[Ms. J]

So, many years ago I received a replacement HR24. I can't remember why or what the problem was. I never was charged or asked to send the old one back, never opened the box. Fast forward to today when I did open the box, which had no information on it other than a sticker inside saying I could activate it online. It also has an access card inserted. One of my old ones for the last year powers off & doesn't restart. We have to unplug & plug it back in every day, and if it's been off for 5+ hours. I want to replace it with this one. Can't I just use the same access card for the new one?

The reason I ask is because I get a $10 monthly credit on my account provided I don't upgrade my equipment. I think that was put on by the supervisor that sent out my replacement. I'm wondering if I activate with the new card it will trigger my discount being removed.

 

[studechip]

So, many years ago I received a replacement HR24. I can't remember why or what the problem was. I never was charged or asked to send the old one back, never opened the box. Fast forward to today when I did open the box, which had no information on it other than a sticker inside saying I could activate it online. It also has an access card inserted. One of my old ones for the last year powers off & doesn't restart. We have to unplug & plug it back in every day, and if it's been off for 5+ hours. I want to replace it with this one. Can't I just use the same access card for the new one?

The reason I ask is because I get a $10 monthly credit on my account provided I don't upgrade my equipment. I think that was put on by the supervisor that sent out my replacement. I'm wondering if I activate with the new card it will trigger my discount being removed.

You need to call in order to answer your questions.

 

[litzdog911]

You cannot use the old access card.

 

[studechip]

I have read a few, very few, posts where an old card can be reused. Like I said, he needs to call Directv and ask them.

 

[b4pjoe]

So, many years ago I received a replacement HR24. I can't remember why or what the problem was. I never was charged or asked to send the old one back, never opened the box. Fast forward to today when I did open the box, which had no information on it other than a sticker inside saying I could activate it online. It also has an access card inserted. One of my old ones for the last year powers off & doesn't restart. We have to unplug & plug it back in every day, and if it's been off for 5+ hours. I want to replace it with this one. Can't I just use the same access card for the new one?

The reason I ask is because I get a $10 monthly credit on my account provided I don't upgrade my equipment. I think that was put on by the supervisor that sent out my replacement. I'm wondering if I activate with the new card it will trigger my discount being removed.

I recently swapped out a receiver and activating the new card didn't affect my discounts. But seeing as how you said it has been many years when you got the replacement DVR I'm not sure the card in the replacement DVR can be activated after "many" years.

 

[Ms. J]

I recently swapped out a receiver and activating the new card didn't affect my discounts. But seeing as how you said it has been many years when you got the replacement DVR I'm not sure the card in the replacement DVR can be activated after "many" years.

Good point. Thanks!

 

[Ms. J]

I have read a few, very few, posts where an old card can be reused. Like I said, he needs to call Directv and ask them.

she Maybe I will call if I'm in the mood to try to get to someone in tech support that hopefully won't take an hour to resolve. I was just wondering if it's like cellphones where they send you a new SIM card but you can just put your old one in the new phone & keep it moving.

 

[studechip]

she Maybe I will call if I'm in the mood to try to get to someone in tech support that hopefully won't take an hour to resolve. I was just wondering if it's like cellphones where they send you a new SIM card but you can just put your old one in the new phone & keep it moving.

Oops! Mea culpa!

 

[Ms. J]

Oops! Mea culpa!

LOL. It's cool. I think I am the only one on here with Directv, Sunday Tickets, & leaving discussions.

 

[detuch254]

If you do end up calling deactivate the dead HR24 first.
Then, get a new agent once your current dead HR24 is properly deactivated and act like the access card you want to use was legitimately the one they sent originally for the new HR24.

 

[Ms. J]

If you do end up calling deactivate the dead HR24 first.
Then, get a new agent once your current dead HR24 is properly deactivated and act like the access card you want to use was legitimately the one they sent originally for the new HR24.

Interesting. I will do that if I decide. Thanks!

 

[Ned C]

Can someone tell me if a HR24 receiver can still be activated by Direct???? One of my 4 HR24 just died and I spent 2.5 hours with Direct and they say they no longer will activate if I purchased one from Solid Signal or any other 3rd Party. Customer Loyalty is going to send a service person here tomorrow to install one. but how is this possible??? if they don't allow any user to do so.???. Any why can't I purchase a second Genie for the additional tuner sources???
Don't understand why Direct has gone South on Customer Services...
Anyone have thoughts? and if so, many thanks in advance....
Ned

 

[b4pjoe]

I just got an HR24 replaced with a like HR24 and they activated it. Mine was replaced by DirecTV so I know they can activate those.

