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hdtvfan0001
04-01-09, 08:46 PM
Bad idea ! :( Try another one.
Not my idea...just another one that has been bantored around.
sipester
04-02-09, 11:23 PM
I have an HR-21 model, and per the eSATA FAQ it appears the only model that consistenly works is the Calvary CAX series (but those HD's seem to often fail) and the largest CAX model I can find is 1TB.
So since I'd like to get a 1.5TB external drive for my HR-21, is there any reliable alternative to the $299 external 1.5 TB HD that Weaknees has that apparently works just fine with HR-21?
RaceTripper
04-03-09, 07:31 AM
I have an HR-21 model, and per the eSATA FAQ it appears the only model that consistenly works is the Calvary CAX series (but those HD's seem to often fail) and the largest CAX model I can find is 1TB.
So since I'd like to get a 1.5TB external drive for my HR-21, is there any reliable alternative to the $299 external 1.5 TB HD that Weaknees has that apparently works just fine with HR-21?The Antec MX-1 enclosure works reliably with the HR21. I have one with a WD Caviar 1 TB drive.
I have an HR-21 model, and per the eSATA FAQ it appears the only model that consistenly works is the Calvary CAX series (but those HD's seem to often fail) and the largest CAX model I can find is 1TB.
So since I'd like to get a 1.5TB external drive for my HR-21, is there any reliable alternative to the $299 external 1.5 TB HD that Weaknees has that apparently works just fine with HR-21?
See post #2746 with 2 1tb drives.
sipester
04-03-09, 11:50 PM
I will be testing with this configuration in a couple of days, awaiting the drives)
Purposed external case $29.88
http://cooldrives.stores.yahoo.net/dubayesouca8.html
(2)Serial ATA Drive Drawer good price
http://www.startech.com/item/DRW150SAT-Beige-Aluminum-Serial-ATA-Drive-Drawer.aspx
(2)HITACHI 0A38016 1TB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145233
This is not a Raid system 1 drive might get connected to my HTPC dual purpose system
*** Update ***
Everything arrived on 2 April 2009
It took me about 1 hr to assemble all the bits and pieces
Unplugged the HR22, Plugged in SATA cable and fired up the drives.(only using 1 drive at a time not a raid system)
Plugged in HR22 when it came up WOW a new SATA drive appeared.
I can't believe it came up on the first try.
Swapping drives is a breeze
Testing scheduled recording and VOD work fine
Good to hear, I overlooked this, can you get both drives to work so that you have 2TB connected like the ones at weaknees?
Good to hear, I overlooked this, can you get both drives to work so that you have 2TB connected like the ones at weaknees?
No not with this configuration, you would need a Raid box for that.
Since my HTPC will be located close to the HR22 I plan on using 1 drive for the HR22 the other for the HTPC. The case and trays are metal not plastic really a good buy.
*** Update ***
You might want to look at this configuration I just found.
http://cooldrives.stores.yahoo.net/twodrsaiirac.html
sipester
04-13-09, 10:16 AM
I may have answered my own question, here is a product that is supposed to work with the HR21: http://www.apricorn.com/product_detail.php?type=family&id=55
For that price and guaranteed comptability, I think I'll go with that rather than trying my luck at other hard drive solutions.
RaceTripper
04-13-09, 10:25 AM
I may have answered my own question, here is a product that is supposed to work with the HR21: http://www.apricorn.com/product_detail.php?type=family&id=55
For that price and guaranteed comptability, I think I'll go with that rather than trying my luck at other hard drive solutions.It's not an unreasonable price if it is really compatible.
oldschoolecw
04-13-09, 06:57 PM
I may have answered my own question, here is a product that is supposed to work with the HR21: http://www.apricorn.com/product_detail.php?type=family&id=55
For that price and guaranteed comptability, I think I'll go with that rather than trying my luck at other hard drive solutions.
I want this for my HR20 and it says
Supported DIRECTV® DVR receivers: HR20 & HR21
RaceTripper
04-13-09, 08:12 PM
There's now a rebate on the 1.5TB model, bringing it down to $179. That's about what I spent to build my 1 TB Antec MX-1/Caviar drive.
