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9241 Internal hard drive replacement

208K views 174 replies 61 participants last post by  Notdeadyet55 
#1 ·
Apologies if this has been discussed elsewhere, but I can't find it.

The 9242 hard drive replacement thread at http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=103462 has been invaluable, with its list of valid replacement drive numbers, etc. However, it doesn't specifically address the 9241 (altho some 9241 owners have posted there). The 9241 owners thread makes some references to hard-drive replacement, but I can't find concrete details.

Does someone have a list of drive models that make suitable models for replacement in a 9241? Or have any experience with this?

I've seen ebay postings for 9242 drives, saying they will work in 9241s also - but I'm suspicious of that - esp after reading the 9242 thread. I've also seen lots of 9241s that can't be activated going on ebay, and was thinking of buying one of those so I can cannibalize the hard-drive when needed.... but I also recall reading somewhere (not sure where now) that a 9241 can only have its hard drive replaced by the EXACT same model that it already has. ie, even a different model drive from a different 9241 may not work in my unit.

Does anyone know if there is any truth in either of these statements?

For the record, my 9241 is humming along nicely in the 6 months six I got it (from ebay - who knows what it did before then!). But I know these drives get harder to find and would like to have an "insurance" drive around, as I hope to keep the receiver for a long time! (Changing receivers down "south" is a pain, and my 5100/5900 only lasted two years!)

Thanks
 
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#2 ·
The most up-to-date list specifically for the 9241 that I've seen is "V232 HDD list for 9241 [a la ViP612]" from August 2009. Firmware is now V238. I think the new firmwares add drives rather than remove them, but the problem is actually finding one of those old ones. There are a few sites that claim to have some of the Seagate models that are on both that list and the 9242 list. You have the advantage with a US shipping address.

eBay/PayPal are very buyer-centric these days so if the listing specifically claims it works in the 9241 you should be able to get your money back if it doesn't, though you may have to return it on your own dime.
 
#3 ·
The most up-to-date list specifically for the 9241 that I've seen is "V232 HDD list for 9241 [a la ViP612]" from August 2009. Firmware is now V238. I think the new firmwares add drives rather than remove them, but the problem is actually finding one of those old ones. There are a few sites that claim to have some of the Seagate models that are on both that list and the 9242 list.
So, I searched what you have in quotes there, and found this list. In the interests of keeping all the info on digital home, here it is:

--------
V232 HDD list for 9241 [a la ViP612]
Tue Aug 11 12:30:54 2009

HDT722525DLAT80
Hitachi HCP725025GLA380
Hitachi HCP725025GLAT80
Hitachi HCP725032GLA380
Hitachi HCP725050GLA380
Hitachi HCS5C3232SLA380
Hitachi HCS725025VLAT80
Hitachi HCS725032VLA380
Hitachi HCS725050VLA380
Hitachi HCT721010SLA360
Hitachi HDS721616PLAT80
Maxtor 4A250J0
Maxtor 4R120L0
Maxtor 4R160L0
Maxtor 5A250J0
Maxtor 6L120P0
Maxtor 6L160P0
Maxtor 6L250R0
Maxtor 6L250S0
Maxtor 6L320S0
Maxtor 7Y250M0
Maxtor 7Y250P0
SAMSUNG HA250JC
SAMSUNG HA500LJ
SAMSUNG HA501IJ
SAMSUNG SP1243N
SAMSUNG SP1644N
SAMSUNG SV1203N
SAMSUNG SV1604E
ST31000335CS
ST3120025ACE
ST3120213ACE
ST3160022ACE
ST3160023AS
ST3160212ACE
ST3160215ACE
ST3250310CS
ST3250820ACE
ST3250820SCE
ST3250823ACE
ST3250823SCE
ST3320310CS
ST3320820SCE
ST3320832SCE
ST3500321CS
ST3500830SCE
WDC WD10EAVS-57
WDC WD1200JB-57REA0
WDC WD1600AAJB-57
WDC WD1600JB-57REA0
WDC WD2500AAJB-57
WDC WD2500AAJS-57
WDC WD2500JB-55GVA1
WDC WD2500JB-57GVA1
WDC WD2500JB-57GVC0
WDC WD2500JB-57REA0
WDC WD2500JD-55HBB1
WDC WD2500JD-57HBB1
WDC WD2500JD-57HBC0
WDC WD2500JS-57MHB1
WDC WD3200AAJS-57
WDC WD3200JS-57PDB0
WDC WD5000AAJS-57
WDC WD5000AAVS-57

NOTE: WDC disks with -57 prefix are OEM !

---------

Please note - I'm not guaranteeing any of these disks will work in your 9241, or that you can buy them anywhere! Just trying to collect relevant info at this stage.

If anyone has had success with any of these, or other drives, please let us know!

Thanks
 
#5 ·
If I were buying a drive I would definitely test to see whether it worked before storing it away. The "dismantling" only involves removing 4 screws since you won't be removing the existing drive from the cage.

Just thinking about it logically, there would be no reason for anyone to have posted the list of compatible drives in the first place if you can only use the same model as the one currently installed. Unless something changed with newer firmwares, but then you don't remember where you heard the claim anyway. Hopefully someone who has replaced a drive can chime in.

The receivers that can't be activated seem sketchy to me since you can't know that there aren't other problems with them.
 
#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
9241 hard drive

Well i replaced my internal CinemaStar HD with a Seagate - more or less the same #'s etc .... bottom line still no PVR functions. Is there a reboot required to initiate the new drive? Did i screw up by not replaceing with the exact same HD?
I took this HD PVR off my subscription for now , but it still downloaded updates ....

