Why can't I connect my Tivo to my wireless network?
December 26, 2004 2:42 PM Subscribe
Why can't I connect my Tivo to my wireless network? [MI]
It’s a brand new, out of the box series two Tivo (540 serial number.) I can connect just fine using the phone line. I’m using a Linksys WUSB11 v2.8 USB network adapter trying to connect through an 802.11b Linksys router. I’ve tried two different adapters and both USB ports on the back of the Tivo. The Tivo’s network settings show a MAC address, an IP address and says it can find the network, but when I do a connection test I get a “service not available” error. I’m just using the router’s default security settings right now. The router’s DHCP client list shows the Tivo’s IP address and there aren’t any IP address conflicts on the network. Two other PC’s can use the wireless just fine and I can ping the Tivo’s IP from either of them.
Any clues? I’ve poked around on a few Tivo forums but have come up blank (I can find a few people who’ve said they had the same problem but none of their solutions worked for me.)
It’s a brand new, out of the box series two Tivo (540 serial number.) I can connect just fine using the phone line. I’m using a Linksys WUSB11 v2.8 USB network adapter trying to connect through an 802.11b Linksys router. I’ve tried two different adapters and both USB ports on the back of the Tivo. The Tivo’s network settings show a MAC address, an IP address and says it can find the network, but when I do a connection test I get a “service not available” error. I’m just using the router’s default security settings right now. The router’s DHCP client list shows the Tivo’s IP address and there aren’t any IP address conflicts on the network. Two other PC’s can use the wireless just fine and I can ping the Tivo’s IP from either of them.
Any clues? I’ve poked around on a few Tivo forums but have come up blank (I can find a few people who’ve said they had the same problem but none of their solutions worked for me.)
I remember reading that some versions of the Tivo Series 2 had issues with APs running in "mixed" (802.11b and 802.11g) mode. If your Linksys does Mixed, try changing it to pure 802.11b and see if that solves the issue.
You might also ask on the Tivo Community Forums.
posted by Laen at 3:52 PM on December 26, 2004
You might also ask on the Tivo Community Forums.
posted by Laen at 3:52 PM on December 26, 2004
Have you fully completed the Guided Setup which requires that you do so via a landline connection?
Have you downloaded the latest version of software for your series 540 (i.e. software version 5.3)?
BTW - You may need to connect to the TiVo service, more than one time before your software version is updated.
And, then after having upgraded the software, have you been sure to reconnect to download the TiVo Service Update?
Once you have the update, you should be able to configure your TiVo for use with your wireless network.
posted by ericb at 4:14 PM on December 26, 2004
Have you downloaded the latest version of software for your series 540 (i.e. software version 5.3)?
BTW - You may need to connect to the TiVo service, more than one time before your software version is updated.
And, then after having upgraded the software, have you been sure to reconnect to download the TiVo Service Update?
Once you have the update, you should be able to configure your TiVo for use with your wireless network.
posted by ericb at 4:14 PM on December 26, 2004
When I did this (With an older series 2), I had to put in a special dialing prefix to tell it to look for the wireless netwrok. I don't remember what it was, but I eventually turned it up in tivo's forums. It's a comma and four digits.
I also read a lot about certain usb wireless products not playing nice with tivo's software for mysterious reasons. I know that the netgear MA101 works well, I chose it from a list in the forums and have successfully used it with both old and new series 2's thrice.
posted by adamkempa at 5:34 PM on December 26, 2004
I also read a lot about certain usb wireless products not playing nice with tivo's software for mysterious reasons. I know that the netgear MA101 works well, I chose it from a list in the forums and have successfully used it with both old and new series 2's thrice.
posted by adamkempa at 5:34 PM on December 26, 2004
The new TiVos (silver front) should have the newest software on it and able to connect to the internet without downloading new software. As I remember it, change your dialing preferences first, adding #401 as your dialing prefix, which will force the phone connection to go to the (wired) network.
Changing your network to a wireless is an entirely different step. Go to phone and network settings and change network to wireless. It should walk you through a quick thing finding your network. Once both are accomplished, you ought to be able to connect your TiVo to the Mothership and run guided setup.
And hey, if you get it to work, feel free to use my email address (just ask) as a referrer to TiVo--two more referrals and I get one for free!
posted by sdrawkcab at 8:00 PM on December 26, 2004
Changing your network to a wireless is an entirely different step. Go to phone and network settings and change network to wireless. It should walk you through a quick thing finding your network. Once both are accomplished, you ought to be able to connect your TiVo to the Mothership and run guided setup.
And hey, if you get it to work, feel free to use my email address (just ask) as a referrer to TiVo--two more referrals and I get one for free!
posted by sdrawkcab at 8:00 PM on December 26, 2004
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Cyrano at 2:51 PM on December 26, 2004