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November 28, 2005 02:33 PM

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Lou Jacob

DVRupgrade
Joined: 12/15/2004

Official InstantCake Discussion Thread

Although InstantCake is a DIY product and is offered without warranty or support directly from DVRupgrade, we've created this thread as a way to consolidate common support issues. We'll respond here and there and we hope other users of the software will as well. I think you'll find that most common problems are easily solved and there are only a few problems that people have. Remember, InstantCake is widely used by thousands of people, so if you are having a problem, be rest assured that it can be solved by following the advice in the subsequent pages.

In the spririt of minimizing the often repeated questions asked here, please take a moment to do a few things before posting your InstantCake questions in the official support thread, or elsewhere on the forum:

  • Please read the InstantCake release notes for your specific InstantCake product.
    • InstantCake is similar on all products, however there are differences depending upon the type of TiVo you have. You should absolutely review the release notes prior to attempting your installation.

  • Please read the InstantCake installation instructions.
    • Even if you have a general product question, the answer may very well be here; its only one page, and there are even screen shots of the program in operation.

  • Please use the search feature of the forums.
    • Believe it or not, InstantCake has been available now for well over a year. That means there is a very good chance that your question has already been asked, and answered in this forum. Try the search feature before posting your question, you may be happy with what you find!

  • Don't be afraid to post your questions, but please provide enough detail so that they can be answered!
    It should go without saying that many people have different perspectives, and are at different levels of computer knowledge and skill. Nonetheless, try not to make too many assumptions when posting your questions. Sometimes, what you consider to be an unimportant detail is a key one -- so if you don't have the time to document the actual problem you are having, please don't expect anyone to spend much more time trying to solve that problem.

  • Share your newly-found knowledge!
    • If you figure something out that you think others may benefit from, please post it here! And of course, we always appreciate your testimonials, here.

Note that this is a technical support thread designated for the support and usage of InstantCake products. This is not a product information thread, nor is it a technical support thread for upgrade issues which have nothing to do with InstantCake.

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

Discussion:    Comments 1-25 of 593 | Latest Comment | 1 2 3 4 … 24 Next »

Lou Jacob Avatar
DVRupgrade
November 28, 2005 2:57 PM

reserved for future use

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 Avatar
DVRupgrade
November 28, 2005 2:58 PM

also reserved for future use

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

Generic Member Avatar
Member
February 9, 2006 12:13 PM

Stuck at "powering up" screen

I ran InstantCake according to the instructions.


I have this hard drive:
Western Digital Caviar SE 320GB Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM

I have this model Tivo:
TCD540040

I bought my instantCake CD on:
January 15, 2006
This version:
ICAKE-S2SA InstantCake for Series2 Standalone Units S2SA-MODEL: TCD540040

Any ideas? From reading the forums a few weeks ago it was my understanding that the LBA48 stuff was built in the newest version of IC?

I searched for other posts, but could only find older ones with LBA48 problems that I don't believe are relevant? (can someone confirm that the extra LBA48 cd is not necessary in this case?)

thanks,
Corey

Generic Member Avatar
Member
February 9, 2006 5:22 PM

No errors, in fact I remember some message saying it was successful. Is there a way I can get a debug stream or log file from the Tivo itself (where the problem is occuring)?

Lou Jacob Avatar
DVRupgrade
February 9, 2006 5:31 PM

clkoberg said:

No errors, in fact I remember some message saying it was successful. Is there a way I can get a debug stream or log file from the Tivo itself (where the problem is occuring)?


Then what exactly is the problem?

Ah, I see now, you are "stuck at powering up..."

OK, well, it could have to do with the PC you are using. Some details there? A few others have had that issue (there are other posts in the forum discussing a few configurations that have been troublesome; mainly some older AMD systems).

Also, do we know that your TiVo isn't the problem (ie does the TiVo work with the original drive?). More details are better...

