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View Full Version : My 921 hard drive is about to fail


Jim Parker
07-19-05, 01:32 PM
It sounds like the hard drive is about to go out.

On Sunday, it started to make a clunking sound, kind of like a metronome. At first it was a clunk every 15 to 20 minutes, now it is 3 or 4 times a minute. It still records, but the playback is messing up. About 1/4 of the time it clunks, the audio and video drop out. If I am watching a recorded program or on delay, the 921 will freeze the image, say it is "live" when it is not or give a delay of some high number, such as 748.

Replaying the section where the image froze will sometimes play correctly, so it is recorded OK, but not playing back. When watching the shows 'live', the problem is much less. Pausing for just a few seconds is enough to cause the box to act up. This is kind of strange, as the 921 records, then plays back so you are always watching a delayed image, even if only for a fraction of a second.

If it weren't for the clunking, I would think that the file allocation table (or what ever the 921 uses) was messed up.

The 921 also either gets very sluggish in response to the remote, or stops responding completely.

The unit has had several power button and power cord reboots.

I purchased this on Dec 31, 2003 (one of the very first units), so it is out of the standard warranty. What's the best way to get this handled? Should I purchase the Dish Home protection plan or just call Dish?

SummitAdvantageRetailer
07-19-05, 02:19 PM
I'd purchase it to see if you can "extend" your warranty on that receiver.

Mark Lamutt
07-19-05, 03:35 PM
Jim - I know that the 921 support team has helped out other users that are out of warrenty with hard drives failing that I've sent their way before. There was some cost involved in the replacements, but they all thanked me after the fact. I don't know what the cost was. But, if you'd like, email me your contact info, receiver info, and what your 921 is doing, and I'll pass it along.

Jim Parker
07-19-05, 04:25 PM
Thanks Mark
I was hoping that you would jump in here. :) I'll PM you with the receiver info when I get home.

Mark Lamutt
07-19-05, 04:58 PM
Please, Jim - email, not PM. That makes it much easier for me. Email address is in my sig.

Slordak
07-20-05, 09:34 AM
Are we allowed to post the "Mark Helps Us Reach The Correct Department" repair price, or not? I didn't post it when I had my unit replaced (due to the exact same HD failure described above) out of concern for causing a problem for Mark or for the Dish Network folks who helped us out.

In any case, you'll find it quite reasonable.

Mark Lamutt
07-20-05, 11:12 AM
Slordak - I don't know the answer to that. I don't think that it's generally public knowledge, but I don't know how it can really be considered priveledged information either, unless they specifically asked you not to discuss it publicly.

Jim Parker
07-20-05, 12:46 PM
I was right in my prediction. I got up this morning and saw the red light flashing, so I turned on the TV expecting to see software downloading. Instead, it is on channel 101 and as soon as I hit the guide button, I get a screen that says

YOUR DISK HAS FAILED

Slordak: can you email me the price info

jimparker"at"gci.net

replace the "at" with @
Thanks!

I have several options at this point. If dish will replace the 921 at little or no cost I will do that. I have my old 501 that I can hook up for the time being. As soon as the MPEG4 box is out I will replace the 921 or the 501 with the new box. Or I can go back to cable. My local cable company has as much HD as Dish does now. The down side is that the cable box will only record 8 hours of HD and has a crummy user interface. On the other hand, the cable box will not cost me any upfront money.

Mark Lamutt
07-20-05, 01:44 PM
Jim, if you see this before you check your email, go check it now. I just sent you another message that you'll want to read. :)

Jim Parker
07-20-05, 02:01 PM
Thanks Mark! :)

I am very happy with the resolution.