My Samsung SIR-4040R died...

[tubbyaz]

So last night some tool drove his car into a light pole and knocked out our power for three hours in the middle of the night. When I awoke, the power light was out on the DirecTiVo box. It wouldn't respond to anything I tried (i.e. pulling the smartcard, unplugging and replugging power cord, etc.)

I got Samsung to give me an RMA number, and have sent it off to Secaucus NJ for repair/replacement. I would imagine a power supply ate itself.

Anyone had this happen to them? And how are they at turning stuff around? My boss is going to lend me his extra sat receiver, but of course no TiVo. If I'm without if for a week, I might go insane.

[tubbyaz]

No one has had their DirecTiVo die on them? I'm just the lucky one I guess...

The outfit in Secaucus NJ that I sent my unit to is still sitting on it. Been there for seven business days now, and it's still in the queue waiting to be serviced. So I gave up and went to Best Buy for that $99 RCA DVR80.

One thing that Best Buy didn't tell me (but DirecTV did) is that by buying another DirecTiVo box will extend your committment to them for programming for a year from time of installation.

Extend it all you want, I am a lifelong subscriber as long as they don't get rid of TiVo.

[tubbyaz]

It's now been three weeks today since CVE Inc. in Secaucus NJ accepted my DirecTiVo. And it's still in the queue waiting to be looked at, according to the marginally helpful staff of Samsung. Jeebus, I'm glad I bought the new one.

[Chris Blount]

Thanks for the updates tubby. Even though there may not be any replies in this thread, people are reading.

It definitely sounds like the power outage may have caused the problem.

I guess I know what I'm going to do if my Samsung bites the dust. Luckily I still have an extra DirecTivo from my pre-HDTivo days to fill the void. Sounds to me like Samsung doesn't do well with returns.

[SnowFade]

No kidding. Sorry about your luck, but thanks for the heads-up...no Samsungs for me.

[tubbyaz]

Today is now four weeks they've had my unit. Called Samsung again, still no word. No status, other than waiting for repair. When I asked if I should just write this off, that Samsung has no intention of ever repairing and returning my unit, the customer service drone went offline to his supervisor. They decided I should call back Monday, and perhaps they'll have a status.

Well, I don't have time here at work to call them daily, so I'll wait another week and see where we're at.

Sigh.

I just wonder if Samsung, RCA, and Hughes all have agreements with the same outfit in Jersey to repair ALL these Thompson TiVos. I hope not.

[gglockner]

Remember that a TiVo is a computer, and it is particularly sensitive to power surges. Most TiVo fans use a surge surpressor - I am a huge fan of the products from Tripp-Lite: http://www.tripplite.com/hometheater/surge.cfm. The truly paranoid use a UPS system for their TiVo so that they don't miss a recording in case of power failure! I know this won't help you get your Samsung back, but it will help you the next time there is a power surge.

[tubbyaz]

Remember that a TiVo is a computer, and it is particularly sensitive to power surges. Most TiVo fans use a surge surpressor - I am a huge fan of the products from Tripp-Lite: http://www.tripplite.com/hometheater/surge.cfm.Well, not only do I have a Tripplite on the TV (Sony 36" XBR) and other components, I had a whole-house suppressor installed last year when I had some other electrical work done.

What I think it might have actually been is heat stress, and the power outage was just the last push over the edge to failure. The Samsung was in a wood cabinet that holds that monsterous 36" tube, and it had glass doors that the wife was always closing. When I put the new RCA unit in, I rearranged the shelves so it had more room above it, and removed the doors so air can flow in somewhat.

But hey, who the hell knows?

[tubbyaz]

OK, these guys are really p!ssing me off now. Two weeks ago on Oct 7, I made my weekly call to Samsung, and was informed that my unit was shipped to me. Because of vacations and work projects, I didn't post anything here, thought I'd wait until the unit arrived.

I got back from vacation yesterday, and still no TiVo. So I called today. Samsung immediately put me on hold so they could talk to the CVE folks, then came back on the line saying my unit was being shipped today.

Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot.

I asked, but all they would tell me is there was some sort of misunderstanding. No other info.

So, if it ever DOES show up, I'll let you know. But if you have a choice, staying the hell away from Samsung is the rule for TiVos I guess.

[Tusk]

I rearranged the shelves so it had more room above it, and removed the doors so air can flow in somewhat.

But hey, who the hell knows?

To best keep the Tivo cool, raise the unit up off of the shelf since all of the vents are on the bottom. I went to Home Depot and bought some white chair leg caps and spray painted them silver to match my receiver. Works great.