Thanks
 
#11 ·
Solved - bell 9241 hard drive replacment

SEP 26. 2013

Hello, I was looking all over for help on a hard drive replacement. I got three new 9241 boxes from bell and they all stutter and skip during HD recordings. The worst was when trying to play a hockey game 1 hour after it started, and then speeding through the commercials and intermissions until I caught up in real time. That's when the skipping got bad.

I pulled the box apart and found a crappy Seagate hard drive. Years ago they were the best, since 2008 they are the worst. So I wanted to put in a new drive.

I tried some very fast solid state drives, and some of the best quality Western Digital drives, none worked.

It seemed that the firmware only accepts certain drives and not others, and this sucks.

The original drive was a Seagate pipeline 320GB, 8MB cache, 3GB/SATA. Apparently Seagate and Western Digital have a AV drive series that are good for security cameras. They have a long life and don't power down. Most speeds of the drives are 5900RPM.

So I bought a new 1TB Seagate pipeline drive. It has 64MB cache, 6GB/SATA. There are other tech specs that make the drive faster, but all I want is the skipping to stop, and these PVR boxes are just plain old computer mother boards, with a CPU, and a hard drive, and a BIOS - OR - FIRMWARE that decodes the bell signal and has the menu driven system in order to do its job.

So the weakest link in this system was the poor hard drive. If anyone knows what model of solid state hard drive can go in then there is no problem. I put them in server computers and they have been running 24/7 for over 5 years, no problems. The best ones to get are Intel 520 series and the Kingston Hyper X series, all others may not be of quality. This is how all future PVR system will come, I just wish I could put one in my system.

If I do not add to this post then you will know my problem is solved
 
#13 ·
showex,

Keep us posted if the TB drive works. As for your remark about SSD'd being in PVR units. that wont be for a long time. not when they cost is so high for anything above 120gb. Especially any drives that are decent quality. mechanical drives will always be cheaper per GB and Bell only cares about their bottom line. it shows with the cheap drives they put in the PVR units. I wouldn't touch Hitachi with a 1000' pole. yet they are still used widely because they are dirt cheap.
 
#14 ·
showex, there is no SSD drive that will work.

You need to look back to the old days where 320gb drives were the latest and greatest. And then you need to figure out which one will work. (lists are here on DHC...... hint... try looking at post #3).

The 9241 will not even give more recording space when a firmware recognized 500gb drive is installed. It still only gives 320gb recording time.

Summary.......the 9241 is the worst and least capable dual tuner HD receiver Bell has ever supplied.
 
#17 ·
@ Mr.X ---> I have drives from several 9400's (1 Terabyte Drives) and I have tried to slip them into 9242's and to no success did I myself get it to work. Now would it work in a 9241? That's a good test, mind you I don't have a 9241 to test it in and I am not sure if the same diagnostic features work as the 9242 to complete the install. Anyone have a 9241 to lend or test with? lol

@ Pinza ---> The 9241 has several models of drives inside the ones I have as spares from 9241's are as follows:

Segate Pipeline HD - ST3320310CS (320GB)
Segate Pipeline HD .2 - ST3320311CS (320GB)
Western Digital - WD3200AAJS (320GB)
 
#19 ·
That 1tb seagate hd works good
Answers to seagate hd install. Oct 1 2013


Recording time in HD is over 150 hours. From showerx

So far I'm halfway through my first hockey game and no skips.

Again don't forget it's the seagate pipeline series. I hope this helps others.
 
#20 ·
1TB seagate pipeline works in the 9241, and it upgrades the recording hours to 155HD hours, sweet jebus, i'm going to try a TB tonight if i can find one i think may work. I have some Seagate Server "ES" series TB drives here. I may try.

Any special tricks to replace this or follow the documented technique for the 9242?
 
#21 ·
@Mr.X -----> It should be the same procedure as the 9242.

UPDATE: The 9242 now accepts 1 Terabyte drives as of V195. I just threw a Seagate Pipeline HD .2 1TB ST31000424CS in my 9242 and it picked it up right away without issue. This was tried by myself a few months ago to no avil as of V194. But we are now able to still have the Best PVR and expand its internal storage.:p:p:p:cool:
 
#23 ·
About that 1TB Seagate PIPELINE HD I installed.

I get over 500 hours of HD video recording.

Freezing and skipping on some hockey games are eliminated or improved but they are still there.

The worst skipping is when you are an hour late into the game and its still recording and you are catching up to real time.

SEAGATE Pipeline HD® 3Gb/s 1TB Hard Drive MODEL: ST1000VM002
 
#36 ·
I can confirm that the Seagate Pipeline 1TB ST1000VM002 hard drive DOES work in the 9241 Bell receiver but you get 150h of HD recording capacity (500h of SD).

Replacement takes about 30 minutes, including disconnection, replacement, reconnection, formatting, reset, etc.

I also recommend oiling the fan while you have the receiver open. Just pull the sticker on the back of the fan about half way and you'll see the oiling point. Drop some light oil in there (Hoppe's 9 works great for that, 1-2 drops) then turn the fan manually so that the oil works it's way through then stick the sticker back on and you're good to go for another 5 years.

Receiver that was VERY noisy before is now whisper-quiet.
 
#26 ·
Remember that anyone with the new firmware will see double the capacity for the HDDs because of MPEG4 compression. The drive has not changed, just the calculation. The people without the new firmware also have the larger amount of recording capability, but the calculation will be incorrect.

I believe 1 TB doesn't have 500 hours of HD though.
 
#27 ·
yeah, but i have a 320gb in mine (stock) and i get about 50-55 hours of HD. It actually seems like its less though i always find my self with 30 min of HD space left lol.

So to go from 55Hours to 500 that is quite the jump. If its true, i'm ordering a TB right now. if not, I may as well just keep this 320 Pipeline i have as a spare right now.
 
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