Is there any news that directv will remove the restriction of the drive being tied to the receiver? This is a stupid restriction.
hdtvfan0001
04-14-09, 09:10 AM
Is there any news that directv will remove the restriction of the drive being tied to the receiver? This is a stupid restriction.
There is no such "restriction".
Use of any eSata drive is not "officially" supported, so capabilities or configurations used are not formally adopted.
It just happens to work right now with many devices.
There is no such "restriction".
Use of any eSata drive is not "officially" supported, so capabilities or configurations used are not formally adopted.
It just happens to work right now with many devices.
Take a break, somebody wrote the FW to handle external drives.
hdtvfan0001
04-14-09, 10:11 AM
Take a break, somebody wrote the FW to handle external drives.
You miss the point....it is not an active feature, meaning using it is at your own risk.
The fact that it just so happens to work doesn't mean the firmware is bug-free, feature-rich, nor complete.
There are USB posts on the units too....but they do little...except power a USB cooling fan perhaps - not exactly what the designers likely had in mind for that connection either.
You miss the point....it is not an active feature, meaning using it is at your own risk.
The fact that it just so happens to work doesn't mean the firmware is bug-free, feature-rich, nor complete.
There are USB posts on the units too....but they do little...except power a USB cooling fan perhaps - not exactly what the designers likely had in mind for that connection either.
You can't switch internal drives from one receiver to another either, can you? There is a restriction it needs to be removed, an active feature or not. The drive is tied to the receiver..........
hdtvfan0001
04-14-09, 10:20 AM
You can't switch internal drives from one receiver to another either, can you? There is a restriction it needs to be removed, an active feature or not. The drive is tied to the receiver..........
Your observation is correct.
Some have proposed changing that "limitation" as to support hard drive archiving. So far, it does not appear to be in the cards.
Your observation is correct.
Some have proposed changing that "limitation" as to support hard drive archiving. So far, it does not appear to be in the cards.
Thank You
Makes it hard to build a video library system.
Dish has a better answer when it comes to handling HDDs.
Thanks for all the good--and sometimes confusing--info. I know very little about computers (didn't even know what an eSata was until I read some of these posts) but desperately need to add more space to my HR20-700. The internal hard drive is only 7% free! I did not read all the posts and first tried a 1 TB WD My Book (actually 2 different ones), which, of course, didn't work. I used a Belkin cable (the only eSata cable I could find in my little city) which didn't work either. I then ordered a SIIG cable from NewEgg which did work, but the My Book kept rebooting and never worked. I exchanged the My Book at my local Best Buy for a Seagate FreeAgent XTreme (1 TB) which did work--first try! Which brings me to my questions and concerns.
The FA-X does not have an on/off switch and did not come on until I plugged in the HR20. Will this cause any problems? How about when I want to disconnect the FA-X? (I still have LOTS of programs to watch on the HR20 internal drive.) What will be the procedure for disconnecting the FA-X?
Also, when I disconnect the FA-X, will it be okay to leave the e-Sata cable plugged into the HR20 and just remove it from the FA-X? The back of my HR20 is not easy to access--have to move a tower speaker to get to it.
I apologize if this info. is in another post, but I just didn't have time to read them all. Thanks for your assistance.
MountainMan10
04-14-09, 07:26 PM
To switch back to the internal drive you need to reset the DVR through the menu. When the blue ring light goes out unplug the external drive. You can just unplug the power and leave the eSATA cable plugged in.
Many thanks MountainMan! Is "reset" found under "System Setup" in the Menu? I'll try that tomorrow. Having a 1 TB external is so cool!
Is there any news that directv will remove the restriction of the drive being tied to the receiver? This is a stupid restriction.No news whatsoever.
I wouldn't recommend holding your breath on this and even if they did implement it, I'm not sure you would like what you have to go through to keep your future recordings going.
No news whatsoever.
I'm not sure you would like what you have to go through to keep your future recordings going.
Please explain your comment?
Please explain your comment?Making sure that the correct drive is enabled at the appropriate time to record new content requires considerable discipline if you're trying to keep a drive for each series.
Swapping eSATA drives is not trivial and at best takes several minutes.
The tricky part is that you need to spend some time keeping the recording and other preferences up to date for each drive that you put in the rotation.
houskamp
04-16-09, 08:45 AM
A dvr is NOT a good place to archive shows.. If the drive or DVR dies, it's all gone..
