Rc.sysinit.author

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rc.sysinit and rc.sysinit.author are files that runs automatically each time TiVo boots. These files contain a series of commands that execute one after the other as a part of the startup process. This is two stage:

  1. rc.sysinit runs first and contains commands that are part of a standard TiVo boot sequence. It is generally recommended that this file not be edited but rather left in a stock configuration.
  2. rc.sysinit.author does not exist on stock TiVos. On modified/hacked TiVos, this file is created by the user so that certain commands can be automatically run each time the TiVo boots.


These files might be edited to, for example, make the Telnet deamon and ftp deamon automatically start each time TiVo boots.


Warning: Improper editing of either file can result in a TiVo that will not boot. Be very careful when editing these files.


Editing these files via Telnet on your TiVo

Generally, the rc.sysinit.author file is created when you first hack your TiVo and the rc.sysinit file is not touched. These files are located on the active root partition of your TiVo. To edit these files via Telnet:

  • [Telnet] into your TiVo
  • Mount the file system as read-write:
mount -o remount,rw /
  • Change the directory where these file are stored
cd /etc/rc.d
  • Edit the file with Joe text editor
joe rc.sysinit.author
  • Make the necessary changes
  • Save the file and exit joe by hitting ctrl+K and then x
  • Make sure the file have execute permission, otherwise they will not run at startup
chmod 755 rc.sysinit.author

Editing these files on a PC if your TiVo will not boot

If you messed-up one of these files and your TiVo will no longer boot, you may be able to Connect to TiVo telnet prompt via Serial Cable and used the instructions above. The other option is to pull the drive from TiVo, install it in a PC, and boot to a TiVo Linux CD. You must then determine which partition is the active root partition by using the bootpage -p command. Mount that partition, find the files, and edit them as listed above.