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

Generic Member Avatar
Member
February 9, 2006 5:42 PM

Hmmm...system is an athlon-based PC with 1.5 GB of RAM.
I disconnected all exisiting drives except the CD-ROM.

The tivo was working fine with the old drive.

I can't think of any other details that would affect this right now....

Is there anyway to get debug info from the Tivo (like why it won't start)?

Lou Jacob Avatar
DVRupgrade
February 9, 2006 7:01 PM

clkoberg said:

Hmmm...system is an athlon-based PC with 1.5 GB of RAM.
I disconnected all exisiting drives except the CD-ROM.

The tivo was working fine with the old drive.

I can't think of any other details that would affect this right now....

Is there anyway to get debug info from the Tivo (like why it won't start)?


Ok, good to know the TiVo was fine. I would try a different (ATA/66 or better) IDE cable if you have one. Beyond that, it may very well be a PC problem (looking in the various log files on the drive or connecting the TiVo's serial port might provide you with some info, but nothing meaningful) and your only other option, beyond actually trying a different PC, would be to use one of the manual processes which involve a different boot CD, and the running of mfstools, in combination with the boot CD.

Here is a link to one such post and note that it is part of a larger thread with alternative instructions.

If you are not up to the task, note that our return policy does offer you full-credit towards the purchase of a recertification (or a preconfigured kit) and although that may sound like a bait-and-switch, it isn't. The problem you are having is very rare, at least from what we can tell from the posts here vs the folks using the product, but we try to give folks a break if things just aren't working in their environment.

My recommendation: see if you can wrangle another pc to try things out, if at all possible.

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

Generic Member Avatar
Member
February 9, 2006 8:22 PM

So if I'm hearing you correctly, just because I got the "completed successfully" there still could be some serious problems with the drive.

Are there any CRC checks or anything similar to ensure integrity of the drive creation?

I will try switching cables and see if I can borrow my brother's PC if you really think that could be it.

Lou Jacob Avatar
DVRupgrade
February 9, 2006 8:44 PM

clkoberg said:

So if I'm hearing you correctly, just because I got the "completed successfully" there still could be some serious problems with the drive.

Are there any CRC checks or anything similar to ensure integrity of the drive creation?

I will try switching cables and see if I can borrow my brother's PC if you really think that could be it.


All we know is that there are a small number of people who have run into the same problem you have -- a drive that appears to build correctly, but ends up not working. Unfortunately, in the two years that the product has been available, we've not been able to replicate the problem. The only thing that seems to consistently work is the use of a different PC and sometimes a different boot disk, as discussed in the aforementioned thread. Personally, I think its something specific to your PC -- not necessarily a defect, but a firmware or CPU issue that crops up when using our implementation of the bootdisk. And please keep in mind that other folks who have appeared to have the problem may also have 1) defective TiVo's 2) defective hard drives 3) defective PC's etc - we have no way to know because we aren't 'in control' of the use of the software. We just know that it works for 99.9% of folks (literally) when used as prescribed...

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

View unverified member's comment - posted by kevincol

View unverified member's comment - posted by kevincol

View unverified member's comment - posted by kevincol

Lou Jacob Avatar
DVRupgrade
February 11, 2006 4:47 PM

kevincol said:

I went back to the original master drive and ran instant cake on it. Then added back in the slave drive and ran instant cake. this time it said there it added 300 hours and paired the drives. However, when putting both drives back in the HR10-250, I only get 30 hours HD reported. This was run on an entirely different computer with an Intel motherboard that is one year old.


Very strange; starting more and more to sound like some sort of problem with the drives.

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

View unverified member's comment - posted by kevincol

View unverified member's comment - posted by n6161h

View unverified member's comment - posted by kevincol

Generic Member Avatar
Member
  • member since: 02/16/2006
  • rank: 5760 of 8232
  • 2 comments
February 17, 2006 6:25 PM

I am having same problem as U did..

