TiVo Community Forums Archives - Alternative to backing up??

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Alternative to backing up??
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Posted by: uc1bear

Hi -

This is my first post here, but I wanted to run this by you Tivo-pros...

I am planning to add the 60gb drive to my (already used) 14-hr Tivo. What I want to know is this... If I have friends with un-modified 14-hr Tivos, do I really need to make a backup of my A drive?

In other words, if something goes wrong, can't I simply use their A drive as the 'backup' source? If I understand it right, I should be able to bascially create a carbon-copy of their un-screwed-up Tivo system, which would be the same as having done my own backup.

Does this make sense, or am I missing something?

M

Posted by: DBCooper

quote:
Originally posted by uc1bear:Does this make sense, or am I missing something?M

Your are technically (more or less) on track but you are missing the legalities. You cannot legally use a backup copy of software purchased by someone else. It's called theft.

Theft not withstanding, and assuming that backups continue to be useful after a few software upgrades by TiVo, you are really taking a chance when you depend on a machine that is in use elsewhere. Anything could happen to it, including an upgrade hack. Or worse.

The safest backup strategy is to make a copy of your own primary drive, before BlessTivo, and store it in a safe place. But backups have a bad habit of not being restorable, so an even safer strategy is to back up to a similar dirve and use the backup drive in your TiVo, storing the original primary drive in a safe place. This approach costs less than $100 and you can use the same backup for similar TiVos in your possession.

Posted by: kenh@vgi.com

This method cost $70 at most (if you order from 9th tee) -- my drive is on the way.

I already have a 60GB Maxtor, the 15GB Quantum is on the way, and my bracket should be shipping soon.

As DBCooper recommended:
1. I'm going to backup my A drive to the new 15GB quantum
2. Put the A drive on a shelf somewhere safe
3. put the new 15GB into the TiVo and boot it up
4. verify that the system is running fine
5. Bless the 60GB Maxtor
6. Pop the 60GB maxtor in to complete my 91 hour upgrade