Get a DVD recorder..
The Antec MX-1 enclosure works reliably with the HR21. I have one with a WD Caviar 1 TB drive.
I also use the Antec MX-1 case with internal drives. In my case I use Samsungs because they are quiet and run cool. I have them on both an HR20 and an HR21. I also tested the Free Agent Pro (works on HR20 but not HR21) and the Free Agent Xtreme (works on both). But I don't understand all the efforts to look for other solutions when the MX-1 and any SATA drive seems to work just fine. The fan in the case is great because I can leave them on all the time and they never even get warm.
When switching from external drive to internal then back to external
all recording are lost. What's up with this.
A dvr is NOT a good place to archive shows.. If the drive or DVR dies, it's all gone..
Get a DVD recorder..
Sounds like a step backward, no HD for DVD recorders.
I already have 2 Philips 3576s with HDD, but you can only record in SD, I prefer not to have 200 DVDs floating around.
I have modified both 3576s to use sata 500gb drives. Currently working on a esata solution allowing external HDD swapping.
When switching from external drive to internal then back to external
all recording are lost. What's up with this.That shouldn't be happening.
That shouldn't be happening.
Most files were save to my Philips 3576 HDD so no big loss. But like you said shouldn't be happening.
FYI:Unplugged the HR22 when it came back up all files lost on esata drive, this is the 3rd time. Dish with USB external drives is starting to look better all the time. DirecTv needs to support the esata drives or get off the pot.
P Smith
04-20-09, 08:48 PM
SATA drives [HDD], but eSATA interface [cable/connectors], right ?
SATA drives [HDD], but eSATA interface [cable/connectors], right ?
Spot on.
FYI: DirecTv you need to support removable HDDs and not have them tied to the receiver. Get your head out, Dish is miles ahead when it comes to handling removable drives. It is a major selling point. You will be losing a $150 a month customer if you don't address this feature. I hope your reading these posts.
Podkayne
04-21-09, 08:57 AM
That shouldn't be happening.
Sounds like the hard drive or the enclosure is bad. I'd change out the drive first, then the enclosure. I've got a pair of WD10EACS in a JBOD array in a Vantec MX enclosure. Lots of folks have great success with practically any hard drive in an Antec MX-1.
Good luck.
Sounds like the hard drive or the enclosure is bad. I'd change out the drive first, then the enclosure. I've got a pair of WD10EACS in a JBOD array in a Vantec MX enclosure. Lots of folks have great success with practically any hard drive in an Antec MX-1.
Good luck.
Hard drives and enclosures working fine until you power off the HR22 and bring it backup then all files are lost
Note HDD is up and running to speed when power is restored to the HR22
See #2746 for configuration
RaceTripper
04-21-09, 09:57 AM
Hard drives and enclosures working fine until you power off the HR22 and bring it backup then all files are lost
Note HDD is up and running to speed when power is restored to the HR22The hard drive and enclosure might be fine, but that doesn't mean the HR22 isn't incompatible with the enclosure. When it boots it might think the drive has a problem and reinitialize it. Many enclosures have problems with the HR21/22/23 that manifest in different ways. I second the recommendation of the Antec MX-1 enclosure. It seems to work very reliably with the HR units.
The hard drive and enclosure might be fine, but that doesn't mean the HR22 isn't incompatible with the enclosure. When it boots it might think the drive has a problem and reinitialize it. Many enclosures have problems with the HR21/22/23 that manifest in different ways. I second the recommendation of the Antec MX-1 enclosure. It seems to work very reliably with the HR units.
Okay I have 1 and will test with it. Weak unsupported FW tied to a receiver just plan stupid for this day and age.
Thanks
Update:
Tested with Antec MX-1 unplug replug files recovered.
Changed to my enclosure unplug replug files recovered.
Just cannot trust the receivers or the FW
Like flipping a coin will it recover the files or not.
Postpunk
04-21-09, 10:46 PM
I may have answered my own question, here is a product that is supposed to work with the HR21:
For that price and guaranteed comptability, I think I'll go with that rather than trying my luck at other hard drive solutions.
