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veith
06-20-04, 06:39 PM
Reading NetNews is a bad habit I got into back in the Unix days of the 'net in the '80s. Several responses to a post on Usenet about 508 drive noise got me to wondering...

My 508 drive makes a "chunkety chunk chunk" noise about every 5 seconds give or take. It has ever since it was new. I assumed this was the normal sound of writing buffer to the drive. The drive is reaonably quiet otherwise, only making what I'm assuming to be a normal steady very quiet high pitch but whine.

The reason I'm asking is responses to the post on Usenet were indicating this was the sign of a bad drive and immanent failure. I have about two weeks left on the warranty, so if this "chunkety chunk chunk" noise is in fact abnormal I would appreciate knowing so I can take the appropriate steps in time.

My 508 has been acting a bit flakey lately more than usual, but nothing I can't tolerate. Doing the front button reset no longer results in the lights coming on. Friday night command input was exceedingly slow in execution and required two button presses for in response at all. Simply powering down and back up again "cured" that. A few other things I can live with as long as a reboot cleans it up.

Thanks,
Charles
SimpleSimon
06-20-04, 07:08 PM
While some HDDs are noisier than others, this doesn't sound good - and the degrading performance is also a sign that it might be going bad.
P Smith
06-20-04, 08:24 PM
I think if you will run internal diagnistics ( DST1/ and 2), you'll get more information about the disk.
SimpleSimon
06-20-04, 09:03 PM
I think if you will run internal diagnistics ( DST1/ and 2), you'll get more information about the disk.
Please expound on what these diagnostics are and how to access them. Thank you!
veith
06-21-04, 10:05 AM
While some HDDs are noisier than others, this doesn't sound good - and the degrading performance is also a sign that it might be going bad.

Thanks for the observation. I have a decision to make. I've been a light user of this machine and hoped it would last for several years. The hard drive noises have been the same since new about 11 months ago.

I dread calling tech support because although some of the more recent problems seem to me a little more serious, they aren't consistent and a reboot always fixes them. From other comments I anticipate spending a long time on the tech line with no real result. I guess I could fudge a little and get a result. I'm also a little worried about playing refurb roulette. I know the good ventilation, t.l.c., and light use my machine has enjoyed; but if it dies anyway it dies.

With only a couple of weeks left on warranty I'd better make a decision quick. When the warranty was $2 it was a no brainer to purchase, but $6 (?) is hard to swallow when this is the only unit in the house.

Thanks again,
Charles
boba
06-21-04, 10:17 AM
Charles going by postings on the various boards DISH will allow you to buy the DHPP warranty after your unit has failed and cancel it after you get your new unit so at $6/Mo. it is cheaper than the old $1.99/Mo. with a 1 year commitment warranty. I know this is not what the web site shows but this seems to be the reality of DISH CSRs.
P Smith
06-21-04, 12:05 PM
Please expound on what these diagnostics are and how to access them. Thank you!
I recall it was posted here, but can't find it :(. Check that Yahoo groups.
David_Levin
06-21-04, 08:26 PM
These codes are kinda tuff to get to 'take'. The sequence must be entered fairly quickly. Please note that I did not originate this message. I believe the codes are only for the 508 series.

----------------------------------------------

a)This will re-initialize the harddrive and erase any recorded
programs on it:

Menu->6->3->Info->Browse->Theme->Play->Play->Recall

* note hold the Recall button a couple seconds to activate.

b)Does a VCO test ( frontend ) - the IRD will reset after you hit ok.

Menu->6->3->Info->Browse->Theme->Pause->9

c)Does a short 2 min HDD test - the IRD will reset after you hit ok.

Menu->6->3->Info->Browse->Theme->Pause->1

d)Does a long HDD test - the IRD will reset after you hit ok.

Menu->6->3->Info->Browse->Theme->Pause->2

[expect 45 min for 40 GB or 2 hrs for 80 GB drive]
SimpleSimon
06-21-04, 09:48 PM
Thanks David!
P Smith
06-21-04, 11:41 PM
It was works for 501, 508 and 510.
newbie
06-25-04, 07:32 AM
My 508 passed the short HD test but failed the long HD test with an error indicating something about xfer speed failing or something. I am re-running the long test now.

Can someone tell me exactly what this means? Does the HD need to be replaced?

Thanks in advance.
P Smith
06-25-04, 02:55 PM
My 508 passed the short HD test but failed the long HD test with an error indicating something about xfer speed failing or something. I am re-running the long test now.

Can someone tell me exactly what this means? Does the HD need to be replaced?

Thanks in advance.
You need call Dish CSR and report the problem , provide the error message; then they will arrange replacement for the PVR.
newbie
06-25-04, 05:12 PM
You need call Dish CSR and report the problem , provide the error message; then they will arrange replacement for the PVR.

So I should sign up for the $6.99/month warranty first?
David_Levin
06-25-04, 11:42 PM
I give it 50-50 that the CSR has no idea the 50x software has a hard drive diagnostic.