Use old hard drive as external?

1036 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Tony_T, Jun 30, 2021

DavidS

Discussion Starter · Jun 29, 2021

My Bolt OTA won't power on after a nearby lightning strike. I'm getting a replacement. Assuming the hard drive in the original is OK will I be able to remove it and use it as an external drive with the new Bolt? Would like to save some of the recordings.

Save

1 - 8 of 8 Posts

JoeKustra

· #2 · Jun 29, 2021

The only way to save the recordings is to move them to a PC. But if the new Bolt doesn't run TE3, getting them back will be impossible. The second you plug in the new drive the old drive become empty to the Bolt.

Anyone correct me if I stated that wrong.

Save

Reactions: 1

DavidS

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 30, 2021

Thanks for the quick reply. Not sure I follow it all but I'm not sure I was clear in my question. If I take the hard drive (with recordings) out of the old Bolt and plug it into the external drive port of the new Bolt, will the new Bolt read the recordings on the old hard drive (like plugging an existing drive into a computer)?

Save

dianebrat

· #4 · Jun 30, 2021

DavidS said:
Thanks for the quick reply. Not sure I follow it all but I'm not sure I was clear in my question. If I take the hard drive (with recordings) out of the old Bolt and plug it into the external drive port of the new Bolt, will the new Bolt read the recordings on the old hard drive (like plugging an existing drive into a computer)?

No, it doesn't work that way,
if your old Bolt is dead the recordings on it are gone, they're married to the encryption in the old Bolt

Save

Tony_T

· #5 · Jun 30, 2021

The external port only works with one model of WD MyBook thats not made anymore.
https://support.tivo.com/articles/Features_Use/My-Book-DVR-Expander-FAQ
You won't be able to easily recover any of your recordings. There may be a way, but it won't be easy.

Save

V7Goose

· #6 · Jun 30, 2021

If the TiVo that recorded the programs is not working, then there is absolutely NO WAY to ever recover the programs from the original drive.

Save

DavidS

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 30, 2021

Thanks for all the bad news guys! Seriously, I appreciate the knowledge.

Save

Tony_T

· #8 · Jun 30, 2021

FWIW, I also lost a TiVo do to a lightning strike a few yes ago.
I've since added a surge protector to the cable line:
Amazon.com: TII 212 Broadband Cable TV and Satellite Lightning Surge Protector 75 Ohm 5-1500MHz: Electronics

Save

1 - 8 of 8 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month