Tivo Subcription

[i8thewholethang]

How does tivo know you subsribe? I was recently given a hdr312 standalone unit. This unit had not been used for about 9 months I was told (monthly service). When I received it I replaced a failed HD and installed an image I found on the net. I ran through the menu system and had TIVO rerun setup to configure for my area. Apperently the modem is not working so I setup pppondss (serial cable internet access). Well the tivo compiled the list of stations for me but they didn't have any guide data. I rebooted the tivo and went to run errands, when I cameback home it had guide data good until Feb. 7,2004. I just wanted to get a working station listing. I thought I would have to contact tivo to get access to the guide data.? Is the guide data NOT password protected? The status shows lifetime sub. I contacted the person that gave it to me and I was told it never had a lifetime sub. and the service was terminated around june 2003.
1. Is it safe to let this unit get the guide data through the net?
2. Why is it able to get guide data? I have not contacted Tivo. I planned on using it manually like a vcr but if it is safe to get updates then, well you know. Could anyone shed some light on this?
3. Will they track me down by my IP address?
4. Why would they even allow a none subscribed box access to their guide data? Is the guide data NOT password protected?
5. Do they allow you to get the guide data and then bill you later? I hope I don't get a bill..

I've searched all over for answers to these questions with no luck. Any info is appreciated.
Thanks in advance,

-8675321-

[mrblack51]

How does tivo know you subsribe? I was recently given a hdr312 standalone unit. This unit had not been used for about 9 months I was told (monthly service). When I received it I replaced a failed HD and installed an image I found on the net. I ran through the menu system and had TIVO rerun setup to configure for my area. Apperently the modem is not working so I setup pppondss (serial cable internet access). Well the tivo compiled the list of stations for me but they didn't have any guide data. I rebooted the tivo and went to run errands, when I cameback home it had guide data good until Feb. 7,2004. I just wanted to get a working station listing. I thought I would have to contact tivo to get access to the guide data.? Is the guide data NOT password protected? The status shows lifetime sub. I contacted the person that gave it to me and I was told it never had a lifetime sub. and the service was terminated around june 2003.
1. Is it safe to let this unit get the guide data through the net?
2. Why is it able to get guide data? I have not contacted Tivo. I planned on using it manually like a vcr but if it is safe to get updates then, well you know. Could anyone shed some light on this?
3. Will they track me down by my IP address?
4. Why would they even allow a none subscribed box access to their guide data? Is the guide data NOT password protected?
5. Do they allow you to get the guide data and then bill you later? I hope I don't get a bill..

I've searched all over for answers to these questions with no luck. Any info is appreciated.
Thanks in advance,

-8675321-


1) is it ever safe to steal something?
2) you should not be receiving service if you didnt pay for it. tivo gives you the first call in free so you can see what the unit does, but it wont give you guide data after the first two weeks
3) if they care enough, yes. if not, they will just blacklist the serial number
4) no, its not password protected. its encrypted.

I'm not saying that you are purposely stealing stuff. however, if you are concerned about these issues, you should check to see that the serial number reported by your unit in system info matches the serial on the back of the unit. if they match, call tivo to inquire about the status of the unit.

[i8thewholethang]

1) I'm not saying that you are purposely stealing stuff. however, if you are concerned about these issues, you should check to see that the serial number reported by your unit in system info matches the serial on the back of the unit. if they match, call tivo to inquire about the status of the unit.

The Tivo service number is the serial #, right? It matches the serial on the back of the unit. Do I just give the Tivo rep the serial number and just tell them I want to find out the unit's history?
Thanks,

[fixn278]

The Tivo service number is the serial #, right? It matches the serial on the back of the unit. Do I just give the Tivo rep the serial number and just tell them I want to find out the unit's history?
Thanks,

Yes. Just ask them what the account status is.

[malfunct]

Yes. Just ask them what the account status is.

I think you can get the account status on the website as well if you create an account and then add the serial number as one of your machines.