swapping drives on two DirecTivos - same model

[bovardc]

I have two DSR704 units. Both were modified roughly 2.5 years ago and have been running nicely ever since.

Now, because of a hardware problem on one of the units, I needed to swap the hard drives of these units. Once swapped, my main unit booted just fine and even allowed me to view Live TV. However, my Now Playing list reports a hardware error that I've not seen before. It tells me I can't record or view my recordings until the error is fixed.

I can't say that this really surprises me, but my question is: Is there any type of quick fix for this problem?

[captain_video]

If the drive has been hacked you can install the 51killer.tcl script on the Tivo, make it executable, and run it from a command line via telnet. Reboot the Tivo and the error disappears. Otherwise, you can perform a clear & delete everything.

[PA_Riledo]

I just did the same thing and saw the same error, but on two SD DVR-40's. I get the message about "can't record and can't view" but I can view my old shows but I can NOT record.

I will try this fix.

Thanks.

[bovardc]

Thanks for the tip. I'll give it a try.

I did try the delete everything option and it put the unit into a state where my local channels are gone and it forces me to make a call. I don't recall the unit ever being in this state after being modified. Does anyone know which step of the modification process I should attempt to redo? It appears that the superpatch is running, but I don't know how to get my local channels back. I suppose I could just nuke the drive and do the entire mod again, but avoiding that would be fine with me.

Thanks!

[PA_Riledo]

Your local channels should fix themselves after a bit. I found a post here about calling the service phone number, then hit 1 and 711. Search for it.

I just put my "old" drive in my "new-to-me" dvr40, did the 51killer.tcl program and my SD DVR40 immediately worked, showing old shows, showing live local channels and recording properly.

HOWEVER,

in less then 5 minutes, I got the Green Screen of Death - I am currently waiting to see if it fixes itself (not on the phone).

[PlainBill]

For anyone following this thread, here is a brief explanation. In an unhacked DirecTiVo the recording are encrypted. The encryption is tied to the crypto chip, and the serial number (also stored on the crypto chip) is saved in the mfs database. This is probably designed to prevent sharing shows.

As part of the normal boot process, the system compares the serial number in the crypto chip and the one in the mfs database. If they are different, you get 'Error 51', and the cannot record or play recordings message. Hacking a system and disabling the encryption allows extraction, reinsertion into the same (or different) DirecTiVos, burning to DVD, etc. It does nothing about the serial number. AlphaWolf's 51Killer removes the incorrect serial number from the database; upon reboot a correct one is reinserted.

Losing locals after a 'Clear and Delete Everything' is normal; the will come back within a day. Or if you're impatient you can use DirecTV's automated system PA_Riledo described.

PlainBill

[PA_Riledo]

Thanks for the good overview, and I read a couple other good ones (several also from you) elsewhere here.

After I did my hard drive switch, used the 51killer.tcl, (fixed the putty telnet enter-key-needs-to-be-proper-enter-key setting - so "yes" means "yes" in the script), and got the green error "A severe error has occurred" screen - it fixed itself after a couple hours.

All appears well now.

[bovardc]

Well, I'm all set to try the 51killer script and from the reading I've done, I have no doubts that it will work.

My problem is with the other unit that I did a Clean and Delete All on. My locals came back eventually, but the Now Playing list did not. It still wants me to make a call. How do I get around this? I've read some posts about a fake call script but it isn't clear to me whether this solves my particular issue.

[PlainBill]

Well, I'm all set to try the 51killer script and from the reading I've done, I have no doubts that it will work.

My problem is with the other unit that I did a Clean and Delete All on. My locals came back eventually, but the Now Playing list did not. It still wants me to make a call. How do I get around this? I've read some posts about a fake call script but it isn't clear to me whether this solves my particular issue.

OK, let's think about this. What do you think 'Clear and Delete Everything' does? If you said 'Clear and delete EVERYTHING", you earn a gold star. It deletes all recordings, preferences, Season Passes, EVERYTHING!!!!

So forget about your 'Now Playing' list - it's gone into the bit bucket, along with every detail of your setup, right down to your zip code and local access number.

Running fakecall, then rebooting will get you by the need to make a call. Or you can call DirecTV, explain that you no longer have a phone line, and ask to have a command sent to bypass this point.

PlainBill

[bovardc]

Well, the sarcasm doesn't seem necessary, but in reading my post, I realize that I was not clear on what I meant. Yes, I know that everything means EVERYTHING. What I meant to put was that my now playing list prompts me for a phone home that I've never had to do in the past.

I suspected that the fakecall script would fix my problem, but either I didn't do it right or something else is wrong because I ran the fakecall, gave the box a reboot and nothing changed.

I recall finding a post that suggested that fakecall doesn't fix all call related prompts, but as I put earlier, it wasn't clear which situation I was in compared to some of the previous posts on this board.

So, if the fakecall script included in the All-In-One S2 package is designed to eliminate the nag screen I get when I select Now Playing as a result of a Clear Everything, then I must have done something incorrectly and I have more research to do.

