[Nightfall]

I got my Directv HD upgrade last year in November. With it I got an HR20 and a H20. I replaced the H20 with another HR20 and deactivated the H20. I put the H20, and it was only used for a month, in the basement.

Well, my wife and I just bought a new HDTV for the bedroom. That means that I get to replace the standard def receiver with the H20 I have in the basement.

My questions are:

1. Will Directv just allow me to reactivate the receiver and card without a problem? I am the only one that has used this receiver and card. This was a brand new in box item when I first bought it. Will they force me to buy a new card if I am the only owner?

2. If I do have to buy a new card, how long should I count on shipping from Directv to take? I would like to have the receiver ready to go when the TV gets here.

I am probably going to call and activate the HD receiver on Tuesday. I figure by the time I get the HDTV, it will be on Friday next week. I just want to know what to expect from Directv when I call them and if I should call them on Saturday instead.

 

[techrep]

You will have no problem activating your receiver. A call to DirecTV will take 10 minutes or less. Every now and then the first try at activation does not take at the CSR end and a second attempt is required.

 

[bobnielsen]

If you got the H20 last November, how is it owned? They switched to leasing in March 1986. I got a H20 in June, 1986 and had to return it when I deactivated it after upgrading to a HR20.

 

[techrep]

If you got the H20 last November, how is it owned? They switched to leasing in March 1986. I got a H20 in June, 1986 and had to return it when I deactivated it after upgrading to a HR20.

I assume that he meant user.

 

[Tom Robertson]

Every time I've re-activated a receiver that was most recently on my account, it was only a 5 minute phone call, no problems, and includes a "thank you for choosing DIRECTV."

You should have no problems at all.

Cheers,
Tom

 

[Grentz]

If you got the H20 last November, how is it owned? They switched to leasing in March 1986. I got a H20 in June, 1986 and had to return it when I deactivated it after upgrading to a HR20.

Why do you say 1986? You said this in another topic on leasing as well?

It was March 2006, Directv did not even exist in 1986.

 

[br408408]

Any time I have re-activated a receiver I've had on my account in the past they just asked for the last four digits of the access card. Not counting the time you may be on hold to speak to a CSR, it takes less than a minute.

 

[boba]

If you got the H20 last November, how is it owned? They switched to leasing in March 1986. I got a H20 in June, 1986 and had to return it when I deactivated it after upgrading to a HR20.

Bob I realize you are under a dark cloud but it was only 2006 that leasing started you missed by 20 years.

 

[harsh]

I replaced the H20 with another HR20 and deactivated the H20.

In theory, you were expected to send the H20 back with a DIRECTV provided recovery kit.

I'm sure they will be more than happy to get it back online.

 

[Nightfall]

In theory, you were expected to send the H20 back with a DIRECTV provided recovery kit.

I'm sure they will be more than happy to get it back online.

Thanks for the input everyone.

I take it the stories I have heard about people needing a new access card for a receiver they are trying to reactivate are for receivers or cards that weren't on their accounts when they were first purchased? I thought I would need a new access card when I swapped the H20 for the HR20.

Ah well, at least I have the answer to my main question. I still might call Directv on Tuesday and activate it because I am a little paranoid that I will get hit with a new access card charge.

 

[techrep]

I would not worry about it, you will not need a new card unless that one fails. The chip on the cards do fail but, it is rare.

 

[davring]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I take it the stories I have heard about people needing a new access card for a receiver they are trying to reactivate are for receivers or cards that weren't on their accounts when they were first purchased? I thought I would need a new access card when I swapped the H20 for the HR20.

Ah well, at least I have the answer to my main question. I still might call Directv on Tuesday and activate it because I am a little paranoid that I will get hit with a new access card charge.

I recently reactivated a receiver after two years, there was no talk of another access card, took two minutes. Also, over a year ago, I upgraded from an H20 to an HR20 and they never asked for the H20 back.

 

[narrod]

They've never asked for a single standard receiver to be returned when I've upgraded. I did get the return label for a defective HD-DVR that was replaced.

 

[jeffreydj]

But even if they don't ask for it back, wont you be charged the lease fee -- even if it's deactivated?

 

[davring]

No.

 

[t_h]

I must have the worst luck in the world. When I called about possibly reactivating an R10 I was told there would be an activation fee and I'd need to pay for a new access card. Original owner of the unit and its not a lease.

 

[harsh]

They've never asked for a single standard receiver to be returned when I've upgraded.

The H20 is considered an "advanced technology" receiver. That's why it gets you a 24 month commitment instead of the standard 18 month commitment.

 

[davring]

I must have the worst luck in the world. When I called about possibly reactivating an R10 I was told there would be an activation fee and I'd need to pay for a new access card. Original owner of the unit and its not a lease.

Call back, escalate your call if needed as this is not their policy.