WeaKnees Cart WeaKnees Cart
WeaKnees Banner WeaKnees TiVo Upgrade Kits
WeaKnees Banner

 

View Cart

Pixel

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.

How to Perform a Kickstart Code:

  1. Reboot the TiVo - This can be done by pulling the plug and waiting at least 10 seconds before plugging it back in, or you can use the menus under Message and Setup to tell the machine to reboot itself.
  2. As soon as the machine begins the reboot, hold down the yellow Pause button on the remote. Make sure the remote is aimed at the TiVo.
  3. For most machines: Hold this down until a yellow light shows on the front of the unit.
    For units with DVD: Hold Pause until both lights go out, then the right light goes red.
    For TiVoHD users: you'll see either (a) a flashing green light, then amber and red lights, or (b) red, green and amber lights.
    For TiVo Series3 users: you'll see all four lights lit, then an amber light alone.
    For TiVo Premiere users: Don't hold pause. Power up the unit. When the yellow light starts flashing, press pause. Then the red light should come on. Enter your code, and then blue light should come on.
  4. Now enter the kickstart code from the list below. In most cases, the light will then turn off and in many cases (depending on the code and the model) the unit will then reboot. If on the reboot, you don't get the expected behavior, try again, and try to enter the code sooner after the light change.

 

TiVo Kickstart Codes

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:

Don't Panic Kickstart

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:

TiVo Service Update

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:

TiVo Service Update

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.

Top


Payment Methods
All orders are eligible for FREE shipping! We use UPS and USPS (free ground shipping in 48 states-full shipping info).

Questions? Contact us! Call us at 888 - WEAKNEES (888 932-5633) or 310 842-4700 or send an email.

Contact WeaKnees

TiVo DVRs  TiVo Repair / Troubleshooting  TiVo Hard Drives  DIRECTV DVRs Series 3 TiVo DVRs  Parts / Accessories  TiVo Upgrade  New DIRECTV Systems   Sitemap  Privacy Policy

© 2000-2010 WeaKnees.com. All Rights Reserved. Certain product images are © 2010 TiVo Inc. All Rights Reserved.