April 1, 2004 8:47 PM

Anthony said:

1) If I read the page carefully, I do not need an image to make a
drive for my TiVo Series 2. Is this correct?

2) What size swap does the InstantCake create and initialize?

3) What is the largest single drive I can use on a TiVo Series 2, and
what size swap gets created and initialized?

4) Does InstantCake create or add any additional "non-standard" tools or
software on the target TiVo hard drive?

5) Was this disk based on Tigers code?

6) Any planned CD relesases for upgrading the Pioneer 57H?

EDIT: I notice that the ordering page asks me to choose which TiVo branded Series 2 I have. In part it is based on the size of the original TiVo. My question is this: Does one CD work with all of the units listed, or are there seperate versions for each unit?

Hi and thanks for your questions;

1) InstantCake is a complete package; you need only the CD to build/restore a drive for your particular TiVo; that is why you need to select the appropriate TiVo model when selecting the InstantCake image you want to receive. We try to be very clear (see the screen shots) about what version of software is being used when building/restoring a drive-set from InstantCake because there are all sorts of issues that will arise if the wrong CD is used when "baking" your cake. We need to have release notes on this forum documenting some of the caveats, as well.

2) As for swap, it depends on the version. On Series2 units, a 127MB swap is created an initialized. On Series1 units (both standalone and DirecTiVo) its a 300MB swap

3) On a Series2, you can use as big a drive as you wish, or two of the biggest drives you wish to use, however only 137GB of each drive in a Series2 will be utilized

4) On Series1 units, InstantCake will create the equivalent of a NetReady Replacement Drive. On Series2, there are no modifications implemented.

5) The disk isn't "based" on Tigers code, however MFStools is used for the 'restoration' process.

6) No plans for the Pioneer at this time. Unfortunately we do not have any images for the 57H or 810HS that will fit on a single CD.

Hope that answers your questions. Feel free to break them out into separate posts if you want me to expand on them.

An a slightly-related note, we really do want to increase the amount of information on these products in these public forums. We think there a variety of areas where InstantCake can be improved, and given that it is released under the GPL, we'd like folks to consider it as a "framework/architecture" that can be modified and enhance in a way so that it can offer more functionality and flexibility. Our goal was to make it as simple as possible for people to do restorations to their units, however there is no reason why the scripts cannot be modified to do more elaborate things.

We will be releasing a "generic" InstantCake distribution for free download so that people can pick it apart and do what they wish to it if they choose.

Thanks,
Lou

For answers to commonly asked questions, please refer to the
InstantCake Instructions and Release Notes,
Official InstantCake Discussion Thread, and the
Official PTVnet Discussion Thread

April 2, 2004 12:02 AM

Anthony said:

1) What type of problems would arise if I used a 40 HR InstantCake CD, imaged a new HD, and installed it in a an 80 HR TiVo?

2) When do you think the release notes might be posted? Is there any way you can email them to me?

3) If I order several CD's, are they clearly marked with the version of TiVo it supports?

Thanks
Anthony

1) If you are talking about two TiVo's whose model numbers start with the same three digits, then you can use the same version of InstantCake on either unit (ie TCD240040 and TCD240080 images are the same).

2) We don't make commitments to 'futures' and there is no 'private' support for InstantCake

3) Of course they are labeled!

For answers to commonly asked questions, please refer to the
InstantCake Instructions and Release Notes,
Official InstantCake Discussion Thread, and the
Official PTVnet Discussion Thread

April 6, 2004 11:44 PM

megazone said:

Any chance of a DVD-R(OM) release for Pioneer units in that case?

I just ordered one to repair my GSOD 140060 - I made a backup of it a couple of years ago, but damned if I know where that CD is now. I moved since, etc. This seems like a simple way to restore the unit.

I also have an 810H I'm considering expanding, and if it is as straightforward as it sounds I'd be interested in using InstantCake for that too - even if it means DVD. My 'CD-ROM' is a DVD drive anyway.

Always a chance, but currently, all of our development systems are CDR-based, not DVD-based. This would be a completely separate project, to develop a "boot-DVD" that would work on a variety of PC's and DVD devices; not something we are currently resourced to research. I know its not what you want to hear, but its unlikely at this time.