I did in fact have a problem with my installation, (my computer screen output read "No operating system found"), but I tried a few things and got it to work. Thanks for a great product and as I said, even if I couldn't have got it working, I would simply accept it. The product is clearly advertised as unsupported and people always have the choice of buying one of the prepared kits on offer.[/QUOTE]

Hi I just read your Post and I am having the same problem U had... I have Instant Cake for Tivo Series 2 TCD 24004A 40 Gb unit. its A s2 Standalone. I downloaded the Iso file and I have used nero to Burn the Iso Image to the disk. AS the instruction say the disk should be Bootable. I have tryed many different setting and I have had no Luck. I disabled my HD Drives and Selected to Boot from the CD Rom only... My other Tivo Disks Boot. The Linux Disk and Operating system Loads fine but for some reason the Instant cake disk is not Loading.... Could U tell me or coach me on what U done to get Your instant cake to Boot? anywaz I really need your Help.. Please pm me back here and I will check Back.... Thanks Daddy1

View unverified member's comment - posted by Virus

Generic Member Avatar
Member
  • member since: 02/20/2006
  • rank: 5730 of 8232
  • 2 comments
February 20, 2006 1:30 PM

Same "No Operating System Error Message"

I am getting the same "no operating system found" message from my PC when loading from the Instant Cake ISO.

I know the hardware configuration is correct because I used an LBA boot cd to successfuly upgrade a new drive to a version 3.???? OS for my DirecTivo from a backup file..

I wanted the 6.2 version of the software, so I purchased the instant cake, but it is not cooperating at all. Oy vei.

Lou Jacob Avatar
DVRupgrade
February 20, 2006 1:34 PM

psyco2 said:

I am getting the same "no operating system found" message from my PC when loading from the Instant Cake ISO.

I know the hardware configuration is correct because I used an LBA boot cd to successfuly upgrade a new drive to a version 3.???? OS for my DirecTivo from a backup file..

I wanted the 6.2 version of the software, so I purchased the instant cake, but it is not cooperating at all. Oy vei.


If you are getting that error, then you either haven't burned the CD properly or are not booting from the CD-ROM. You might want to doublecheck your BIOS settings to ensure that they are set right and/or use that LBA boot CD to ensure you can boot from it. Then go back and reburn your ISO...

PS. Its "Oy vey!" ;-)

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

Generic Member Avatar
Member
  • member since: 02/20/2006
  • rank: 5730 of 8232
  • 2 comments
February 25, 2006 2:29 PM

What selection should be made when asks for a format to be used?

I'm not on my home computer but I know there is ISO, Joliet and some other preferences.

Maybe, that had something to do with it.

Generic Member Avatar
Member
February 25, 2006 7:05 PM

Select ISO, and then go to the burn tab - it will open up a browser - find your image file, and burn it - should work.

Generic Member Avatar
Member
  • member since: 02/28/2006
  • rank: 5674 of 8232
  • 4 comments
February 28, 2006 4:21 PM

Please help me find my flaw...

I apologize for the length of this post. I don't want to have ANY assumptions. The best case scenario is that someone will tell me I'm an idiot on the first pass at reading this and I can get this corrected right away. Hopefully I'll get some help _in addition_ to the insult though...

Friday night my wife restarts our Phillips HDR-612 (SA Series 1) in a futile attempt to clear the parental controls passcode. During the restart it gets to the gray "almost there..." screen. Then it goes pinkish and restarts. This repeats indefinitely.

So she wakes me up because she hears the HDD heads slamming in the drive and she is doesn't want to cause more damage by powering off or whatever. A few first-hand observations of the reboot loop and I unplug it. I too notice the head slamming sound. I wait the usual wait-period with it unplugged and retry. Same deal. I let it sit overnight. Same deal....

