Have problems with our Genie and Directv is being a DH about replacing. Wondering if anyone is experiencing any issues with theirs. Direct says the problem is "universal" and a software issue. Spoke with a couple of friends who say they aren't having any issues. Just trying to get some feedback.
Direct tv, Genie.
- Thread starter pmack65
- Start date
HR-34 or HR-44 Model? You can go into the menu and reformat the HD but you lose all your recordings. The quickest way to get them to replace it is to say you were watching TV and there were some sparks and smoke so you unplugged it. That way you skip the hour long BS stuff they make you do to see what the problem is. If they ask you to plug it back in say you're afraid you will get electrocuted or start a fire.
Last edited:
What kind of problems are you having? I got the new one a few weeks back along with the wireless clients and so far so good.
I came home one day about 6 months ago and the dvr "server " wouldn't turn on. So none of the other boxes worked either. Called DTV and explained that I already unplugged/plugged and still wouldn't turn on. They overnights a new box and it's been fine ever since. Sucks though, because all of my kid's shows on the DVR were gone and anything we had setup to auto-record had to be reset. But other than that, it was pretty hassle-free.
Hate to be a topper. But my Mother17ing menu was in SPANISH! Yes, I went through all of the processes to program my remote correctly. Everything would work correctly except that the menu was in Spanish...
I have had DirecTv for 15 years and have always liked it. you cannot beat it for sports. However, I am not thrilled with the Genie. I have the wired ones. I called them last week to see if they had ever gotten the Spanish menu problem figured out. I did the online chat and they told me, 'don't worry too much. You have a free upgrade so we can just fix it that way. Just call 1-800 whatever and that way you won't have to wait for an operator.' I call the operator. Spent 45 minutes on hold only to have them tell me that I do not have a free upgrade. Go back to chat, they review and see that I was told that I do have one. They will honor it, just call the number back. Call back. wait for another 35 minutes. They tell me that yes, they see my chat about getting the free upgrade. However, they will still charge me $90 for installation (which for the wireless requires nothing that an avg person cannot do). Needless to say, I am not very thrilled with the product right now...
I have had DirecTv for 15 years and have always liked it. you cannot beat it for sports. However, I am not thrilled with the Genie. I have the wired ones. I called them last week to see if they had ever gotten the Spanish menu problem figured out. I did the online chat and they told me, 'don't worry too much. You have a free upgrade so we can just fix it that way. Just call 1-800 whatever and that way you won't have to wait for an operator.' I call the operator. Spent 45 minutes on hold only to have them tell me that I do not have a free upgrade. Go back to chat, they review and see that I was told that I do have one. They will honor it, just call the number back. Call back. wait for another 35 minutes. They tell me that yes, they see my chat about getting the free upgrade. However, they will still charge me $90 for installation (which for the wireless requires nothing that an avg person cannot do). Needless to say, I am not very thrilled with the product right now...
Delays, if I delete a program it takes 30 seconds to a minute to go back to the original screen. The guide will freeze while scrolling, takes 30 seconds to a 1 minute to change channels. Prior to contacting them I did change batteries and the remote along with rebooting. Been with Direct for 4 years have their protection plan yet they won't commit to a new Genie. At least 4 or more emails were sent along with 4 conversations with Tech support and Product support. Two people told me it was a software issue internally with the Genie and was being worked on. The product support person told me " it was Universal everyone with a Genie was having this problem". Two other customer service people told me there were no issues and no complaints from other customers. I spoke with a few friends who have Genies and no one is having any issues. I suggested sending me another Genie if I'm wrong and it's not the Genie I will be more then happy to apologize, but that was just totally ignored. So looking into other options and in all likely hood will make a change. Appreciate all those who responded. Thanks
Mine is slow as ****. What exactly did you tell them and did they charge you for the replacement?
have you rebooted your genie mini? And not the red button reboot. I had the same issue where I would call to work on my Spanish menu problem (other post) and they would tell me to do the typical things anyone knows to do before you even call. Finally, the last time, the guy told me to reboot my mini genie. He said to turn it on, let it start up, then to press and hold the blue DirecTV button on the front of the Genie Mini until it turns off. It rebooted and everything was fine when it came back on.
