6.3e / 6.4a problems on SD DirecTV TiVo systems - suggested workarounds

[Lou Jacob]

Based upon the poll I created at TiVoCommunity (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=5603139#post5603139) it seems a good number of people are having problems with 6.3e on their SD DirecTiVo boxes. There are some signs that DirecTV is beginning to acknowledge that there is even a problem here, so of course, there is no fix in sight. Its not clear that there will be, but my guess is that in time, there will eventually be another update which will solve the problem.

What I'm recommending as a workaround, if this problem is troubling you, is to downgrade your system to 6.2a, which is known to be stable. The method you use to do this may vary based upon your level of technical expertise and your ultimate goal.

Option 1: Purchase a standard replacement drive kit for your unit; leave the phone line unplugged after guided setup.

This is a simple and cost-effective option for non-technical users who simply want to get their systems back up and running, and stable again. Simply install a kit, make your initial call when setting up the unit and then unplug the phone line. Your unit will stay at 6.2a until it is plugged into the phone line and a software update is available. We'd recommend you keep that phone line unplugged until you see discussions here or at TCF indicating that a fix or new software update is available which addresses the problem.

During the time your phone line is unplugged you will receive NAG messages reminding you to make a daily call. You will also not be able to order pay-per-view unless you call DIRECTV or use their web site for scheduling.

Option 2: Purchase a PTVnet replacement drive kit for your unit; leave the phone line unplugged after guided setup.

This is essentially the same as Option 1, however with the PTVnet kit you would have some added functionality (access to TiVoWebPlus, telnet, and ftp for advanced use) and you would not receive the annoying nag message mentioned earlier. You should NOT choose this option if you ultimately want your system to update to 6.3 or a later version, unless you are OK with looking the network functionality which would be overwritten by a newer version of the software. You should DEFINITELY choose this option if you are happy with 6.2a, are willing to pay a premium to not receive the nag message and are also interested in advanced modifications (such as enabling MRV and HMO) discussed in other articles in this forum.

Option 3: Use DIY Software tools to build one of the aforementioned configurations

Current versions of InstantCake for all Series2 DirecTiVo units are at 6.2a (except for the R10 which is 6.1) and will remain that way for some time to come.

If you wish to build a standard replacement drive kit (same as option 1), then all you need is a blank hard drive, InstantCake, a PC with an IDE controller, and enough skill to burn ISO bootable CD's and configure your PC appropriately. We do not recommend this method if you are not comfortable taking apart your PC and configuring your drives, BIOS, etc. Its not for everyone...

If you wish to build the equivalent of a PTVnet replacement drive kit, you can use the version of PTVnet designed for your DirecTiVo; if you want to start with a blank drive, you'd also need InstantCake. The same technical requirements exist for PTVnet, and in addition, you should ensure you purchase the correct USB 2.0 Ethernet adapter, and be comfortable configuring your network, router, etc. before going down this road.

Hope this helps.

Lou

[jbagnulo]

Hi Lou,
Great write-up, but I have just a couple of questions since I'm still fairly new this this DIY PTV-gig. I love what I've seen so far, but unfortunately due to a series of comedic errors my device was reconnected to a phone line while I was away from my home and received the lastest DTV 6.3 software push. Queue up some Dire Straits - I want my PTV :(

Having purchased the Instantcake 6.2a and PTV 6.2 software kits only a few months ago it was a breeze initially configuring my larger replacement drive, but my questions are now that I have a whopping 240-some hours of shows that are recorded using the 6.3 software:
Is there a way to remove the drive, reinstall instantcake and PTV without wiping what is currently stored on the drive?
Also does the 6.3 software disable the bash prompt serial connection interface? If not, is there any hope of having a networked 6.3 drive?

I have made a serial cable with the hopes that it will work, but I just haven't gotten around to connecting it and giving it a shot. I'm fairly savvy with telnet, but was hoping to hear from the pros before I went too deep.

Thanks for your time,
-Joe

Hoping to enjoy the following again:
InstantCake for Philips DSR704 (6.2a)
PTVnet (6.2)
SuperPatch-6.2a.tcl
TivoServer

[Rick Travis]

I have installed PTVnet over 6.3e and it works and does not affect previously recorded programs. Do not run with instantcake run PTVnet by itself. I cannot tell you if other hacks will work but PTVnet appears to. :)

[Lord Vader]

Two questions:

1. What does 6.3e do on the HDVR2s that 6.2a doesn't; i.e., what are the differences between the two versions?

2. What problems have been occurring with 6.3e?

[Rick Travis]

Two questions:

1. What does 6.3e do on the HDVR2s that 6.2a doesn't; i.e., what are the differences between the two versions?

2. What problems have been occurring with 6.3e?
1.Main difference is channel setup is easier under 6.3e, I believe it is better and faster. when you call telephone DVR upgrade when it checks account status, it refreshes local channels. I do not have the freezing problems occurring with 6.2a.

