TiVo Community Forums Archives - Am I in trouble????

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Am I in trouble????
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Posted by: DisneyLG

I think, my Tivo 212 got hammered by lightning the other night. The Tivo is fine but, I think the modem is trashed.

When I connect the phone line to the back of the Tivo, it ties up the line. (in other words, shows busy to an incoming call.) Also, my other phone which has a digital display, says, "Line in Use".

Tivo won't let me make a test call, or a daily call.

I've tried to reset the Tivo. I've also tried to unplug it and let it sit for 15 minutes before plugging it back in. Both to no avail.

I do have a broadband connection, but would rather fix this problem and use dial up.

Thanks, again

Zeke

Posted by: SRyan2k1

both of mine had that problem last tuesday look at my sig :P, even without power it always uses the line, therez nothing to do but broadband
-spencer

Posted by: DisneyLG

OK.... So what now?

I haven't the foggiest idea where to start.

Posted by: jafa

Hi guys,

If you have high-speed internet and a router then you may want to consider a network card.

The TiVo will automatically use the network card for the daily call if the driver is loaded.

Nick

Posted by: jroysdon

Or stick ,#401 in your dial prefix with a network card... works great ;-)

Posted by: DisneyLG

OK... I have an extra T 10/100 card and a router, but my computer is on the other side of the house. I'm thinking, done right, about 75 feet. Will a network cable that long work? And are they even available to the public, that long?

Zeke

Posted by: phone1

75' is not a problem, If you can't buy one, someone can make it for you (or make it yourself). But can't you figure out a way to run a permanent cable or have someone do it for you? I'd hate to have 75' of cable strung around the house.

You could also go wireless - jafa has some good links above in his sig.

Posted by: DisneyLG

OK, so the 'hub' I own is this one:

http://www.linksys.com/products/pro...grid=25&prid=13

They call it a 'hub' and not a 'router' will it work???

And do I need the 'TurboNet Card' or will my '10/100 LAN Card' work???

You guys and gals helped me so much over the past few months. First with upgrading to 160 hrs, now with this. Thank you, Thank you, Thank You!!!

Zeke

Posted by: ADent

You can also get your machine fixed for under $100 (look for electriclegs or see http://www.9thtee.com/tivomodemrepair.htm ) or use an external modem.

Posted by: jroysdon

quote:
Originally posted by DisneyLG
OK, so the 'hub' I own is this one:

http://www.linksys.com/products/pro...grid=25&prid=13

They call it a 'hub' and not a 'router' will it work???

And do I need the 'TurboNet Card' or will my '10/100 LAN Card' work???

You guys and gals helped me so much over the past few months. First with upgrading to 160 hrs, now with this. Thank you, Thank you, Thank You!!!

Zeke

Nope, a hub is just a way to connect nodes on an Ethernet network. You'll need a router or something to "share" your internet connection. Some folks use a second network card in their PC and leave it always on and share via Microsoft Windows Internet Connection Sharing (Win98SE, W2K, WinMe, and WinXP all have some version of this). I don't find this very safe, plus you always have to have that PC on.

You'll need a TurboNet to connect to your TiVo. It has a "male" end of a PCI edge.

I don't think I've seen patch cables longer than 50ft. You should see if you can find some local hackers you can buy a custom patch cable from. I bought a 1000ft CAT5e spool for $45 about a year ago and have used about half of it (wiring up friends homes, making customer cables, etc.). But you'd have to buy a crimper if you go that route (probably $85 or so).

Might see how the wireless Tivo network cards are coming and just get a wireless AP/router combo.

Posted by: kenr

More precisely, you need a NAPT router to share your ISP connection with your local LAN. Products such as the Linksys BEFSR41 and SMC Barricade are NAPT routers.

The NAPT function maps IP and port addresses in your private LAN, typically in the 192.168.x.x range to the IP address your ISP provides you for access to the internet.

Posted by: RSG2

A crimper can be had for much less than $85, especially since he's probably going to use the thing a couple of times and then stuff it in a box somewhere. You can find them at most decent hardware stores these days - should be less than twenty bucks (that actually should be on the high side).

Posted by: DisneyLG

ok... so, I ordered the TurboNet card and the 100' of network cable. And I know I can't use my hub. Rather than spending MORE money, right now on a router. Can I just manually switch between the Tivo Card and My network card, and force my Tivo to make a 'daily call'? In other words, just plugging the Tivo to the modem directly, without the computer?

Another option I thought of..... but don't know if it will work is: The fact that my cable modem has a USB port as well as Network cable output. Could I just use the usb for the computer and the network port for the Tivo?

Thanks

-Zeke

Posted by: jroysdon

quote:
Originally posted by DisneyLG
ok... so, I ordered the TurboNet card and the 100' of network cable. And I know I can't use my hub. Rather than spending MORE money, right now on a router. Can I just manually switch between the Tivo Card and My network card, and force my Tivo to make a 'daily call'? In other words, just plugging the Tivo to the modem directly, without the computer?

Another option I thought of..... but don't know if it will work is: The fact that my cable modem has a USB port as well as Network cable output. Could I just use the usb for the computer and the network port for the Tivo?

Thanks

-Zeke

Most likely the cablemodem will use usb or ethernet, but not both. There are security reasons not to do it (read below).

Second, it's up to your ISP as to if you can just connect a second device and have it work. Most limit how many connections you can have by the devices' MAC address.

More importantly though, you do not want to connect your TiVo directly to the internet. It is not designed for that from a security standpoint and the telnet and ftp services have NO PASSWORD and accept any incoming connection. A single telnet to your TiVo and a single command would trash your box (rm -rf /).

