want to use the existing drive to create a replacement drive but sometimes they die so suddenly and completely that it is not possible. I assume that's what happened with TiVo B.
That way he's not using a used hard drive just as old and likely to fail as the one that already died.
(then he should send me the failed tuner unit and its original hard drive so I can play with it
)A lot of people on this forum seem awfully anxious to see people spend money. Not everyone has loads of disposable income.
I'm just as cheap as the next guy, but...A lot of people on this forum seem awfully anxious to see people spend money. Not everyone has loads of disposable income.
He apparently had the money for 2 HDs on which he now pays the sub each month, and he's paying TWC probably $75 to $100 a month.
He can probably manage $50 for a 1TB or $70 for a 2TB drive, and by not re-using the failed tuner TiVo's drive, he can go ahead and watch up the copybitten stuff and Desktop the rest to computer and then to the new drive.
(and then send me the broken one to play with
)
Thanks guys I didn't think of clearing everything the swap before but it seems like that would be the way to go. I'm all setup for the backup my attemps to recover the Tivo "B" drive were a failure because of the condition of the drive. But I figure once the drives are paired with the CableCARD's I'd make the backups then. As for the CableCARD here in NYC everything that involves a CableCARD requires a truck roll They will give you the occasional hit if you are lucky enough to get a tech that has heard of CableCard which usually results in no help at all. The tech that is coming out here Friday will have only 1 card if for some reason that card is defective or damaged he will have to call his supervisor, drive to him and get another card.
[Edit]
My financial situation aside (I wish I was paying TWC $100 a month) I was thinking about buying a $50 1TB drive so that in the event of failure I would have the drive on hand to replace it in a day rather than ordering it waiting for it to arrive etc. Unitron makes a good point.
(and you know if I have the drive ready to go the one in the Tivo will never die)
[Edit]
My financial situation aside (I wish I was paying TWC $100 a month) I was thinking about buying a $50 1TB drive so that in the event of failure I would have the drive on hand to replace it in a day rather than ordering it waiting for it to arrive etc. Unitron makes a good point.
(and you know if I have the drive ready to go the one in the Tivo will never die)
Are they mugging installers to steal CableCards now? Is this like "Cashier only has $50 in drawer"?Thanks guys I didn't think of clearing everything the swap before but it seems like that would be the way to go. I'm all setup for the backup my attemps to recover the Tivo "B" drive were a failure because of the condition of the drive. But I figure once the drives are paired with the CableCARD's I'd make the backups then. As for the CableCARD here in NYC everything that involves a CableCARD requires a truck roll They will give you the occasional hit if you are lucky enough to get a tech that has heard of CableCard which usually results in no help at all. The tech that is coming out here Friday will have only 1 card if for some reason that card is defective or damaged he will have to call his supervisor, drive to him and get another card.
But seriously, before you erase a drive, is there anything wrong with the failed tuner unit other than only one tuner works now instead of both?
Unless they don't allow self-install of anything, such as say, a cable set top box or a DTA, since August 8 they are required to allow self-install of CableCARDs. In your case, I don't understand why you need a new CableCARD...unless...neither of these TiVos is currently in service, in which case, you also need to activate the fully functional one with TiVo, once you restore it to that state. Before you install the CableCARD. Oh, and make that backup.
unitron,
It has nothing to do with being cheap. Just because someone chooses to allocate some of their resources towards what some would consider to be frivolous ends doesn't imply that they have a spare $50 lying around. I have 2 TiVo 2s(lifetime), a THD(monthly), a TP(monthly), Comcast Digital Starter, DSL X-treme 6.0, a Cell phone...and $1.55 in the bank.
unitron,
It has nothing to do with being cheap. Just because someone chooses to allocate some of their resources towards what some would consider to be frivolous ends doesn't imply that they have a spare $50 lying around. I have 2 TiVo 2s(lifetime), a THD(monthly), a TP(monthly), Comcast Digital Starter, DSL X-treme 6.0, a Cell phone...and $1.55 in the bank.
