Hanging when skipping fwd or back: DVRplayground

DVRupgrade

April 8, 2005 10:50 AM

Idearat said:

I upgraded my "secondary" DirecTiVo with a pre-configured PTVnet 120GB drive. I'd like the idea of shifting most of my season passes over to it, but so far it's not been reliable.

It happens maybe every other day of use ( on the infrequent days I watch TiVo 2 ) It "hangs" while skipping back 8 or forward 30.

When it hangs, the picture freezes, but the time display continues to increment. If I hit the TiVo or left arrow buttons it will go back to the Now Playing screen, but the background remains as the "hung" image from the show I was watching. I can choose any item, it acts like it's working, but if I play a program the image will stay as the "hung" image, with the new program's audio. Basically, the video image is stuck.

It take a re-boot to regain control of the TiVo. It's happened at least a dozen times now. Best I can tell hitting the back or fwd skip buttons multiple times it what causes it.

I've keep looking at the forums here, sure I'd see someone else report it, along with the solution, but no luck.

Any ideas?

It could be one of several things. First thing to do is isolate your system from the network -- ie unplug it completely from your network and see if the problem goes away.

If it doesn't, then you should open up your unit and ensure that all internal connections have been made properly -- if it all looks good and the problem keeps happening, put your old drive back in, and contact us for a replacement. If the problem keeps happening with your old drive, then its your TiVo, or your satellite connection...

If the problem DOES go away when disconnecting from the network, then its something about your network - most likely, your firewall is open and random portscans are messing up the operation of your TiVo. Tighten up your security and that should solve the problem.

This is not a widespread problem or a bug in the software used on your system; if it were, the problem would definitely be more prevalent. Chances are, its a configuration issue on your network, or just a bad connection - try to isolate things for now and chances are there is a solution to the problem.

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

Idearat

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member since: 04/07/2005
rank: 212 of 10525
1 forum threads started
7 comments

April 8, 2005 1:43 PM

I know it's not the network, I don't have it on the network. Since it's not been reliable since installed I have only used it rarely. I looked at some of the functions via the web interface, but didn't change anything, I was waiting for it to get stable first. It hasn't been connected to my network for over a month. The problem ONLY occurs when skipping forward/back. Hard to see how that would have been network related.

I've been resisting putting the old drive in, wanting to avoid calling DirecTV to get it straightened out again. I also have a bunch of shows queued up on the new drive. I haven't been watching it much, but shows are recorded that I don't have on my main TiVo.

I can check the drive connections, but when the problem occurs I still have control over the TiVo, I can go through all the UI and select items to play. But when I play a selection I only get the audio, the video is still frozen. That would imply that the TiVo is still reading from the drive. The problem had never occurred prior to the drive swap.

diskman8004

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2 forum threads started
11 comments

May 1, 2005 7:23 AM

:( I don't think it's the network, either. I'm having similar issues. I've also unplugged the network cable tried viewing a recording and the tivo still freezes up. I re-opened the tivo and checked the ribbon cable, as mentioned in my post that never received a response from tivoupgrade. :( I still get freezing on playback and black screen with audio on the live tv. So, I agree with Idearat's post that it's not the network it's something in the drive that's hanging up. Now, my other question is this, which one of the log files do I need to check once the tivo finishes rebooting? I'm not a Linux/Unix person but one of these logs should shed some light on what's going on with the unit when it's hanging up.

For tivoupgrade, I have the HDVR2 Series 2 kit (120G/105 hours).

Your assistance is surely requested. :confused: :(

stasamation

Member

member since: 04/30/2005
rank: 669 of 10525
1 forum threads started
13 comments

May 5, 2005 9:28 AM

I am having the same issue! I also do NOT have the TiVo connected to the network -- I don't even have an Ethernet adapter connected to the USB port.

Please see my detailed post here:
http://www.dvrplayground.com/forum/thread/11312/

I am an engineer, so I am definitely up to trying different things to troubleshoot this issue -- but at this point I am out of ideas for things to try. Can any of the experts on this forum offer any ideas?

Lou Jacob

DVRupgrade

May 5, 2005 9:34 AM

If you've eliminated the network or any other hardware related issues, then it could be a defective or damaged hard drive. Best bet is to exchange the drive; you can contact support, get an RMA and send back your drive for a new one or simply order a GetWell kit from here.

