Find a local dial-in number here:

http://www3.tivo.com/tivo-misc/popfinder.do

Then, as your dialing prefix, using a weaKnees external modem, use this:

,#396,,XXXXXXXX

Replace the Xs with the local number you found above, as you would dial it on your phone.

Do not use any call waiting prefixes.

Thanks Jeff - this #396 prefix worked to get my past the initial test call.

This allowed me to complete the test call - which then lists the local cable providers and TiVo dialin numbers. I got past all this, along with the cable box IR setup. However, when it came to the "Program Call" - needed to download the guide information -- it is getting hung up again and saying "service unavailable". I've switched back to try a different local dial-in and it did not make a difference.

Question #1 - Once I select a local number (right after the test call) is that overriding the #396 prefix entered earlier? Do I need to re-enter the prefix someplace else?

Question #2 -- I had previously had the #319 prefix setup (as instructed by the Modem instructions), what is the difference between these two prefixes?

Additional symptom

In re-reading your note, I saw that you suggested removing the call waiting prefix. Since I had not done that the first time, I now backtracked to the beginning of setup and removed it. However, the call is now failing at the Test Call -- getting "Service unavailable" message. Before I removed the call waiting prefix, I at least got past the test call. I will once again try a different local number - but I thought I'd mention this additional issue to see if it provides any further clues.

#1 - The prefix comes before anything, so that precedes the local number. You might want some commas after it to separate the two numbers.

#2 - That means "9600 baud" as opposed to "19200 baud."

The call waiting prefix really shouldn't have too much of a bearing on that.

Still getting stuck -- other TiVo SVR2000 customers having problem too

ok -- thanks again for the assistance. Through trial and error with multiple attempts, I am once again able to get thru the "Test Call" step. I now get hung on the "Program Call". I make it succesfully through CONNECTING, but the DOWNLOADING step - listed as taking approx 10-30 min - lasts about an hour and then gets a "Service Unavailable" message. It is clearly making a connection, as I can monitor on a different phone and hear the modem chatter.

Interestingly enough, I was scanning the Tivo Help forums and there is a long thread - starting in December 2008 when my problem started - about others having setup call problems with the Series One SVR 2000.

http://forums.tivo.com/pe/action/for...ie=x#e10413637

Once again, I am using a new Weeknees harddisk and modem, so any other suggestions will be welcome. In the meantime, I will continue trying.

Problem (temporarily) solved

Well, after continued trial and error, last night I sucessfully made it thru the setup. Don't know if it made a difference, but I ended up selecting /indicating that I only received 3 channels out of the entire extended digital lineup. I wanted to see if that would shorten the call duration. Don't know if that made a difference, but the setup call was successful.

Today I tried to force the daily call at 6 AM, but I got the familiar "Service Unavailable" half way thru the call (during "Connecting" step). I suspect I may just be having the same problem that other SVR2000 oweners are having -- an issue on Tivo's end mentioned earlier in this thread. I will continue with multiple forced calls a week and follow-up with Tivo tech support. Thanks for your help in getting this far.