For answers to commonly asked questions, please refer to the
InstantCake Instructions and Release Notes,
Official InstantCake Discussion Thread, and the
Official PTVnet Discussion Thread

April 8, 2004 5:45 PM

I screwed up my tivo drive, It's Stuck in Powering up Mode.

1) Will Instantcake fix this?
2) Is it an Image file of a Samsung?
3) I loaded a Hughes Image onto it, It Works, However I heard that Tivo Servers Might Get Confused, Is this True

4) I have a Samsung SIR-S4040R, So If I purchase the Software will It restore my Drive to Original.

5) Can the Software be Downloaded (iso File)?

June 29, 2004 11:27 AM

tivoupgrade said:

... 3) On a Series2, you can use as big a drive as you wish, or two of the biggest drives you wish to use, however only 137GB of each drive in a Series2 will be utilized ...

I have a 40 GB SA Series 2 ( ...004a) Tivo that I purchased your InstantCake on 6/22/04 to enable me to upgrade my storage. I purchased 2 WD 160 GB drives.

Over the weekend, I followed the instructions and everything worked flawlessly! (Very easy and painless process) :D

When I put the drive in the Tivo box on my system information screen is shows '... up to 321 hours' of recording time. :cool:

Is this correct? Have you changed InstantCake so that it can use LBA48 on Series 2 machines? If not, do I have to worry about potential drive corruption in the future because it says that it can address the full 320 GB of space but in reality it cannot? :confused: :confused:

You have a great product; but if this is a limitation, please note the HD size limit on your product information page.

June 29, 2004 3:34 PM

tivoupgrade said:

321 hours sounds correct; you are not using the full 160GB of each drive, you are using 137GB of each drive. We've not made any enhancements to the TiVo software used in the Series2 units, so their software limitation remains one. The only version of InstantCake that HAS been enhanced to fully utilize drive space above 137GB is for Series1 units.

I did not do any prep of the drives to limit them to 137GB before running InstantCake. Did I need to or will the drives function properly?

I have seen another thread where it mentioned drives larger than 137GB being corrupted. Does this apply in this situation?

June 30, 2004 1:04 PM

S2 Samsung SIR-S4040R

I have a Samsung SIR-S4040R, I want to upgrad with instantcake. Is there any possibility of networking this unit? If not with instantcake then with instantcake plus other goodies?

Tnx

Ric

September 16, 2005 10:29 PM

emmayche said:

As it happens, I have a Toshiba 212 unit that I'm about to repair using InstantCake and newly-purchased disks.

Is there any limitation to the size of disk that can be placed into a Series 1 and used to its full extent using InstantCake?

Yes, please see the release notes for details...

For answers to commonly asked questions, please refer to the
InstantCake Instructions and Release Notes,
Official InstantCake Discussion Thread, and the
Official PTVnet Discussion Thread

September 18, 2005 10:25 AM

emmayche said:

Since I'd like to order the drives so that they get here about the same time as InstantCake does, can you point me at an on-line copy of the release notes?

Or maybe even just tell me what the maximum size of drive is that I can use?

TIA

The release notes for all InstantCake products are right here in this very forum in the "InstantCake Tech Support and Discussions" area.

For answers to commonly asked questions, please refer to the
InstantCake Instructions and Release Notes,
Official InstantCake Discussion Thread, and the
Official PTVnet Discussion Thread

July 3, 2006 3:46 PM

AngryICBuyer said:  When will we have LBA support for S2 units, which is something that's been around for years on S1 units?? Or is it already included? How else could the above drive combo show 320 hrs. when it s/b only ~270 hrs., wherein 1GB roughly equates to 1 hr.? Thanks again for your products and info.

 

There is LBA48 support for Series2 units, and has been for some time; its a native part of every Series2 operating system on versions 6.2 for DirecTV units and 7.X and above for Standalone units.   We've made modifications to the TiVo software for Series1 units to provide LBA48 support.

 

 

For answers to commonly asked questions, please refer to the
InstantCake Instructions and Release Notes,
Official InstantCake Discussion Thread, and the
Official PTVnet Discussion Thread

July 4, 2006 12:28 AM

All you need to do is refer to the release notes; take a look at the version information for what you are considering purchasing (or purchased) and the associated details.

