For Error #51 - see this info:

http://www.tivopedia.com/error-51-hardware-error.php

Basically, you need to do a "clear and delete everything."

The same problem happens to me. I try ,#096,,XXXXXXXXXX and nothing happens, then, I did ,XXXXXXXXXX and bingo it worked. The problem is that I have error 51. Any help please?

1 - Nope. No satellite needed at the time of dial-in.

2 - Not as far as we know. But building in a phone number as the dialing prefix overrides all of that anyway.

Thanks Jeff but the modems connect but just sit there tring to negotiate. If I pick up the phone you can hear the modem sound on ALL 3 TiVos. And the big thing is I get an error 32 when going to season pass on the HR10 so it basically has no TiVo functionality at all. The other 2 I've been using with out dialing in for over 3 years and yes they work fine. No foldering of the shows etc but yes work fine with out dialing in. I just need to get the HR10 to update.

(1)Ok How about this. The two different houses I've went to to try dialing in did not have a satalite dish. Do I need to be connected to the dish and the phone line at the same time to dial out?

(2)And also if someone could answer my last question about calling D* and having them send down a call in request to the reciever does that force the new 800number?

You can either use it without it dialing in (not a big deal, really), or you can try this:

Replacement TiVo Modem

Ok.. tried absolutly everything and still get negotiation fail error from each of the 3 TiVos. What's my next step? Im guessing to call D* and have them send the TiVo a dial in request? Will that force the new 800 number into the call in spot? Ok how about this is there a way to use the new 800 number in the prefix location? or will that not work either. Thanks for you help so far. I refuse to give up the TiVo boxes until the next gen comes out in 09.

Same places. Different spots when trying the 800 number and trying the prefix trick. I'll try some more numbers. None of these TiVos have dialed in for at least 3 years since I don't have a land line. The HR10 I bought recently on Ebay and it has a really old software version. It activated and can watch TV and buffer fine but season passes and recording doesn't work. I assume since it needs to call in at least once.

The 800 number wouldn't work also because the prefix is overriding the 800 number.

I can't imagine why three units all fail at two different places, but I'd recommend clearing all settings and trying for a new number within the software.

Nope. No VoIP. Two different homes I've tried also. It just sits on negotiating some times up to like 30minutes-ish and then finally fail. Tried a few of the tivo phone numbers in the current list with the same result in the prefix section using pauses and prefix code. added area code and added a 1 and also tried without the area code and prefix code etc...

Do you have VoIP?

I have 3 D* TiVos with the same issue. Two of the Series 2 D* Standard Def and one HR10-250. It tries to negotiate with DVR service and come back eventually as a fail. This happens using the Prefix hack. The 800 number for new numbers also has the same issue on all three TiVos. I have to do the HR10-250 since the TiVo function wont work with out an update call in.

thanks for your reply.

could you please tell me what kind of software updates you're referring to? i know that they recently added the ability to recover recently deleted recordings...is that the kind of thing you mean?

i've tried four or five different dial-in numbers already. is there any place where i can get numbers that are known to work for everyone, so i can at least determine if the problem is on my end or directv's.

also, i heard some interference on my phone line while i was on a call earlier. i saw that the system was trying to dial in, so i hung up to let it try again. this time, it caused my DSL internet connection to hang, but still wasn't successful. i have filters on all my phone jacks, and have never had any problem with the tivo troubling my internet connection in the past. i'm not sure if that is what is happening now...just exploring the possibilities with those more knowledgeable than i.

any ideas?

thanks once again.

If your unit is currently functioning but doesn't dial in, then you won't get software updates but it will continue to work. After awhile, once a day, you'll get a nag message reminding you to dial in, but that's about it.

You might try a different dial-in number.

same/similar problem

my directv tivo hasn't been able to make the daily call for three weeks. the error message varies, but most often it says "failed. service not answering." i called directv and, without much attempt to troubleshoot, they offered to replace ("upgrade," she said) my unit. of course, i didn't know until the unit arrived that it wasn't the familiar tivo format, but their proprietary DVR (R15?). during the set-up process, it also failed the phone test, so at the suggestion of the tech support rep, i replaced the phone cord. thereafter, the R15 passed the phone test, so i assumed the cord was the cause of the original problem with the tivo unit as well, and i reconnected/reactivated it because i absolutely hated the R15. unfortunately, as before, the tivo unit is still not able to pass the phone test/make its daily phone call.

to further complicate matters, i have received conflicting information from the directv reps as to the necessity of this function. two of them said that the system MUST make the call to perform necessary updates, while another told me that i only need the phone connection to use my remote for pay-per-view. although i've read elsewhere (including in the user guide) that the phone call is connected to tivo's functionality in some way, i can't identify any other problem with the system. it appears to be downloading guide information, updating my to do list, and recording programs normally, so i'm uncertain of the effect of its failure to dial in.

i tried the dial prefix solution suggested above, to no avail, and i'm not sure what else to do, or if i need to do anything at all. (should i try all the local phone numbers until one works? i tried four.) i'm thinking of calling tech support again and insisting that they help me troubleshoot instead of trying to "sell" me their crap equipment, but i'm already quite frustrated with them .

kindly advise.

USB doesn't work at all on DTV units.

What error do you get when you force a connection?