Tivo series 2: can it be hacked to become a stand alone digital video

O.K., Let me ask the question differently. How can i modify a Tivo series 2 hardware to become a simple stand alone DVR without using any subscription service. All I want to do is use it as a digital version of a VCR. I dont want to use anyones proprietary subscription service or violate any laws, I just want to record digitally from my TV just like a VCR and I want to know if and how to use a Tivo series 2 aquired at a garage sale. I have cable and I just want to record what I watch on my TV. I dont want a verbal war of semantics of thelegality of using proprietary software. If it requires me to reformat the hard drive then so be it. Is that question simple enough for an answer? Please help without overthinking the question. Thank you all
R.R.

Let me know if you hear anything as I have yet to.