[bracoh]

I'm looking at getting an HD unit tomorrow or Monday. I know all about the pixilation issues. I've got 2 scenario questions. I already have a series 2 Sony upgraded to record 270 hrs. Can I replace that hard drive for the one that will be in the HD and then just let itself get updated software wise? Is the Sony Tivo software different from the regular Tivo software?

If that's a no go, can I clone the hard drive from the HD unit to a larger drive? I've got a 500 gig drive that I could use. I'd be doing it on an Intel iMac so power isn't an issue. Has anyone with a Mac ever done this?

Thanks for the info!

 

[ciper]

No
Yes
No

 

[rainwater]

Check out http://mfslive.org/ for the software that will allow to you upgrade the default drive to a larger one.

 

[bracoh]

Thanks Rainwater, it looks like they only have a Linux and Windows version but I have Vista running through Parallels so it should work. Of course that's assuming that this will run on Vista.

Thanks again!

 

[bkdtv]

The WinMFS upgrade utility works fine on both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Vista.

 

[cgould]

Or you can download & burn a CD for a Linux or Tivo "live boot" CD, like Knoppix, that will let you clone/expand the drive. dd_rescue is a good linux disk block-copy program, but you still need tools to expand.
Hopefully those should work on an Intel Mac as well.

 

[Arcady]

There's no place on an iMac to install two drives, so I don't see how you could do it.

I use an old Pentium 2 box that I got for free to clone TiVo drives.

 

[bracoh]

I'll be using an external case.

 

[Arcady]

I forgot that WinMFS can support drives connected via USB.

You'll need two external cases if you want to clone (without opening your iMac and removing its drive.)

 

[rainwater]

I forgot that WinMFS can support drives connected via USB.

You'll need two external cases if you want to clone (without opening your iMac and removing its drive.)

Why is that? Just use the original to backup the drive to a file. Then use the new drive to restore it. No need to have them attached at the same time.

 

[aaronwt]

You can't backup the whole drive with recordings. You have to copy drive to drive to keep recordings. If you don't want to save recrodings you can do a truncated backup which gets all your settings, season passes etc and save it to a hard drive on the PC. Then connect the new drive and restore the truncated backup.

 

[bracoh]

Thanks again for the info guys. I was planning to do it as soon as I get the unit before the cable cards are installed. I'm home recovering from a surgery so time is not an issue. Either way I've got plenty of external cases I can use. On the other hand, if Tivo is supposed to activate the external eSata option, I could just wait and go that route. I don't think I can fill 20 hours of HD in a week. The networks seem to be pushing back the fall season fare later and later each year.

 

[bracoh]

I just pulled the trigger from the TivoCommunityStore because of the $20 coupon. Anyone know how soon they/you ship and from where?