eSATA Problems: How to Diagnose?

[Just J]

So I've added the 2TB Buffalo DriveStation Quattro eSATA to my system, connecting it straight out of the box using the default RAID 0 configuration. My system starts up fine, and I can watch and record fine at first, but within a few minutes the HR20 won't show video anymore. I can bring up the guide and menus, but there's no audio or video, not even in PIG/PIL. I'm in my second post-installation RBR in a attempt to get it to work.

I assume that this is a problem with the eSATA, of course, but how do I gather any information about what the problem might be? Are there any HR20 diagnostics that might help me in my discussions with Buffalo tech support?

I can hook it up to my WindowsXP laptop and see what software they have, but that will be a USB 2.0 connection, not eSATA, so I'm not sure what it will buy me.

Thanks in advance....



HR20-700 (1, Original Software 0xBE)

0x145
Always on (not put into standby when not in use)
Animations Off, Guide Persistence on (Date (New)), Guide button set to Grid First
UPS (GS1500U: 1500VA, 1800 Joule)
eSATA, 2TB RAID 0 (Buffalo DriveStation Quattro)
Installed Location: 60004

AT9 Dish

BBC's Installed
2 output cables, direct to HR20 (no switch), 25' from grounding block to BBCs

Component Video (3') to Panasonic TH-42PHW5 42" Plasma

720p only, Native Off

Optical Digital Audio (3') to Panasonic SA-XR25 Receiver

Dolby Digital On
Sound effects: High

OTA

Jensen TV920 Amplified Indoor Antenna
Primary OTA Zip: 60004
Secondary OTA Zip: none

Misc

No phone line connected
D-Link DWL-G820 Wireless Bridge to D-Link DI-624 Router to Motorola cable modem (dynamic IP)
DirecTV RC24 remotes (2), used for all DVR commands
S-Video (3') to Panasonic DMR-E50 DVD Recorder
DirecTV Premier Package w/ HD Access

[cruise350]

I don't know if this post will help you or not??

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=84383

[Just J]

I don't know if this post will help you or not??

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=84383

I kinda did what he suggested (do a Reset Everything after installing an eSATA) from the start; I threw in forced software download just to really start from scratch.

However, I was having a number of other odd problems, so I forced a fresh copy of the software. That cleared up those other problems; I'm waiting to see i fthe eSATA is better behaved as well.

[Just J]

Well, I'm really stuck. With the eSATA plugged in, the HR20 is an unreliable, freaky mess. During the last attempt I had to unplug the HR20 because after pressing the remote's down arrow while in the guide, it wouldn't stop going down, even when I put the remote in a drawer for 5 minutes. (Since it was unplugged anyway, I decided to disconnect the eSATA until I can figure something -- anything -- out.)

:confused:

I've tried all the modes the Buffalo DriveStation Quattro offers - Raid 0, Raid 1, Raid 5, Spanning, etc. None of them work for more than 10 minutes before the box has some kind of hang.

How can I get the HR20 to tell me what the problem is? How can I tell the difference between a bad HR20 and a bad eSATA drive? I'll hook the drive up to my PC and see if I can find anything wrong with it, but if not, I really don't know what I'll do next.

[cruise350]

I've heard of others using a drive that large so it shouldn't be the size of the drive. When you do the reset everything do you have the esata drive plugged in so that the hr20 will erase it and try to format it?? Also, if you have the ethernet cable plugged in remove it and reboot, this may also be causing some odd problem. Good luck, you must be planning on recording alot of stuff. I usually delete something when I'm done with it so space isn't an issue for me.

[Tom Robertson]

Another thought, what connection rate is the buffalo set to? Is there a way to limit to 1.5gbs? Shouldn't have to but...

Good luck,
Tom