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

jupiter_slim

Pending Member

member since: 01/18/2005
rank: 9576 of 10525
2 comments

May 5, 2005 4:17 PM

I also have had the exact same issues with picture freeze ups as the previous posters. From my experience as long as you don't enable and use the 30 second skip function, the freeze ups won't happen. I am using a PTVnet prepared 160 GB Samsung drive. I have run the Samsung diagnostic utility on the drive and it reports the drive is OK. It would be interesting to know what brand of hard drive the other folks having freeze problems are using.

Tim

Lou Jacob

DVRupgrade

May 5, 2005 4:29 PM

I seriously doubt that it is a 'brand related' issue. It is good to know that your drive isn't defective and it appears you've isolated the cause of the problem in your environment. I'm more interested in knowing if others that are having the problem are also enabling the 30-second skip or any other additional 'features' that may be lending itself to instability. It might be possibly be something along those lines.

As for the brand... well, we've been selling the Samsung 160's with kits for about 3 years now -- aside from an occasional defective one (which the diagnostics should shake out) I wouldn't jump to any conclusions there.

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

Idearat

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member since: 04/07/2005
rank: 212 of 10525
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7 comments

May 5, 2005 4:37 PM

I do have the 30 second skip enabled, as well as the S-P-S-9-S feature to turn on the time display on the bottom of the video. I've done these via the remote control, not via any web interface.

After 6 years of 30 second skip I'd need serious retraining if that wasn't available. After the reboots the hanging requires it's always a bit annoying the first time I hit the button and it skips all the way to the end of the program. I then have to hunt around to find where I was when it went to the end.

I've finally archived my already recorded shows and am sending my drive in for a post mortem. Now that others are reporting the problem here it sounds fairly certain it's what I've suspected all along, a problem with the hacked application on the drive and not a hardware problem at all.

My drive was shipped the first day this new pre-hacked drive was available so I'm not surprised to learn it's got bugs.

Lou Jacob

DVRupgrade

May 5, 2005 4:43 PM

Idearat said:

I do have the 30 second skip enabled, as well as the S-P-S-9-S feature to turn on the time display on the bottom of the video. I've done these via the remote control, not via any web interface.

After 6 years of 30 second skip I'd need serious retraining if that wasn't available. After the reboots the hanging requires it's always a bit annoying the first time I hit the button and it skips all the way to the end of the program. I then have to hunt around to find where I was when it went to the end.

I've finally archived my already recorded shows and am sending my drive in for a post mortem. Now that others are reporting the problem here it sounds fairly certain it's what I've suspected all along, a problem with the hacked application on the drive and not a hardware problem at all.

My drive was shipped the first day this new pre-hacked drive was available so I'm not surprised to learn it's got bugs.

Can you try turning off the 30-second skip feature, as well as the other back-door feature to see if it is the interaction of either of those that could be causing the problem.

The only only post mortem we'll be able to do once getting the drive back is running diagnostics on it, so its unlikely we'll find out anything more beyond whether it is a hardware problem or not.

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

Lou Jacob

DVRupgrade

May 5, 2005 5:22 PM

Here's the early postulation:

I don't think there is a bug in the software. The exploit that is used to allow additional software to be installed, enable usb ports, etc is relatively straighforward and is used in a variety of circles and circumstances with no known side effects. The number of people that have reported any instability is very low, in fact, so low, that statistically, the problem is still in favor of a hardware failure, not a software failure. That doesn't mean its not possible that its a software problem, I'm just going by what I know.

With that said, the more data the better - if there is anything common among the reported examples, hopefully, it will emerge.

It is possible that the instability that a few are reporting is related to interactions with other hacks, and perhaps its the combination of the two that is causing some instability. That is a bit of a reach, as we need a few others who've reported the problem to weigh-in with more supporting details.

And with all of that said, if it is an interaction between "some hacks" and "some other hacks" well, its a bit of a needle in a haystack to attempt to isolate the problem. Some choices may need to be made (disabling some hacks when others are enabled).

One thing that might be tried (and this is a reach since we really don't know if there is any consistent source of the problem) is lowering the priority of the additional applications that are run from the startup scripts. You'd need to do this by uncommenting line 56 of the /etc/rc.d/rc.sysinit.author file.

