I'd say let us know what happens once you've installed the replace drive that's on its way to you. Could be a coincidence. Could be problems uncovered by a new software version. Hard to say...but do keep us posted.

Directv will try to move you into a non-TiVo DVR so we definitely encourage you to try and keep your current models up and running.

Thanks Jason. OK, I'll do the upgrade to the first unit and let you know. I'm a bit torn on whether I should get that 300 gig HD that is on sale now, just in case it is the drive failing on the second. Do you know how long that sale will be in effect? There's no way I'd let them switch out the DirecTivo receiver for their DVR.....I have one of those already in the room that my grandson is living in, and I HATE it.

Sale prices on the home page come and go...the 300gb is likely to be changed out soon.

Well, this is getting weirder and weirder. I have a third DirecTivo in my bedroom, and while my wife was watching it this afternoon, it too, rebooted for no apparent reason. This one is a SD DVR40. I find it almost impossible to believe that all 3 HDs could be failing at the same time. All 3 have software version 6.3e01-2-151. I've read some posts here with people suggesting that the software update may be causing some problems, so I'm really inclined to believe that's the problem rather than the hardware.

At any rate, I'm going to keep the upgrade kit I ordered to replace whichever one actually goes out completely first. I notice that the Seagate DB35 drive is the same for all 3 models, but is there any difference in the kits between models?

Any chance this could be related to power fluctuations or dish signals, since those are both house-wide?

Unless minor voltage fluctuations could cause the rebooting, I doubt that it could be power problems because 2 of the units are hooked up to UPS backups and only the third is straight into a power recepticle.

I'm not sure how dish problems fit into the equation. I do have some overhanging branches that sometime cause signal strength changes, but even at the extreme it only causes the "searching for signal" error, not a reboot. My dish is an oval dish, dual LNBs and included multiswitch, then to the house and thru another 2 X 8 powered multiswitch. All 4 of my receivers are connected to that multiswitch. Is it possible that something in the multiswitches could cause the problem?

Branches interfering with the signal wouldn't cause reboots - it would have to be improper grounding and/or voltage problems on the lines. That's not very likely, but a potential common thread.

If two of the units are on UPSs, then that pretty much rules out power issues also.

You may just have been extremely unlucky.

I checked all the wires and the ground wire at the dish and all seem to be intact. So unless the rebooting becomes excessive, I guess I'll just keep on keeping on the way it is now.

Michael, I want to thank you for your help in trying to figure this thing out, and I'll be back again if any other problems come up.

I also have two tivos acting up at the same time. I have an sd-dvr40 and sd-dvr80 and both started freezing and rebooting at the same time. I also have the version 6.3e01-2-151 software. Anyone know of any software upgrades?

We have had some reports from customers with that software version experiencing this problem. If you have two units with the same problem, I'd recommend you wait a bit for a revised software update to fix this problem. Or contact DIRECTV for assistance.

tivo software upgrade

Thanks but all Directv wants to do is replace my tivos with their dvrs. I keep an eye out for upgraded software but I am not holding my breath.

There are many DTV users who are experiencing the same problems since the 6.3e01-2-151 software upgrade.

Based on many sites I have visited over the past couple of days ( I need a life!), I noticed not all brands or models are experiencing this problem. I believe most who are complaining have units with tivo built in, such as my RCA DVR40. I am thinking that the software upgrade has some sort of conflict with tivo perhaps? I also read many posts that suggests TIVO, the company, is the culprit. That can't be correct as it is clearly DTV that installed the last download when the troubles started. Although, this is all irrelevant as the problem exists regardless where it might or might not have come from.

Anyway, my receiver reboots at least once a day And, when watching playback for recordings, the hard drive sticks (freezes) for a few minutes, I lose all controls from the remote, the screen at times will go black for a few seconds, then finally, it will proceed. This happens every 40 to 60 mins or so.

My real question here is, assuming there is a software problem with the last download ( by the way, DTV will not help what so ever), that might explain the rebooting however, what would that have to do with the hard drive sticking? Anyone shed some light on this?

I don't mind ordering a hard drive but, I hesitate because I can't understand why both of these problems happened on the same day (or close) and if they are related or not. Again, software or hardware or both?

We agree - many users with "e" are having problems. We've seen it across all models with that version actually.

What hard drive "sticking" are you experiencing?

Phillips DSR704 & DSR7000

I have a Phillips DSR704 (original 40 gig + 250 gig drive upgrade). It is about 3 years old. During playback, in the afternoon, it has "spontaneously rebooted three times in the last month. The 2nd time was followed by the remote and buttons on the front of the unit being completely unresponsive. It was able to continue recording. When it was done, I power cycled the unit.
About a week later (just now) it repeated the reboot. No freezing or unresponsive remote.

Software version 6.3e-01-2-101

Upstairs I have a refurbished DSR7000/17 with the same software revision. This unit just had its 40 gig drive replaced with a new 80 gig system drive. Does not get used as much as the other unit. It has not exhibited the reboot phenomena.