What you need is a small router to do PNAT (Port Network Address Translation, aka NAPT). Then your ISP sees only one MAC address (that of the router, which can be configured to look like your PC's MAC address so they never notice the change). This gives a "basic" protection level and doesn't accept incoming internet connections and should keep your TiVo nice and safe.

Since you have a hub, you could buy just a one port router (has "outside" and "inside" ports). I don't see any for sale on Buy.com and the 4-port switch / router is $69.95 there (but you could probably find the single port router for $55 or so).

Just go to the following URL and put in either product number and search and when the results come up click on Price to sort by the cheapest reseller:
http://www.nextag.com/

Linksys router: BEFSR11 ($53.55)
Linksys router + 4 port switch: BEFSR41 ($66.88)

Posted by: DisneyLG

OK, so now I purchased the network cable and the TurboNet card... I've even gone out and purchased the BEFSR11 like a good little Tivo boy...

Now... plug it in and use #401 as my dialing prefix and all is well? That's it? Nothing more? It can't be that simple. I'm going to install it all tomorrow. So, any final help would be greatly appreciated. But, you probably know that already.

-Zeke

Posted by: jroysdon

quote:
Originally posted by DisneyLG
OK, so now I purchased the network cable and the TurboNet card... I've even gone out and purchased the BEFSR11 like a good little Tivo boy...

Now... plug it in and use #401 as my dialing prefix and all is well? That's it? Nothing more? It can't be that simple. I'm going to install it all tomorrow. So, any final help would be greatly appreciated. But, you probably know that already.

-Zeke

Read the TurboNet software install. It's not hard, but it's not simply a matter of plugging in the card.

Posted by: DisneyLG

Jason, I'm running 3.0 software. And they say that I don't need to install any drivers. What am I missing? I found this page, but I don't think it applies to me:

http://www.silicondust.com/turbonet...l_software.html

I also found this page telling me not to do any driver installs because I'm running 3.0:

http://www.9thtee.com/turbonet.htm

I didn't know to look for my software version till I saw that. Sorry.

One more question: What is the difference between TurboNet, TivoNet and TivoWeb?

Man I'm tired

Posted by: jroysdon

quote:
Originally posted by DisneyLG
Jason, I'm running 3.0 software. And they say that I don't need to install any drivers. What am I missing? I found this page, but I don't think it applies to me:

http://www.silicondust.com/turbonet...l_software.html

I also found this page telling me not to do any driver installs because I'm running 3.0:

http://www.9thtee.com/turbonet.htm

I didn't know to look for my software version till I saw that. Sorry.

One more question: What is the difference between TurboNet, TivoNet and TivoWeb?

Man I'm tired

Oh, I think you're right, you don't need added software with 3.0.

TiVoWeb is a cool web interface that folks have hacked together so you can control your TiVo from your PC. It does require adding extra software (via ftp).

Posted by: DisneyLG

OK so... I feel broken hearted and dumbfounded. I went and bought the linksys single port router then upgraded to the 4 port linksys router... neither of them would pick up a IP address... Then I changed brands and went to a Netgear router. It also gave me the same problem...

I am running right now a Linksys NIC card, a Toshiba PCX1100U Modem, and a Netgear RP614 Router

I've contacted Linksys, Netgear, and Road runner... No one can seem to be able to figure out why it's not working for me.... And a pat on my back from the Roadrunner Helpdesk, who said I was the only one ever to stump him... And he had me on the phone for nearly 45 minutes.

I've tried 4 different cables. One of them is a crossover cable and the others are straight.

I've tried going into the Wan and out of the Lan (by the book)

I've tried going into a Lan, out of a Lan and back into the Wan then out of a Lan and into the comp. (suggested by Linksys)

I've tried going into My router then out to a hub then into the comp. (also suggested by linksys)

I've tried unplugging and restarting. Heck, even RoadRunner even restarted my modem from their side.

I've changed out NIC cards... And done everything formentioned again.

I'm pulling my hair out!!!! And at my wits end... I dare think about the problems I might encounter when it's up and running on the comp side and I have to then connect the TIVO.... It'll be just my luck.

Once again, any help would be much appreciated...

-Zeke

Posted by: adspguy

Ok, this might not be it, but.....

When using a cable modem the provider needs the MAC address of both the cable modem and the router you are using. If they don't have your routers MAC rather than your computer NIC's MAC, they will not give your router an address.

Does the router give your computer an address?

You should have the cable modem hooked with a straight through cable to the router WAN port. You should have your computer hooked to the router LAN port with a straight through. Regardless of what is going on with the cable modem, the router should give your computer an ip address when it does a dhcp request.

Posted by: szurlo

I have Road Runner here in SC, and they don't check the MAC address on the NIC in the computer. I've had my cable modem hooked to 2 or three different computers and a Linksys BFSR41 at various times and it has always been able to obtain an IP address. I would think that the techs at Road Runner would have figured out that was your problem if in fact they had to have the MAC of your new router. Maybe not.
Also, we are assuming here that when you hook all these goodies up you get link lights all around. Should be link lights for each channel on the router that you have a computer plugged into and probably one for the WAN port on the router too. I know my Linksys does. Most NICs also have a link light as well. If any of them aren't lit when hooked up and all devices are powered up, you may/probably have a cabling issue (like a crossover cable where there shouldn't be one).
Last but no least, did any of the techs have you try to release/renew your DHCP leases once everything was hooked up? On a 98 box you run winipcfg and there are a couple of buttons that will let you force the computer to obtain a new IP, DNS, gateway address etc from the router. On XP you right click My Network Places, go to properties, then dbl-click your LAN connection, then click the advanced tab and hit the repair button. That will force a release/renew of IP address. Among other things.

Good luck

Steve Z.