RiseStar
November 26th, 2003, 12:16 AM
2.5Xtreme, 2.5.2/3.1 upgrades and many more utilities are available on our Members Area (http://www.digitalinsurrection.com/entrance.php) or at a select few sites on the Internet.
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There have been so many posts on this topic that I've been getting carpal tunnel from typing the reply so I decided to write this little tutorial. Here's the instructions for installing 2.5Xtreme and Superzap's 2.5.2 upgrade that will get your locals to come in right away.
1. Download the correct image of 2.5Xtreme for your model DTivo. The Philips and Hughes models are identical so use the one for the DSR6000. A wideband connection to the internet is pretty much a requirement for downloading 2.5Xtreme. Using a dial-up can take forever and also runs the risk of corrupting the image. A bad image of 2.5Xtreme may not install properly and could also cause other problems (i.e. won't boot the DTivo, green screen of death, etc.). You will also need the xupgrade iso image for Superzap's 2.5.2/3.1 upgrade. Download the readme file that goes with it and read it before attempting the upgrade. You should also make a backup of your DTivo drive(s) before installing 2.5Xtreme in the event that you may wish to restore your DTivo to a stock configuration.
2. Burn the iso images using Nero or any program that can burn iso images. Make sure you burn each one as an image and not a data file. Programs like CDRWIN (the Goldenhawk version) or Fireburner are great for burning iso images. You can get just about any CD and DVD burning software currently available from http://www.cdrsoft.cc/index3.html.
3. Turn on the PC and configure your PCs BIOS to set up your CD-ROM drive as the first boot device. If you don't know how to do this then stop right here and don't go any further. You will only screw up your Tivo if you try to hack it. Understanding PC basics are a requirement to hacking a Tivo so learn them before you trash your new toy. Make sure you've only got one CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive attached to your IDE bus. The Linux kernel on the boot CD is only set up to recognize a single CD drive. When you type in the command to perform the installation, Linux won't know which drive to access and will give you an error.
4. Test your boot CDs to make sure they work. You should see an indication that the CD is booting up followed by a prompt. Just hit enter at the prompt. A bunch of stuff will scroll by until you see another prompt that directs you to login as root. Just hit enter again. You'll then see a message indicating that a device is read-only. This is the CD-ROM drive. If everything booted properly, swap the CD in the drive with the next one you wish to check and press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart your PC. Press Enter at each prompt as before. When you've finished checking all of the boot CDs, place the 2.5Xtreme or MFS Tools 2.0 (for creating a backup image first) CD back in the drive and restart the PC. Turn off the PC when it gets to the POST screen (i.e. the screen that displays info about your RAM and drives).
5. Remove the two torx screws securing the top cover of the DTivo to the chassis. If the warranty sticker is present, use a hair drier to soften the adhesive and then slide the cover straight back to remove it. The sticker should detach without damage to the sticker.
6. Remove the hard drive(s) as follows:
a) Remove the two torx screws securing the drive rack to the chassis.
b) Disconnect the fan connector from the mainboard.
c) Carefully lift the right end of the rack and slide the rack to the right until the two pins at the left end clear the grommets in the vertical partition. Set the rack down with the two pins resting on the top of the partition.
d) Disconnect the IDE cable and power cable from the hard drive(s).
e) Take the rack and set it upside down on a stable surface. Remove the four screws securing the hard drive to the rack. Repeat this if the DTivo has two drives.
7. Install the Tivo drives in your PC as follows:
a) If the DTivo had a single drive, set the jumper on the drive to the Master position (cable select is the default position for single Tivo drives). If the DTivo had two drives, then the drive connected at the end of the IDE cable should have been set to Master (A drive) and the other drive should have been set to Slave (B drive). Leave these jumper settings as is. Note the sizes indicated for each of the hard drives.
b) Install the Tivo drives in your PC as follows:
Windows drive - Primary Master (hda)
Tivo B drive - Primary Slave (hdb)
Tivo A drive - Secondary Master (hdc)
CD-ROM - Secondary Slave (hdd)
NOTE: Your Windows drive must be partitioned with either a FAT16 or FAT32 filesystem. If you are using either Windows 2000 or Windows XP, both OSes use the NTFS file system that is not recognized by Linux. You will need to install a different hard drive formatted for FAT16 or FAT32 partitions to make a backup image or restore a previously backed up image of your DTivo drives.
8. If you plan on making a backup image of your DTivo drives then do so now. When you have completed the backup, swap out the MFS Tools 2.0 CD for the 2.5Xtreme boot CD and restart the PC per step 4. Then, continue with step 9.
