Dead TiVo Hard Drive - Reformat & Reuse?

[Sparty99]

I had to replace a hard drive in my HR10-250 because of a bad hard drive. I'm sure this sounds like a very stupid question, but is it at all possible to reformat this drive and reuse it, even if it's just for backing up data?

Thanks in advance.

[btwyx]

It depends on how it failed, maybe. Though if it can be reused, it could probably have been repaired and put back in the TiVo.

[btwyx]

And this question is off topic in this forum.

[csyria]

If it's failing, I wouldn't reuse it because it'll just fail very soon.

If it's dead (like not spinning up), then not at all.

Let me put it this way: You're replacing it for a reason. If it's not good enough for a TiVo, then is it really good enough for your data??

[Sparty99]

And this question is off topic in this forum.
Something can be off topic in Happy Hour? I thought this section was a free-for-all! ;)

Seriously, I didn't really think the issue related to TiVo since I'm looking to use it for non-TiVo purposes. I'll let a mod know.

Thanks for the input. You guys have pretty much confirmed what I already know.

[MikeMar]

If you do use it, I wouldn't use it for any critical data AT ALL.

-and i think this is more of a general computer question rather than a tivo question, so HH is fine w/ me :)

[Saturn]

I had two 60GB hard drives that were causing problems in a TiVo. Nothing serious, but occasional stuttering. I replaced them both with a single 120GB drive and used the two 60GB drives for data. They both still work fine, and I've tested them with SpinRite too. They've gotten a bit noisey though (bearings) so I've decomissioned them.

[TiVaholic]

Speaking of stuff dying, I think my modem may have died on my old Sony Series 1 30 hour. It says there was no dial tone, and everything's connected properly. It's been in the same spot for like 3 years now, and I've never had a problem with it. I checked the connections, and they're both in the right spot.

[newsposter]

if you have a warranty on the drive, get a replacement and put it in your PC and buy a bigger one for your tivo:) I did that

i have 2 80s in my PC now, one is a backup drive for the other

[Sparty99]

if you have a warranty on the drive, get a replacement and put it in your PC and buy a bigger one for your tivo:) I did that

i have 2 80s in my PC now, one is a backup drive for the other
Drive's a Western Digital that I've had just over a year (I started another thread discussing the problems I've had with my HR10-250 and DTV). I'm not sure what Western Digital's warranty is (I may have to look into it), but I'm not too optimistic about that idea.

[newsposter]

my WD had 3 yrs back standard then but i think it's shorter now...paid the 15 for a 3 yr warranty this time. But next time ....i think i'm going with another brand. I know they are all prone to fail but too many here for me.

use this serial number thingie to see if yours is under warranty

http://websupport.wdc.com/warranty/serialinput.asp?custtype=end&requesttype=warranty&lang=en

[nsdp]

If it is an oem drive there is no warranty from WD. The drive in my HD tivo is /was a WD2500BB. the BB line is not even available for sale in the retail channel. It is also the weakest drive in the WD line. Due to heat considerations and the fact this runs 24/365 you should get the RE Series drives. They are intended for server /Enterprise use and have a 1,000,000 hour mean time to failure design and are designed for 85C. You will be looking for the RE series drives and model number WD2500SD or WD3000SD etc. As to the usefulness of the WD2500BB get WD's diagnostic utility and run it. Sometimes the problem is data corruption due to heat affecting the read heads and the drive will work just fine in a less demanding setting. BUT do the diagnostics first.

[Sparty99]

If it is an oem drive there is no warranty from WD. The drive in my HD tivo is /was a WD2500BB. the BB line is not even available for sale in the retail channel. It is also the weakest drive in the WD line. Due to heat considerations and the fact this runs 24/365 you should get the RE Series drives. They are intended for server /Enterprise use and have a 1,000,000 hour mean time to failure design and are designed for 85C. You will be looking for the RE series drives and model number WD2500SD or WD3000SD etc. As to the usefulness of the WD2500BB get WD's diagnostic utility and run it. Sometimes the problem is data corruption due to heat affecting the read heads and the drive will work just fine in a less demanding setting. BUT do the diagnostics first.
Big help, thanks. I bought an external USB enclosure last night and reformatted the 250 GB drive. I don't have any real plans to use it for anything important, mostly just to backup my iTunes folder and some video files. I'll run the diagnostic next time I'm home.