721 Hard Drive Failure?

[av810]

So I hooked up my new 721 last night, and the initial startup was about like I expected. Unfortunately, actually using the unit has not been so smooth. .
1) I was able to get the 'Guide' early on, and it was offset slightly to the left. Channel 8300 was chopped off to 300, as was the date. Regular displays outside the 'Guide' looked fine. Tech help had no suggestions for this problem.
2) Local channels were not displayed at the beginning as they were with the 301. Local channel 3 was 8335, etc.
3) I don't remember even having 4 digit channels with the 301.
4) After about 1 hour of use last night, the pressing the 'Guide' button did not do anything. I could change channels using up/down arrows.
5) Rebooted as I went to bed last night. This morning, pressing the guide button gave me a fuzzy message that said 'Hard Drive failure' Channel 9900, call tech help or something to that effect.

Is this what I can expect from this unit? I have read about a few problems on this forum, but I think the survey results were mostly positive. I am seriously considering sending this thing back.

[Scott Greczkowski]

The 721 takes about 48 hours before it starts running like it should. :)

Nothing to worry about.

[av810]

Well, after another night of frustration I called tech support. As soon as I mentioned 'hard drive failure' he said he would send me another one.
Disappointed with the unit so far, but at least customer service is decent.

[gwynnebaer]

I had to replace my first 721 last week after a hard drive failure. It was actually no-muss-no-fuss. I explained to the Advanced Tech team the symptoms, they immediately said "gotta replace it", I paid extra for the FedEx delivery, and in two days I was up and running. Scott, my system didn't take nearly that long to "recover", although I am surprised that given the length of time since the first software release and the latest software release, that they haven't updated the shipping software on the 721. Still, it updated quickly (knowing the trick it to leave it alone for a while), and all is now well. Overall, I'm bummed that the drive died, but happy that it was so easy to replace.

Yeah, I lost over 70 hours of stuff I was saving for my kids, but with reruns, it's about 1/4 of the way back. And 70 hours was just too much...