May I use this Hard Drive?

[bonita5064]

I have a Tivo Series 2 DT Standalone. I want to purchase this hard drive as a replacement, Western Digital Caviar Blue 500 GB Bulk/OEM Hard Drive 3.5 Inch, 16 MB Cache, 7200 RPM SATA II WD5000AAKS fom Amazon.com. Can I use this one? Will I need to format it somehow? Can I just install, then dial into Tivo support to upload the data?

Bonita

[lessd]

I have a Tivo Series 2 DT Standalone. I want to purchase this hard drive as a replacement, Western Digital Caviar Blue 500 GB Bulk/OEM Hard Drive 3.5 Inch, 16 MB Cache, 7200 RPM SATA II WD5000AAKS fom Amazon.com. Can I use this one? Will I need to format it somehow? Can I just install, then dial into Tivo support to upload the data?

Bonita

The drive will work if you put the software on the drive as I assume its a PATA drive (I did not look it up). You will need a copy of the software that goes with the model TiVo you have to make the system work.

[RonDawg]

The drive will work if you put the software on the drive as I assume its a PATA drive (I did not look it up).

It's not a PATA drive:

Western Digital Caviar Blue 500 GB Bulk/OEM Hard Drive 3.5 Inch, 16 MB Cache, 7200 RPM SATA II WD5000AAKS fom Amazon.com.

OP: For Series 1 and 2 TiVo units, you need what is called a PATA (Parallel ATA) interface drive, formerly called "IDE" or "EIDE" drives. The drive you are speaking of is a SATA (Serial ATA) interface drive, and those are for the Series 3 models.

The drive you need has this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ata_20070127_002.jpg) type of connector. If it has this (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/SATA_Data_Cable.jpg) type of connector, that is a SATA drive.

[bonita5064]

How would you transfer the software onto the hard drive?

Bonita

[CrispyCritter]

Look at the sticky thread in the TiVo upgrade sub-forum here, or perhaps the sticky thread in the HD DVR sub-forum (not directly applicable to you, but same procedure.)

[ZeoTiVo]

you need to go to the upgrade forum here and read up on how to upgrade a TiVo DVR. Once you do read up some you will see it is very straightforward. You will need a PC you can put the two IDE (PATA) drives in - original one from the TiVo and then the new one and then run some software (winmfs) to copy the image from the original drive to the new drive

[ggieseke]

I just put a WD5000AAKB (http://www.directron.com/wd5000aakb.html) in one of my S2DTs. It works beautifully, and it's very quiet.

The S2DT only has one drive bay, but it's a good idea to keep the old drive as a backup anyway.

[bonita5064]

How did you install your Software onto this drive? Amazon.com is $59.

Bonita

[ggieseke]

I used WinMFS and made a truncated backup from my old drive (software only), then restored the backup to the new drive. There are other tools available but that was the easiest method for me.

[bonita5064]

I read that I could disconnect my TivoHD and install into my desktop computer (CPU) - CD connectors, scan the HD to see if there are eraserable errors. I did this and my computer did not recognize the connection. My CPU is windows 98. This might have been the problem. So, I guess, all I can do, is to purchased a software installed HD.

Bonita

[ZeoTiVo]

I read that I could disconnect my TivoHD and install into my desktop computer (CPU) - CD connectors, scan the HD to see if there are eraserable errors. I did this and my computer did not recognize the connection. My CPU is windows 98. This might have been the problem. So, I guess, all I can do, is to purchased a software installed HD.

Bonita

The TiVo Hard drive is Linux formatted - windows will not see it. The advice meant to use a utility from the hard drive company to look at the low level bits on the hard drive. I do not do that step myself.

Just find out how to hook up the 2 drives and run winmfs to copy the drive. if that is more than you want to try then yes getting a preformatted drive for your TiVo model will work just fine. Be aware that your shows on the original drive will of course not be on the new drive nor will your season passes. You will have to re-add the season passes and wishlists. So if you go preformatted drive then make sure to write down your season passes and wishlists so you get them all.

[drey]

Bonita, check your PM

[stahta01]

To use an SATA Drive in an Series 2 Tivo look at this thread where people are trying it.
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=416883

Tim S