(You might get a idea of where my efforts are going ;))


Yup. I hear you. Best of luck.

Yup. I hear you. Best of luck.

Well, I've read that particular parent-post 50 times over and I still don't hear him. Does he mean that he's planning to split the disk into multiple 160GB partitions? Or do you really mean to say "formatting" instead of partitioning?

I appreciate the work you've put into this and I hope you can get a larger hd to work. I will be upgrading soon, but am waiting to see if I should buy a 160 or 500. Either way I'll be happy.

I'm eagerly awaiting your results.

Kind of the same situation here. I may wait a little longer anyways, my box is only 4 months old so I'm not sure if I'm ready to crack it open yet, certainly not for the 160MB option...however, if the larger drive works (300 or 500), I might have to go for it.

Well, I've read that particular parent-post 50 times over and I still don't hear him. Does he mean that he's planning to split the disk into multiple 160GB partitions? Or do you really mean to say "formatting" instead of partitioning?

I think that he is guessing that the box itself will only create up to a 160GB partition on a fresh drive, but that if a larger partition is created on a computer first, the box will use the increased space.

Will the 6412 only accept 7200.7 Seagte drives w\o NCQ, or would it likely accept any SATA Seagate drive?

Also, does anyone know what sort of filesystem the drives are formatted with? (ie. fat32, ext2, NTFS)?

I'm thinking that could be one of the issues in formatting the drive before putting into the STB.

My 300GB is: Seagate Barracuda 300GB 7200.9 16MB 11MS SATA2 NCQ RoHS Hard Drive

Also, does anyone know what sort of filesystem the drives are formatted with? (ie. fat32, ext2, NTFS)? I'm thinking that could be one of the issues in formatting the drive before putting into the STB.Its the ONLY issue!

I'm working on the premise that it is *nix UFS but I'll know more in a few days. (I am just assembling a new SATA compatible *nix box to test it.)

Be careful of the drive you select - my new 7200.9 500GB draws a lot more 5v current and generates a LOT more heat.

What about looking at a formatted drive in PM? That may tell you the FS.

I'm waiting to get the tool to open the box up with, as I don't really want to strip the screws.

I'd assume the FS is probably ext2 or something not generally readable by Windows :)

A quick google search of motorola filesystem dct reveals that so far no one has been able to figure out what type of FS it uses.

I wonder if we phoned motorola and asked if they would tell us :p

Here's a perfect example of a poor business decision. The reason why external Firewire drives have never worked has to do with firmware and hardware issues (which means Moto wants to keep it closed).

Why can't they market a Firewire drive that actually works? People will buy it if it's priced reasonably. Give customers some options (250 GB, 500 GB) and there you have it: instant source of revenue (there's really no R&D or much overhead cost involved). It's not like they have to figure out how to make it work. They know.

from what i've read most of the reasons external drives don't work is due to the software. Motorola doesn't actually write the software, they just make the boxes.

The whole thing is rather dumb though, why let someone write software for your machine when it can't take advantage of the existing hardware.

Note that the firewire ports on Motorola STBs are active and you can easily download the .ts files to an appropriately equiped computer (provided the 5C settings are proper).

The SA (and Motorola) PVRs are using SATA for external drives. The SATA ports are active on the SA8300s, while they are apparently not active on the Motorolas (SA doesn't have firewire active on the PVRs, although the ports are there).

Note that the firewire ports on Motorola STBs are active and you can easily download the .ts files to an appropriately equiped computer (provided the 5C settings are proper).

The SA (and Motorola) PVRs are using SATA for external drives. The SATA ports are active on the SA8300s, while they are apparently not active on the Motorolas (SA doesn't have firewire active on the PVRs, although the ports are there).
As far as enabling the SATA goes, I'd be willing to buy a 'proprietary' drive if that's how they wanted to go about it. They could even charge a small premium for it and I'm sure they'd sell a bundle of them. I just can't understand the reluctance to enable it.

As of this time, it appears as though the firmware (or something) is limiting drive size to 160 GB. It wouldn't make much sense to enable an external drive port if you can't use it.

As of this time, it appears as though the firmware (or something) is limiting drive size to 160 GB.
And, that is exactly what I, this "dillitante", have been saying all along. :rolleyes: Still, it is always good to have a second, objective opinion, too.

from what i've read most of the reasons external drives don't work is due to the software. Motorola doesn't actually write the software, they just make the boxes.

Motorola do write the core software on all their boxes (the 'firmware') containing the low level drivers for all the electronics in the unit. 3rd parties (prevue, pioneer, microsoft) then supply the operating system including the IPG.

Hmmm ... not sure my wife would cooperate ... would a solo shot work? ;)Five screws and the cover comes off and you can gaze at the "internals" till the cows come home.(Of course, you should use a "security bit" (http://www.newelectronx.com/proddetail.php?prod=BITMOTO) to prevent stripping the three special-head screws if you don't own your box or you might want to exchange it with Motorola or Shaw or whoever at some point in the future.)Once the cover is off, four screws remove the HDD bracket; four screws remove the hard disk. That's it. No rocket science involved.
I don't understand how you get to the third special screw. The silver box that has the rf input blocks it. Even if I take the two screws that are in the silver box, that box doesn't seem to move.

Even if I take the two screws that are in the silver box, that box doesn't seem to move.Carefully pry it off with a dull kitchen knife. There are four pressure-fit RF connectors holding it snugly in place and it will take a bit of leverage with the knife. ;)

Cavu, any update on the 500 GB drive yet?