FYI--It took my HR20/700 several attempts to recognize this Apricorn drive but it is working now. The standard method (connect eSATA cable, power up drive, power up HR20) did not work, reversing the eSATA cable did not work. I kept re-plugging in the drive and then had luck with simply hitting the red reset button on the HR20 while both it and the drive were powered up. As I said, it is working now and filling up with HD content but I'm a bit uncertain about its stability.
mtnsackett
04-21-09, 11:02 PM
why Mess with ESATA drives, I have one HR20-100 and a Hr21-200 and I replaced both 320 GB drives with Western Digital 2 Tb drives. I guess for some it may be an issue with having leased recievers but since I own mine it is not an issue. I have been Happy with both recievers and had few issues with either of them even running CE Firmware
WD20EADS 2 TB, 32 MB Cache, SATA 3 Gb/s
why Mess with ESATA drives, I have one HR20-100 and a Hr21-200 and I replaced both 320 GB drives with Western Digital 2 Tb drives. I guess for some it may be an issue with having leased recievers but since I own mine it is not an issue. I have been Happy with both recievers and had few issues with either of them even running CE Firmware
WD20EADS 2 TB, 32 MB Cache, SATA 3 Gb/s
How do you own the receivers? I was under the impression all receivers were leased.
If your receiver goes down, so do all your saved files. bye bye 2tb of data gone in the wind, unless your telling us you can transplant you internal drive to a new receiver without jumping through a long process of non standard file coping.
Not a good system. DirecTv is not very advanced when it comes to HDD handling.
P Smith
04-22-09, 06:45 PM
Wasn't many times explained how ppl getting the DVR for owning ?
Also, discussed - no swap between DVR.
awaschka
04-23-09, 07:32 PM
I have tried two combinations of enclosures/HDD with no success on my HR20-100. Another member posted success with the Kingwin enclosure. I tried it with a WD 1TB drive and it was like it wasn't plugged in. After reading the posts on DBSTalk, I bought an Antec MX-1 and a different WD 1TB from Amazon. Also no luck, but different. The light on the enclosure goes from bright to dim with changes in the monitor screen, but the HR-20 is stuck in a loop between the starting up and almost there screens. Any suggestions? I've got $400 tied up in non-working drives and enclosures. I have tried pullling the power plug and hitting the red reset button. Never get the formatting HD message.
Thanks,
Al
awaschka
04-23-09, 07:38 PM
Drive in Antex MX-1 enclosure is WD Caviar Black WD1001FALS.
Drive in Antex MX-1 enclosure is WD Caviar Black WD1001FALS.
It's very difficult trying to deal with unsupported FW
I have the HR22 with homegrown (see post #2746) and Antex MX-1 enclosures
HR22 always finds the drives, but on the homegrown it may or may not recover my recording. The Antex MX-1 enclosure seems to work more consistently but it also has lost all the files.
Suggestions:
Unplug power to receiver for 5 minutes
Make sure your drive has power and up to speed
Replug receiver
You may want to swap ends of the esata cable (I know sounds stupid but another user did and it worked)
Try using a different esata cable
This has been a costly project that I am not happy with.
If DirecTv won't support esata or USB external drives they may find this $150 a month customer going to dish which has swappable supported USB drives
Plus the esata drives are tied to the receiver serial number lose your receiver lose your files.
Dish removable drives can be switched to any DVR on the account plus the internal drive doesn't get disabled.
If directv doesn't start working on this problem I'm gone.
awaschka
04-24-09, 09:39 AM
Well, I tried the "let it get comfortable" approach suggested on here. I left the receiver "off" but plugged in and the Antec powered up over night. I came down this morning and unplugged and replugged the HR20 power cord. To my amazement, I got the "reformatting hard drive message". Then the receiver appeared to restart and go into it's normal startup sequence. But it locked up and reset halfway through the "Checking Satellite Settings 1 of 2" screen. I powered off, reversed the eSATA cable and repowered. The receiver booted normally and is now back on the internal drive, even though the external is plugged in and powered on. I'm guessing a wierd cable problem. I have two cables from buying two enclosures and I have swapped ends on both. I may try trimming the end. What part does one trim, the plastic that protrudes beyond the metal at the end of the connector?
