TiVo drive backup Adventure

A few months ago my TiVo Series2 started to stutter. The TiVo would cut out during recording or sometimes just stop and restart at any time of the day. It turns out it was probably a hard drive failure. Steps I had to get through before deciding to create my own back up drive:

1. Sent my hard drive back to the vendor who created the drive for me because it was still under warranty. It's not the first time I've had to replace the original drive. This was the upgrade that was failing. 
2. Received replacement drive which failed immediately, but I couldnt tell because I don't own a desktop PC. 
3. Vendor recommended I replace the power supply. So I ordered one from weaknees.
4. Received new power supply, TiVo failed to start up
5. Had a work colleague assess the drive on a desktop PC. Drive failed.
6. Sent drive back to vendor, who realized the drive he sent to me was dead
7. Replacement drive received, good start up, but faith shaken.

FYI this is the second or third failed drive for me. Why didn't I just buy a new TiVo? Because mine has a lifetime warranty and I like it.

During this whole process I tried out a Roku, which I am keeping as my TiVo won't allow me to watch Netflix on it. Check out my Review of the Roku from July.

Steps to backup:

1. Remove your hard drive from it's enclosure unless it has it's Sata connection exposed. 
2. You will have to open the computer case up.
3. Place hard drive on a piece of cardboard on the edge of your open computer. Connect to your PC desktop using your PC's internal Sata cables (right cable in pic).  Do not use a usb connection.
4. Also make sure that you connect the power cable to the drive.
   

   

   What it should look like after you have it connected.

5. Download The latest software: http://www.mfslive.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=15
6. Double Click on the program to launch it (If using Vista, right click then run it as an"Administrator.")
7. Select Source Drive
8. Pull down the File Menu and choose Back up. "Select Back UP file", Choose to save it on the desktop, name the file and click Ok. Then Click the Start Button.
9. 
10. Wait til the back up is done. 
11. Don't expect all of your current shows to be on the backup. In most cases, it will only be the Tivo file structure that you will have on the backup.
12. Next connect your new back up drive to the computer. This can use a USB connection.
13. Double Click on the program to launch it (If using Vista, right click then run it as an"Administrator.")
14. Select Source Drive 
15. Choose File from the menu, select "Restore"  (see pic below)
16. Click on Start Button  
17. Wait ... 
18. Click "Yes" when asked to expand the drive   
19. Tools->Mfsinfo and check Destination Drive. 
20. All Done! 
21. Test the drive in your Tivo box. 

Please leave a comment if there is anything missing.

iPhone Problem: Left corner pressure reproduces random vibration

Fix mute button/random vibration on the iphone 3gs

My Problem

My phone is usually on vibrate. I don't like it possibly going off during a meeting and I share an office. A few months ago, my phone started to vibrate for no reason. During the middle of the night, under my pillow when no one was texting me. At about the same time, I noticed that it was vibrating when I pulled it out of my purse and also when I put it in my pocket. When I pull it from my pocket or purse, I use the left top corner. It vibrated whenever you pressed lightly on this same corner. Why didn't I just leave the volume on? Well, I just could not get used to it and all the sounds coming from the incessant texts, games etc. I really love my phone so I didn't want to upgrade even though its available to me. And I can't resist a tech DIY challenge.

I found this site (http://www.ifixit.com) and found another user who had a similar problem. It suggested that it be the mute button and a possible need for a replacement of the headphone jack.

Found this guide: http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing-iPhone-3GS-Mute-Button/4488/1. I did not have the appropriate tools according to this site. I did instead use tweezers, a philips 00 screwdriver and a suction cup that I took from one of my kids toothbrush holders. I got nervous about opening up the phone, but I did it twice, but did not get through the whole list of instructions because I was so nervous.

Things you may need

• Spudger
• Tweezers for holding screws in place. Normally you would use a magnet or something, but I just didn't think a magnet was a good idea near my open phone.
• Felt like cloth
• Replacement Mute Button - though I am still unclear what the difference is between my replacement button and the one I removed. It's just a piece of plastic. 
• Small containers to keep your screws separated (I used masking tape, instead)
• Suction cup

My Fix

I finally chose to purchase the spudger and the mute button replacement. I took a deep breath, told the kids not to pull on me while I was doing this project and opened the phone up again. I executed all of the steps in the instructions except one; I could not actually get the battery out. I worked around that step, luckily you can get the job done without removing the battery. It just takes some patience and steady hands.  I had issues with putting the mute button in and keeping it in while reassembling, it was so small. AND I HAVE SMALL HANDS!



I used a pair of tweezers to hold it in place while trying to screw in the three screws to hold the volume parts back in place. I ended up using a strip of painter's tape to keep track of the little screws and grouped them by Step number and by size. Everything went very well and it was completely fixed when I got it back together. It was good that I had a couple of run throughs before the actual work.

Here I am testing that the vibrate icon doesn't
pop up

In many places the instructions say "gently" and "carefully" and those are really handy. I imagine that those are for people who are not generally gentle with their devices. I can't imagine doing this project with bigger hands.

My Advice

Make sure you have good light, tweezers, piece of felt or a towel. Tweezers are needed to help put the tiny screws in place. Oh and Duh, back up everything first.
Also, I figured out really late that if you have little kids, you really need to have a towel or something under your work area. That way, when your toddler wants to pull on you, and you drop the tiny tiny screws, it will drop but not necessary run all the way across the kitchen floor and under the stove. Just sayin...

http://www.ifixit.com/Story/3464/Left_corner_pressure_reproduces_random_vibration

Review: Roku HD Player

 Here is a partial view of my review of the Roku HD Player.

My Current Set Up: Xfinity cable box for Digital on a SD Sony TV, with a DVD.

My Rating: 4 stars
Headline: Nice addition to media system

Pros : Simple Controls, Fast Setup, No "hard drive" hum
Cons : Needs Disney Episodes

Best Uses : Home
Describe Yourself : Enthusiast
Was this a gift? : No

I purchased this after my Tivo Series2 conked out. I like that it has netflix and hulu as the Tivo Series2 does not. I also think it's going to be great when we travel to the in-laws', so my kids can still watch their favorite educational shows. I repaired my Tivo, but I still want to keep this addition, because I found some interesting channels that would never be available on regular cable. I love that there are no flashing lights (it's in our bedroom) and whirring hum like with a harddrive. It's unobtrusive and takes up very little space, it's not a huge piece of furniture like a cable box or tivo.

One thing I also noted in my review is that when you are using HuluPlus, autoplay is engaged. I suggested it be an option for the other channels. "Currently there is nothing in the settings to turn it on in the other channels. "