Thread: 625 internal disk failure - lowest cost repair?

My nearly three year old 625 DVR's internal hard disk (Seagate 250GB ST3250823ACE) died yesterday. I twice unplugged the unit for ten minutes, bypassing the surge suppressor, did the hard disk initialization (play, play, recall) twice but no joy. I took the hard drive out and ran Steve Gibson's SpinRite disk repair utility. Basically the hard drive is dead.

I want to keep a 625. What is the cheapest way to get a working 625? I can get a replacement drive off the approved list for roughly $100. Is there a cheaper option?

Originally Posted by ejerommel

My nearly three year old 625 DVR's internal hard disk (Seagate 250GB ST3250823ACE) died yesterday. I twice unplugged the unit for ten minutes, bypassing the surge suppressor, did the hard disk initialization (play, play, recall) twice but no joy. I took the hard drive out and ran Steve Gibson's SpinRite disk repair utility. Basically the hard drive is dead.

I want to keep a 625. What is the cheapest way to get a working 625? I can get a replacement drive off the approved list for roughly $100. Is there a cheaper option?

Yes, do what I did a month ago when my 625 hd died. Join the DHPP plan at $5.95 a month, then an hour or so later call Dish Tech Support. They will walk you through a couple simple tests.

If no luck getting it working, they will send you a refurbished 625.

Once you get the replacement you have 10 days to ship the old one back with the included pre-paid ups slip.

I waited 2 months before cancelling the DHPP plan, but I imagine you could cancel it once you know your replacement works.

Two cool things: I owned the old one and according to them I own the new one. $5.99 x3 months DHPP for a functioning 625 with a new hard drive.

Tim

FYI, they changed DHPP to "Service Plan", I believe is the name, for $6/month. It now has a gotcha in that it will cost you $25 to cancel. Just something to consider.

Thanks for the tip. Several Dish receiver owners seem to have had good luck signing up for the Dish service plan and getting Dish to replace failed equipment. I personally feel it is unethical to add a service plan after a device dies, even though I admit it is a low cost repair option :-). Since I only need the hard drive I may purchase a used 625 off eBay as my low cost option.