Random Reboots Directv Tivo Causes

[Rick Travis]

It appears that chip m1 on the Tivo Power supply motherboard is a power good chip. This line when high tells the CPU chip that it is ok to start. If the line goes low it causes random reboots. Computers used to have large capacitors that would filter out minor fluctuations from the power source, Be it city power, starting a vacuum cleaner, or an old UPS allowing the spike to go through. Any drop in the voltage no mater how minor will cause the Tivo to reboot. Thus if the circuit in the house has a load higher than its design point any fluctuation or increase in load could cause the rebooting that is being widely reported. While in newer construction that was built with more and larger capacity circuits, nothing is happening. That appears to be the cause of the random reboots. Not the software.

[pt121]

I'm not saying your wrong, but sorry, don't buy it.

Many have reported that replacing their drive with an earlier Software version solving the problem. All these problems just starting right after a software update on so many systems in different areas of the country........just don't buy it.

Patrick

[Rick Travis]

I'm not saying your wrong, but sorry, don't buy it.

Many have reported that replacing their drive with an earlier Software version solving the problem. All these problems just starting right after a software update on so many systems in different areas of the country........just don't buy it.

Patrick Buy Instantcake and PTVnet and revert back to 6.2a. Refer to my other post. don't connect the phone after inital TiVo setup. Running 6.2a is not causing any reported problems that I have seen.

[pt121]

I was under the impression that Instantcake was using the 6.1a software version. If so, then how are you getting the 6.2?

Also, I have absolutely no use for PTVnet software since I'll not be using any of the network features.



Patrick

[Rick Travis]

I was under the impression that Instantcake was using the 6.1a software version. If so, then how are you getting the 6.2?

Also, I have absolutely no use for PTVnet software since I'll not be using any of the network features.



Patrick The version I downloaded today from the website was 6.2a. You need PTVnet because its options enable you to do what you want. which is keep 6.2a without having it updated. It won't do the update if your not connected to the phone line and PTVnet enables that. I have a Directv Tivo 2 series and that is what I am talking about.

[pt121]

Won't just not hooking up the Phone line be enough to stop it from upgrading? Also, doing it this way, should you connect to DVR Service at least once while going through the guided setup? Then after this disconnect the phone line?

I've heard you just get messages telling you to connect it. Are these messages left as messages or are they like pop ups you you start the system.

I'm trying to get as much info if you don't mind.

Patrick

[Rick Travis]

Won't just not hooking up the Phone line be enough to stop it from upgrading? Also, doing it this way, should you connect to DVR Service at least once while going through the guided setup? Then after this disconnect the phone line?

I've heard you just get messages telling you to connect it. Are these messages left as messages or are they like pop ups you you start the system.

I'm trying to get as much info if you don't mind.

Patrick

1. no need
2. as messages

Just ignore any you get. I do not use this option because I like 6.3e and it runs just fine on all my systems.

[pt121]

Thanks for the info.

And, I hope you never have the problem.

Patrick

[chuckg]

It appears that chip m1 on the Tivo Power supply motherboard is a power good chip. This line when high tells the CPU chip that it is ok to start. If the line goes low it causes random reboots. Computers used to have large capacitors that would filter out minor fluctuations from the power source, Be it city power, starting a vacuum cleaner, or an old UPS allowing the spike to go through. Any drop in the voltage no mater how minor will cause the Tivo to reboot. Thus if the circuit in the house has a load higher than its design point any fluctuation or increase in load could cause the rebooting that is being widely reported. While in newer construction that was built with more and larger capacity circuits, nothing is happening. That appears to be the cause of the random reboots. Not the software.

I have two (2) Samsung units. Both (2) were upgraded to weaknees.com Seagate DB35 hard drives with 6.2a on them and installed 7/2/07. Almost two (2) months later both units were automatically upgraded to 6.3e. Both (2) units immediately started having problems. The 12 VDC, 5 VDC and battery voltages were measured with an 0.05% DVM and were well within spec. Both (2) Seagate drives were replaced with the original drives running 6.2a late last week. Not even a hint of a problem since then.

Random reboots is only one problem of several. Spend some time at http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=7

[Rick Travis]

Why don't you get PTVnet put it on with Instantcake 6.2a select all yes's so the DVR will not upgrade. Run with 6.2a until 6.3e is fixed. then reconnect the phone line. Remember disconnect the land line after initial setup. make use of the new drives.

[chuckg]

Why don't you get PTVnet put it on with Instantcake 6.2a select all yes's so the DVR will not upgrade. Run with 6.2a until 6.3e is fixed. then reconnect the phone line. Remember disconnect the land line after initial setup. make use of the new drives.

Because I am using an Intel Mac! I have spent hours trying to determine how to do it on a Mac. Apparently need MFS tools for Mac. Can't find it.
So tonight I emailed weaknees to see what it would cost to have them degrade 6.3e to 6.2a on the two drives I bought from them.

Or! 40 GB drives are mostly ok. Just can't record five NFL games on Sunday!

[Rick Travis]

I thought an Intel Mac was a PC with Mac Software. If this is the case it should boot Linux. In which case it would boot Instantcake and PTVnet hence you could upgrade the drives yourself. If I were you I would call my Apple dealer and ask him if your IMAC can boot Linux.

[chuckg]

I thought an Intel Mac was a PC with Mac Software. If this is the case it should boot Linux. In which case it would boot Instantcake and PTVnet hence you could upgrade the drives yourself. If I were you I would call my Apple dealer and ask him if your IMAC can boot Linux.

I could find that out in a minute or three with an online search.