Well, I tried the "let it get comfortable" approach suggested on here. I left the receiver "off" but plugged in and the Antec powered up over night. I came down this morning and unplugged and replugged the HR20 power cord. To my amazement, I got the "reformatting hard drive message". Then the receiver appeared to restart and go into it's normal startup sequence. But it locked up and reset halfway through the "Checking Satellite Settings 1 of 2" screen. I powered off, reversed the eSATA cable and repowered. The receiver booted normally and is now back on the internal drive, even though the external is plugged in and powered on. I'm guessing a wierd cable problem. I have two cables from buying two enclosures and I have swapped ends on both. I may try trimming the end. What part does one trim, the plastic that protrudes beyond the metal at the end of the connector?
The esata process is not a happy one.
IMO you have to force the receiver (unplug not just power down)
Best of luck
FYI: FW to handle remote esata drives looks like it came from the "Dark Ages" very poor and very weak and very unsupported. In a word "JUNK"
P Smith
04-28-09, 11:04 AM
FYI: FW to handle remote esata drives looks like it came from the "Dark Ages" very poor and very weak and very unsupported. In a word "JUNK"
And the conclusion came from a person who cannot type eSATA word and don't understand simple fact - there are no such eSATA drives. :( Would be nice also to educate yourself in Linux terminology like 'drivers', 'daemon', etc first.
Just for clarification - internal and external disks have DIRECT connection to main chip BCM7038 [H/R20] or BCM7401 [HR22] and OS [Linux] handle one of the disks SAME way as other; hence there is no two disks configuration !
And the conclusion came from a person who cannot type eSATA word and don't understand simple fact - there are no such eSATA drives. :( Would be nice also to educate yourself in Linux terminology like 'drivers', 'daemon', etc first.
Just for clarification - internal and external disks have DIRECT connection to main chip BCM7038 and OS [Linux] handle one of the disks SAME way as other; hence there is no two disks configuration !
Excuse me Mr Perfect AH. Thank for your AH comments.
Just for clarification - internal and external disks have DIRECT connection to main chip BCM7038 and OS [Linux] handle one of the disks SAME way as other; hence there is no two disks configuration !In the interest of accuracy, the chipset used in auskck's HR22 is the BCM7401.
sipester
05-04-09, 12:57 PM
FYI--It took my HR20/700 several attempts to recognize this Apricorn drive but it is working now. The standard method (connect eSATA cable, power up drive, power up HR20) did not work, reversing the eSATA cable did not work. I kept re-plugging in the drive and then had luck with simply hitting the red reset button on the HR20 while both it and the drive were powered up. As I said, it is working now and filling up with HD content but I'm a bit uncertain about its stability.
Thanks for the feedback, I've tried several times to no avail. I'll disconnect my AM21, perhaps that is not helping. Per your advice, I'll try the reset button while both devices are powered up. If I don't get this fixed soon, I'll send the Apricorn device back (and shame on Apricorn for advertising D* capability). Now of course I knew there likely going to be compatibility issues with the dumb D* box (I have an HR21), but someone browsing Apricorn's site may not know, perhaps they should have some disclaimer on their site.
I've given up on the unsupported esata drives. Lost all files 4 times now, when HR22 is powered off (unplugged) then powered on the HR22 may or may not decide to format the drive. For me it just not worth the effort.
DirecTv needs to support esata or drop it all together. Having the internal drive disabled when esata attached is plan dumb FW. Having the drive tied to the receiver is also dumb (tie it to the users account) Dish is far more advanced in handling external drives. USB drives, as many as you like not tied to the receiver and does not disable the internal drive.
Come on DirecTv get your finger out.
voltagexx
07-11-09, 06:49 PM
Hey everyone. I apologize in advance if this has been answered, as I didn't look through all 100+ pages. :)
While I understand that if you hook up an external hard drive, it A.) won't have all your saved programs, and B.) won't have series recordings set, or anything like that. But basically my situation is I have a DTV DVR that's about half full and want to set up a larger hard drive. Can I do that, re-schedule all my programs for the future, but still be able to unhook it and watch what's left on the internal hard drive, until I've gone through all of that?
I guess what I'm wondering, trying to put it simply, is if I can unplug and re-plug the external hard drive, without losing any of the series recordings and programs on it, once I set those up? Hopefully this makes perfect sense to someone and you can help me out.
