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Series3 TiVo (TCD648250B) Repair and Troubleshooting Guide

TiVo Series3

The first high definition TiVo for cable was the TCD648250 (TCD648250B). This unit has a display on the front that shows what is recording on each tuner as well as various other features that make it a highly-desirable unit among TiVo fans. (For more information about this TiVo, see this TiVo resource guide.)

If you are experiencing problems with this TiVo, we recommend that you consider repairing it, especially if you have TiVo lifetime service. If you'd like to send the unit in for repair, please see this TiVo repair page, which applies to the TCD648250/TCD648250B Series 3 TiVo.

If you'd like to try to repair the unit on your own, this guide covers some problems specific to this model TiVo.

Symptom Resolution

No Video Output
NO Lights on the Front

If you apply power to your unit and get no lights on the front and no video out of the video connectors, then you likely have a bad power supply. Failed power supplies are common in this model TiVo. You should definitely try a different power outlet first, just to be sure, but if that doesn't change the situation, your power supply is most likely malfunctioning. At times, you may have a spinning fan in this situation.

New Series 3 TiVo Power Supplies

In this model TiVo, it is often possible to inspect your power supply to determine whether it is bad. For information on inspecting power supplies for bad capacitors, see our TiVo power supply diagnostic page.

If you'd prefer to send us your TiVo for repair/diagnosis, see this TiVo repair page, which applies to the TCD648250/TCD648250B Series 3 TiVo.

No Video Output
Lights on the Front are LIT

First, you should try pressing the format button on the front of your TiVo faceplate. With each press, the video output format will change. Cycle through each format and see if anything changes on your TV.

If this does not resolve your problem, you may have a bad HDMI port. The easiest way to test for a bad HDMI port is to connect your TiVo to your TV (or another TV) using a different type of cable, such as component (red/green/blue) or composite (yellow/white/red). If doing so produces a signal, then your HDMI port is likely bad. If you'd like, we offer a TiVo HDMI repair service.

If you have no video output from multiple sources (eg. HDMI and component or HDMI and composite), then it is also possible that your TiVo has a bad power supply. See our TiVo power supply diagnostic page for assistance. If you have a bad power supply, order a replacement TiVo power supply.

Orange/Black screen

"Welcome Powering Up"

or

Rebooting between this and the "Almost There" screen

Welcome Powering Up

In most TiVo models, being stuck on the "Welcome, Powering Up" screen indicates a hard drive failure. In the original Series3 TiVo, however, it could indicate a power supply problem and/or a hard drive issue. You've got a handful of options:

1) Inspect your power supply for signs of failure. See our TiVo power supply diagnostic page for assistance. If you have a bad power supply, order a replacement TiVo power supply.

2) Order a new hard drive replacement kit. Even if you have a bad power supply, you might want to order a TiVo hard drive replacement kit, because bad power supplies can damage hard drives. If a unit is stuck on Powering Up, the TiVo Kickstart Codes don't work, so you won't be able to use the TiVo to test for a bad drive.

3) Order both a power supply and hard drive (see #1 and #2 above) and return what you do not need. This way, you'll have both parts and can thoroughly test and determine what part you need to repair your unit. We do charge a restocking fee on returns, but that fee should be less than the cost of shipping your unit to us and paying us to diagnose the problem. Alternatively, if you don't mind the added time it could take for repair, you can of course order one part at a time.

4) Send us the unit for repair. See this TiVo repair page, which applies to the TCD648250/TCD648250B Series 3 TiVo.

5) Inquire about us purchasing your TiVo.

TiVo Reboots when One or Two CableCARDs is/are inserted.

This is typically caused by a faulty power supply. In this model TiVo, it is often possible to inspect your power supply to determine whether it is bad. For information on inspecting power supplies for bad capacitors, see our TiVo power supply diagnostic page.

If you have a bad power supply, order a replacement TiVo power supply.

Alternatively, if you'd prefer to send us your TiVo for repair/diagnosis, see this TiVo repair page, which applies to the TCD648250/TCD648250B Series 3 TiVo.

 

 

For support questions, please email us.


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