9. When everything is properly connected, power up the PC and let it boot from the 2.5Xtreme CD. Press Enter at the first prompt. Use the Shift+Page Up keys to scroll back and see the info listed about the hard drives. The correct drive size should be indicated for each of the drives. It may differ from what is indicated on the drive case but it should fairly close. If the reported sizes are as expected, continue to step 10. Otherwise, refer to the Note below.
NOTE: If the size is indicated as less than 10GB for either drive then the drive is probably locked. You will need to unlock the drive before proceeding any further. This will require downloading the qunlock utility from the Maxtor website. Shut down the PC as outlined in step 4 above. Disconnect the Tivo drives from the IDE buss if you need to boot the PC into Windows. Download the qunlock utility and follow the instructions for unlocking your Tivo drive. You will need to create a boot disk and also reconnect the locked drive to the IDE buss (with power off). When the drive has been unlocked, shut down the PC and reconfigure everything per step 7 and repeat step 9.
10. Scroll back down to the prompt using the Shift+Page Down keys and press Enter. Type in 25xtreme and press Enter. Make sure you type it in excactly as indicated as Linux is case sensitive. You'll get a couple of prompts asking you where your drives are installed. Answer by using the conventions listed in step 7b (in parentheses) for your A and B drives, as applicable. The 2.5Xtreme image is automatically installed on the drive(s). If it gives you an error at around 95-99% decompression you're supposed to be able to use the image anyway but I would recommend trying the installation again from scratch. If it still fails then try downloading another 2.5Xtreme image. The installation should go smoothly with no errors or you may have problems later on. When it's finished installing the image you will get a series of prompts that you need to respond to. Answer yes when it asks you if you want to run the DTivoMad utility now. If your total drive capacity is >140GB then answer yest to the corresponding prompt. Failure to answer correctly could result in your Tivo hanging up on the GSOD (green screen of death) indefinitely should an error occur in the filesystem (a common problem that usually fixes itself).
11. When the installation and all utilities have completed, swap out the 2.5Xtreme CD for the xupgrade boot CD, then shut down the PC per step 4 and return the drives to your DTivo. Make sure that you return any jumpers you reconfigured back to their original settings. Install the DTivo drives in their original positions on the drive rack, but use only two screws for each drive. You'll need to remove them again for the 2.5.2 upgrade.
12. Connect the audio and video cables but leave the satellite lines disconnected. Plug in the power cable and let it boot up. The DTivo will get to the "Welcome. Powering up..." screen and sit there for a bit while it flashes the EEPROM and then it will reboot. It will then display a screen indicating that it is rebuilding the database and will take a while. When that's finished, it will then attempt to acquire the guide data from the satellites. Pull the plug at this point to perform the 2.5.2 upgrade.
13. Install the DTivo A drive in your PC (the B drive is not needed to perform the upgrade) per step 7. Make sure any jumper settings that need to be changed have been configured per step 7a.
14. Power up the PC and let it boot the same as with the 2.5Xtreme CD, pressing Enter at each of the two prompts. Then, type in "upgrd252.sh" without the quotes and press Enter. Answer any prompts about the drive's location following the conventions listed in step 7b. When the upgrade has completed (usually in less than one minute), press Ctrl+Alt+Del as before and shut down the PC when the POST screen appears.
15. Return the A drive to the DTivo, making sure the jumpers are reconfigured, as necessary. Reconnect all the cables to the DTivo, including the satellite inputs.
16. Power up the DTivo and let it rebuild the database and acquire the data from the satellite.
17. Perform the guided setup to activate the dual tuner function and acquire the guide data.
18. Activate all of the desired xPlusz hacks and utilities via the Phone Dialing Options menu using the call waiting prefix. Refer to the readme file included with Superzap's upgrade for details on using the xPlusz options.
19. If you want to set up your locals but are unsure what the city code is for your locals, enter #0#65 in the call waiting prefix and press Select. A list of all city codes will be displayed on your TV. Find the one for your locals and enter #60,XX, where XX is the city code you chose.
20. After setting up all of the xPlusz options and going through guided setup, you will need to reboot the DTivo. Go to Messages & Setup/System Reset/Restart the Receiver. Follow the instructions for acknowledging the command and reboot the DTivo. When it comes back up you should see the guide data populate with your locals. You will be unable to set up any season passes for 24 to 48 hours. The guide needs to include at least 2 or more instances of any given program before it can implement a season pass. You can, however, set up any program for recording on an individual basis if it is displayed in the guide. You will also have to set up any preferred settings or preferences (i.e. Dolby Diguital recording, banner display, etc.).