AstroDad
07-11-09, 07:07 PM
I guess what I'm wondering, trying to put it simply, is if I can unplug and re-plug the external hard drive, without losing any of the series recordings and programs on it, once I set those up? Hopefully this makes perfect sense to someone and you can help me out.
Yes, you can do that, you'll just have to reboot your DVR everytime you switch
voltagexx
07-11-09, 07:11 PM
Great, now it's just a matter of finding a good but cheap option on the hard drive, since it appears a lot of them don't work out right. :D
gdavisloop
07-12-09, 01:00 AM
Since almost all the cheap HD's advertised are USB2, you should consider buying a good internal (SATA) hard drive an a good enclosure. Western Digital makes hard drives with an "AV" rating for only about $10 extra, although I've been using the Seagate 1.5TB "el cheapo" SATA drive without any obvious problems.
--Gary
Great, now it's just a matter of finding a good but cheap option on the hard drive, since it appears a lot of them don't work out right. :D
go to newegg...you can get a 1TB cavalry for around $100...whatever you buy, make sure the package includes the esata cable ;)
voltagexx
07-15-09, 12:02 PM
go to newegg...you can get a 1TB cavalry for around $100...whatever you buy, make sure the package includes the esata cable ;)
That was going to be my website of choice anyways I think. That's where I've gotten most of my little computer upgrade products in the past.
davemayo
07-16-09, 12:17 AM
I think my Free Agent Pro 750GB eSATA died suddenly after 18 months of flawless performance. I came home tonight and my HR20-100 was extremely sluggish. I couldn't get the menu to come up to do a menu reset, so I RBR'd. The box came back up on the internal drive. I've tried several times to get it to recognize the eSATA drive to no avail.
When I power up the FAP, it is making a faint, rythmic clicking noise and the orange stripe is flickering somewhat. I don't know if this is normal because I never paid attention to what sounds it made.
Is the clicking sound/flickering light a sign that the drive died? I hope not, I had that drive at 2% free. That's a lot of programming to lose.
Is there any way to run diagnostics on the drive? I don't have a computer with eSATA that I could plug the drive into, but it looks like the drive may have a mini-USB port. Can I use a mini-USB cable to connect the drive to my computer and get some Seagate diagnostic software to diagnose the drive? I don't see any other way to figure out if the drive is toast.
Thanks.
I think my Free Agent Pro 750GB eSATA died suddenly after 18 months of flawless performance. I came home tonight and my HR20-100 was extremely sluggish. I couldn't get the menu to come up to do a menu reset, so I RBR'd. The box came back up on the internal drive. I've tried several times to get it to recognize the eSATA drive to no avail.
When I power up the FAP, it is making a faint, rythmic clicking noise and the orange stripe is flickering somewhat. I don't know if this is normal because I never paid attention to what sounds it made.
Is the clicking sound/flickering light a sign that the drive died? I hope not, I had that drive at 2% free. That's a lot of programming to lose.
Is there any way to run diagnostics on the drive? I don't have a computer with eSATA that I could plug the drive into, but it looks like the drive may have a mini-USB port. Can I use a mini-USB cable to connect the drive to my computer and get some Seagate diagnostic software to diagnose the drive? I don't see any other way to figure out if the drive is toast.
Thanks.
That clicking is the drive trying to reset the heads over and over and likely some sort of hardware failure. Without true diagnostics it's hard to tell more, but I'm fairly certain something failed on the drive.
Low-level Diagnostics usually won't work via USB, since the drive has to be at least somewhat working for the USB hub to "attach" to it. The drive inside is just a SATA drive, so if you have SATA ports on your computer, you can easily connect it directly. If you don't want to open the FAP case, You can get an eSATA bracket (or an internal SATA to eSATA cable) for your computer that would convert an internal port. If you do this, make sure your SATA ports are in Enhanced mode (and not just compatibility/legacy mode) or turn off your computer before hooking up the external drive.
davemayo
07-17-09, 01:57 PM
That clicking is the drive trying to reset the heads over and over and likely some sort of hardware failure. Without true diagnostics it's hard to tell more, but I'm fairly certain something failed on the drive.
