|
TiVo Kickstart Codes and Information
TiVo kickstart codes enable certain diagnostics at boot time. If you're having problems with your TiVo, this information may help you to determine the source of the problem. Additionally, some codes can help with setup issues.
To Perform a Kickstart Code, pull the plug to power
down the TiVo. Wait 15 seconds, plug the TiVo back in, and follow
the instructions listed below for your model TiVo. After you have
finished the last step of the kickstart process, the TiVo will reboot
and will perform the appropriate kickstart action.
FOR SERIES1/SERIES2 TiVo DVRs (without
DVD recorders):
1. As the DVR restarts, the left (Receiving) LED light on the
front bezel DVR will be green at first.
2. As soon as the left light turns yellow, immediately (within
2 seconds) press and hold down the yellow PAUSE button on the remote.
3. Within a few moments, the right light should turn yellow. (If
you are unable to catch the change in color or timing, you may also
hold the PAUSE button down continuously during the restart until
the second light comes on.)
4. When this second light comes on, release the PAUSE button and
then press the one or two digits of the kickstart code from the
list below on the remote control. (You will have approximately 10
seconds to do this.)
HUMAX/TOSBHIBA TiVo DVRs WITH
DVD RECORDERS (DRT400, DRT800, RS-TX20, RS-TX60)
1. As the DVR restarts, all LED lights
on the front bezel of the DVR will be on at the same time. The red
DVD light will then illuminate on its own. Continue to hold the pause
button.
2. Once all lights are lit again, release the PAUSE button and
then press the one or two digits of the kickstart code from the
list below on the remote control.
ORIGINAL SERIES3 HD TiVo (TCD648250/TCD648250B):
1. As the DVR restarts, all four
LED lights on the front bezel of the DVR will be on at the same time.
2. As soon as all four go out, immediately (within 2 seconds) press
and hold down the PAUSE button on the remote. (If you are unable
to catch the timing, you may also hold the PAUSE button down continuously
during the restart until only the yellow light comes on.)
3. When the yellow light comes on, release the PAUSE button and
then press the one or two digits of the kickstart code from the
list below on the remote control. (You will have approximately 10
seconds to do this.)
TIVO HD / TIVO HD XL:
1. As the DVR restarts, the green LED light on the front bezel
DVR will be lit.
2. As soon as it blinks, immediately (within 2 seconds) press and
hold down the PAUSE button on the remote.
3. Within a few moments, the yellow and red LED lights will turn
on. (If you are unable to catch the timing, you may also hold the
PAUSE button down continuously during the restart until the yellow
and red LEDs come on.)
4. When the yellow and red LEDs come on, release the PAUSE button
and then press the one or two digits of the kickstart code from
the list below on the remote control. (You will have approximately
10 seconds to do this.)
TIVO PREMIERE / PREMIERE XL:
1. Restart the box and the green light comes on.
2. The green, and amber lights begin to flicker. Quickly press
and release the PAUSE button on the remote.
IMPORTANT: Unlike the HD and Series3, you cannot continuously hold
down the pause button.
3. Press the one or two digits of the kickstart code from the list
below on the remote control. (You will have approximately 10 seconds
to do this.) If this was done successfully, the blue light will
come on.
| 0 |
Emergency dial-in (tone) |
Forces the TiVo to attempt a dial-in to TiVo servers via phone.
While this is proceeding, you should see this screen:
|
| 1 |
Emergency dial-in (pulse) |
Same as above, with pulse dialing for older systems. |
| 9 |
Emergency dial-in (tone, with a "9" prefix) |
Same as "0" with a "9" prefix for PBX systems. |
| 51 |
Software Upgrade |
This would force the installation of an available OS upgrade. In our experience, it's rarely effective since any viable OS upgrade should install on its own at reboot time.
You'll see this screen while the install is proceeding:
|
| 52 |
Emergency Software Reinstall |
This attempts to reinstall the last version of the TiVo OS on the unit.
You'll see this screen while the install is proceeding:
|
| 53 |
BER Testing |
This tests the Bit Error Rate. We don't have too much info on this routine. |
| 54 |
Hard Drive Test |
This code allows a SMART test of the hard drive(s). Most recent hard drives support this series of tests. Other tests are also available. See our full TiVo kickstart code 54 page for info. |
| 55 |
Tuner and AFT Test |
Again, not a lot of info on this one. We think AFT stands for "automatic frequency tuning." |
| 56 |
Software Install |
The TiVo attempts to connect to the TiVo servers to download and install the most recent version of the TiVo OS for that model. The unit should be connected to the phone line or ethernet. |
| 57 |
Media File System (MFS) check |
Causes a GSOD (green screen of death) to appear while it checks and attempts to repair any file system problems. |
| 58 |
Media File System (MFS) cleanup |
Same behavior as 57, presumably with rudimentary defragmentation. |
| 62 |
Initialize eSATA drive |
No longer useful, this code was the backdoor to adding eSATA drives to stock Series3 TiVos. This can now be done by just plugging in the drive and rebooting. |
*DirecTV DVRs and Series3 TiVos (in HD) record digital broadcast streams and all compression is determined by the broadcaster, so hours stated are estimates assuming average compression. Standard Definition TiVo DVR and TiVo Upgrade Kit capacities are stated at Basic Quality. All capacities may vary due to hard drive models used. Capacities are guaranteed to be within 5% larger or smaller of stated size. Email with any questions. 
| 
