Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (
More info?)
Thing is, I use laptops so opening them up in order to set up a new
RTV HD is not really an option. :-(
On Mon, 24 May 2004 17:05:53 GMT, Steph
<CUT_skipatrol@hotmail.com_CUT> said:
>Go to the AVS forums and read up on using the utility; you should be
>able to find step-by-step directions even some with pictures that make
>it pretty darn easy to follow.
>
>The simplest way to upgrade is to not both with your old drive,
>especially given the clanking from it - it might hang during the copying
>of your data (shows) anyway.
>
>Get a new hard drive, size and spindle speed of your choosing. I chose a
>250GB 5400 RPM drive. Others have not reported trouble with 7200 RPM
>drive and heat - but my RTV is inside a cabinet.
>
>Then download the image file for a up to date RTV unit to match your
>hardware (45xx?). Again the AVS forum is your friend here.
>
>Open your computer, and again the simplest method is to plug the new HD
>into the ribbon for the secondary IDE interface. Chances are you have
>maybe a CD-ROM and/or ZIP drive already attached; unbplug those and
>have only the HD. Attach power also.
>
>If you run Windows, you can use the windows utility, else download the
>Linux boot disk. Just follow the instructions to image your new HD with
>the RTV software.
>
>Remove the drive and put back your CDROM and others the way they were,
>close the computer.
>
>Now take your RTV. Open it via removal of the 8 screws (or x #).
>Disconnect and remove the existing 40GB drive. Swap drives in the
>bracket and reinstall. Plug it all in, close it up, turn it on and set
>it up as if it were new.
>
>Done.
>
>
>
>user@comcast.net wrote in
>news:1ctua054ivevlciv6njodv10feq935gvfq@4ax.com:
>
>> Doug,
>>
>> VERY cool info. Thank you very much! But I am still unclear about how
>> what I'd do with that UNIX boot disk and how my computer relates to
>> the RTV. Are you saying that I would initially load the RTV software
>> onto the new HD via my computer? As in, put the new HD in my computer,
>> run the boot disk, and load the software image? I hope that's not what
>> you mean b/c I use a laptop and I'm not sure if it'll play nice with a
>> different HD.
>>
>>
>> On Sun, 16 May 2004 20:36:47 +0000 (UTC), General Kireiko
>><douglas@panix.com> said:
>>
>>>user@comcast.net wrote:
>>>: <douglas@panix.com> said:
>>>
>>>:>The subscription is NOT on the hard disk, it's stored elsewhere in
>>>:>the unit. THe likely culprit of your freeze-ups and daily re-boots
>>>:>is likely a failing hard disk. (Bad sectors)
>>>
>>>: Seriously?!?!?? The tech support people said it sounded like a
>>>: software problem and the software was becoming buggy and that there
>>>: was no way to fix it other than to ship it to them for repair (at my
>>>: expense, since it's out of warranty). I'd much rather replace the HD
>>>: if it would help.
>>>
>>>And it'll give you more space to record shows.
>>>
>>>: Let me ask you this: It makes a really bad clunking sound -- like
>>>: metal striking metal about every .75 seconds. It will keep doing
>>>: this until I unplug it. To me, that sounds like a hardware thing.
>>>: But that's not the only problem; after I watch a show and go to
>>>: delete it, the screen goes black for a long time. Sometimes for just
>>>: a few minutes but sometimes for longer and the only way I found to
>>>: recover is to again unplug it. This is what I was told is a software
>>>: problem.
>>>
>>>"Clunk... clunk..... clunk...."
>>>The hard disk is failing.
>>>Get a new one.
>>>Buy a MAXTOR, they are highly recommended over other brands, including
>>>Western Digital.
>>>
>>>:>If you had purchased a lifetime sub, all you'd need to do is swap
>>>:>out the hard disk with a new (and larger) one, and put the software
>>>:>image onto it. (The images are available on-line.) And you'd have a
>>>:>new machine, and wouldn't lose out on your lifetime siubscription.
>>>
>>>: Definitely!! How difficult is it to replace the HD? Easier or more
>>>: difficult than swapping a computer's HD? What are the most common
>>>: problems people sometimes encounter when swapping their HD's? The
>>>: RTV software should recognize a larger HD? I'm sure I'd lose my
>>>: saved shows, so I'd be prepared for that. Forgive me if these are
>>>: stupid questions but I came here because I do not know.
>>>
>>>Repalceing the hard disk is no different than swapping out the one in
>>>your PC. They use the same hardware and interface (IDE ribbon).
>>>Since your machine is already out of its warranty period, you have
>>>nothing to lose by trying, except your time. Even if the new HD does
>>>not take, you can always make use of the HD in your PC.
>>>
>>>You *MAY* lose your shows. If you can salvage the OS off your
>>>existing HD, you may simply be able to delete all of your corrupted
>>>shows, and salvage those which are not corrupted.
>>>
>>>The only difficulty will be getting the image onto the new hard disk.
>>>If oyu have a NEW PC, you can download a UNIX boot disk w/ a program
>>>which will make you a *new* HD for your ReplayTV (You'll need the
>>>image of the softare, of course). Old PCs (w/ older BIOSes cannot be
>>>used to do this). Bottom line is your PC's BIOS must recognize the
>>>full size of the HD to make everything work.
>>>
>>>I am no expert in the area, but the friendly folk over at the AVS
>>>forums (do an internet search on "AVS Forum" and "Replay" and I am
>>>sure you will find the site (it's gotta lot of purple on it). There
>>>are FAQs and links and downloadable material to help you swap out the
>>>hard disk and get a software image.
>>>
>>>The age of your machine may limit you to 137 GB for storing recorded
>>>shows. (Check the FAQs). But 137 hours is likely 3x what your machine
>>>can record now.
>>>
>>>Other components of the ReplayTV rarely fail (maybe a modem, but there
>>>are workarounds for that, too.)
>>>
>>>Other people know this, which is why a malfunctioning LIFETIME
>>>ReplayTV is easily fixable. The subscription is flashed PROMed onto
>>>the motherboard of the unit, which is why it travels with the box, not
>>>the owner.
>>>
>>>Good luck.
>>>
>>>-Doug
>>
>>
>
/go.to/notstupid
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