Needed software

[drsimm]

I am totally new to this and have been reading off an on all day as well as buying the Universal Boot Cd from PTVnet. I also went out and found the version 1 Linsys USB100M adapter.

My questions are these: I have an RCA DVR80 and all I would like to do for now is acces it over my network and archive shows to my PC or to DVD. This appears to take careful instruction to learn the tricks of the Tivo trade.

Do I need anything other that the universal cd I already purchased?

It appears I may need Instant Cake?

I am only new to the Tivo. I do have pc hardware experience as well as some networking.

Any input would be appreciated.

[captain_video]

You don't need instantcake. You already have a working DTivo so all you need to do is make a backup image for safekeeping. The universla boot CD you bought will allow you to do this. Read up on Hinsdale's How To for info on making and restoring a backup image from a Tivo. Get yourself a new drive to perform your hacks on and keep the original in a safe place as a backup. I would highly recommend you get a USB 2.0 adapter instead of the 100M. The Netgear FA120 is very popular for this purpose. USB 1.1 adapters tend to be very slow when it comes to transferring shows from your Tivo to a PC.

[drsimm]

I just went through the Hinsdale directions for upgrade using the linux dd command. I am not seeing my HDD light flashing at all the only thing I see in the cursor flashing in an undeline fashion. I do not know linux.

Is this mormal and how long does it take to copy a nearly full 80 hour HDD to a new 300GB HDD?

[eastwind]

Full or empty doesn't matter. dd will copy every bit from the source drive whether it's been used or not. Depending on your system and the way you hook up the drives, it could take a few hours or nearly two days.

ew

[drsimm]

would the better option have been to use mfsbackup

[eastwind]

If you want to back up the whole drive and keep the recordings, it will take a long time either way. Your best bet for speeding up the process is to make sure the drives are on separate IDE channels and the DMA is enabled for both drives. (Of course a fast processor and plenty of fast memory help also.)

ew

[cheer]

I don't think mfsbackup would be any faster...but dd won't expand the drives; it just makes a perfect bit-for-bit copy. Which means you'll still have an 80gb Tivo drive, even though it's really a 300gb drive.

[drsimm]

I guess I was concerned that nothing was happening since all I see is a flashing " _ " and nothing else. My system is a 1.5 Ghz with 1 Gig of ram is tha sufficient?

Thank you for your help.

One more thing for future reference, what does ^ mean is it the shifted 6 or the Ctrl key?

I appreciate your time, have a good evening.

[drsimm]

What do you mean expand the drive. I didn't read anything in the hinsdale about expanding. Please tell me what that is otherwise I just wasted a a lot of time and money for a drive the same as my old one.

Thank you.

[ocntscha]

I just went through the Hinsdale directions for upgrade using the linux dd command. I am not seeing my HDD light flashing at allSince the whole point of the dd command is to copy every single bit from one hard drive onto another your hard drive activity LED certainly ought to be flashing.

[drez]

instead of using the outdated hinsdale guide (probably responsible for scaring away many newbies... hmmm maybe thats why its recommended :P)

use the much easier weaknees guide:

http://tivo.upgrade-instructions.com/step1.php