We can't possibly go back and edit every dated comment made on the forum and the nature of DIY products is that the due-diligence is required on your part, not ours. For those who are not willing to do due-diligence, or simply ask for a clarification when one is warranted, we do offer preconfigured kits - much less work involved when using those...

For answers to commonly asked questions, please refer to the
InstantCake Instructions and Release Notes,
Official InstantCake Discussion Thread, and the
Official PTVnet Discussion Thread

July 4, 2006 11:01 AM

Let's end this nonsensical discussion.  Here is the excerpt from the release notes:

For the following versions:

TiVo TCD130040 [4.0-xx-x-130]
TiVo TCD140060 [4.0-xx-x-140]
TiVo TCD230040 [4.0.1b-02-2-230]
TiVo TCD240040. TCD24004A, TCD240080, TCD24008A, TCD240140 [4.0.1b-02-2-240]
Sony SVR3000 [4.0.1b-02-2-110]

Drives must be larger than the original drives in your unit to accommodate larger swap size. We recommend you keep your original drive as a backup and use a replacement drive that is significantly larger. We do not recommend attempting to build any kits larger than the ones we provide. To see largest kits available you can go here and select your TiVo make/model to view drive sized used when building kits. [Note: kits with a -X in the model name indicate LBA48 support; LBA48 support is NOT included in the current release of InstantCake for this platform, therefore we do not recommend using drives larger than 160GB which will only yield usable space of 137GB per drive]

For the following versions:

TiVo TCD540040, TCD540080, TCD540140 [5.3-01-2-540]

Drives must be larger than the original drives in your unit to accommodate larger swap size. We recommend you keep your original drive as a backup and use a replacement drive that is significantly larger. We do not recommend attempting to build any kits larger than the ones we provide. To see largest kits available you can go here and select your TiVo make/model to view drive sized used when building kits. This version of InstantCake supports LBA48 (drives larger than 137GB) and has been tested to run on a drive set as large as 2x400GB.

For the following versions:

TiVo TCD240040. TCD24004A, TCD240080, TCD24008A, TCD240140 [7.1b-01-2-240] TiVo TCD649XXX [7.2.5-01-2-649]

You may use any drive or drives larger than 30GB. This version of InstantCake supports LBA48 (drives larger than 137GB) and has been tested to run on a drive set as large as 2x400GB.

The information IS correct, and is consistent with the referenced versions of InstantCake available to you.  If you have a support question related to the version of InstantCake you've purchased, please ask it, otherwise, please stop with your commentary and insults as that is not productive at all.

For answers to commonly asked questions, please refer to the
InstantCake Instructions and Release Notes,
Official InstantCake Discussion Thread, and the
Official PTVnet Discussion Thread

July 6, 2006 12:51 PM

cheezpuff said: Instant Cake / PTVupgrade, I have read a lot on these forums and over your website. So I think I have a few questions that have not be answered or at least I am still slightly fuzzy on. 1) I do NOT need to have a working existing Tivo drive. Correct or incorect 2) Where does InstantCake "get" my TSN from? a. Does it ask me that in a question? (that I didn't see on the screenshots?) b. Does it read it from a chip on the Tivo board? c. Do space aliens tell InstantCake my TSN? 3) Will InstantCake allow me to use an existing 80gb drive or do I have to get a larger one? 4) Lastly, what kind of frosting to I get to choose from? Thank you for all the assistance! Cheezpuff

 

Cheesepuff - a good reference to use is the Instruction and Release Notes article.

To answer your questions:  You do not need to have a working TiVo drive; just use a standard off-the-shelf IDE drive, as instructed.  InstantCake does not need your TSN; that resides on your unit in firmware, and remains that way.  Its not in the screenshots, because its not part of the process.  There are no space aliens involved, and if you already have a drive that you've used for something else, it does not matter.  Just make sure its not defective.

 

For answers to commonly asked questions, please refer to the
InstantCake Instructions and Release Notes,
Official InstantCake Discussion Thread, and the
Official PTVnet Discussion Thread