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TiVo GSD after downloading new system update

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  • #1

    TiVo GSD after downloading new system update

    I just set up a Roamio Plus w/external storage (8T altogether), which proceeded along Guided Setup swimmingly until the System Update notice. Upon one of the (repeated) restarts (not sure which one), I got the dreaded GSD (which even to this day fills me with a deep depression). A GSD-restart cycle began, and what little kept my heart from sinking completely was the irregular length of the intervals, implying something more than vain robotic repetition might be at play. Sure enough, one restart resulted in not being able to detect the external storage. Unplugging, turning the external on/off, and replugging the TiVo resulted in ... another round of GSD restarts. One detail I failed to mention yet: the "in-use" light(s) on the external storage drive was flashing furiously throughout this dance. Finally--amazingly, miraculously--the TiVo proceeded to an installation of the System Update, and then to the initialization music video. I finally exhaled.

    Anyone out there have any idea what happened? And how it got fixed? Up until now, my experience with GSD involved infinite restart loops resulting in a TiVo brick. The eventual resolution was a shocker, and forgive my pessimism if I'm not yet entirely sure that this unit is stable.
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  • #2
    Sorry to hear that - no idea what happened there, but we're obviously glad to hear it resolved.

    The flashing sounds right - there is a lot of activity during the OS upgrades, and certainly during a GSOD where it re-checks the partitions.
    Been here a long time . . .

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    • #3
      Originally posted by WK-Michael View Post
      Sorry to hear that - no idea what happened there, but we're obviously glad to hear it resolved.

      The flashing sounds right - there is a lot of activity during the OS upgrades, and certainly during a GSOD where it re-checks the partitions.
      One question, however: Why the activity on the external? Isn't the OS on the primary drive? I can understand the craziness during the GSOD, but I've never experienced external drive activity during an OS upgrade.

      P.S. The following is still an issue. Were you able to reproduce it?:

      http://www.wkforums.com/forums/showt...ge-in-Settings

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      • #4
        I can't speak to the way TiVos write to their drives, but what you're seeing is common.

        And, yes, the behavior of the external with the Roamios is as you described.
        Been here a long time . . .

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        • #5
          Originally posted by WK-Michael View Post
          I can't speak to the way TiVos write to their drives, but what you're seeing is common.

          And, yes, the behavior of the external with the Roamios is as you described.
          Well, I had to restart the thing again, and the GSOD returned. My fears of instability were founded. After watching it cycle again, this time without resolution, I had an epiphany to change the eSATA cable. (Why would the external drive keep grinding away? Why would it sometimes be recognized and other times not? And why were recordings proceeding, at least initially?)

          After another inteminably lengthy GSOD, the welcome video came on; it's been rock steady since. Obviously, I feel about as stupid as I feel relieved.

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          • #6
            Glad to hear that was a simple solution and we're very sorry if the issue was related to the cable that we shipped.

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            • #7
              Originally posted by WK-Jeff View Post
              Glad to hear that was a simple solution and we're very sorry if the issue was related to the cable that we shipped.
              You're not going to believe this, but the following related incident happened with another Roamio Plus:

              All things going well until iPad streaming wasn't working (via MoCCA). Going to the unit itself, one could not rewind into the live buffer of current LIVE TV, or rewind currently recorded shows. Then I noticed there was no activity on the external drive--not usual. Also, some recent recordings listed in MY SHOWS were not playable due to "lack of signal."

              Sure enough, when I picked the external storage option in SETTINGS, the unit was not seeing an external device (instead of the following quirk: http://www.wkforums.com/forums/showt...1618#post21618).

              Rebooting the unit resulted in a GSOD. So I changed the eSATA cable once again, from the round one you currently ship to the flat shorter cable you used to ship. And voila! after one more GSOD, steady performance since.

              Gentlemen, methinks you should start shipping eSATA cables from another vendor.

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              • #8
                Interesting. Thanks for the report.

                We'll have to run some test on our eSATA cables here.
                Been here a long time . . .

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                • #9
                  More (discouraging) stuff: The previous Roamio was flaky from the start; changing the eSATA cable fixed things for good. On the other hand, the latest Roamio had been good for a couple weeks before it lost contact with the external drive. Changing the cable did fix things for a week, but then it lost contact again. Getting yet another eSATA cable lasted just a day this time. I flipped the cable, just to try and for lack of anything better, switching plugs between the unit & the external drive. My fingers are crossed; I'll let you know what happens, but if it loses contact again with the external again, any hints on what to try next? Might it be faulty eSATA connectors on either the unit or the external drive? Thanks.

                  UPDATE: This time the external drive lost contact about two hours later. Tried yet another cable, which didn't connect to the external at all from bootup. Another (now fifth) cable took after two (relatively brief) GSODs (unusual in that things settled down after just one). It's been two hours and so far so good, but of course I'm not betting the house that it's at all stable given the recent history. Any ideas no matter how farfetched are welcome at this point.
                  Last edited by TishTash; 10-13-2014, 12:36 AM.

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                  • #10
                    How are the Roamio and external drive connected to power? Directly into the wall? Surge protector? UPS?

                    I'm not at all sure it's power related, but it is odd that you are having varying issues with multiple eSATA cables.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by WK-Jeff View Post
                      How are the Roamio and external drive connected to power? Directly into the wall? Surge protector? UPS?

                      I'm not at all sure it's power related, but it is odd that you are having varying issues with multiple eSATA cables.
                      Both into power strips, which I believe are surge protectors but aren't certain. Might it be either eSATA jack?

                      If this keeps happening I may need to send it back, based on your recommendations. If you decide to look at this one, would you guys be able to send another unit ahead of time (paid for of course)?

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                      • #12
                        Any ideas, anybody?

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                        • #13
                          Here's a random thought: Could it possibly be the external hard drive enclosure (including but not limited to the connector)?

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                          • #14
                            It does seem plausibly related to one of the two connectors--on the external or the TiVo itself. It looks like the unit is heading back here. Hopefully we will be able to duplicate your problem and let you know what we find. We apologize for the hassle!

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                            • #15
                              Now the connection's been intact for over a day, but I'm not trusting it will stay this way by any means, so it's on its way.

                              One thing's been consistent: the recordings (at least the ones written while there was a connection to the external drive) are intact, despite the GSoDs. So it appears to be a hardware problem; please see that the recordings aren't erased if at all possible. Thanks.
                              Last edited by TishTash; 10-16-2014, 12:06 AM.

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