Newbie question-Just getting started

[94SupraTT]

I know that the Sleeper hack is considerd outdated but I have read about it and it seems quite straight forward.

http://www.weethet.nl/english/tivo_dtv2_hacksleeper.php

Thats what I read.

I am going to briefly summarize what I understood from reading it and if anyone can correct me if I am wrong in my understanding PLEASE do so.

From what I've gathered I use the Sleeper ISO CD to boot my PC. While my Tivo HDD is connected to my PC I go through menu prompts via the Sleeper ISO CD that created a backup image of my Tivo HDD to my PC HDD. I then reboot and between the reboot I connect a empty HDD to my PC. I again use the Sleeper ISO to boot and I place the image of my original TIVO HDD onto the empty HDD. I then disconnect the HDD which now has a copy of my original Tivo HDD on back into my Tivo. I boot the Tivo to make sure it works. If it does I can then remove the "Sleepered" HDD and place it back into my PC and boot with the Sleeper ISO CD and apply the hacks. Once the hacks are installed I reinstall the "Sleepered" HDD back into my Tivo box and am ready to play.

Does all that sound right?

[PlainBill]

That is correct, as far as it goes. What is unsaid is the nature of the hacks installed. Note that this package has not been updated in more than a year. I'll give a brief rundown.

1. It uses a two partition monte. This makes it difficult to back up the hacked drive; it makes it impossible to upgrade the software. The hack was poorly implemented.

2. The range of network adapters supported is very limited; and the drivers are outdated.

3. The ftp utility is out of date.

4. It uses an outdated method of unencrypting the recordings. This method makes it impossible to view old (unencrypted) recordings. The newer method doesn't have that restriction.

5. It uses outdated hacks for sort, 30 second skip, and blocking the 'daily' call to TiVo.

6. It has serveral internal configuration errors.

About the only thing that isn't outdated is the telnet utility - and that's a native TiVo application.

All of these shortcomings can be overcome, but why bother? It is less work to start with a modern setup.

PlainBill

[94SupraTT]

That is correct, as far as it goes. What is unsaid is the nature of the hacks installed. Note that this package has not been updated in more than a year. I'll give a brief rundown.

1. It uses a two partition monte. This makes it difficult to back up the hacked drive; it makes it impossible to upgrade the software. The hack was poorly implemented.

2. The range of network adapters supported is very limited; and the drivers are outdated.

3. The ftp utility is out of date.

4. It uses an outdated method of unencrypting the recordings. This method makes it impossible to view old (unencrypted) recordings. The newer method doesn't have that restriction.

5. It uses outdated hacks for sort, 30 second skip, and blocking the 'daily' call to TiVo.

6. It has serveral internal configuration errors.

About the only thing that isn't outdated is the telnet utility - and that's a native TiVo application.

All of these shortcomings can be overcome, but why bother? It is less work to start with a modern setup.

PlainBill


Plainbill,

I appreciate your insight. As you can see this is my first post so I really am new at this. In your opinion is installing the killhdinitrd as easy as the Sleeper...(for a newbie)? I am honestly not looking to have cutting edge hacks. All I want to do honestly is get a bigger hard drive and be able to ftp files off of my Tivo box. I have a Linksys USB100TX USB adapter and planned on using that. If the Sleeper hack can do those two things I may just go with them just because the walkthrough I read was so straight forward. I am going to do some reading on the killhdinitrd though in the mean time. Any more info and insight is welcome. Thanks again.

[PlainBill]

Plainbill,

I appreciate your insight. As you can see this is my first post so I really am new at this. In your opinion is installing the killhdinitrd as easy as the Sleeper...(for a newbie)? I am honestly not looking to have cutting edge hacks. All I want to do honestly is get a bigger hard drive and be able to ftp files off of my Tivo box. I have a Linksys USB100TX USB adapter and planned on using that. If the Sleeper hack can do those two things I may just go with them just because the walkthrough I read was so straight forward. I am going to do some reading on the killhdinitrd though in the mean time. Any more info and insight is welcome. Thanks again.
It is true that using TiVoScripts (sks Sleeper's iso) appears to be easy - much like practicing a 'quick draw' with a loaded revolver. One of my co-workers tried this - and was on crutches for a few months afterward - he shot himself in the foot.

One problem with TiVoScripts is it does not include a full set of hacks. Before you can begin to extract recordings you will have to install additional software on the TiVo. But go ahead - it's your foot.

PlainBill

[94SupraTT]

One problem with TiVoScripts is it does not include a full set of hacks. Before you can begin to extract recordings you will have to install additional software on the TiVo. But go ahead - it's your foot.

PlainBill

So basically I am better of not using Sleeper and using something else is what you are saying? In the long run it will be better. Excuse my ignorance I really do not know much about hacking Tivos.

[94SupraTT]

I'm going to do some more reading of this thread.

http://dealdatabase.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28921&highlight=mfsstream+sleeper

Looks like it mentions so of the issues with Sleeper that you mentioned.

[94SupraTT]

I just did more reading. I have a Hughes SD-DVR40 from what I understand 4.0.1X will not run on it.

http://www.dealdatabase.com/forum/showpost.php?p=178216&postcount=2
http://www.dealdatabase.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37699&highlight=hughes+dvr40



http://www.dealdatabase.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32812&highlight=SDDVR40

What do you wish to accomplish? If you want to get a working system and do video extraction, use a bigger hard drive, or read email, use TiVoScripts. You'll get a hackable system quickly, and can add the other hacks relatively easily while learning Linux.

PlainBill


I probably should have mentioned what model I had but finding out through reading was a learning experience so no big deal.

What you mentioned in this thread is all that I want to do. Unless I am missing something. I really wanted to run 4.0 (for HMO) but all the threads I've read about my SDDVR40 have said that since it is a newer RID box that 4.0.x will not run on it. So with that said it looks like I am just going to Sleeper the new 120GB drive I have coming and use it for some video extraction and leave the box alone after that.

[The Only Druid]

I just did more reading. I have a Hughes SD-DVR40 from what I understand 4.0.1X will not run on it.
Wrong. Last year, a hack was released to allow the running of 4.x on RID units [such as yours]. Please see this link. (http://nh-gym.com/4xrid.htm).

I probably should have mentioned what model I had but finding out through reading was a learning experience so no big deal.
Yes, in general the more information you provide, the better help you can get.

What you mentioned in this thread is all that I want to do. Unless I am missing something. I really wanted to run 4.0 (for HMO) but all the threads I've read about my SDDVR40 have said that since it is a newer RID box that 4.0.x will not run on it. So with that said it looks like I am just going to Sleeper the new 120GB drive I have coming and use it for some video extraction and leave the box alone after that.
(a) Sleeper won't install 4.x at all.
(b) As linked above, 4.x on a RID unit is easy.