How to use an external Modem to repair your TiVo

TiVo External Modem BYO

 

So your internal modem no longer works? Have no fear, we'll tell you how to use a standard external serial modem to get guide data again!!

 

What you’ll need:

 

An external serial modem that understands standard AT commands. We use US Robotics 28.8 or 33.6 Sportster modems. We find they work well, have switches to control some main functions, and have a volume control on the side that makes it easy to turn the volume off after initial testing. 14.4 or 56k modem may also be used, see notes below.

 

A modem cable to connect from the modem to your PC.

 

A TiVo serial cable; 3.5MM stereo to DB9 – wired straight through. These came with the original TiVos or you may get the kit from us.

 

A DB9 to DB25M adaptor to connect between the TiVo serial cable and the modem. You can pick one of these up at Radio Shack or your favorite electronic store. These are included in the kits we sell.

 

If the modem has switches, set them as follows:

 

Data Terminal Ready override (USR Modem sw1=down)

Verbal Result codes (USR Modem sw2=up)

Display Results codes (USR Modem sw3=down)

Echo offline commands (USR Modem sw4=up)

Auto Answer Off  (USR Modem sw5=down)

Carrier detect normal (USR Modem sw6=up)

Load NVRAM defaults (USR Modem sw7=up)

Smart mode (USR Modem sw8=down)

 

Set the NVRAM (non-volatile RAM) configuration profile(s) on the Modem.

 

Connect your modem to your PC with a modem cable (not the one from above) and start up your favorite terminal program. Settings for the terminal should be 9600 baud, 8 bit data, no parity, 1 stop bit.

 

Type “ATZ” and hit enter. You should get an “OK” response. If not, type “ATE1” and hit enter. Now you should have an “OK” response. If not, you may have a modem problem, wrong terminal setup, or incorrect cable. Fixing these problems is not the intent of this document.

 

Now send the rest of these commands to your modem (with an Enter after each):

 Note that the 0 is a zero in each of the 5 character commands below.

 

 

“AT&D0”         = ignore DTR

“AT&H0”         = Disable CTS and Xon/Xoff flow control

“AT&I0”           = Disable RX flow control

((if you receive an error on these last two commands, try “AT&K0” to disable all flow control))

“AT&R1”         = Ignore RTS

“AT&W0”        = writes changes to the NVRAM profile 0 which is usually used when the modem is powered up. You can also save it to profile 1 with AT&W1, just in case your modem uses that profile on start-up.

 

If your modem does not have an external volume control, you can send an “AT&M0” to turn off the speaker. I prefer doing this after testing the modem on the TiVo. The dial tone and squealing sounds help diagnose any issues.

Don’t forget to save the changes with “AT&W0” and/or “AT& W1”.

 

Connect and program the TiVo

 

Connect your modem to the TiVo with the TiVo serial cable and the DB25 adaptor. The small mini plug goes into the port labeled “serial” on the back of your TiVo.

 

Plug your phone into the modem. Make sure it’s in the correct jack on the modem; some have an extra jack for a phone pass-through.

 

Plug the power adaptor into a free wall plug and the other end into the modem. Turn the modem on with the power switch.

 

On your TiVo, go to the “Change Phone Settings” screen on the TiVo and add ",#319" (comma pound three one nine) as the dial prefix. The picture on the screen will show you which remote buttons to push for the comma and #.

 

Make a test call to make sure everything works. If all is OK, use the speaker dial on the side of the modem to turn the volume down or go back to your terminal and  use AT&M0 to turn the modem off.

 

Notes:

 

Your TiVo must be running OS version 3.0 or above.

 

Different dial prefixes will render different modem speeds. The 28.8 and 33.6 modems mentioned above work with ,#319 (19,200) and ,#396 (9600). If using a 14.4 modem, only the ,#396 (9600) will work. If using a 56k modem, you can also try ,#338 (38,400) or ,#357 (57,600). These higher speeds sometimes cause problems with the TiVos serial port. Since there is no flow control, the TiVos internal buffers may not handle higher speeds.

 

**Hints for Vonage Users - These may work with other VOip carriers, your mileage may vary.

1. Make sure the Tivo is plugged into the LINE 1 of the Vonage phone adaptor.
2. Vonage users need to add an extra 1 to the end of the dialing prefix; you need to dial 1 with an area code even when making a local call.
3. Try to lowering the modem speed by replacing the dial prefix ,#319 with ,#396.
4. Change the dial prefix to " ,*99,#319 " or “ ,#319,*99 “, this will tell your Vonage modem to kick into FAX mode