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There have been so many posts on this topic that I've been getting carpal tunnel from typing the reply so I decided to write this little tutorial. Here's the instructions for installing 2.5Xtreme and Superzap's 2.5.2 upgrade that will get your locals to come in right away.
1. Download the correct image of 2.5Xtreme for your model DTivo. The Philips and Hughes models are identical so use the one for the DSR6000. A wideband connection to the internet is pretty much a requirement for downloading 2.5Xtreme. Using a dial-up can take forever and also runs the risk of corrupting the image. A bad image of 2.5Xtreme may not install properly and could also cause other problems (i.e. won't boot the DTivo, green screen of death, etc.). You will also need the xupgrade iso image for Superzap's 2.5.2/3.1 upgrade. Download the readme file that goes with it and read it before attempting the upgrade. You should also make a backup of your DTivo drive(s) before installing 2.5Xtreme in the event that you may wish to restore your DTivo to a stock configuration.
2. Burn the iso images using Nero or any program that can burn iso images. Make sure you burn each one as an image and not a data file. Programs like CDRWIN (the Goldenhawk version) or Fireburner are great for burning iso images. You can get just about any CD and DVD burning software currently available from http://www.cdrsoft.cc/index3.html.
3. Turn on the PC and configure your PCs BIOS to set up your CD-ROM drive as the first boot device. If you don't know how to do this then stop right here and don't go any further. You will only screw up your Tivo if you try to hack it. Understanding PC basics are a requirement to hacking a Tivo so learn them before you trash your new toy. Make sure you've only got one CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive attached to your IDE bus. The Linux kernel on the boot CD is only set up to recognize a single CD drive. When you type in the command to perform the installation, Linux won't know which drive to access and will give you an error.
4. Test your boot CDs to make sure they work. You should see an indication that the CD is booting up followed by a prompt. Just hit enter at the prompt. A bunch of stuff will scroll by until you see another prompt that directs you to login as root. Just hit enter again. You'll then see a message indicating that a device is read-only. This is the CD-ROM drive. If everything booted properly, swap the CD in the drive with the next one you wish to check and press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart your PC. Press Enter at each prompt as before. When you've finished checking all of the boot CDs, place the 2.5Xtreme or MFS Tools 2.0 (for creating a backup image first) CD back in the drive and restart the PC. Turn off the PC when it gets to the POST screen (i.e. the screen that displays info about your RAM and drives).
5. Remove the two torx screws securing the top cover of the DTivo to the chassis. If the warranty sticker is present, use a hair drier to soften the adhesive and then slide the cover straight back to remove it. The sticker should detach without damage to the sticker.
6. Remove the hard drive(s) as follows:
a) Remove the two torx screws securing the drive rack to the chassis.
b) Disconnect the fan connector from the mainboard.
c) Carefully lift the right end of the rack and slide the rack to the right until the two pins at the left end clear the grommets in the vertical partition. Set the rack down with the two pins resting on the top of the partition.
d) Disconnect the IDE cable and power cable from the hard drive(s).
e) Take the rack and set it upside down on a stable surface. Remove the four screws securing the hard drive to the rack. Repeat this if the DTivo has two drives.
7. Install the Tivo drives in your PC as follows:
a) If the DTivo had a single drive, set the jumper on the drive to the Master position (cable select is the default position for single Tivo drives). If the DTivo had two drives, then the drive connected at the end of the IDE cable should have been set to Master (A drive) and the other drive should have been set to Slave (B drive). Leave these jumper settings as is. Note the sizes indicated for each of the hard drives.
b) Install the Tivo drives in your PC as follows:
Windows drive - Primary Master (hda)
Tivo B drive - Primary Slave (hdb)
Tivo A drive - Secondary Master (hdc)
CD-ROM - Secondary Slave (hdd)
NOTE: Your Windows drive must be partitioned with either a FAT16 or FAT32 filesystem. If you are using either Windows 2000 or Windows XP, both OSes use the NTFS file system that is not recognized by Linux. You will need to install a different hard drive formatted for FAT16 or FAT32 partitions to make a backup image or restore a previously backed up image of your DTivo drives.
8. If you plan on making a backup image of your DTivo drives then do so now. When you have completed the backup, swap out the MFS Tools 2.0 CD for the 2.5Xtreme boot CD and restart the PC per step 4. Then, continue with step 9.
