Finally able to set aside a few hours today. Re-imaged the new tivo, swapped around some hardware .... and it would seem that there is some sort of connectivity issue between one of my network cards (the one in the bad tivo) and the router. it works intermittantly -and only when I have the other tivo turned off. When I try to ping this card, it responds about half the time. When I try to run GS with it, it can make the test call, but fails at the first real attempt to get data.

For the sake of all the hassle, unless anyone has an idea as to what might be causing this particular card to operate so oddly, I think I just need to get a new card (so would gladly take any thoughts on where I might find one in NZ - my supply is generally from the states).

thanks for the help - sorry took me so long to start swapping hardware around to be able to find the issue.