Quit bragging about having more money than I do.Unless they don't allow self-install of anything, such as say, a cable set top box or a DTA, since August 8 they are required to allow self-install of CableCARDs. In your case, I don't understand why you need a new CableCARD...unless...neither of these TiVos is currently in service, in which case, you also need to activate the fully functional one with TiVo, once you restore it to that state. Before you install the CableCARD. Oh, and make that backup.
unitron,
It has nothing to do with being cheap. Just because someone chooses to allocate some of their resources towards what some would consider to be frivolous ends doesn't imply that they have a spare $50 lying around. I have 2 TiVo 2s(lifetime), a THD(monthly), a TP(monthly), Comcast Digital Starter, DSL X-treme 6.0, a Cell phone...and $1.55 in the bank.
(Don't be so sure I'm kidding)
Admittedly I wasnt aware of the august 8th change I assume this is an FCC rule change. TWC NYC policy has been that they allow for self installs for everything except cabelCARDS.Unless they don't allow self-install of anything, such as say, a cable set top box or a DTA, since August 8 they are required to allow self-install of CableCARDs. In your case, I don't understand why you need a new CableCARD...unless...neither of these TiVos is currently in service, in which case, you also need to activate the fully functional one with TiVo, once you restore it to that state. Before you install the CableCARD. Oh, and make that backup.
unitron,
It has nothing to do with being cheap. Just because someone chooses to allocate some of their resources towards what some would consider to be frivolous ends doesn't imply that they have a spare $50 lying around. I have 2 TiVo 2s(lifetime), a THD(monthly), a TP(monthly), Comcast Digital Starter, DSL X-treme 6.0, a Cell phone...and $1.55 in the bank.
Theft doesnt seem to be the problem personally I have felt that it was just TWC's attempt to try to discourage you from using cableCARD by making it such a hassle to get one. As for the units they are both active units.
Maybe before I go to work today I'll put the card in the new Tivo and call TWC and see what they say. This is of course after I can get Tivo to activate the new unit.
Does that mean you wish your TWC bill was only $100 per month?Thanks guys I didn't think of clearing everything the swap before but it seems like that would be the way to go. I'm all setup for the backup my attemps to recover the Tivo "B" drive were a failure because of the condition of the drive. But I figure once the drives are paired with the CableCARD's I'd make the backups then. As for the CableCARD here in NYC everything that involves a CableCARD requires a truck roll They will give you the occasional hit if you are lucky enough to get a tech that has heard of CableCard which usually results in no help at all. The tech that is coming out here Friday will have only 1 card if for some reason that card is defective or damaged he will have to call his supervisor, drive to him and get another card.
[Edit]
My financial situation aside (I wish I was paying TWC $100 a month) I was thinking about buying a $50 1TB drive so that in the event of failure I would have the drive on hand to replace it in a day rather than ordering it waiting for it to arrive etc. Unitron makes a good point.
(and you know if I have the drive ready to go the one in the Tivo will never die)
'Cause we ain't gettin' nothin' from 'em but an ever shrinking number of analog channels between 2 and 78, and that's like $70 something each month.
Of course as they drop analog channels (and as those channels increasingly have nothing worth watching), the price isn't reduced a bit.
Is your TWC that much more expensive than ours? For about that price we would get the analog service PLUS medium speed internet (10 Mbps download). We get the internet plus the Digital Variety package for $102/mo. including all taxes and fees and paying $5/mo for 2 CableCARD's. This package includes a LOT of HD channels.Does that mean you wish your TWC bill was only $100 per month?
'Cause we ain't gettin' nothin' from 'em but an ever shrinking number of analog channels between 2 and 78, and that's like $70 something each month.
Of course as they drop analog channels (and as those channels increasingly have nothing worth watching), the price isn't reduced a bit.
I'll have to keep that in mind if I get another unit that requires a CableCard. I have Suddenlink cable and they refused to let me install my own card. My wife was the only one home when they came to install it and it still required a second truck roll (on their dime this time) to get it working.Unless they don't allow self-install of anything, such as say, a cable set top box or a DTA, since August 8 they are required to allow self-install of CableCARDs.
Yes, FCC rule change. And since it also requires them to inform you of the self-install option, they are already in violation of it.Admittedly I wasnt aware of the august 8th change I assume this is an FCC rule change. TWC NYC policy has been that they allow for self installs for everything except cabelCARDS.
Oh, and they must provide m-cards. Not on request. Always.
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