Is it worth it?

[Plasdaq]

Ok, before we even get started, Im sure you will realize Im a complete NOOOB.

I have been reading and reading on another site, which I thought was up to date, and decided that I would NOT hack my Series 2 Hughes HDVR2 Dtivo because according to them, you couldn’t stream media from it (Series 2).....then I found your site, and its AWESOME. Everyone here seem respectful and VERY KNOWLEDGABLE. You can tell when a site has good Mods running it, and thats apparent here.

My dilemma is this: After visiting your site, I decided to make the leap of faith and hack my Dtivo, even though I can hardly spell ‘linux’...the info I got seemed simple enough. I just ordered the HD mount from 9thtee….then came the 3.1.1c upgrade. I saw where several members were having problems after it, and my question is...is it still worth the hack.

My main goal is not so much to add space, even though I wanted to add a 120GB HD, but I want to be able to stream media off of the Tivo to burn to DVD.

Couple of quick questions:

1) I have downloaded the ‘Tivoscripts1.02.iso’ and burnt it to disc…will I still be able to use this even though I have 3.1.1c currently on my Dtivo?
2) If so, if another software updates come up, will it automatically update or will I have to edit some files (remember, in no way am I a Linux expert)?
3) And maybe the biggest question, will the Tytools still allow me to Capture/Burn streaming video from my Dtivo with the same quality that’s on my Dtivo?

I have an ATI All in wonder capture card, and attempted to capture and burn the video, but the quality was still VCD like.

Thanks in advance for all the input. I have tried to look for answers to most of these questions, and apologize if any have already been addressed in another thread.

Thanks
Plasdaq

[jasch]

This is my suggestion. DO NOT add your new HD as a secondary one. Store your original HD safely away, and use your new HD as a larger primary drive.

Sleepers ISO will automatically backup your original drive into your new drive.

If something happens at any point in the future, you can allways start again with your original drive.

If you still want to use 2 drives, make sure that before you start doing anything you have a backup of your original driver stored somewhere (and burned to CD for safekeeping)

[jasch]

1) I have downloaded the ‘Tivoscripts1.02.iso’ and burnt it to disc…will I still be able to use this even though I have 3.1.1c currently on my Dtivo?


Yes, it will work


2) If so, if another software updates come up, will it automatically update or will I have to edit some files (remember, in no way am I a Linux expert)?


I believe when you Monte your HD it will not download updates.


3) And maybe the biggest question, will the Tytools still allow me to Capture/Burn streaming video from my Dtivo with the same quality that’s on my Dtivo?


Yes. The streams in the DTIVO are stored just exactly as they come down on the satellite stream. They are not re-encoded or anything. So you get the same quality.

[Plasdaq]

You guys are AWESOME...thanks for the info.

[Plasdaq]

Do I need a brand new HD or can I use one that I have used before. I have an extra 120GB HD in my PC that just sitting there. It has some MP3's on it but thats about it. I was just planning on formatting it before I put it in...is this OK, or do I need to buy a brand new HD.

If I can format do I do FAT32 or NTFS or what?

Thanks

[jasch]

No need to format the HD (it's not FAT32 or NTFS). Sleepers ISO will take care of that for you, when restoring the image.

[malfunct]

I believe when you Monte your HD it will not download updates.

Only if you have the bootparam set to say Installupdates=false. This is set by the tivoscripts (sleepers iso) installation. In general the "monte" hack on its own doesn't stop updates.

All the monte hack does is chain load a 2nd kernel bypassing the prom signature checks for that filesystem. This allows you to put whatever you want there and not have the tivo delete it or refuse to boot it. You run the monte hack by exploiting the bash_env hole in the U5 version of the tivo OS which is signed and accepted by the prom.

[Plasdaq]

Only if you have the bootparam set to say Installupdates=false. This is set by the tivoscripts (sleepers iso) installation. In general the "monte" hack on its own doesn't stop updates.


But dont I need my updates (guide info) to keep my Tivo updated on programs? Or does the program listings come from DTV? For what its worth I use my Tivo Guide not the DTV Guide when searching channels.

