factory reset / grace period

[n4cr2k]

Firstly I want to state that I have a legit question. I am not trying to avoid activation. I am also aware of the new 2 unit plan. I am a happy owner of a lifetime subscription 5504. I recently purchased a 4504 for $40. I didn't need this, nor do I have a place to put it. I think my parents might consider buying it off me, but I wanted to let them try it out. My question is: If I do a factory reset (382-Zones) will this reset the 4 day (or however many it is grace period). Also knowing that this will delete any settings and stored shows, if I factory reset again, will it give me another 4 days before expiring. I'm just worried they may not have time in that short grace period to actually get to use it.

[sfhub]

The grace period is unaffected by factory reset. If there were days
left before the reset, there will continue to be the same days. If not,
no new days would be introduced.

You can, however, call support and tell them your parents recently
received the unit as a gift and it didn't come with any grace period.
They usually will reset the grace period and give you some days to
play with it.

[rm -rf *.*]

Reseting a unit to Factory settings has no effect whatsoever on the activation status, or in this case, grace period. This information comes from the ReplayTV servers during the netconnect, so if you're out of grace-trial period days, you'll still be out once setup completes.

You could try calling the ReplayTV activations phone # (not the Customer service number- they are different) and explain the situation to them and that you already have an LSA on another unit and, who knows? The rep might activate a grace/trial period for you, they might not. Worth a try though.

If they do enable a grace period, don't let the unit netconnect until youre parents are setting it up, since the grace period clock will start at that first netconnect.

[mhargr03]

Just want to make sure I'm clear on this...

Will the grace period start to run (on a new/unactivated unit of course) 1) when it is booted up and set up, or 2) does it only start running upon connection to the ReplayTV servers through phone and/or broadband?

[Creech]

Upon first connection to the mothership the trial begins. That happens the first time you set it up and it gets guide data.

[mhargr03]

So I guess I will be safe if I leave the ethernet and phone jack disconnected. Thank you!

[Creech]

Yes, but you can't use the unit in that state.

[l8er]

Originally posted by mhargr03
1) when it is booted up and set up, or 2) does it only start running upon connection to the ReplayTV servers through phone and/or broadband? You can't get through set up without net connecting one way or the other, so as stated above, if you don't let it net connect, you can't do anything with it.

[mhargr03]

True...thanks very much for the answers on what was probably a dumb question

[dyker]

I've been thru this and they are happy to give you a few more days. After all, they want the biz.