I suspect I should have never mentioned the 980/981 resets--those are the last things to try, because the 981 reset puts the remote into the as-built at the factory state and wipes out whatever programming Comcast has put in. The good news is that we can add in the missing functions if necessary.

Anyway, if I understand you correctly, the remote did control the cable box for an hour or so, and now it doesn't. It's more likely to be a problem with the cable box, rather than the remote. Try unplugging the box for a few minutes, and then retrying the remote. If you remember which setup code you originally used to get it to work, reassign that setup code. Otherwise, the two choices are 01376 and 01982.

Some of the Motorola boxes get into a state where it takes them a minute or so to respond to the commands from the remote. Unless you'r really patient, it seems like the remote isn't working