One way to do this (step-by-step) is to do the following:

Code:
rootwrite (makes the filesystem writable) cd /etc/rc.d/rc.sysinit.author (change the directory) cp rc.sysinit.author rc.sysinit.author.bak (make a backup copy of the file) vi rc.sysinit.author (edit the rc.sysinit.author file) :54 (sends the cursor down to line 54) xx (delete comment characters) :wq (write the file and quit vi) sync ; restart (restart the unit)

Again, this is a bit of a reach - only try this if you are comfortable with it. I'd still recommend a bit more time be spend trying to isolate the problem before taking too many stabs in the dark.

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

Idearat

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member since: 04/07/2005
rank: 212 of 10525
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7 comments

May 5, 2005 5:39 PM

It would be a bit of a waste of time for me to test with the 30 second skip disabled. As I reported initially, it's when skipping that the TiVo freezes. Would be hard to call it fixed if you just stop doing what causes it to freeze.

If the hacked drive isn't usable with the 30-second skip then it isn't usable. If you're stuck watching commercials the value of the TiVo is greatly diminished.

Lou Jacob

DVRupgrade

May 5, 2005 7:01 PM

Idearat said:

It would be a bit of a waste of time for me to test with the 30 second skip disabled. As I reported initially, it's when skipping that the TiVo freezes. Would be hard to call it fixed if you just stop doing what causes it to freeze.

If the hacked drive isn't usable with the 30-second skip then it isn't usable. If you're stuck watching commercials the value of the TiVo is greatly diminished.

I'm trying to help find the problem by asking folks to isolate and identify it. Its a waste of time to attempt to fix it without enough information and an accurate diagnosis of the problem. If you are unwilling to test it with the skip disabled, and the other back-door you mentioned then I am unwilling to accept the fact that the problem isn't potentially caused by something else.

And even with that said, if you read my previous post you'll even see an experiment I've suggested.

As I said before, at this point, statistically the chances of it being a hardware problem are greater than anything else, so unless more data emerges, there's not much more that can be done.

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

Idearat

Pending Member

member since: 04/07/2005
rank: 212 of 10525
1 forum threads started
7 comments

May 5, 2005 7:13 PM

tivoupgrade said:

I'm trying to help find the problem by asking folks to isolate and identify it. Its a waste of time to attempt to fix it without enough information and an accurate diagnosis of the problem. If you are unwilling to test it with the skip disabled, and the other back-door you mentioned then I am unwilling to accept the fact that the problem isn't potentially caused by something else.

I won't waste my time here on the forum anymore then, I'll just send my drive back. I said it waste of time to NOT test what causes the freeze. If the 30 second skip is turned off then I won't be skipping 30 seconds. Since this is what triggers the freeze we'd no longer be testing the situation that causes the problem.
I'll type this very slowly: It only freezes when you are skipping.

I've already seen the unwillingness to diagnose, and to attempt to shunt the blame ANYWHERE but the product we paid for. I went back and forth here seeing repeated suggestions that something on the network was to blame despite my repeated response that it wasn't on any network.

Lou Jacob

DVRupgrade

May 5, 2005 7:56 PM

You are still missing the point. IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT YOU. There are 3 other people who posted on this thread, and possibly others who are reading it too. What is a waste of time is to try and solve the problem in any other way beyond gathering more data and attempting to isolate it.

The fact that you are unwilling to even try what I previously documented as possible indication that you are more interested in blaming others for your problems than actually solving it anyway -- feel free to return the product if you are unhappy with it.

As for anyone else reading this thread - if you are having this particular problem; please weigh in with any additional info you have; I'd like to be able to repeat it here, and have still been unable to do so.

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

stasamation

Member

member since: 04/30/2005
rank: 669 of 10525
1 forum threads started
13 comments

May 6, 2005 7:53 PM

To provide some further information in hopes it helps narrow down the cause of the problem:

I ordered the "D2RX-250000-PTVNET 221 HR Kit with PTVnet" and the drive that arrived is Maxtor Quickview 250GB.