I also use my Wishlist a lot, will this hamper that in any way?

[Lowcarb]

But dont I need my updates (guide info) to keep my Tivo updated on programs? Or does the program listings come from DTV? For what its worth I use my Tivo Guide not the DTV Guide when searching channels.

I also use my Wishlist a lot, will this hamper that in any way?

By UPDATES we thought you meant software updates. The Guide Data come to your DirecTV system via the satellite. One you are subscribed you could leave your phone line disconnected and you would be fine (provided you don't order any PPV events, you can always order those via the web though.) Your guide data will continue to be up to date and it does not matter if you use the Tivo style or DTV style to look at it.

[malfunct]

By UPDATES we thought you meant software updates. The Guide Data come to your DirecTV system via the satellite. One you are subscribed you could leave your phone line disconnected and you would be fine (provided you don't order any PPV events, you can always order those via the web though.) Your guide data will continue to be up to date and it does not matter if you use the Tivo style or DTV style to look at it.

If you don't have fixsub running the tivo portion of the box will deactivate after a period of time with no phone.

[Plasdaq]

I see fixsub31 in the Tivoscripts1.02.iso, and Im assuming during installation I will be prompted to install/run it....???

Also, does my tivo have to connect constantly to PC...can I turn off my PC?

Im hoping to get this up and running in the next day or so, when my HD mount comes in. And while doing so, I plan on doing a step-by-step, with photos for the other newbies to see. I want to give back to the community :D

Also I just picked up book on Linux, looks like this is as good of time as any to start learning what appears to be an awesome OS :cool:

[Waruwaru]

I see fixsub31 in the Tivoscripts1.02.iso, and Im assuming during installation I will be prompted to install/run it....???

Also, does my tivo have to connect constantly to PC...can I turn off my PC?


Sleeper's scripts will install the proper fix sub script. Just follow the prompt, you don't have to "run" the scripts yourself.

At the end of process, you will remove your HD from your PC and install in back in your Tivo. The PC does not have to attach to the Tivo. You can even eBay off your PC if you want.

Best of luck on your install! I am sure you will have no problems. Just make sure your HDD are connected as instructed, and make sure your PC can boot from the Sleeper ISO before you connect the original Tivo drive to the PC.

[Plasdaq]

Thanks for the kind words Waruwaru. Again I hope to be able to post a easy step by step once finished. Heck, if I can figure it out, anyone should be able too.

Are there any other "suprises" that I should be aware of...or maybe a list of common mistakes? If anyone knows a thread on that, I would appreciate it.

Plas

[Lowcarb]

Are there any other "suprises" that I should be aware of...or maybe a list of common mistakes? If anyone knows a thread on that, I would appreciate it.

Plas

Common mistake #1
Selecting the P (prom) option instead of the M (monte) option.
Unless (rare case) you have had your motherboard modified with a new prom chip then you need the M option

Common problem #2
Not knowing how to configure your IP address.
Here is my info, it should help you to figure out what you use.
#Set the IP address
ifconfig eth0 192.168.0.10 broadcast 192.168.0.255 netmask 255.255.255.0
route add default gw 192.168.0.1 netmask 0.0.0.0 metric 1
The script will prompt you for IP, broadcast netmask and gateway (gw)
Gateway is the IP of your router. Eth0 is the ip for the TiVo
If you don't know the IP of your gateway type IPCONFIG /ALL at a command prompt on your PC.

[Plasdaq]

Well here is what Ive got ready to go...

1) HDVR2 Direct Tivo
2) WD 120GB HD
3) Sleeper ISO on Bootable CD
4) Netgear FA120 USB/Ethernet Adapter
5) M$ Wireless 802.11b router
6) PC reinstalled with Win98SE
7) Case of beer (hopefull to be used after install not during)

HD Config will be Prim Master (C:/ Win98), Prim Slave (Orig Tivo HD), Second Master (CD-Rom), Second Slave (WD120 HD)

I havent hooked up my Tivo Orig drive to my PC yet, but I did test the Sleeper CD, and it does boot but doesnt do anything, just finished with the '/#' prompt. :confused:

Will it 'autorun' once I connect the Orig Tivo HD or will I have to execute a command? I have no knowledge of Linux (look up 3 posts).

