I have an old Series 1 TiVo with a perpetual license that I'd like to keep using. A few days ago I got a message that my program information was good for only another few days because the TiVo had been unable to communicate. I looked and also saw a previous message that the access number I was using was about to be abandoned. So, I started the process to get a new number, which connects using a standard number to get the list of access numbers that are close by. That failed, telling me that the TiVo could not connect. I tried again, this time picking up a phone on the line to listen for the modem chat, but nothing happened on the line. No matter when in the process I picked up, there was nothing to indicate that the TiVo was doing anything. At this point I should note that in the past lightening hit our house and fried the TiVo modem. To fix that I started using an external modem connected to the TiVo serial port. That happened years ago, and has always worked fine. So, I checked the modem connections and power, but that didn't help. So, I bought a new modem at Staples and tried again. This time things got further along. This modem has a speaker, so I hear the whole connection process as it occurs. I hear the modem go off-hook, then the dial tone, then the DTMF tones, then the server answer, then about 10 seconds of beeping and bopping while the two modems negotiate a protocol. Then the modem goes silent, and the CD light (Carrier Detect, as I recall) on the front of the modem lights, which indicates that a protocol has been negotiated and the modems are ready to communicate. Meanwhile on my TiVo screen the TiVo still says it's dialing. But that's it: nothing else happens. Eventually TiVo says the connection failed, even though the modem is still connected. Eventually the modem times out and the CD and OH (Off Hook) lights go out.

I tried the TiVo connection test, but that fails in the same way. I rebooted the TiVo. I tried specifying a valid access number, instead of having TiVo call to get a list of numbers close by. I tried removing DSL the low pass filter. I used an internal modem from a PC elsewhere in the house successfully. I spent about an hour on the phone with TiVo service with an apparently knowledgeable technician named John trying different things. I even talked to a Sony support technician, who said they would repair it for me for only $151. Nothing helped.

The only additional thing I can think of is that the new modem uses some new response codes to indicate a successful connection that the TiVo doesn't recognize. If I had an old external serial modem laying around I'd give it a try, but i don't. Meanwhile, my daughter and wife will make us all crazy if I don't get this fixed fast.

My question is, should I give up or is there something else for me to try?

Thanks,
Mike