Things I did:
[list]
[*]I installed the drive.
[*]I powered up the DVR.
[*]I allowed it to boot up, download guide data, reboot, etc... until it was done.
[*]I did the "Satellite Dish Guided Setup"
[*]I called DirecTV customer service and asked them to "zap" my local channels. (To be more specific: Since after installing the new drive none of my local channels worked, I called DirecTV and told them that my DirecTiVo was unplugged for a while and now none of my local channels work. The customer service rep did something on his end, and asked me to look at the local channels again -- within a few minutes all the local channels worked.)
[/list]

Things I did NOT do:[list]
[*]I did NOT enable the "30 sec skip". (I do know what hacks and backdoors are, and I do know how to use them.)
[*]On this new drive, I did NOT enable ANY hacks or backdoors whatsoever. (I mean beyond the hacks that were already enabled on the drive that was shipped to me)
[*]I have NOT done any hardware modifications.
[*]I have NOT done any software modifications.
[*]I did NOT connect the phone line.
[*]I did NOT yet connect anything to the USB port (thus, I do NOT yet have the network connected).
[*]I did NOT do "Clear and Delete Everything"
[*]I did NOT do the full "Guided Setup"
[/list]

Are there any tests anybody would like me to try?

stasamation

Member

member since: 04/30/2005
rank: 669 of 10525
1 forum threads started
13 comments

May 6, 2005 11:09 PM

I would also like to refer everyone here to this thread, because it might be related:
http://www.dvrplayground.com/forum/thread/11305/

diskman8004

Pending Member

member since: 01/24/2005
rank: 754 of 10525
2 forum threads started
11 comments

May 9, 2005 1:48 AM

jupiter_slim said:

I also have had the exact same issues with picture freeze ups as the previous posters. From my experience as long as you don't enable and use the 30 second skip function, the freeze ups won't happen. I am using a PTVnet prepared 160 GB Samsung drive. I have run the Samsung diagnostic utility on the drive and it reports the drive is OK. It would be interesting to know what brand of hard drive the other folks having freeze problems are using.

Tim

I have the ptvupgrade kit with the Seagate drive. 120GB. I don't have the 3 sec skip enabled but it's connected the the network. My tivo will freeze up connected or unconnected to the network. I seriously doubt it's a hard drive issue. I suspect there's some program in the drive that's failing and causing the picture to freeze up. Is there any way to verify (checksum) the installed software?

Lou Jacob

DVRupgrade

May 9, 2005 9:27 AM

diskman8004, stasamation,

What types of units do you have?

Right now, the only things I'm inclined to eliminate as possible causes of what you are experiencing is:

1) disk drive make/model (different drives in use among those who reported the problem)

2) enabling of back doors (2 out of 3 people who have had the problem don't have back doors enabled)

3) network interference (you've all isolated your units from the network)

4) "bugs" in the software -- only 3 reports of trouble among thousands

What we haven't eliminated yet:

Software corruption, faulty hardware (disk drive, tivo unit, cables, etc)

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

ovit

Pending Member

member since: 05/12/2005
rank: 9220 of 10525
1 comments

May 12, 2005 9:11 PM

I am having the same problem.

Here is my hardware:

105 HR Replacement Drive Kit with PTVnet [D2R-120000-PTVNET]
Manufacturer/Model: Hughes/HDVR2:Series2 DirecTV DVR

Here is more detail on the problem.

I have had my DirecTivo for about a year or so without this problem. I upgraded about 3 months ago. I had this problem once or twice over the last 3 months, but it has increased in the last week. The last few days it has been happening every day.

I have 30 second skip enabled.
I am connected to the network (linksys usb).
I am behind a firewall (linksys)

The problem has occurred:

while watching live tv
while watching recorded programs
when using the 30 sec skip
when using the live tv button to switch between tuners

There has been some peculiar playback behavior which sometimes occurs before the freeze. The playback stutters a little like there's a bad signal or it's having trouble playing back the data. This does not occur every time and it has happened without causing a freeze up. (I have tried to hit the tivo button to stop playback with some success in preventing a freeze)

I am willing to disable the 30 second skip and/or remove my computer from the network if you think this will help troubleshoot, but I believe you have ruled those out.

I tried cleaning up the old recorded shows (but not all of them) under the theory that the backlog in recorded shows was causing an increase in instability. That did not seem to help.

I don't believe it is the tivo box itself because I didn't start to get this problem until I upgraded. I don't think it is the cable because it has increased in occurrences (this may be false because it could have gotten jostled or something and a tenuous conection made worse).