If by some chance there is an exception to the rule, feel free to let me know.

Thanks!

[PlainBill]

Well, the sarcasm doesn't seem necessary, but in reading my post, I realize that I was not clear on what I meant. Yes, I know that everything means EVERYTHING. What I meant to put was that my now playing list prompts me for a phone home that I've never had to do in the past.

I suspected that the fakecall script would fix my problem, but either I didn't do it right or something else is wrong because I ran the fakecall, gave the box a reboot and nothing changed.

I recall finding a post that suggested that fakecall doesn't fix all call related prompts, but as I put earlier, it wasn't clear which situation I was in compared to some of the previous posts on this board.

So, if the fakecall script included in the All-In-One S2 package is designed to eliminate the nag screen I get when I select Now Playing as a result of a Clear Everything, then I must have done something incorrectly and I have more research to do.

If by some chance there is an exception to the rule, feel free to let me know.

Thanks!

At one time (3.1.1c? 6.2?) running fakecall from AlphaWolf's Series 2 binaries, then rebooting would allow bypassing the initial call during setup. Running it every week or two would also block the nag message.

I have not done a C&DE in two years. Also, since I have a land line, allowing a DirecTiVo to call in and make the initial call is trivial. I understand the latest Superpatch includes the functionality to block the nag message.

Lastly, it has been reported by several people that if you call DirecTV and explain that you have no land line, eventually the call will be transfered to someone who will send the appropriate command, and you will be able to record.

PlainBill

[bovardc]

I'd like to say I was as lucky as the rest of you on this problem. I swapped my drives and booted the main unit to uncover the dreaded "Problem Found" message. I then, ftp'd the tivotools.tar, extracted and ran 52killer.tcl. I was surprised that after typing 'yes' the script reported Not changing anything. I rebooted and hoped for the best. After booting ... same problem. So now what? I ran superpatch again just to make sure things were good, reran 51killer, rebooted ... no change. I'm hoping this is something simple I'm overlooking.

Thanks!

[jt1134]

Something is screwed up with your terminal settings. What program are you using?

[bovardc]

I'm going in through telnet with Putty. I can always go back to the serial cable if you think that makes a difference?

[bovardc]

I owe you a beer. I don't know how in the world you knew that, but I pulled out the oldschool TeraTerm Pro program and the 51killer worked like a charm!

The only thing left for me is to get around this call nag screen on my second unit. Fakecall tells me: FakeCall for Version 6.2-01-2-321 is not supported. I'm on the line with DTV right now, so we'll see how that goes.

[jt1134]

Grab the latest fakecall from here (http://dealdatabase.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37602). Check your putty terminal settings for "implicit CR in every LF".
I owe you a beer.
Sweet. I'll be collecting soon. ;)

[bovardc]

Fakecall updated my Call Status, reboot .... same thing: phone home nag instead of my Now Playing list.

A friendly DirecTV call center person (who's worked for DTV for 10 years) promises me there is nothing they can do to get around the screen. The rest of the call was filled with misinformation, so I'm still doubting this particular person's knowledge of the topic at hand, but what can I do?

At this point, I'm tempted to take the unit to a neighbor's house and let it make the stupid call.

If anyone has found other clever solutions to this problem, I'm all ears. I really appreciate the help in all the other areas of getting my drives swapped.

[PlainBill]

IIRC, others have reported success after talking to a "Level 2 CSR". As you have noted, all CSRs do not appear to have the knowledge they claim. Don't depend on my memory, try searching these forums. If you confirm my memory is correct, try asking to speak to a supervisor if the level 1 CSR does not cooperate.

The other option is to take your receiver to any place that has a land phone line (no satellite dish is necessary) and force a phone call.

PlainBill

[crashHD]

I suspected that the fakecall script would fix my problem, but either I didn't do it right or

Bingo. Fakecall will work for the initail setup call. Put it in your rc.sysinit.author, making certain it is in the path, or called verbosely, and reboot twice. I've done it several times. I don't know why it takes 2 reboots, but that is the way it has worked for me, multiple times.

[bovardc]

I put fakecall into my rc.sysinit.author and rebooted .... twice. I can even see the output of the fakecall script in my terminal window during bootup. Still, the 'Final Steps' screen remains.

I also took the unit to a neighbor's house to let it make the call. It errors out during dialing saying the other side didn't answer.

[rayik]

I also took the unit to a neighbor's house to let it make the call. It errors out during dialing saying the other side didn't answer.

Keep trying the call to directv. I did a call on a dtivo unit last month. It took at least three tries before it was finally answered. Hopefully you can have the same "luck."

[whitepelican]

I also took the unit to a neighbor's house to let it make the call. It errors out during dialing saying the other side didn't answer.

There's a thread over here (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=388388) at TCF discussing recent dialing issues that may be of some help.

Also, if you have "route" commands in your rc.sysinit.author, you'll need to comment those out to make the connection on the call.