Customer Loyalty is going to send a service person here tomorrow to install one.

Be prepared for him to try to install a Genie Mini.

 

[Ned C]

Wow, I hope I'll be just as lucky...you wouldn't believe the 2 hr phone chat with a CSR telling me my ability to get a replacement from them is next to impossible...and when I asked if I purchased a replacement, they said they wouldn't activate it. Being a customer since 1998 didn't seem to make any difference.
Thanks for getting back...

 

[harsh]

One of my 4 HR24 just died and I spent 2.5 hours with Direct and they say they no longer will activate if I purchased one from Solid Signal or any other 3rd Party.

That has been their policy for a while now. More recently, Solid Signal (and maybe other authorized dealers) can activate something they "sold" on your behalf but that leaves you with a $199 bill and the DVR you get will still be leased.

 

[Ned C]

So from what I read, Solid Signal would charge $199.00 to activate a $199.00 receiver. The lease issue isn't an issue with me, and hasn't been. That's why I purchase a monthly insurance plan through Direct to cover this type of problem.
Seems this coverage only applies to the Genie. The idea that charging that amount of money and the Rep at Solid(Jason) told me that Direct wouldn't even activate it is what bothered me. Just a year ago, I purchased and activated one myself with no issues with Direct or anyone else. Seems because Direct doesn't like legacy DVR's with tuners that some people use a lot, like us, and on top of it I can't even add a second Genie for personal use. Solid sells some type of interface that allows 2 or more Genie receivers to be used in applications where many people can use a single dish. Why this available to residental homes is a mystery to me. Because I do have the insurance plan, they are sending a Repair person here tomorrow. I was told he was bringing a HR24. We'll see.
Thanks for getting back Harsh.....

 

[harsh]

So from what I read, Solid Signal would charge $199.00 to activate a $199.00 receiver.

Solid Signal doesn't charge extra to activate the receiver. You just have to pay the $199 amount (plus shipping and handling) to get a leased, refurbished HR24.

It is up to you whether keeping DIRECTV out of your home is worth the investment versus the runaround you may yet get.

EDIT: Apparently Solid Signal does charge a relatively large fee for activation and makes no mention of it being necessary.

 

[b4pjoe]

So from what I read, Solid Signal would charge $199.00 to activate a $199.00 receiver. The lease issue isn't an issue with me, and hasn't been. That's why I purchase a monthly insurance plan through Direct to cover this type of problem.
Seems this coverage only applies to the Genie. The idea that charging that amount of money and the Rep at Solid(Jason) told me that Direct wouldn't even activate it is what bothered me. Just a year ago, I purchased and activated one myself with no issues with Direct or anyone else. Seems because Direct doesn't like legacy DVR's with tuners that some people use a lot, like us, and on top of it I can't even add a second Genie for personal use. Solid sells some type of interface that allows 2 or more Genie receivers to be used in applications where many people can use a single dish. Why this available to residental homes is a mystery to me. Because I do have the insurance plan, they are sending a Repair person here tomorrow. I was told he was bringing a HR24. We'll see.
Thanks for getting back Harsh.....

If you have the protection plan they should replace it for free however they sometimes try to talk you into taking a genie mini. Don't give in. Tell them you want another DVR (HR24) and stick to it. If you can't get through to the tech that comes out and if support says they can't give you an HR24 file a complaint with the BBB. Someone from the Office of the President will call you and they were the ones that told me you can still get an HR24 and get it activated and they can order it and have it sent to your house. You can deactivate the old one and active the replacement one online.

 

[Ned C]

Yes, I was quoted a $ from Solid to activate a receiver. They were nice enough to say I'd pay the shipping to send it back, because they were assured I could NOT get it activated by Direct.
I will wait to see what the Tech coming tomorrow has in his truck.. If no HR24 more phone calls will happen.
Thanks for all your responses.
Ned

 

[codespy]

Solid Signal doesn't charge extra to activate the receiver.…..

Oh yes they do! You can find out for yourself by contacting them.

A year ago they stated the same thing- DirecTV won’t activate HR24’s and offered me a H24 for $99 plus a $149 activation fee. I ended up getting the HR24 (PP upgrade) from SS and DirecTV credited me $215 and activated it on my account.