It had to happen eventually (DVR X13)

The call wasn't that bad.  My PIN wasn't recognized, but they validated me via an SMS text and reset it.  Getting them to send me new receivers wasn't hard.  The person told me the information should show up on the Smart Home Manager app (seemed a little surprised it didn't show up while on the call).  

90 minutes later, still not on SMH app.  I did get an e-mail, with a lot of questionable stuff, such as:

• The initial "sign in" button took me (following login) to the URL  https://www.att.com/acctmgmt/payment/installmentplandetails .  Which says "Something isn’t working quite right."  Well, of course, I don't have wireless or any Installment Plan.  Why did it send me there?  No idea.
• The button Click here to see details under Changes Today took me to a Customer [Dis]Service Summary, which appears to show that nothing was changed (it doesn't match my last bill, though)
• Upcoming Installations: U-verse TV and AT&T Internet.  Well, those are my services, so... okay, but Internet isn't getting installed, and really, neither is TV.
• Self Installation, You can set-up service starting February 27, 2025 after 2:00 p.m.   Whew, at least "self-" is right and the date/time matches what the CSR said.
• Register your Internet service now.  Download the AT&T Smart Home Manager app and click "New User"   Why would I click New User?  I already have the app, and a user, etc.  I've had this service for 3 years now?
• Visit att.com/u-verse-welcome/order-installation/self.html for installation tips and to track your order status. Well, no.  That just takes me to the support page.  No order status there.
• REQUIRED: You'll need a phone jack near your modem/wireless gateway. Give us a call if you need a phone jack installed.  What?  Why?  What would it be used for?  Huh?

A "simple" box swap gets you an e-mail filled with confusing and erroneous information.  Probably AI generated.  Sigh.

15 years? What model was it?

My VIP 1215 or whatever it was...I didn't have that for too long before I had a VIP 1225. When they introduced the current UI (via that "poster view" thing), my silver DVR and receivers were too slow to handle them so I upgraded to black ones and it's been smooth since.

If anything, you'll get a TON more recording space. Hopefully they send you the one with six stream capability.

Are you the person who doesn't (didn't?) have HD and who rarely records, thus no need for a high-capacity DVR? I vaguely remember someone mentioning such, although it could have been our brain surgeon friend.

15 years? What model was it?

TBH, I didn't look.  It's silver.  When I take it out of there, I'll look and I'll post here if I remember.

Are you the person who doesn't (didn't?) have HD and who rarely records, thus no need for a high-capacity DVR? I vaguely remember someone mentioning such, although it could have been our brain surgeon friend.

No, that's me.  Well, actually my wife.  My wife wouldn't record HD because she was keeping the DVR near full with SD.  That's changed and the DVR has stayed nearly 80% empty.  She had decided to start taping news programs in HD, but her series records for that haven't worked properly (I found out yesterday).

The receivers (a DVR and a VIP 1200 to replace the bad power supply) were shipped FedEx overnight and FedEx says they have them and they will arrive today.

decided to start taping

I love those that speak the same language.

(Be Kind, Rewind)

Yeah, my first introduction to recorded TV was on devices in my public school that had Video Cassettes.  They were physically larger than VHS/Betamax, which weren't out yet, but smaller capacity and even more temperamental (if you can believe that).

I just can't help myself.  Haven't had a working VCR in probably 20 years.

I'm surprised they sent you a VIP 1200. As long as the UI moves snappy enough for you, I suppose that's what counts.

The VIP1200 will be replacing a ISB 7000.  Both non-DVR receivers worked as long as I used a working power adapter.  I picked this one as the one to replace because the working power adapter is currently on the other receiver (where the broken one was when it died), and IIRC is the older of the receivers.  The new receivers are here (the replacement DVR is an VIP2262_v2, the other is actually a VIP1200), I'm waiting until the official time of 2:00 PM to plug them in.  I think I'll wait until 2:00 PM CST, just in case. ;-)

Now I'm really wondering why my VIP 12XX slowed way down. Maybe it was just me, although I doubt it.

I plugged the DVR in, but it's not going active.  Says it'll retry in 20+ minutes and counts them down.  Doesn't seem to do any good.  Called it in and they had me do a non-destructive disaster recovery, and then it worked.

Then I plugged in the VIP1200 and it didn't work (U-verse not available, press to reboot).  So... I did the NDDR on it, too.  It's still reloading.