On Nov 26, 6:55*pm, lbbss wrote:
* *Any advise on how to do a bare minimum test?

If it has the remote, connect it to a TV and look at 'messages
and settings' 'account and system info' 'System Info'
and find out what the TiVo account status is: if it's
'discontinued' you won't get free recording.

Product Lifetime is the best indication, but other statuses
leave open the possibility to record by time and set the
channel manually on your converter.