2. All 4 of my DVR's are experiencing no problems with 6.3e. all of the motherboards are the same as my RCA DVR40's if there is a difference it is in the firmware. The model numbers and serial numbers are stored in the firmware as well as the Manufacture name. The boards are identical made in the same factory in Mexico. All of my models have new hard drives. The fans are slightly larger on the HDVR2.
:D

[restino]

I bought the Instant Cake iso image a few weeks ago with 6.3e.

I have 2 downloads left. The title still says 6.3e on the download.

If I download again with the 2 remaining downloads what version will it give me?

[Lou Jacob]

I bought the Instant Cake iso image a few weeks ago with 6.3e.

I have 2 downloads left. The title still says 6.3e on the download.

If I download again with the 2 remaining downloads what version will it give me?

6.3e

I think you may be confused; there is no InstantCake 6.3e released for SD DirecTV TiVo units. Do you have an HR10-250 (HD) unit? If so, then that is why you have 6.3e; in which case, this discussion/issue doesn't apply to you. Please see the other sticky regarding HR10-250 problems and why its likely you should be running 6.3e on your unit if you were having problems with the previous software.

[Lou Jacob]

Looks like there is a 6.3f version on the horizon for these units. Discussion here at TiVoCommunity (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=377373).

Until we see some evidence of stability, we will likely stick with what is known to work, especially as the added benefit to advanced users is that 6.2a contains some code that can be unleashed in networked environments to yield MRV/HMO capabilities. In addition, 6.2a kits and InstantCake installs will organically update to 6.3f if and when it is ultimately released.

[pkley]

I have a stock DVR40, after reading all over the place about upgrading my HD, I just want to know if I can downgrade to 6.2 without wiping all my programming and what steps to take...

[Lou Jacob]

I have a stock DVR40, after reading all over the place about upgrading my HD, I just want to know if I can downgrade to 6.2 without wiping all my programming and what steps to take...

Please see the first post of this thread; those are the options we are recommending.

[dannchurch]

Please see the first post of this thread; those are the options we are recommending.

I am in this boat too. I have an existing DVR40 which I've previously used MFSTools on to replace the original hard drive with a 120GB drive. This DVR is running 6.3f currently. I just got another DVR40 which I'm planning to upgrade to a 250GB drive with PTVNet and InstantCake.

I really want to have both systems at 6.2a so I can use MRV but don't see how to downgrade my existing system without losing all my current recordings. Any way to use the InstantCake 6.2a version to downgrade my existing system without wiping the drive?

[Lou Jacob]

I really want to have both systems at 6.2a so I can use MRV but don't see how to downgrade my existing system without losing all my current recordings. Any way to use the InstantCake 6.2a version to downgrade my existing system without wiping the drive?

Unfortunately, you can't downgrade the OS (in place). And the use of InstantCake will, by definition, erase anything on the hard drive.

[dannchurch]

Thanks for your prompt reply Lou. I think I'll have to do in a "phased" approach then. Let me know if any of these steps don't seem right:

1. Install PTVNet progs on my existing DVR40.
2. Install MFS_FTP on this box
3. Backup my current recording to my PC in .tmf format
4. Install 6.2a/PTVNet progs on that box using the PTVNet/InstantCake method
5. Re-install MFS_FTP on the box
6. Record a show (in order to have a copy of the "old" schema in case the schema changed)
6a. If the schema has changed, insert the old schema/xml into my existing recordings (as I've seen documented elsewhere)
7. Restore my recordings onto the box using MFS_FTP

I realize that I won't have any of my wishlists/settings/etc transfered over in the process but at least I should be able to keep the recordings.

--Dann

[Lou Jacob]

It is still not clear to me whether the currently rolling out 6.4a offers the stability and functionality we consider before doing any development that fundamentally relies on it. Until I see more evidence to support the notion that 6.4a offers compelling functionality or stability over 6.2a, we are going to stick with 6.2a as our recommended platform for the SD (and 6.3f for the HD) platforms for three reasons:

1) 6.2a is stable
2) 6.2a contains embedded functionality for support of MRV which is of interest to people who want to make additional modifications beyond what we currently offer with PTVnet
3) we do not consider the additional functionality offered by 6.4a to be compelling - although a recently deleted folder is a nice feature, it is simply that.. nice. as for remote scheduling, that can currently be done using GoToMyDVR if you've chosen to network your unit.

This is not to say that we won't eventually migrate our products to 6.4a, or a later version of 6.4 at some other time, however we are currently waiting to see if the quality is truly there before we put any major efforts into this.

