Tivo broken - what are my options

[TreyinTally]

Last week, my Tivo broke (repeated reboots on powering up). I owned the unit. Directv told me that I was on some kind of equipment protection program (I did not think that I was paying for that) and that they would send me a replacement unit. I received a R15-300 as a replacement. I immediately had problems with the software. I called technical support and they determined that I needed another unit. I requested a replacement running Tivo software. The representative told me that she could forward my request but could not guarantee that I would get a Tivo unit.

I spoke with my wife who demanded that I get another Tivo. I called Directv again and spoke with another rep about my equipment order. She assured me that I would get a Tivo and gave me another order number to replace my first order number. Today, I received two R15's one is a 100 the other is a 300. I called Directv again and this time I was told that there was no way that I could possibly received a Tivo unit.

What are my options here?
1. Is today's rep correct that I cannot get a Tivo from Directv (even a refurbished model)
2. I still have not shipped back my Tivo unit. My research indicates that this is most probably a hard drive problem. Is it possible to get a drive image so that I can simply fix my old (reliable) Tivo?
3. If I am stuck with the R15. Which is better to keep the 100 or 300?

[jbernardis]

You can indeed fix your tivo - easy to do - just go to weaknees.com. A couple of screws, couple of cables, and your up and running.

[carl6]

Yes, get your Tivo fixed. The reference by jbernardis is a good place to look. Also check www.tivocommunity.com

As to which R15 to keep? If you do a reformat first thing, then a "reset everything", then a software download, you will probably be okay. Then also, do not schedule recordings by using search and autorecord (similar to wish lists). Instead, highlight the program in the guide and press the R button once to record that specific show or twice to record a series. Keep your series links below 30 or so, and your total drive usage under about 80%, and you should not expect problems.

Carl

[wbmccarty]

If you do a reformat first thing, then a "reset everything", then a software download, you will probably be okay. Then also, do not schedule recordings by using search and autorecord (similar to wish lists). Instead, highlight the program in the guide and press the R button once to record that specific show or twice to record a series. Keep your series links below 30 or so, and your total drive usage under about 80%, and you should not expect problems.
I may be reading between the lines ineptly, in which case I apologize. But, what you say seems to imply that those of us who are having problems are responsible, in a sense, for our problems because we stubbornly refuse to observe several workarounds. That just isn't so.

While I agree that your advice is sound, I believe that you promise too much when you claim that a user following your suggestions "should not expect problems." Would you be equally comfortable saying that a user following your suggestions should expect to experience fewer or less serious problems than otherwise? I agree that our mutual experience on this forum seems to bear out that statement, whereas some here have experience that seems to me to be inconsistent with your actual statement.

Cheers,

[carl6]

First, I fully agree that no one should have to use workarounds, walk on egg shells, or hold their favorite inanimate object at a certain height in their left hand while standing on their right foot in order to get their DVR to work properly. No argument at all.

However, for those people that do have R15's and have experienced problems, I am trying to offer suggestions that may help them get better use from their DVR's, based on a lot of information from a variety of sources. If someone wants to follow the suggestions, and has some success, great. If they follow the suggestions without improvement, that's unfortunate but can certainly happen. If they choose to ignore the suggestions, that is certainly their option.

In no way am I trying to assign responsibility for the problems to the end user. But I feel that providing the advice is something positive that I can do, as opposed to simply joining in and saying "Yeah, it sucks". The latter does not even provide a suggestion on how they might make life with their R15 a bit more tolerable. I have had positive feedback from a number of people thanking me for the suggestions.

Carl

[wbmccarty]

Carl, I apologize. I see from your response that I've given rise to a mistaken impression. You advice is helpful. And, I'm grateful that you take the time to share it.

Rather than clarify my concern, I'll withdraw it. On balance, that's a happier outcome than discouraging you in any way or to any degree.

Having taken time to comment, I will also suggest that there is value in sharing even negative remarks. New users often wonder whether the problems they're experiencing are idiosyncratic or typical. Helping them understand the entire range of R-15 experience, good an bad, is worthwhile. That said, possible fixes and workarounds are better news than reports of the failure of such measures. And, most of us do prefer good news to bad.

Cheers,