Another odd behavior is that my local channels have disappeared from the guide yet the programmed shows are still recording. This may or may not be related.

Please let me know what other info I may provide to help in the troubleshooting of this issue. It is making my use of the tivo very frustrating. (I wish the restart process was faster. It wouldn't be nearly as annoying that way)

On a side note, mr. ptvupgrade, I thought the guy who refused to help you troubleshoot was being shortsighted. I know you are trying to help.

UPDATE...
I found the reason why I wasn't seeing my local channels. They were not selected in my favorite channel list. This is odd because I did not deselect them. Once again this may or may not be related.

Lou Jacob

DVRupgrade

May 12, 2005 11:50 PM

ovit said:

I am having the same problem.

Here is my hardware:

105 HR Replacement Drive Kit with PTVnet [D2R-120000-PTVNET]
Manufacturer/Model: Hughes/HDVR2:Series2 DirecTV DVR

Here is more detail on the problem.

I have had my DirecTivo for about a year or so without this problem. I upgraded about 3 months ago. I had this problem once or twice over the last 3 months, but it has increased in the last week. The last few days it has been happening every day.

I have 30 second skip enabled.
I am connected to the network (linksys usb).
I am behind a firewall (linksys)

The problem has occurred:

while watching live tv
while watching recorded programs
when using the 30 sec skip
when using the live tv button to switch between tuners

There has been some peculiar playback behavior which sometimes occurs before the freeze. The playback stutters a little like there's a bad signal or it's having trouble playing back the data. This does not occur every time and it has happened without causing a freeze up. (I have tried to hit the tivo button to stop playback with some success in preventing a freeze)

I am willing to disable the 30 second skip and/or remove my computer from the network if you think this will help troubleshoot, but I believe you have ruled those out.

I tried cleaning up the old recorded shows (but not all of them) under the theory that the backlog in recorded shows was causing an increase in instability. That did not seem to help.

I don't believe it is the tivo box itself because I didn't start to get this problem until I upgraded. I don't think it is the cable because it has increased in occurrences (this may be false because it could have gotten jostled or something and a tenuous conection made worse).

Another odd behavior is that my local channels have disappeared from the guide yet the programmed shows are still recording. This may or may not be related.

Please let me know what other info I may provide to help in the troubleshooting of this issue. It is making my use of the tivo very frustrating. (I wish the restart process was faster. It wouldn't be nearly as annoying that way)

On a side note, mr. ptvupgrade, I thought the guy who refused to help you troubleshoot was being shortsighted. I know you are trying to help.

UPDATE...
I found the reason why I wasn't seeing my local channels. They were not selected in my favorite channel list. This is odd because I did not deselect them. Once again this may or may not be related.

Are you using the IDE drive cable that came with the drive kit, the cable that was originally in the unit, or yet another IDE cable? Regardless of the one you are using; try swapping to a different one (if you haven't already) and see if the problem repeats.

We've only had 3 (now 4 cases of there being an issue) in one case, it was a bad hard drive; in another, we suspect a bad IDE cable, but we haven't confirmed it. I don't think its the 30-second skip or networking issue, as you indicated, the problem was reported by one person using these things, and another who hasn't.

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

Idearat

Pending Member

member since: 04/07/2005
rank: 212 of 10525
1 forum threads started
7 comments

May 13, 2005 8:39 AM

I'm still following this thread since I'm getting my drive back with no problem found. They suggested that the IDE cable in the Tivo was bad ( the original one that works fine with the orginal drive ) and that I should use the double-ended one they shipped originally.

I didn't "refuse to help trouble shoot", I'd been troubleshooting for a month. I'd reset cables, put back the orginal drive, reinstalled the new drive. I watched shows full of commericials without skipping to be sure it only happened when I skipped.

I refused to turn off the 30 second skip since it was a stupid thing to try.

While this new poster has had the problem in other circumstances, I was only having the problem while using the skip. It never occurred if I just watched w/o skipping. If I turned off the skip I'd be unable to press the button that triggered the problem.

I didn't edit any linux files since I have no clue how to do that. I bought the pre-hacked drive rather than getting all the stuff for free for that very reason.

I'd spent a month being told here multiple times here that it was my network even though I didn't have it connected to any network. I was told it was cables being loose, but it wasn't the cables. My warranty ended the day they got my drive back, I wasn't going to mess around any more and end up with a $200 paperweight.

