Upgrading with 250Gb Hard disk

KingPhoenix · 23-12-2004, 14:53

Ok,

I decided to upgrade my Sky+ box to a 250Gb Hard disk, just wondering if anyone else has done this and if so what problems you have found etc?

Ive read a thread over at DS, which gives full instructions etc, and have been building / repairing PCs for years so am fairly confident. Just really looking for real experiences etc...

KP

paulyoung666 · 23-12-2004, 16:39

i aint , but i seem to recall something about the box complaining about the amount of free space being wrong

Tricky · 23-12-2004, 22:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulyoung666

i aint , but i seem to recall something about the box complaining about the amount of free space being wrong

AFAIK the new software release to coincide with SKY160+ gets around this?!

**Paul** · 23-12-2004, 22:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tricky

AFAIK the new software release to coincide with SKY160+ gets around this?!

I also believe this is the case, it should recognise the full 250GB ok.

KingPhoenix · 24-12-2004, 10:56

Yeah, thats what i read, with the new firmware it should be able to read it... i was just wondering if it would cause any issues, i.e. programs getting lost etc........

Tricky · 24-12-2004, 11:37

AFAIK the old firmware was OK keeping programmes etc. it was just the %age free that was wrong (minor issue?) at the end of the day, if it's all wrong you've got a 250gb HDD for your PC!

KingPhoenix · 24-12-2004, 11:55

Well will do it tonight (maybe, depends on how much ive had to drink)

Will let you know how it turns out, and what problems (if any) i come accross

KP

Caspar · 24-12-2004, 12:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingPhoenix

Well will do it tonight (maybe, depends on how much ive had to drink)

Will let you know how it turns out, and what problems (if any) i come accross

KP

Personally, I think you should do it after Xmas. If things go wrong then you'll miss the Queen's speech

I might do the same with my box if yours doesn't fry it!

poolking · 25-12-2004, 00:40

I take it he's blown it up, as we've heard nothing else since.

KingPhoenix · 26-12-2004, 17:28

The hard disk is a bugger

Basically according to DS you should initialize the drive using maxtors powermax (no probs.... done) then you should use a program called wvset to turn write verify off (found the program, no probs, but it cant find the hard disk :S) then you should use a proggie called amset to put it into quiet mode (found the program, but again it cant see the hard drive)

Currently doing a low level format using the powermax software, and will try again

Bifta · 26-12-2004, 18:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingPhoenix

The hard disk is a bugger

Basically according to DS you should initialize the drive using maxtors powermax (no probs.... done) then you should use a program called wvset to turn write verify off (found the program, no probs, but it cant find the hard disk :S) then you should use a proggie called amset to put it into quiet mode (found the program, but again it cant see the hard drive)

Currently doing a low level format using the powermax software, and will try again

Amset will only work from pure DOS mode, you can't do it within windows (it won't detect the drive, as you've already found out), burn a Boot CD with those 2 apps on and give it another go.

KingPhoenix · 27-12-2004, 09:56

Already using a dos boot disk..... pure dos.... nothing else.....

This low level format is taking forever (21 hours so far) and judging by the numbers, at least another 2 hours to go.....

Ive tried looking on Maxtors site, but cant find anything..... i really hate maxtor drives

but according to DS they have the best success rate in Sky+ units

Im just gonna see if there is a new version of the util or something, cos powermax sees the drives no probs..... but these other 2 dont

Bifta · 27-12-2004, 13:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingPhoenix

Already using a dos boot disk..... pure dos.... nothing else.....

This low level format is taking forever (21 hours so far) and judging by the numbers, at least another 2 hours to go.....

Ive tried looking on Maxtors site, but cant find anything..... i really hate maxtor drives

but according to DS they have the best success rate in Sky+ units

Im just gonna see if there is a new version of the util or something, cos powermax sees the drives no probs..... but these other 2 dont

Low level formats are a nightmare, it took a couple of hours to format a 4 gig drive years ago using that method. Not sure what to tell you about AMSET, works perfectly using a dos boot CD here.

KingPhoenix · 30-12-2004, 11:17

Well after the low level format all worked perfectly..... had it installed for a while now and its all going smoothly..... only thing is the hard disk is a little noisier, (you hear it spin up when you power the unit up, but thats all) Ive been recording junk just to test it, its about 20% full so far, and i have about 24 hours of Tv to watch :O :O :O

Ive kept the old drive, cos i have the extended warranty on the sky+ box, theres no security stickers or anything, so i can just swap the drives over should i need to have it repaired or anything

A worth while update

Tricky · 30-12-2004, 21:03

Question - If you connect the old drive to your PC can you see any data on the drive? - I was thinking of a mod to my SKY+ to allow a docking solution for Laptop 2" HDD's and then I could burn programmes to DVD using my PC