My 211 DVR function is activated

[Smith, P.]

That's way how 622 working. Hope they reuse same code in 211.

[gireesh]

You can access the partitions from XP/Vista etc by using this software:


Ext2 IFS For Windows

[davepo]

I lurk here alot, but wanted to thank EVERY contributor to this thread. Read all 19 pages, and now have a 211k en route, plus a WD 750GB drive headed to this ice bound house. I used to post on other boards, dbstalk ? iirc when the 501 came out, but 2 more kids later, and I just don't have the time. I have a 622 that the wife has commandeered, so I needed something for the 42" Panasonic we bought last week for $665, which is surreal considering I payed right at $1k ten years ago for a 36" tube. Fortunately, I can post this message, the ice damage here is unbelievable (Louisville).

[gireesh]

I had all three of my 211 activated couple of weeks ago.

The process, though took 30 minutes or so, was not complicated.

First they wanted to make sure that I had placed the right Smartcards in the right receiver, during the recent upgrade. I found that amusing, as NOT doing so would have rendered my receivers useless. I obliged, walked around the three rooms and read out the numbers. I also tuned all receivers to channel 101 during the walk through. One of the receivers are seldom used, so I call them oft and on to revive the smartcard settings and they have asked me to tune to 101 before they send the message to revive my card.

Sure enough, the rep asked me tune to channel 101.

After that they sent the message out to hit my receivers, and within a couple of minutes all my receivers popped up a message box saying that the USB DVR function has been activated.

I have an USB drive hooked up to just one of the receivers, but on all three DVR function is available, i.e. if I go to the guide and click on a future program, DVR dialog pops up and I can create a timer. Obviously, if the drive is not present, the set will not record anything... I have not created a timer on the receiver without a drive, so I don't know what will happen.

[davepo]

Quick update on my activation......the CSR that I reached entered the archive code for the 211k EHD, even though I asked her not to do so. She even conferred with her boss. Of course this did not start the format process, so off to tech support I went. I reached a fellow who admittedly did not deal with this type of issue. He was very patient and after he explained that there was no way to differentiate between the 622 or the 211k on my account when activating the EHD feature, he dug further. It took a few holds and attempts, he then explained that when activating the EHD for an account, they have to enter one of two codes: one for the archive feature that the 622 requires, the other enables the EHD as a DVR that the 211k requires. He confirmed that I did not want the archive feature on the 622, removed that and credited my account, then before he could finish explaining that this was a new routine, the 'do you want to format' screen popped up.

I can't get over how small the 211k/WD 750GB set up is. Very nice. I think I'll swap the 622 (leased for 2.5 years now) out for a purchased 222k when the EHD feature is enabled. The 622 has been essentially trouble free, but I can't imagine that will last forever given the heat it generates.

[Carl B]

I can't get over how small the 211k/WD 750GB set up is. Very nice. I think I'll swap the 622 (leased for 2.5 years now) out for a purchased 222k when the EHD feature is enabled. The 622 has been essentially trouble free, but I can't imagine that will last forever given the heat it generates.

Assuming the 222k is essentially the same unit as the 222, I'd better warn you that it is also a very hot running unit. Just sitting in stand-by mode the top is almost hot to the touch. I think all of the dual-tuner receivers have a heat problem.

[scarhill]

I picked up a 750G WD MyBook Essential drive on sale at Staples yesterday. After reading this thread, I was concerned about the activation process, but it went very smoothly. I plugged the drive into my 211k and called the number in the on-screen prompt. Within a few seconds after finishing with the voice prompts, my receiver asked if I wanted to format the drive and everything worked.

I set some Dish Pass searches and a couple of movies had recorded by this morning. Just for the heck of it, I removed the drive from the downstairs receiver and connected it to the second 211k in the bedroom. After a reboot, I was able to watch the content there.

Kudos to Dish for some nice functionality and thanks to all the posters on this thread for working out the kinks!

One question: What is the preferred way to disconnect the drive from the receiver in order to move it? Even with the receiver "off" (but powered-up) there seemed to be occasional disk accesses. I did it by resetting the receiver by holding the power button, then unplugging the USB connector. Is there a better option?

Thanks!

[Smith, P.]

That's sufficient. Another way - unplug power cord of 211, then unplug EHD.

[eyuplad]

I downloaded a new version of software on my 211k yesterday (I think it was L455) and it has a new menu option for disconnecting the drive (Remove DVR). I tried this a few times and it seems to work ok but it has to do a reboot, even if I reconnect the drive back up.
This software also supports 1TB drive now which is great for me. I think I am going to copy all my contents from my freeagent to my new 1TB showcase and use that all the time.

Does anyone know if DISH are going to increase the upper drive limit further, or even remove it?

[Smith, P.]

Soon.