The one thing ptvupgrade has not ever entertained as a possible problem is the application on the drives is flawed. My plan is to follow these threads a little while longer in case a real fix is stumbled upon. If not I'll just format my expensive drive and back up my existing drive to it.

Lou Jacob

DVRupgrade

May 13, 2005 9:44 AM

Idearat said:

I'm still following this thread since I'm getting my drive back with no problem found. They suggested that the IDE cable in the Tivo was bad ( the original one that works fine with the orginal drive ) and that I should use the double-ended one they shipped originally.

I didn't "refuse to help trouble shoot", I'd been troubleshooting for a month. I'd reset cables, put back the orginal drive, reinstalled the new drive. I watched shows full of commericials without skipping to be sure it only happened when I skipped.

I refused to turn off the 30 second skip since it was a stupid thing to try.

While this new poster has had the problem in other circumstances, I was only having the problem while using the skip. It never occurred if I just watched w/o skipping. If I turned off the skip I'd be unable to press the button that triggered the problem.

I didn't edit any linux files since I have no clue how to do that. I bought the pre-hacked drive rather than getting all the stuff for free for that very reason.

I'd spent a month being told here multiple times here that it was my network even though I didn't have it connected to any network. I was told it was cables being loose, but it wasn't the cables. My warranty ended the day they got my drive back, I wasn't going to mess around any more and end up with a $200 paperweight.

The one thing ptvupgrade has not ever entertained as a possible problem is the application on the drives is flawed. My plan is to follow these threads a little while longer in case a real fix is stumbled upon. If not I'll just format my expensive drive and back up my existing drive to it.

Idearat -- we've only ruled out what I indicated was ruled out in my earlier posts. Once again, I'll remind you that there are many folks who are not having this problem, and that things like bad cables, and bad hardware need to be ruled out first; we were somewhat surprised to find our original IDE cable in the box with the drive; that is something that should have been tried very early on.

Idearat -- as for your most recent post; NO MORE. If you have something to contribute, feel free - but if you are going to just stir things up with irrational accusations and negative comments, your forum access will be terminated.

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

stasamation

Member

member since: 04/30/2005
rank: 669 of 10525
1 forum threads started
13 comments

May 26, 2005 9:16 PM

Two days ago I opened up my DirecTiVo again, reseated every internal cable and connector and replaced the IDE cable with a brand new one.

The problem with video freezing / going black continues to occur. Today it happened while navigating through the TiVo menus. The animated menu background froze, though all the menus continued to operate normally. When I pressed "Live TV", the video was black. As always, restarting the unit got it working normally again.

Does anyone have any further suggestions for other things I can try or test? Has anyone resolved this problem successfully? As always, your advice is appreciated.

Lou Jacob

DVRupgrade

May 26, 2005 9:38 PM

stasamation said:

Two days ago I opened up my DirecTiVo again, reseated every internal cable and connector and replaced the IDE cable with a brand new one.

The problem with video freezing / going black continues to occur. Today it happened while navigating through the TiVo menus. The animated menu background froze, though all the menus continued to operate normally. When I pressed "Live TV", the video was black. As always, restarting the unit got it working normally again.

Does anyone have any further suggestions for other things I can try or test? Has anyone resolved this problem successfully? As always, your advice is appreciated.

It really is sounding like a defective drive; the symptoms you've described are exactly the same as what can happen when a drive is going bad. If you are willing to hook that drive up into your PC and run the Maxtor "advanced" diagnostics on the drive, that may shed some light on things.

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

stasamation

Member

member since: 04/30/2005
rank: 669 of 10525
1 forum threads started
13 comments

May 26, 2005 10:45 PM

Yes, I am willing to hook up the TiVo drive to my PC.

I looked on the Maxtor website -- could you please confirm that this is the utility I should use:

[INDENT]File Name: powermax.exe
File Download Size: 940 KB
File Version: 4.21
Revision Date: 01/25/05 [/INDENT]

If this is not the one, could you please provide a link?

I am familiar with running hard drive diagnostics, but of course if there are some specific instructions, a particular test you would suggest I run, or specific things I should look for, please do let me know. If you provide specific instructions, I will follow them. Thank you!

DVRplayground

Hanging when skipping fwd or back

Idearat

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