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View Full Version : Hard drive dead in DTivo; Should I replace the drive or get new unit?


mtnagel
08-09-2006, 08:09 PM
I believe the drive in my daughter's Hughes HDVR2 Directivo is dead (it was stuck on the "Almost there" screen and so I took out the drive and put it in my computer to run the disc utilities from Maxtor to see if it found any errors and the computer couldn't see the drive).

So I figure I can either try to replace the drive or I could get the R10 from Directv (I think that's the model number). It's just for our daughter's bedroom, so either would probably be fine. Even if the R10 isn't quite as good as the HDVR2, as long it records and has two tuners, it should be fine for her use.

To replace the drive, I looked at the Weaknees instructions and it looks like you need the old drive to copy over to the new one and in my case that's not possible since it's dead. Is there any other way to do it? I know about Instantcake, but I'd rather it be free. Plus, I don't have a spare bigger drive, so it will cost me money. If I need to buy a new drive, I figure it will probably be about $60 plus if I need the Instantcake it's $20 more for a total of $80.

Or, I could just get the R10, but it looks like it's $100 on their site. Anyway to get it free? Also, how does the new leases work? How much will it be? Right now I pay $6 for Tivo (I have one in our living room too) and $5 for the extra reciever. Would that change?

Thanks for any perspective you could provide on this.

scsiguy72
08-09-2006, 08:39 PM
If it were me I would replace the drive. You can get the image free online (They are not public, but search this forum and many people will give you a link to a site for a free download.

You will have to buy a drive, but I other than that it should be OK.

If you are going the route of buying the R10 PM me about your old Tivo maybe we can barter something.

mtnagel
08-09-2006, 08:50 PM
If it were me I would replace the drive. You can get the image free online (They are not public, but search this forum and many people will give you a link to a site for a free download.

You will have to buy a drive, but I other than that it should be OK.

If you are going the route of buying the R10 PM me about your old Tivo maybe we can barter something.But are there any instructions for putting the new image on the new drive? Something that walks you right through it.

scsiguy72
08-09-2006, 08:55 PM
The Hinsdale guide found on this forum is pretty easy to follow, if you are at all computer savy. I have upgraded 4 or 5 units for my friends and it was pretty easy. I know nothing at all about linux, and I am pretty good with windows and hardware stuff.

mtnagel
08-10-2006, 07:08 AM
The Hinsdale guide found on this forum is pretty easy to follow, if you are at all computer savy. I have upgraded 4 or 5 units for my friends and it was pretty easy. I know nothing at all about linux, and I am pretty good with windows and hardware stuff.Thanks I'll look into it.

wscannell
08-10-2006, 08:41 AM
The following instructions are very good:

http://tivo.upgrade-instructions.com/index.php

Also, if you cannot get an image, ptvupgrade.com has Instantcake for about $20. This is even easier to use than using an image with the above instructions. Just make sure you get the proper version for your TiVo.

mtnagel
08-10-2006, 08:45 AM
The following instructions are very good:

http://tivo.upgrade-instructions.com/index.php

Also, if you cannot get an image, ptvupgrade.com has Instantcake for about $20. This is even easier to use than using an image with the above instructions. Just make sure you get the proper version for your TiVo.With those instructions, you need the working drive from the tivo, which I don't have. Plus, I'd like to keep it free or cheap as it's just for our daughter's bedroom.