Low-level Diagnostics usually won't work via USB, since the drive has to be at least somewhat working for the USB hub to "attach" to it. The drive inside is just a SATA drive, so if you have SATA ports on your computer, you can easily connect it directly. If you don't want to open the FAP case, You can get an eSATA bracket (or an internal SATA to eSATA cable) for your computer that would convert an internal port. If you do this, make sure your SATA ports are in Enhanced mode (and not just compatibility/legacy mode) or turn off your computer before hooking up the external drive.
Since I posted my message, the clicking has stopped and the orange light down the spine blinks repeatedly. Dead for sure. :mad: What would cause that to happen? One minute it was fine, then I did an RBR and it died.
Since I posted my message, the clicking has stopped and the orange light down the spine blinks repeatedly. Dead for sure. :mad: What would cause that to happen? One minute it was fine, then I did an RBR and it died.
Well, it could be a number of different things and drives *do* fail just like that. It sounds like it's a controller failure and not a head crash failure. Basically, the controller on a hard drive is like a computer in itself and has to go through a "boot phase" to startup the drive. Your reboot may have just caused something weak on the controller board to fail.
Obviously, this is all guesswork. Data recovery companies recover from something like this by swapping the controller board. HD companies refurbish a drive the same way.
Drives are strange things. I have some drives that last for years with no problem at all, others seem to fail every few months. On the PC side, I never build anything anymore without at least having mirroring. It's almost like the most sensitive stuff will be the place where the drives fail. At least, that's my luck!
Villager
07-17-09, 03:26 PM
I think my Free Agent Pro 750GB eSATA died suddenly after 18 months of flawless performance. I came home tonight and my HR20-100 was extremely sluggish. I couldn't get the menu to come up to do a menu reset, so I RBR'd. The box came back up on the internal drive. I've tried several times to get it to recognize the eSATA drive to no avail.
When I power up the FAP, it is making a faint, rythmic clicking noise and the orange stripe is flickering somewhat. I don't know if this is normal because I never paid attention to what sounds it made.
Is the clicking sound/flickering light a sign that the drive died? I hope not, I had that drive at 2% free. That's a lot of programming to lose.
Is there any way to run diagnostics on the drive? I don't have a computer with eSATA that I could plug the drive into, but it looks like the drive may have a mini-USB port. Can I use a mini-USB cable to connect the drive to my computer and get some Seagate diagnostic software to diagnose the drive? I don't see any other way to figure out if the drive is toast.
Thanks.
There have been a rash of FAP 750 failures reported in the past few weeks. All of these FAP750's are about the same age, it seems. Since you have a 5-year warranty, Seagate will replace it for shipping costs but it there is some evidence that it is not the drive that is failing but it is the power supply (transformer). When I got my replacement, I used the new transformer and the old drive worked fine. Perhaps you can get Seagate to replace the power supply and let you keep the old drive. I am not the only one to report this.
davemayo
07-17-09, 05:01 PM
Assume that I could get the data recovered and put on another eSATA drive, could I connect that new drive to the HR20 and be able to view the recordings or will I be foiled by copy protection?
ColdCase
07-29-09, 06:42 AM
there is some evidence that it is not the drive that is failing but it is the power supply (transformer). When I got my replacement, I used the new transformer and the old drive worked fine.
This is also a typical failure mode for Laci drives where users have learned to plan on replacing the power supply brick every 12-18 months.
AstroDad
09-09-09, 08:20 PM
has anyone attempted to use one of these (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9419596&st=thermaltake&type=product&id=1218102199901)?
It has the eSata connection and with the open design the heat should dissipate quickly, but I imagine noise could be a factor...thoughts?
Last year I rocked an Antec with 1 TB WD Green, but the HD gave out on me halfway into the season. I was thinking of stepping up a Black Caviar and seeing how that does. I plan to use the Antec again, but was curious what you guys thought of this docking system.
P Smith
09-09-09, 09:01 PM
What noise ?
Using first one BlacX with different models Seagate/Maxtor/WD/Hitachi/etc from 40 GB to 2 TB without any harm for environment.
has anyone attempted to use one of http://www.jdoqocy.com/image-3146500-10597222these (http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-3146500-10597222?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2 Folspage.jsp%3FskuId%3D9419596%26st%3Dthermaltake% 26type%3Dproduct%26id%3D1218102199901)?
It has the eSata connection and with the open design the heat should dissipate quickly, but I imagine noise could be a factor...thoughts?