Thanks,

Lou

[Rick Travis]

What if any problems have you encountered with 6.4a. I have a friend who told me 90% of all TiVo problems were hard disk related. I am only interested in SD Directv TiVo Series 2 which I believe you are neglecting. We would like to see an update or the reasons you are ignoring us. :(

[Lou Jacob]

What if any problems have you encountered with 6.4a. I have a friend who told me 90% of all TiVo problems were hard disk related. I am only interested in SD Directv TiVo Series 2 which I believe you are neglecting. We would like to see an update or the reasons you are ignoring us. :(

I have seen no problems, personally.

You are not being ignored, and even if we had the resources allocated to begin development of products based upon 6.4a, we have not yet received the updates; so its a moot point.

I do stand by my previous assessment and recommendation; 6.2a works fine, and offers more value and stability for the time being; once we have a better understanding of 6.4a, we'll certainly look at it more closely.

Lou

[Rick Travis]

Thanks, some of us are not hackers and only want a correctly working current unit. Instantcake is a great product and you are to be congradulated for the high level of support you give it.

[Lou Jacob]

Thanks, some of us are not hackers and only want a correctly working current unit. Instantcake is a great product and you are to be congratulated for the high level of support you give it.

Thx. Remember, there is no reason you cannot use the current version of InstantCake (or a replacement drive kit) to repair a failed unit. Even though it is based upon 6.2a, if your unit is authorized for the update to 6.4a from DIRECTV, it will simply update within a few days of being put into service.

[sgtmaj27]

I purchased the InstantCake and companion PTVnet for an SD-DVR40 (6.4a). Both installed OK and the unit runs fine with the exception of some the PTVnet changes. I did purchase the proper software, SW-ICAKE-S2DT-DL-351 and SW-PTVNET-DL-351. However, the software version last three digits in the menu is 151. The Service number in menu is 351 which matches the service number on the unit. According to available info all of these numbers should match.

Additionally, (and maybe related to the above) I have a problem in the rc.sysinit.author file. Although all of the flags are properly present in the /init folder (CALL_OFF etc), nothing loads from rc.sysinit.author except dhcp_enable and dhclient. A PS command does not show any of the other services from rc.sysinit.author running.

To get crond to load and run the fakecall at startup, I edited the rc.sysinit.author file to include those commands and placed it right after the set Path command. At least now the fakecall resets at reboot and runs each day at the time set in the /var/spool/con/contabs/root file.

Don't know if my problems are related to the Software version not matching the Service number. Any thoughts on the wrong SW version/Service number and problems running the rc.sysinit.author

Thanks for any help/suggestions

[Lou Jacob]

I purchased the InstantCake and companion PTVnet for an SD-DVR40 (6.4a). Both installed OK and the unit runs fine with the exception of some the PTVnet changes. I did purchase the proper software, SW-ICAKE-S2DT-DL-351 and SW-PTVNET-DL-351. However, the software version last three digits in the menu is 151. The Service number in menu is 351 which matches the service number on the unit. According to available info all of these numbers should match.



Things changed with 6.4a, but you are fine. Basically, there was a code merge so the last three digits for HDVR2 / SDDVR will now match (and so will DSR7000 / DSR704, and RCA DVR39 / DVR40)


Additionally, (and maybe related to the above) I have a problem in the rc.sysinit.author file. Although all of the flags are properly present in the /init folder (CALL_OFF etc), nothing loads from rc.sysinit.author except dhcp_enable and dhclient. A PS command does not show any of the other services from rc.sysinit.author running.

To get crond to load and run the fakecall at startup, I edited the rc.sysinit.author file to include those commands and placed it right after the set Path command. At least now the fakecall resets at reboot and runs each day at the time set in the /var/spool/con/contabs/root file.

Don't know if my problems are related to the Software version not matching the Service number. Any thoughts on the wrong SW version/Service number and problems running the rc.sysinit.author

Thanks for any help/suggestions

Unrelated. From what I can recall, those services do not run constantly, so a PS isn't going to show them. Fakecall will run at startup, but it just runs every now and again in a loop with a long interval between runs; I don't recall using cron for that. Not exactly sure what problems you are having, though.

[sgtmaj27]

Thank you for the reply. I feel better about the software version/ service ID difference now.

As for the other, I tried various edits of the rc.sysinit.author file until I realized that all commands listed after the dhclient were not being run. As soon as I commented out the following portion of the file:

if [ -f /init/ptv_flags/DHCP_ON ]; then
/ptvupgrade/bin/dhcp_enable.ptv
fi

then everything ran as they should. I then set a static IP and telnet, ftp, TivoWebPlus all are working. Fakecall runs at startup and as scheduled in the /var/spool/cron/crontabs/root file.

Hopefully my "fix" did not cause a problem for me further on down the road.

I'm trying to "learn" as I go and at my age that is a job in and of itself......

Again thanks for your help!