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  • #1

    Possible new hard drive issue?

    We have a TiVo series 2 (TCD24008A) and were experiencing symptoms consistent with a hard drive failure (screen freezing, etc). It was the original drive, so we picked up a new Maxtor hard drive that's the same model but with a little more capacity.

    The old hard drive had enough life left to let us copy the image, and we installed that on the new drive. Same issue with freezing, so I thought maybe some of the OS files from the old drive were corrupt. Installed a new image (240_GSet which I think reverted to 140) and it connected and downloaded all the files and seemed OK. But like with the first image, we recorded a show overnight and found the unit frozen the next day. Record light was still on and the screen was frozen on the shows closing credits.

    When we re-power the unit now it stays on the first powering up screen and doesn't make it any further. We may be able to get it to go further if we keep unplugging, but the frequency is less. Am wondering if we may have received a bad replacement hard drive? Tried all the kick start options with no success. Do these symptoms point to any other hardware issues? Did a search but was unable to find out anything definitive. Thanks for any suggestions!
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  • #2
    This sounds like a bad power supply. We're seeing these more and more on the 240 units.

    On most TiVos, you can visually diagnose a bad power supply by looking for bursting capacitors. But that's not the case with the 240 power supplies - they just don't seem to fail the same way.

    I'd bet a replacement power supply fixes your remaining problems.
    Last edited by WK-Michael; 02-28-2015, 05:47 PM.
    Been here a long time . . .

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    • #3
      Thanks for the reply, I think you might be correct. After I posted, I downloaded the Maxtor/Seagate diagnostic utility and the drive checked out fine. Makes me wonder now if the original drive was OK?

      Any idea which part of the power supply fails? I checked the voltage to the HD and it's 11.7 and 5.1, when I check the voltage output from the AC adapter that powers the HD for the USB converter kit, it's 12.16 So I'm thinking of reinstalling the drive and powering it with the AC adapter to see if that makes a difference. Thanks for the input!

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      • #4
        We really don't even repair those power supplies - we just have a bunch on hand. So we haven't investigated to see what the failing part is. Sorry.

        If you need one, they're here on our site:

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

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        • #5
          Thanks for the reply. I did look at your power supply page yesterday and saw the one for my model was refurbished, so I thought you may be doing the refurbishing?

          Had we not purchased the new hard drive, it would be easier to justify the cost getting a replacement power supply. But on a unit this old, I'm wondering if it's worth it, especially given it's a probable but not a guaranteed fix? We do have the lifetime subscription, which factors into the equation, but the unit isn't HD. The AVR receiver does improve the video output quality of the TiVo, but it's not HD. On the fence about what to do from here...
          Last edited by BlueSky; 03-01-2015, 11:25 AM.

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          • #6
            Ours are tested pulls from working units that didn't have lifetime service, at this point.
            Been here a long time . . .

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            • #7
              Thanks, do you have any idea what the tested voltages should be?

              Oh, and in my reading, one article I came across said that a bad TiVo power supply can damage the HD, any idea if this is true? If so, I may be back to square one!
              Last edited by BlueSky; 03-02-2015, 02:35 PM.

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              • #8
                12v and 5v, but the issue is often the load the power supply is under, and the signaling through that flat white cable.

                And, yes, a bad power supply can damage an HD, but that's not something we see a lot in 240 units.
                Been here a long time . . .

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                • #9
                  Thanks for all your help so far, much appreciated! Yeah that ribbon cable is a bit of a mystery. One last question, any idea what the average life is for a main board on these 240 units?

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                  • #10
                    Basically, indefinitely. That's one of the models where we really don't see systemic motherboard problems, even this far out.
                    Been here a long time . . .

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                    • #11
                      Wow, great to know! Certainly helps with the decision on a new power supply. Thanks again for all your assistance!

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