You can replace the internal disk, but whether it will work or actually format out any bigger than the factory disk, is not known. You might find a 500GB disk that works. You'll potentially void any warranty and/or DishCare by trying it and Bell isn't ever going to support that.
Highly recommend you don't try. I found a drive that almost had the same model number, and it was ano go. Ended up sending my 9200 in a nasty loop for a while, so I bought a 9242 to replace it, and then the 9200 finally came back to life.
They are VERY perticular about the drives that run in them. Otherwise you get an error since it's not 100% compatible (I'm talking you need to have the model number down to the letter).
Actually it's not in my opinion as the 9242 will accept the external drive whereas the 9200 will not. As you can use an external drive with the 9242 did Bell/dish remove the drive limitations hardcoded?
You have to remember Bell does not want people playing around inside the receivers, so there is a valid reason for not making all drives supported. The hardware is tested with specific drives. THis is for basic operation. External drives use a completely different interface (USB) as opposed to eSata for internal. Drives are not created equal.
Would it be nice if you could swap drives as easily as in a PC? Yes, but a nightmare for Bell. I can't blame them on this one.
Read about questions re taking off backups fron ext hd via computer. Linux have a free sofgware that operates in windows and will allow you to access the files on the ext hd. http://www.diskinternals.com/download.shtml
I think the issue is the PVR doesn't use a typical file system, they do a bare write to the drive. In that case, because if differences between drives (speeds, cache, etc), they only allow "approved" units.
I played with the HDD in my 9200 and 9242, and like I mentioned above, I wouldn't do it again. One went down the yellow brick road pretty far, and it luckily self healed itself (it was stuck in a drive error detection screen for 1/2 day). And, once the drive is mounted in the PVR, they muck up some base drive bios settings that makes it no longer detectable by a PC's bios (the sleep mode or something).
So, like I said, wouldn't recommend it if your PVR is functioning. If the drive punks out, then play away, but I wouldn't risk it on a working PVR again. It seems pretty fickle.
I think on Yahoo Groups they talk about this. Just look at the info for the 622. As I recall, even putting in a larger drive that works correctly does not result in increased storage space. I think it will only use 320gb or whatever comes stock with the 622/9242.
I replaced a failed drive in my 9200 with one I found on eBay. I found it by Googling drives on the approved drive list. The alternative was paying more money for a refurb from Bell. The approved drive list is in this post. Most of these drives are very hard to find because they haven't been made in years. There may be other drives that will work but most won't.
Bell PVRs use an EXT3 file system that is readable with Linux. It uses proprietary encryption on the files so the programming is not directly usable outside of a Bell receiver. There was a program that made the files on the 5x00 PVRs viewable on a PC. Don't know if that is possible with later models.
Actually, most were OEM production runs so were not generally available to the public, just manufacturer (OEMs). It wasn't so much that they haven't been made for years, although that too is partly a reason they are rare. It was easy for the HDD vendor to simply change the model number designation (a single character change is all that was required) to deisgnate consumer vs OEM.
Depends on what you mean by "typical" The file system as mentioned above is a standard Linux FS which can be easily accessed (and it doesn't do a "bare write". The issue is that the file are encrypted and/or encoded in a way that does not make they "playable" by a typical media player.
I've been having increasingly worse problems with my hard drive features. Randomly, my recorded shows list will not display, or the pause/rewind features will not work... I'll get, "cannot acquire program guide information" when I hit "RECORD" on a certain block.
I'm just wondering if others have had a similar problem. Since the hard drive is SATA, I'm wondering if it marries to the receiver, or if I can just simply purchase a new 500GB SATA drive and put it in as an upgraded replacement?
Anybody have thoughts? I read one post which says the drive must be from an approved drives list, but I someone else told me basically any SATA drive will work.
Thanks in advance!
PS. Bell obviously wants to jerk you around and charge $499 for a 9241 or $169 for a refurb... yay for BELL, I think I'll fix it myself.
9241, kijiji, error 311, stolen hard drive...what a story!
My little story begins with my wish to leave Rogers (again) and go back to Bell. I found on Kijiji an ad for a brand new 9241 never activated for half what I would pay buying through Bell. I request the receiver numbers to confirm with Bell. He provides them. I call Bell and they confirm the receiver has never been activated. Cool! I buy the receiver from him.
I plug it in and to my surprise...I get every channel! I mean everything (minus PPV). So I am shocked cause Bell say's it's not in their system...It looked like it had been setup...perfect condition...but little things like cord wrapped up differently, UHF antenna already screwed in etc.
So, then I keep getting error 311 and 024...won't let me access the hard drive. Follow the great steps in this forum to access diagnostics...do a hard drive test...it fails....reboots and now is stuck with flashing red light and won't turn on. So I pull cover off...and another big surprise...completely missing hard drive!!!!!
So I have been screwed! hahaha what a story...so, who's got that list of approved drives so I can replace the drive and be back in business?
There was a Guy in Hamilton selling these not that long ago, again at half price, like yours. They were all missing the Hard Drives. I will see if I can locate the story and send you a PM. One buyer, went as far as getting a buddy to contact the Guy and meet up to get a unit, then he came out and demanded his money back. Story came with pictures of the thieves too.
Wow...that sucks...have asked my reseller to search for either the Seagate ST3500830SCE or WDC WD5000AAJS. Hopefully I can find a match and get this thing goin.
Well contacted a supplier I know for IT parts....nobody has the Seagate drives anywhere....does anybody know of ANY size drive that is still made that works in the 9241??
Do an internet search for the exact model number. If anyone has it, it will likely show up. I found a cuple of places that has the Seagate drive. One in GB and one in the USA. According to the GB site, the drives are optimized for PVR use so it will be the correct model. The US site was half the price though.
Yeah ScaryBOB, the website is using the refurb seagates...apparently all the compatible drives on the list were discontinued a year or more ago. I was hoping that DISH/BELL would need to add compatibility for newer comparable drives in new firmware as I assume they will be running out of replacements for their repair center soon.
Guess I will just order the refurb from the US site. Thanks.
I expect that Bell and Echostar calculated how many drives they would need and have enough in stock. OTOH, Bell can just buy a newer drive and insert the new model number into the firmware. People have hacked the firmware to accept other models of drives but it gets overwritten when Bell does an update.
1. Can anyone take a picture of how it is supposed to install in the drive bay? As there was no original in for me I wasn't sure because there were just 4 plastic black things...temporary install for now.
2. Installed drive, turned on and the record light just flashes a slow red...is this normal?
UPDATE: After about 6 hours the red light stopped flashing. Turned receiver on and all the free programming was gone (haha knew that was gonna happen)...but receiver was working!! But when I pressed PVR said data not available...do you think that is because the receiver isn't activated yet?
I ran the short HD diagnostics...and instead of no hard drive found...test ran and all tests passed. Is that a good indication that the firmware is good with the drive? Phew...almost there!
Well I spent all night messing with it. The following keeps happening:
1. Keep getting error 311 - Data not available
2. Sometimes get the drive corrupted need to clean drive
Short and long diagnostics say new drive is perfect. Channels are now back...but for whatever reason the receiver says data not available.
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