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Demo model TiVo... can it ever be functional?

I received a Demo model TiVo from a friend who had it on display in a store. It only shows the demo videos about how it works. Is there any way to make this thing functional as a regular TiVo? or should I just take the drive out of it and use it in one of my other two TiVo's?

Thanks,
James Ayton, Jr.

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Iowa
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There have been several reports over the months of people getting demo units, then calling TiVo customer service and being given a code that would take it out of demo mode. (A couple people said that when they talked to customer service they were told this wasn't possible, but these people were advised to call back again and talk to someone else, and I think they all got the information.)

Welcome to TiVo.

BS

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It's not the <code removed> type demo mode, the demo mode that just doesn't allow you to change set up. I'm talking about the demo units that have like 10 or so videos on it that explain the features.

Thanks,
James Ayton, Jr.

[This message has been edited by Otto (edited 02-07-2001).]

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Registered: Mar 2000
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If it's just a demo only unit, it may never work as a fully functional device. However, you have the unit, have you opened it up? Does it look like a full unit? How big is the drive? Also, maybe it'd be easier to just copy another Tivo drive to the thing..

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Otto, Supreme TiVoWarrior - Moderator - AVS Forum - Tivo Underground
"If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. Consume you it will!" -- Yoda

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Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Richmond, VA, USA
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I hate to disagree with Otto, so I assume he knows something I don't about this. Customer Service does have a key sequence that will revert it to normal mode, but they don't want it published on this forum, so I will respect that.

I'm pretty sure that the newer demo units had more video, but can still be unlocked in the same way. The one I had was a regular TiVo in every respect.

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....mike

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Mike: There are demo units and then there are demo units..

Tivo made some special units that were "demo only" and never to be sold. They looked like a Tivo, they had a demo like a Tivo, but they may not have been fully functional Tivo's.

Of course, that didn't stop retailers from selling these "not for resale" units anyway.

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Otto, Supreme TiVoWarrior - Moderator - AVS Forum - Tivo Underground
"If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. Consume you it will!" -- Yoda

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Escondido, CA
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Otto:
So are these units different in software/hard drive only? That is, do they contain a normal Motherboard? If so, they could be converted by installing a (larger?) A drive with software cloned from another unit.

sjf

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sjf:
I've been thinking about doing that. It will have to be next week, though. Either that, of, if the drive is big enough, I'll through it into one of my other 14 hour units.

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I bought a demo at Sears - got home and after seeing the demo stuff - checked out the serial number on the back - said some thing like
"demo - not for resale" - had 13.6 gig drive -

returned the puppy -

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"The Creative Mind = The Devil's Workshop"

- But what do I know -

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quote:

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Originally posted by kajaam:
had 13.6 gig drive

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quote:

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Originally posted by Alex_Chapman:
Sounds like my HDR112 (pre-upgrade). Not sure why it couldn't have just been "unlocked" from demo mode with the sequence provided by TiVo CS.

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Well, I was suggesting that if it had a 13.6 gig drive, (14 hr unit), put a real 14 hr unit drive in it and see if it works. Failing that, return the thing.

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Otto, Supreme TiVoWarrior - Moderator - AVS Forum - Tivo Underground
"If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. Consume you it will!" -- Yoda

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There is no point in posting stuff that has already been established. We just keep going in the same loop... over and over again...

Otto: I said in the first message that the unit was given to me, as in I didn't pay for it. Remember? I said that I am either going to make an image of another drive on top of it, or use the drive in one of my other 14 hr boxes.

Thanks for your help anyways...
James Ayton, Jr.

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Well then, stop talking about it and try it!

Anyway, let us know if it works! Sorry we couldn't help more..

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Otto, Supreme TiVoWarrior - Moderator - AVS Forum - Tivo Underground
"If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. Consume you it will!" -- Yoda

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Let me try again....

quote:

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Originally posted by JAyton:
sjf:
I've been thinking about doing that. It will have to be next week, though. Either that, of, if the drive is big enough, I'll through it into one of my other 14 hour units.

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