The way the software works is that there is a service running on your PC called TiVoBeacon.exe. This service is responsible for sending out the network messages to your TiVo telling them that the PC is there and also receiving the messages from the TiVos announcing themselves. So the first thing you need to check is to make sure that TiVoBeacon is running. If it's not then you need to check the Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services list and see why. Maybe even try to force it to start from there to see if it pops up a message telling you why it's not starting.
The next thing you should check is the TiVo Server properties. On the first tab there is an option to change which network connection the TiVo Desktop software uses to talk to your TiVos. If you happen to have two network adapters in your PC then it's possible it automatically selected the wrong adapter and isn't polling the right network.
If that's not the problem then it has to be network related. Those announcement messages TiVos, and your PC, send out to let each other know they're on the network are sent via a technology called UPD. (normal network traffic uses TCP) Some routers and wireless access points don't properly pass these packets along, which causes them not to be able to see each other. Since MRV is working this would have to be something uniquely between the TiVos and the PC and not the two TiVos. So for example if you have the two TiVos plugged into a wired switch, then have that plugged into a wireless access point which then connects them to your PC or another segment of the network. Then the wireless access point is the most likely culprit. Or if you have the two TiVos plugged into a wired switch and then that switch is connected to another switch via an uplink then that other switch is the suspect. etc..., etc...
If none of that works then it has to be a firewall. Try disabling any antivirus software you might have running (some include minor firewall functionality) Also try disabling the Windows firewall just to make sure that's not causing a problem either. If either of those helped then you need to find their configuration interfaces and open the ports the TiVo needs to operate properly with them enabled.
If none of that helps then I'm sorry but I'm completely out of ideas .
Dan
The next thing you should check is the TiVo Server properties. On the first tab there is an option to change which network connection the TiVo Desktop software uses to talk to your TiVos. If you happen to have two network adapters in your PC then it's possible it automatically selected the wrong adapter and isn't polling the right network.
If that's not the problem then it has to be network related. Those announcement messages TiVos, and your PC, send out to let each other know they're on the network are sent via a technology called UPD. (normal network traffic uses TCP) Some routers and wireless access points don't properly pass these packets along, which causes them not to be able to see each other. Since MRV is working this would have to be something uniquely between the TiVos and the PC and not the two TiVos. So for example if you have the two TiVos plugged into a wired switch, then have that plugged into a wireless access point which then connects them to your PC or another segment of the network. Then the wireless access point is the most likely culprit. Or if you have the two TiVos plugged into a wired switch and then that switch is connected to another switch via an uplink then that other switch is the suspect. etc..., etc...
If none of that works then it has to be a firewall. Try disabling any antivirus software you might have running (some include minor firewall functionality) Also try disabling the Windows firewall just to make sure that's not causing a problem either. If either of those helped then you need to find their configuration interfaces and open the ports the TiVo needs to operate properly with them enabled.
If none of that helps then I'm sorry but I'm completely out of ideas .
Dan