9. When everything is properly connected, power up the PC and let it boot from the 2.5Xtreme CD. Press Enter at the first prompt. Use the Shift+Page Up keys to scroll back and see the info listed about the hard drives. The correct drive size should be indicated for each of the drives. It may differ from what is indicated on the drive case but it should fairly close. If the reported sizes are as expected, continue to step 10. Otherwise, refer to the Note below.
NOTE: If the size is indicated as less than 10GB for either drive then the drive is probably locked. You will need to unlock the drive before proceeding any further. This will require downloading the qunlock utility from the Maxtor website. Shut down the PC as outlined in step 4 above. Disconnect the Tivo drives from the IDE buss if you need to boot the PC into Windows. Download the qunlock utility and follow the instructions for unlocking your Tivo drive. You will need to create a boot disk and also reconnect the locked drive to the IDE buss (with power off). When the drive has been unlocked, shut down the PC and reconfigure everything per step 7 and repeat step 9.
10. Scroll back down to the prompt using the Shift+Page Down keys and press Enter. Type in 25xtreme and press Enter. Make sure you type it in excactly as indicated as Linux is case sensitive. You'll get a couple of prompts asking you where your drives are installed. Answer by using the conventions listed in step 7b (in parentheses) for your A and B drives, as applicable. The 2.5Xtreme image is automatically installed on the drive(s). If it gives you an error at around 95-99% decompression you're supposed to be able to use the image anyway but I would recommend trying the installation again from scratch. If it still fails then try downloading another 2.5Xtreme image. The installation should go smoothly with no errors or you may have problems later on. When it's finished installing the image you will get a series of prompts that you need to respond to. Answer yes when it asks you if you want to run the DTivoMad utility now. If your total drive capacity is >140GB then answer yest to the corresponding prompt. Failure to answer correctly could result in your Tivo hanging up on the GSOD (green screen of death) indefinitely should an error occur in the filesystem (a common problem that usually fixes itself).
11. When the installation and all utilities have completed, swap out the 2.5Xtreme CD for the xupgrade boot CD, then shut down the PC per step 4 and return the drives to your DTivo. Make sure that you return any jumpers you reconfigured back to their original settings. Install the DTivo drives in their original positions on the drive rack, but use only two screws for each drive. You'll need to remove them again for the 2.5.2 upgrade.
12. Connect the audio and video cables but leave the satellite lines disconnected. Plug in the power cable and let it boot up. The DTivo will get to the "Welcome. Powering up..." screen and sit there for a bit while it flashes the EEPROM and then it will reboot. It will then display a screen indicating that it is rebuilding the database and will take a while. When that's finished, it will then attempt to acquire the guide data from the satellites. Pull the plug at this point to perform the 2.5.2 upgrade.
13. Install the DTivo A drive in your PC (the B drive is not needed to perform the upgrade) per step 7. Make sure any jumper settings that need to be changed have been configured per step 7a.
14. Power up the PC and let it boot the same as with the 2.5Xtreme CD, pressing Enter at each of the two prompts. Then, type in "upgrd252.sh" without the quotes and press Enter. Answer any prompts about the drive's location following the conventions listed in step 7b. When the upgrade has completed (usually in less than one minute), press Ctrl+Alt+Del as before and shut down the PC when the POST screen appears.
15. Return the A drive to the DTivo, making sure the jumpers are reconfigured, as necessary. Reconnect all the cables to the DTivo, including the satellite inputs.
16. Power up the DTivo and let it rebuild the database and acquire the data from the satellite.
17. Perform the guided setup to activate the dual tuner function and acquire the guide data.
18. Activate all of the desired xPlusz hacks and utilities via the Phone Dialing Options menu using the call waiting prefix. Refer to the readme file included with Superzap's upgrade for details on using the xPlusz options.
19. If you want to set up your locals but are unsure what the city code is for your locals, enter #0#65 in the call waiting prefix and press Select. A list of all city codes will be displayed on your TV. Find the one for your locals and enter #60,XX, where XX is the city code you chose.
20. After setting up all of the xPlusz options and going through guided setup, you will need to reboot the DTivo. Go to Messages & Setup/System Reset/Restart the Receiver. Follow the instructions for acknowledging the command and reboot the DTivo. When it comes back up you should see the guide data populate with your locals. You will be unable to set up any season passes for 24 to 48 hours. The guide needs to include at least 2 or more instances of any given program before it can implement a season pass. You can, however, set up any program for recording on an individual basis if it is displayed in the guide. You will also have to set up any preferred settings or preferences (i.e. Dolby Diguital recording, banner display, etc.).