Next day I surf the forums and begin to foolishly feel like I can handle this on my own. My pea size brain has determined that without a doubt this is a HDD issue. Clearly data corruption at the very least. The most recent episode of 24 is on there though so some heroic attempts at data recovery might be in order. Off to the store for some HDDs.... A pair of Seagate 120GB drives on sale for $69.99 at Best Buy (nice tip from someone on the forums.)

So I have no measurable Linux experience and I'm 100% dependant on flawless step by step instructions. The collected information leads me to believe that there is an outside chance of getting the data off with dd_rescue. My fall back plan is InstantCake.

Somehow I manage to get Knoppix RIP running without error and attempt a data copy per this post from tivocommunity.com using dd_rescue.
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?postid=2165825#post2165825

I'm copying the data directly from the old master 30GB Quantum Fireball to the new master Seagate 120GB. I repeat the process for the slave drives. I assume that the partitions aren't going to resize automatically so I figure that I'm likely to have to run InstantCake eventually after I, hopefully, get a chance to watch 24. That is no big deal. I can live with unutilized space for a week if needed.

Somehow I get though the dd_rescue data copy with no errors. With about a 50% hope factor I move the drives to the Tivo. I get the initial start up screen.... And that's it. I don't even get the gray "almost there..." screen. Okay so punt time...

InstantCake for SA series 1 locked an loaded. First attempt, no errors. Long story short, same issue as the drive copy. For sanity check, I try the old drives. They still have their old behavior of at least acting like it will boot. It also occurs to me that I haven't heard the head slamming sound since that first night.

I then realize that I missed the instruction that says the CD-ROM has to be slave on the primary. I had it as primary master. Readjusted. Same behavior. Hmmm.

Okay so I download the PTVlba48 ISO and ran that per http://www.dvrplayground.com/forum/thread/11010/. The instructions indicate Primary master for the CD-ROM but the error message indicates otherwise. Moved CD-ROM to Primary Slave. Runs fine. Okay so at this point I'm clueless on what to choose. I ultimately go with Normal, and use large swap. I still don't know what scenarios would call for the expand to entire drive or what... I finish per the instructions.

I forgot to move to step 2 and tried the drives as-is. Same as before. I try step 2 as an add-on step. Still no-go. I'm out of time so I leave the office and head home....

Okay next day. I'm lead to believe that these issues are related to the machine. So I try the default InstantCake install on three different machines. 2GHz P4 circa 2003. 866MHz Dell Optiplex, 600MHz PII Tiger 100 circa 1999. None give error messages. None provide results.

I still have a few more subtle combinations to try but something tells me there is something obvious that I'm missing. Someone save me.....

Lou Jacob Avatar
DVRupgrade
February 28, 2006 5:09 PM

markL01 said:



Okay next day. I'm lead to believe that these issues are related to the machine. So I try the default InstantCake install on three different machines. 2GHz P4 circa 2003. 866MHz Dell Optiplex, 600MHz PII Tiger 100 circa 1999. None give error messages. None provide results.

I still have a few more subtle combinations to try but something tells me there is something obvious that I'm missing. Someone save me.....


I think you are on the right track. Might want to reduce the number of variables. Try just using InstantCake on one of the hard drives; make sure its set for secondary master (/dev/hdc) and that your IC cd is primary slave (/dev/hdb). Its possible you might still need the workaround that you mentioned earlier (with the lba48 CD) but that is rarely the case. If you can use your P4 system, that is your best bet; those other ones sound very old, and although they *should* work, I've heard weird things about AMD system as well as some of the Dell systems.

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

Generic Member Avatar
Member
  • member since: 02/28/2006
  • rank: 5674 of 8232
  • 4 comments
February 28, 2006 8:58 PM

Getting warmer. I have it working with one drive using the basic IC disk. I can use either disk but not both. I'm out of time for the night though.

Thoughts on the 1 drive 2 drive thing?

Discussion:    Back to Top | Comments 1-25 of 593 | Latest Comment | 1 2 3 4 … 24 Next »

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