Receiver ID# stored on Motherboard?

[tonjal]

I need to know how DirecTv knows which receiver is which? How/where is the Receiver ID stored in the machine?

We have a old smashed receiver (long story) and bought a refurbed on on Ebay. DirecTv says refurb can't be turned on because old owner's account went to collection. Want to combine both to make 1 working receiver. Motherboard is fine in smashed unit- everything else looks toast. Can I swap it out with motherboard in refurb unit so I can have a working receiver?

[WK-Michael]

Yes, the RID is stored on the motherboard. So if you keep the same motherboard and all of the new parts, you should be OK.

By the way, this is pretty much the big problem with buying used DTV equipment on eBay: that it's on a delinquent account or that it was leased and is therefore owned by DTV.