I havent seen any threads on how to "start" the process, everyone just says that Sleepers CD will "do it all"

Any input or corrections would be appreciated...

Plas

[malfunct]

HD Config will be Prim Master (C:/ Win98), Prim Slave (Orig Tivo HD), Second Master (CD-Rom), Second Slave (WD120 HD)

Wrong

Primary master is right (fat32 partition). Primary slave is the bootable cd rom. Secondary master gets the original tivo drive for backup, and the new wd120 for restore, surgery and hacks.

If you have the cd set as the boot disk, it will boot up to the first page of tivoscripts and is menu driven the whole way. No need to know linux commands other than to double check that the things tivoscripts says it is going to do are things you actually want done.

[NutKase]

Only if you have the bootparam set to say Installupdates=false.

upgradesoftware=false

It's part of the runmonte script the best of which was provided by MuscleNerd. It's compiled into the romfs.img that most monte's use. Sleeper includes it on his .iso and installs it properly.

Note to Plasdaq: Yes, all problems are discussed in the Sleeper ISO thread.

NutKase

[Waruwaru]

I havent hooked up my Tivo Orig drive to my PC yet, but I did test the Sleeper CD, and it does boot but doesnt do anything, just finished with the '/#' prompt. :confused:

Will it 'autorun' once I connect the Orig Tivo HD or will I have to execute a command? I have no knowledge of Linux (look up 3 posts).


That doesn't sound right. I also tried my CD before I hook up my HDs, and IIRC, it went straight to the script, not a BASH prompt.

[Plasdaq]

Thanks malfunct for the correction...

Actually, the CD loads then it comes to a boot option, (4 choices) <enter> default, nodma, swap, dmaswap. When I choose <enter> or nodma, it runs through several commands then ends with the '/#' When I choose swap, it runs thru and end with 'Kernel panic: VFS : Unable to mount root' I did not try the dmaswap because it said it was dangerous.

(Added 04/23) I must have had a bad image, I downloaded another iso from different location...burnt w/nero, and now Im getting the menu options....Thanks Waruwaru for the heads up!!

Im reading thru the Sleeper ISO thread now....but 83 pages will probably take a while. I dont have problem with reading threads as I know I will learn a lot of things that I probable dont even know that I need to know right now (did that make sense). Just trying to pinpoint things before I break something. Again, thanks for all the input guys

[Plasdaq]

it was much easier than I thought. Taking apart the Tivo was a breeze. Once I had a good Sleeper Image (one that booted) it was no problem. Couple of tips for any 1st timers:

1) Check your jumper/drive setting...even if you know you have them set up right. I had mine on my FAT32 HD set right, but for some reason my system would not boot my HD as the master. I had to use a different HD. The cool thing is, I didnt even catch it, but Sleeper ISO wouldnt let it go any further, it caught it. Thats Cool!!

2) As Lowcarb said, know you IP addresses. The only one I wasnt for sure about was the Broadcast Where Lowcarbs were 192.168.0.255, I put 192.168.2.255 (My gateway was 192.168.2.1...his was 192.168.0.1)

You really only have to make 2 decesion during the entire process. Which Romfs you want to use (standard romfs or delayed monte romfs....I chose delayed) And what IP address you want to use.

Im currently working on Tytools. The Tytools that came on Sleeper CD was 7r7 i think, and when I tried to connect, it kep giving the ERROR: Failed to connect, even though I could see the IP and ping it, on my system. I read where you have to execute tserver on your tivo, which the new Tytools, 9R14 (http://www.dealdatabase.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34402) allows you to do from the menu. I will be trying that and can hopefully get my movies extracted.

I took pictures of the entire process, and I will have the step by step posted on a web site in the next few days.

Thanks again to everyone that assisted me. Also, a lot of people referred me to Sleepers Thread...word to the NOOBS, you can actually do a search on his thread, I didnt realize that until about 40 pages into it :D