External Hard Drive Problems and Discussion - See Facts Link in Post 1.

[arcabuddy]

To reformat on a computer (win. xp) whats the best program for that?

[FunkyTown]

Windows comes with a format utility. You could open a DOS prompt by clicking START, then RUN. Type CMD and press enter. You'll get a DOS window. Then type Format D: where D: is equal to the USB drive letter.

I don't use Windows as I have a Mac. This is what I recall from 2005 and prior. So correct me if I'm wrong. There may be an easier way now.

When you plug it back in to your PVR, it will format it again. Hopefully this will fix the issue with your EHD.

[Johnny Canada]

Greetings from Hamilton Ontario.

My new Bell External Hard Drive (Western Digital Model: WDH1S5000) is hooked up to my Bell 6131 for use as a PVR. Works perfect. However, I'm a bit confused with the function of the two LED lights on the front of the unit.

These blue lights flash in sequence while recording a program. However, after I stopped recording, they both continue to flash and the drive keeps spinning.

Perhaps the drive is suppose to constantly spin all the of the time (no sleep mode). However, both lights continue to flash sequentially and there is a slight "clunk" felt every 5 seconds if you place your hand on the EHD enclosure (It's doing something...)

Any thoughts? I tried Bell's "Live Chat" who refered me to email my question to a link that was dead. Go figure.

Many thanks,
Johnny

[scrooloose]

Not sure about the clunk but your 6131 is always buffering the current channel, so I imagine they will always do that.

-Mike

[kandkt]

The EHD on a 6131 will be spinning and working constantly, just like the internal hard drive of a 9241/9242. As Scrooloose indicated, the buffer feature which allows you to go back up to 1 hour on the current channel or pause live TV had to always be working. This is why you cannot connect an EHD with a sleep mode.

[mpmn05]

I am using the WD 1TB SATA WD10EARS for my 6141 and it shows 135 hrs for HD, and 1000 hrs for SD.

[mpmn05]

Originally Posted by ScaryBob

Just curious as to what the exact numbers are. That would indicate just how much of the drive is actually being used. A newly formatted 1TB drive indicates 120hr HD or 1000hr SD. A freshly formatted 1.5TB should come up with about 180hr HD or 1500hr SD, if the entire drive is used. If, as I suspect may hapen, only 1.1TB is being used by the receiver then it will indicate about 132hr HD or 1100hr SD.

I suspect that the ceiling will be about 200hr HD and 1650hr SD. I base that on the 4 primary partition limit for conventional hard drive layouts. Since current receivers create 550GB partitions, that would make the limit 1650GB, slightly less than a 2TB drive. That, of course, could be changed with updated firmware or hardware.

I am using the WD 1TB SATA WD10EARS for my 6141 and it shows 135 hrs for HD, and 1000 hrs for SD. The drive is whisper quiet.

[Johnny Canada]

Thanks guys. I knew I came to the right place.

If the EHD is constantly spinning, then I guess I'll just place a strip of black tape over the blinking lights (damn things are distracting).

Oh, and perhaps "clunk" is too strong a word. I will however check out another EHD at the store to see if it has the same characteristic vibrations.

Johnny

[ScaryBob]

All HDs vibrate to some extent. That's due to the spinning platter. Some makes and models vibrate more or less and each drive is different due to production variance and platter speed. There is also some noise and vibration due to head movement (clunks, ticks, etc.) That also varies with drive model and make. Placing some rubber shelf liner under the drive case can reduce vibration and noise conduction into surrounding surfaces.

[ScaryBob]

I am using the WD 1TB SATA WD10EARS for my 6141

I find it very useful to know that the EARS series works with the 6141. Has anyone tried them with the 6131 or 9242?

The EHD that is attached to my 9242 is a 1 TB WD Green drive which is 5400 rpm.

The WD 1TB Green EADS series is actually faster than 5400RPM, but not by much. It does perform as well as some 7200RPM drives which explains why it works Ok.

[ozzy]

Arcabuddy,
I get same sh!t with my 6141. I bought another EHD and same problem. I think its the 6141 receiver problem. Some days are worse than others but it happens everyday. "USB Hard Drive has been unplugged. The receiver will now restart"
Did the format HD thing work for you??

[tvnut64]

Originally Posted by ozzy

Arcabuddy,
I get same sh!t with my 6141. I bought another EHD and same problem. I think its the 6141 receiver problem. Some days are worse than others but it happens everyday. "USB Hard Drive has been unplugged. The receiver will now restart"
Did the format HD thing work for you??

If your external drive goes into sleep mode you will get this message. You have to use an external drive that never sleeps, as the receiver has to "see" the drive at all times.

[wrapper]

I have used a 1 TB laCie drive for many months now without problems. I just do not let it get full.

[ozzy]

I have a WD My Book Essential edition 500gb. I cant find anywhere on the box where it says it sleeps. What models wont sleep?

[trail_hiker]

Hi,
I am looking at buying a Bell 9242 PVR but have the Shaw EHD that connects with eSATA. Can I connect this EHD to the 9242 through the USB port? Or does it need a eSATA port?
Thanks