June 1, 2004 10:46 PM

Chopper_Dude said:

I use the instantcake software for harddrive upgrade and for some reason, I have been having problem with my Tivo recognizing my account status. Every month I always get an error saying I need to activate my account. When I called the tivo support about it they were able to fix it only to show "Internal Testing" on the account status. But after a month the same thing happen.

After having me to call tivo almost every month, they said that since my tivo is a modified version it was having some difficulties in recognizing my account status and the only way to correct it is by placing back the old (10gb)harddrive. Does anyone know a work around this? I really dont want to place my old harddrive back. Any help is appreciated.

It shouldn't make a difference to TiVo's servers if you are dialing in with your original hard drive or with a new one prepared for an upgrade; are you certain you installed the correct software for your particular unit? The only way this is known to be an issue is if you do something like install Sony software on a Philips unit, or vice versa...

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

June 2, 2004 7:26 AM

Chopper_Dude said:

I'm positive that I have the right software. I checked the version and the unit model when I order the instantcake software.

Philips HDR112
Software version 3.0-01-1-000

That is good. You probably should check back with TiVo regarding your subscription status. There are no differences between the software installed by InstantCake and the software that is normally distributed on a standard Philips HDR model - the subscription is associated with your unit's serial number which is encoded on the motherboard -- something is not configured properly on TiVo's end, or there is a problem with the subscription status for your unit.

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

January 6, 2007 3:33 AM

Have you performed a clear and delete everything to marry the software, drive and unit?

January 7, 2007 9:51 PM

I know what the code is saying, but I was asking if he did the required clear and delete to marry the drive to the unit.  The unit may be giving him incorrect information if he hasn't performed the necessary steps before dialing in.

January 7, 2007 10:12 PM

Yeah, you've done everything correctly.  It does sound like Tivo is giving you the run around and I would escalate it as high as possible.  If you've paid for service, there is no reason at all why they should be showing up like that.  I'd say if it's one unit, something might be wrong with the unit, but 3? No way that's a coincidence.

The software isn't the problem either.  There is nothing special about the software, it's stock, unaltered software for the units.  Once you do a clear and delete everything for the unit, there is no difference between it and software you would find on a newly purchased unit.