TiVo Not Getting IP Address

[LenMancini]

Hi ROn,

Yes thats right. Only one was set up static, and that one is sitting happily on a mates home network.

This one should have been dynamic.

I wonder whether it could come back to the ADSL connection as two seperate and independant routers refused to serve an IP address to the tivo but happily to other network appliances and computers hooked up to the network.

I will try and get Vito to try putting the tivo on my Dad's home network where the other Tivo I got off you is sitting happily. If that network doesn't serve up an IP address to the tivo then I would suggest its a problem with the box that might be fixed up by a re-image.

One step at a time

Thanks again
Len

[Darren King]

I'm with Ron on this one. The image Ron would have used would be in fact r1.5 - not r1.4 as originally stated - with the IP reporting delay fixed. The splash screen still says r1.4 as it was not rolled over to r1.5 on release due to an oversight by the software guys.

Network options can be read from the serial port if an appropriate Mac terminal program is used set to 9600 baud and the TiVo serial cable used (if one was purchased). This way a linux bash prompt can be brought up and the command nic_config_tivo issued. This will resolve if it is a static IP or DHCP assigned and changes can be made without the need for a working network connection.

[LenMancini]

Network options can be read from the serial port if an appropriate Mac terminal program is used set to 9600 baud and the TiVo serial cable used (if one was purchased). This way a linux bash prompt can be brought up and the command nic_config_tivo issued. This will resolve if it is a static IP or DHCP assigned and changes can be made without the need for a working network connection.

Hi Darren,

This sounds promising. We have the serial cable that came with the box but I think thats only a cable for the IR blaster.

Would Vito need an RS232 type cable that goes to USB (macs no longer sport serial ports).

Mac OS X has a terminal program that you can basically access its command line FreeBSD underpinnings. Maybe it could be done through this or just a regular telnet type application.

Thanks for your suggestions.
Regards
Len

[vmancini]

So are these the steps you would like me to take:

Try my TiVo on Lens Dad's network by removing his TiVo and replacing with my one.

If that is successful then I have an issue with my network

If it doesn't work, I should some how reimage the TiVo with 1.6.2

Can these RS-232 cables be purchased from a electronics store?

Vito

[petestrash]

Unfortunately vito cant FTP in to add any files until he obtains an IP address first.

TiVo supports Zmodem protocol, so software can be downloaded over a serial connection.

But in this case I agree that it is not an issue with the reporting software.

Have you confirmed the network card is still fully seated on the motherboard connector. I have seen some come slightly ajar after shipping.

It might be that reimaging is the best bet. Unfortunately Vito and our whole family are Mac users. We dont have any desktops with spare drive bays. Has anyone been able to reimage using a mac and an external hard disk in a firewire400/usb2.0 enclosure?

There have been some steps in this direction using USB on a PC. It's still a Alpha release but may work, see HowtoRestoreOntoaUSBdrive.

I wonder whether it could come back to the ADSL connection as two seperate and independant routers refused to serve an IP address to the tivo but happily to other network appliances and computers hooked up to the network.

Not an issue, the routers should still serve IP addresses even without ADSL connected.

Would Vito need an RS232 type cable that goes to USB (macs no longer sport serial ports).

Yes, though I am not aware of anyone who has tried this method.

So are these the steps you would like me to take:

Try my TiVo on Lens Dad's network by removing his TiVo and replacing with my one.

If that is successful then I have an issue with my network

If it doesn't work, I should some how reimage the TiVo with 1.6.2

Can these RS-232 cables be purchased from a electronics store?

If it didn't work at Len's dad's place, then assuming he is a PC user it would be best to try the serial cable option Darren suggested at his place (As we don't know if USB-Serial adapters work with Mac-TiVo connections).

The serial cable is not available from Dick Smiths. Darren should have them available for sale, also check MakingSerialCable for info on how to make your own and which cables you can buy.

Failing all that, maybe you could send your hard drive to Len to install a new image onto assuming he's a PC user.

Worse comes to worse I could do it for you.

Peter.

[Darren King]

The serial cable is not available from Dick Smiths. Darren should have them available for sale

Yes I have them. I also have USB-RS232 adaptors which I know work fine under Windows and I can't see why not under Mac.

Failing all that, maybe you could send your hard drive to Len to install a new image onto assuming he's a PC user.

Worse comes to worse I could do it for you.

I'm also willing to volunteer here to if need be.

Whoever gets the job it might be an idea to set a static IP in the range the router can work with while at it too.

[LenMancini]

Guys you are all true blue legends.

Thanks for your help.

Sounds like a weekend of trial and error on its way. Glad im 600kms away from Vito and his tivo!!!

Good luck Veet.

[LenMancini]

Hey guys

Veet took it over to Dads where it didnt work.

He opened the case and it would appear that either the turbonet car or adapter were slightly loose.

He jammed it back in and bingo - tivoweb access.

Thanks for all your help, on behalf of Vito and me.

Thanks again
Len

[segger]

Hi Gents

Glad to hear of the encouraging signs.

FYI, All the TiVo's I sold were supplied with both a Standard TiVo Serial Cable and also the necessary null modem cable (the null modem cable was supplied in an after market plastic pack) so that we could still get into the TiVo if network problems materialised. (It's well worth holding onto those two cables for emergencies.)

Anyway, let me know how it goes, and naturally I'll be more than happy to reimage the disk, if it comes to that, but as I say, I do not expect that to be helpful. Sounds like it was just a loose card! Darn it!

Cheers
Ron

[vmancini]

Thanks guys for helping me out, I can't believe how responsive this community is. Hopefully I'll get to a level where I can be of some use to some newbie in the future.

So the TiVo is working, now i'm onto getting the network happy with having the TiVo on a wireless set up.

Just while I was looking at the web interface, is there a function to make the TiVo look for program guide data manually?

Thanks again, I really appreciated it

Vito