Last year I rocked an Antec with 1 TB WD Green, but the HD gave out on me halfway into the season. I was thinking of stepping up a Black Caviar and seeing how that does. I plan to use the Antec again, but was curious what you guys thought of this docking system.I have one of these on my PC, but can only use one drive at a time as my SATA controller doesn't support the option for multiple drives per one connection. Hopefully you are not considering using this for your DIRECTV receiver, though, even with only one drive, as it's not on DIRECTV's recommended list. If you stick with their recommendations you should be fine ...
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/article.jsp?assetId=P5980155
I've been using a Vantec NexStar dock with an eSata on my PC for a year or more.No noise issues and works well.Whether it is compatable with a DVR....don't know.
AndyWeg
09-13-09, 01:37 AM
Wow what a great site you have here! I have spent the last two hours studying this thread... I am left with only one question (sorry if already discussed... I couldn't find it): Is it possible to simply replace the internal drive with a larger one, thus removing most, if not all, of the obstacles discussed here? I would think that solution would be superior in many ways if it would work. Any thoughts?
P Smith
09-13-09, 02:40 AM
Wow what a great site you have here! I have spent the last two hours studying this thread... I am left with only one question (sorry if already discussed... I couldn't find it): Is it possible to simply replace the internal drive with a larger one, thus removing most, if not all, of the obstacles discussed here? I would think that solution would be superior in many ways if it would work. Any thoughts?
Try this thread http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=164482, and we have another one older then this.
AstroDad
09-13-09, 08:32 AM
Wow what a great site you have here! I have spent the last two hours studying this thread... I am left with only one question (sorry if already discussed... I couldn't find it): Is it possible to simply replace the internal drive with a larger one, thus removing most, if not all, of the obstacles discussed here? I would think that solution would be superior in many ways if it would work. Any thoughts?
I think the main problem with this solution is that you are voiding any warranty on the box and there could be a problem getting a replacement from DirecTV if they catch it.
Richierich
09-13-09, 09:16 AM
Yes, it is fairly easy if you have ever worked on a PC but there can be complications on certain models but I did it in less than 30 minutes but I do OWN the unit and I have never ever had the Slowness that eSATA drives experience as they get to around 90% capacity used.
Just be aware that you will VOID your warranty and keep the original drive so you can replace it if you have to send the unit back because at some point in the future it dies.
cartrivision
09-14-09, 04:39 PM
I think the main problem with this solution is that you are voiding any warranty on the box and there could be a problem getting a replacement from DirecTV if they catch it.
The warranty is really meaningless... besides the fact that it expires after 90 days, leased boxes that stop working are replaced by DirecTV for free (with the customer paying for shipping if they don't have the protection plan) regardless of whether or not the warranty is still in effect.
I suspect that if DirecTV wanted to make a concerted effort to determine if a customer had ever replaced their internal drive, they could, but all evidence suggests that they aren't doing that, and it wouldn't make a whole lot of sense for them to start doing that because doing so would only alienate their high end customers who are spending their own money to make DirecTV's product more valuable to them, which helps keep them as a happy and continuing customer.
Richierich
09-14-09, 05:09 PM
I have stated the very same thing in posts dating back more than a year ago. Why alienate their BEST Customers when they have failed to provide a better avenue for us to buy Upgraded DVRs with large drives on them.
I was the First to buy and install a 2 TB Drive in my OWNED HR23-700 which cost me an arm and a leg but it was worth it in my humble opinion as I record lots of Football and Golf and Food Channel stuff that I don't get to watch as soon as I would like.
fropones
02-01-10, 03:06 PM
I'm sure this was already answered, but if I use an external hard drive and then I unplug it and reboot the receiver will it go back to the internal drive with all the old recordings?
gdavisloop
02-01-10, 03:16 PM
Yes, you can use several external hard drives, as well as the internal drive.
I recommend you unplug the power of the receiver before changing drives, although some people just switch off the power on the external drive and then reboot through the menu (to get back to the internal drive).
Keep in mind that each drive has its own "to do" list for recording, ie, you must separately set up the list of shows you want recorded on each disk.
Also, it takes considerable time to reboot - more than 10 mins - so swapping disks is not all that fun.
--Gary
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