Although all TiVo upgrades rely on the same tools, there is by no means one universal set of upgrade instructions. Instead, there are many variables that drive an individual upgrade. On top of these variables, there are also at least four different internal TiVo architectures: some of these PVRs come with two drives from the factory, some contain power cables and IDE ribbon connectors for a second drive, some have a bracket that can only hold a single drive, and some TiVo models may require special power management devices.
To add more to the mix, the software that powers various TiVos is not interchangeable; they may all appear to be the same, but the upgrade process varies depending on your specific model.
We're going to try to cover as many mainstream upgrades as we can, but first—because of the seemingly endless combinations—let's lay out a few specific assumptions just to reign in the scope of this chapter:
We'll assume that you are starting with a TiVo that has never been upgraded. This way we don't have to figure out how to get around what you've already done.
We'll also assume that your TiVo is functioning and that its drive is not corrupt. Although replacing a hard drive can solve many TiVo ailments, such as the dreaded "Sever Error has Occurred" (a.k.a. the "Green Screen of Death"), it is not possible to replace a defective drive unless you have a reliable backup of the TiVo software. And while it may be possible to search high and low to find somebody who can provide you with a backup, making one yourself is not generally possible if your original drive is not functioning. If your TiVo is misbehaving, check http://www.weaknees.com/tivo_repair.html and http://www.weaknees.com/tivo_powering_up.html for more help.
We'll assume that you are working with and backing up a software version that is at least TiVo OS 2.5.
Lastly, we're not going to address drive-replacement upgrades that also involve the preservation of existing recordings and settings. We hope you're not entirely wed to whatever is already recorded on your TiVo; while there is a chance that when you finish this process your recordings will still be there, there are no guarantees.
Don't worry if your upgrade-to-be veers widely from these assumptions; most assuredly, there are still options open to you. Just try out the WeaKnees interactive guide at http://tivo.upgrade-instructions.com for more varieties.
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