Any visual indication for successful eSATA setup?

[MikeekiM]

Hi All...

I have a brand new HR21 and am trying to put a 1TB eSATA drive on it...

I already have my HR20 on a 750GB eSATA... It was dead simple...

But for the HR21, I am having some problems... I record a program before the upgrade... Then I add the eSATA drive and reboot... And the program is still there! I am not why this is... Is there any visual indicator on a set up menu or something that you can visually confirm that your eSATA drive is being recognized?

Thanks!

[cygnusloop]

If you see a program you previously recorded, it's not seeing the eSATA. Make certain that your cable is well seated on both ends, and reboot again.

You should be able to tell that you are on the new drive as your custom settings should be gone (favorites, etc...). Also, your playlist should, of course be blank.

You can confirm by recording a couple of hours of HD content, and seeing what percentage of your drive you use.

[houskamp]

What esata setup are you using?

[Michael D'Angelo]

The 1TB eSATA drive you are trying to add isn't a WD My Book by any chance is it?

If so the My Book's do not work with DVR's.

[harsh]

Search the threads for issues with the HR21 and eSATA. I'll bet you find some company.

Is your eSATA an off-the-shelf model or a homebrew?

[MikeekiM]

My HR20-700 is successfully connected to my Seagate FAP 750GB external drive.

For my HR21, I actually have two brand new drives... The first one I am trying is the cheapy that I got from Fry's today... It is an AcomData 1TB external eSATA drive...

I have a Seagate FAP 1TB external drive sealed in the box... The Seagate cost me $240.00... The AcomData I got for $189.00 today at Fry's... I thought that was a fantastic deal (if I can get it to work)...

The weird thing is that I recorded Emeril Live with the eSATA connected... I checked the Showcase and saw two programs in the Showcase... Then I rebooted with the AcomData drive turned off... And the Emeril Live program shows up...but there are three programs in the Showcase... Weird...

[MikeekiM]

Crap... I just tried the FAP 1TB, and it is doing the same thing... I let it reboot from the FAP, and when it completed it's set up sequence, Emeril Live is on the playing list...

Dang it... I wonder what's up!

[MikeekiM]

OK...Neither works... So I am going back to return them both!

Is it possible I have a bad eSATA port on my HR21?

When it doesn't work, does it do what it's doing to me (i.e., default to the resident drive, even though there is a drive attached)?

<sigh> I am disappointed...

Thanks all...

[MikeekiM]

Hmmmm... I got the AcomData drive to work... but only after rebooting several times and wiggling the cable around... I hate these eSATA cables/connectors... They just don't do a good job of staying connected...

I think the connector stays on better in the horizontal position... Unfortunately, my eSATA connector is vertically positioned when the drive is vertical (and I need the room in my set up, so horizontal is less than desirable)... I am going to play with it some more and let you all know... Any suggestions on how to keep the cable from having so much "play"?

[CCarncross]

Get a better cable. The cables that come with the Antec MX-1 enclosures lock right in and stay there.

[MikeekiM]

Get a better cable. The cables that come with the Antec MX-1 enclosures lock right in and stay there.

Yea...that's what I am thinking as well... I read the reviews on our favorite cable site, MonoPrice, and the reviews of their eSATA cables were quite dismal... Any suggestions on where to buy a good quality cable?

BTW, I couldn't get the 1TB Seagate FAP to work to save my life... Even ensuring a tight connection... With the AdataCom, I actually think I could position the drive and the cable "just so" to keep a good connection, despite the loose connector... A good short term answer until I get a better cable...

I may end up looking at the Antec MX-1... I wonder what the total price will come to for the enclosure and a 1TB drive... I'll check around... What sort of bare drive should I be looking at? SATA I am assuming... Or do I have the flexibility of getting SATA, PATA, ATA, etc...

In the meantime, any help on identifying a good cable would be much appreciated...

[schneid]

My first Cavalry 1TB totally crashed after two weeks. The second lasted two hours. The third is going straight to eBay.

I think I'll try an Antec case and one of the new WD 1TB Eco drives.

[dave29]

My first Cavalry 1TB totally crashed after two weeks. The second lasted two hours. The third is going straight to eBay.

I think I'll try an Antec case and one of the new WD 1TB Eco drives.

i put the 1TB WD green power drives in a couple of my hr2x's and in a couple hr21pros. seem to be a good HDD, and really quiet.