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TIVO only works with cover off

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  • #1

    TIVO only works with cover off

    My HD XL started freezing at random times. The lights on the front stay on, but no output video (and no LED signaling it is responding to the remote). I changed the disk, and even the unit location, inputs, and outputs, but no difference. Sometimes it would boot and freeze in a few minutes, other times it would last maybe 24 hours.

    I purchased a Weaknees power supply last week, and when I swapped it in the TIVO got "worse". Same lockup, but it would happen pretty fast after the THX promo. I tried three reboots before I put back the original power supply. This time I got lazy and left the cover off. It stayed on for 3 days, without freezing. So then I slid on the cover, and within an hour it froze. I took off the cover and it has been on for 36 hours now.

    The fan is working.

    Any ideas? If it is heat related, is there anything I can do to fix it? Responses are appreciated since I might have to return the Weaknees Power Supply.

    -Pete-
    Tags: None
  • #2
    You can monitor the temp in the system information screen. Is the unit significantly hotter when you run with the lid on?

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    • #3
      The temp was no higher than 43C. It was operating at this temp, but crashed almost as soon as I put the cover on (it has been working for 2 days).

      For the first time it would not even boot with the cover on. As soon as I took it off it booted fine. Temp 41C

      Put cover on again, and saw temp rise to 43C, and then poof.

      If it *is* temperature related the unit is operating right at the edge.

      -Pete-

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      • #4
        43 should be plenty cool enough for the unit.

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        • #5
          I figured it was cool enough, assuming the temp sensor is working (no reason to think it is not). Since I am not getting a splash screen telling me that the unit is too hot, I figure a part is failing.

          The unit is 15 months old. It had always worked fine, and had operated at a higher temp.

          Is there a way to diagnose what part failed, and/or is there any way to get the unit to stay working? Or is it time to send away for a repair?

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          • #6
            On older units, at least, the temp sensor was on the power supply and this type of behavior often meant that a power supply replacement was needed.

            Since we haven't seen this on a TiVo HD XL, we really don't know for sure, but you could try a replacement power supply to see if that does the trick. We have them here:

            http://www.weaknees.com/tivo-power-supply.php
            Been here a long time . . .

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            • #7
              I have already purchased a power supply from you. There is no difference in behavior (cover off, works fine; cover on, fails at 43C or about 5 minutes)

              I suppose I have to return the power supply, but if there is anything else to try first please let me know.

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              • #8
                The only other thing I can think of is the obvious: the fan. Are you sure it's pumping out enough air?
                Been here a long time . . .

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                • #9
                  The fan seems OK, but of course it does not pump a lot of air anyway.

                  The unit locks up at 44C, which is very "cold". It's not like it ever gets "hot". It locks up within minutes of the cover being put on. It is interesting to note that the problem is getting worse: 3 weeks ago the unit might operate for a day with the cover on. Now it is just a few minutes.

                  I called Tivo. They told me to talk to you (I'm not kidding). They said that since you actually get inside the hardware you might know more than they do about what could be wrong.

                  Personally, I think it is a chip on the MB. Maybe you can present some repair options to me offline (off forum)? I have to return the power supply, so I could send the unit too.

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                  • #10
                    Great - we've been getting nice referrals from TiVo!

                    Please email your order number to [email protected] and we can email back an RMA for the power supply.

                    As far as fixing the chip, we'll have to dig around on a test unit. We can't fix every problem on these units just yet, and as we haven't seen this one, I really don't know what the story is.

                    Mention this issue in the email also, and we'll go from there.
                    Been here a long time . . .

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by epagepete View Post
                      Sometimes it would boot and freeze in a few minutes.
                      My Hughes HDVR2 is doing exactly that, just after it completes the boot and the channel displays on the TV, one minute later it freezes.

                      But I learned one more thing. I disconnected the cable wires from the dish (both) at the back of the box just after it completes the boot and the system would not freeze, and I could play recorded programs. I left the system running over night and it did not freeze.

                      My guess is that the system freezes just as it starts preserving whatever I'm tuned to.

                      Any ideas?

                      TIA!

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                      • #12
                        That sounds like a bad HD. As soon as the HD tries to write the data it receives from the satellite dish, it freezes. When it has no data to write since the DirecTV cables are disconnected, then it doesn't freeze.

                        Replacement drives for your HDVR2 are here:

                        http://www.weaknees.com/hdvr.php
                        Been here a long time . . .

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by epagepete View Post
                          My HD XL started freezing at random times. I tried three reboots before I put back the original power supply. This time I got lazy and left the cover off. It stayed on for 3 days, without freezing. So then I slid on the cover, and within an hour it froze. I took off the cover and it has been on for 36 hours now.
                          -Pete-
                          Back in the dark ages I had an old pc/xt that developed a similar problem
                          Cover off worked fine, cover on would not boot.
                          I believe the MB developed a short to the ground plane ( I hope i go that right, ancient history aint my strong suit)
                          solution isolate the Motherboard from the case with all plastic screws and plastic standoffs. ran fine for 2-3 years before being replaced with something newer.
                          just an idea and may not be applicable in your situation

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