The red button helps sometimes, but they released a firmware update around a year ago that made the device very slow. I'm not sure if anyone remembers when Apple released iOS 4.0 for the iPhone 3G. It made the damn thing so slow that it forced you to purchase a new device or deal with the speed issues.
The hard drive just died on mine the other day and I put the replacement in last night. I thought it was working fine before the crash but after seeing the new one I realize it was REALLY screwed up. The menus go so fast now and it can move through recordings without the screen being choppy. I think the older HR-44's had some cheap *** hard drives in them.
This isn't a red button reset. I had done that a hundred times to no avail. This was holding down the DirecTV logo power button. I do not know what or why there was a difference but it worked when I did that.
Do not know about the software update. I have had the Minis for about a year and no other issues with the service or day to day. I do not like the new remotes. I would rather go back to the older, longer remote.
Do not know about the software update. I have had the Minis for about a year and no other issues with the service or day to day. I do not like the new remotes. I would rather go back to the older, longer remote.
One more 'tip' or advice in regards to getting an upgrade
I was speaking with them online when they told me I was eligible for a free upgrade. Now, I knew that I was a year away but I didn't say anything. Then, when they went back to the chat record (which they store and email to you), they had to honor what they had said. They tried to not give it to me when I called.
Now, part 2. When I finally got my 'free' upgrade, they then told me that there would be $99 setup fee that I could not get around. I went back to chat and bitched and moaned and got them to admit that they can indeed waive the $99 and I can just do the install myself. They have a step by step video on Directv.com. So, I did get my upgrade completely free.
Just passing along.
I was speaking with them online when they told me I was eligible for a free upgrade. Now, I knew that I was a year away but I didn't say anything. Then, when they went back to the chat record (which they store and email to you), they had to honor what they had said. They tried to not give it to me when I called.
Now, part 2. When I finally got my 'free' upgrade, they then told me that there would be $99 setup fee that I could not get around. I went back to chat and bitched and moaned and got them to admit that they can indeed waive the $99 and I can just do the install myself. They have a step by step video on Directv.com. So, I did get my upgrade completely free.
Just passing along.
I've been having these same genie / remote lag issues. Frustrating as hell. Mine was new last October but the issues didn't start until March. Tech guy came out and said it likely was because I had too much on my DVR (I was 65% full). He told me anytime you go over 50-60% capacity that it will start to slow down! What the eff!?!?
My problem is it won't hold a wifi connection. Just got the HR44 last week. Giving it another day or two then they're gonna have to come out here and do the needed work to get an ethernet cable connected to it.
I'm having the same problem. With the same answers from direct. I've even asked to go back to multiple boxes and they refused. No timetable for the "software fix"either.
And classic... I called last night to order my upgrade... Couldn't waive the fee
I am really getting irritated over this. The woman last night told me that she has never heard of them allowing a customer to install their own wireless bridge. WTF? Who the hell in this day and time does not understand how to do this and moreso, WHO ASKS TO BE ALLOWED TO DO IT IF THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW?
But, I went off on her a little bit. I am just blown away by the fact that no one at DirecTV could waive a $99 fee when they were at fault. The error that I called to get fixed still isn't fixed, they offered me an upgrade to fix it and now they want to charge me $99 to fix it. It is about principle at this point and those 17ers are going to give me something for free. Wasn't even mad until I realized I have been with them for 14 years and have they wouldn't waive $99.
I am really getting irritated over this. The woman last night told me that she has never heard of them allowing a customer to install their own wireless bridge. WTF? Who the hell in this day and time does not understand how to do this and moreso, WHO ASKS TO BE ALLOWED TO DO IT IF THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW?
But, I went off on her a little bit. I am just blown away by the fact that no one at DirecTV could waive a $99 fee when they were at fault. The error that I called to get fixed still isn't fixed, they offered me an upgrade to fix it and now they want to charge me $99 to fix it. It is about principle at this point and those 17ers are going to give me something for free. Wasn't even mad until I realized I have been with them for 14 years and have they wouldn't waive $99.