I started having some problems with my Dish 508 DVR about a week ago (the unit is about 5-6 years old). At first it looked like the hard drive was going bad (problems with recorded events, noises from the drive like excessive seeking on the disk, etc.). Then when it reaquired the satellite signal following a storm, I could see the channel banner at the top, but screen was black...no picture on any channel. Then it seemed to get into a loop where it would reboot, try and regain the signal, reboot, etc.
After trying the typical restore procedures several times (unplugging the unit for a while, front button reboot, smart card reboot), I was able to get the channels back, but the hard drive really looked like it was having problems (missing recorded events, incorrect remaining time free space amount listed, etc.). Then I lost the signal again and have not been able to get anything back but the channel banner and the black screen.
I had read that the 50x DVRs should still operate as a receiver even if the drive dies...is that true? I own this DVR so I don't currently have the monthly DVR fee and would like to avoid that if I have to replace the unit. Searching around the web, I have found instructions on how to essentially "reset" the hard drive and that sometimes will "restore" a seemingly problematic hard drive, although after 5-6 years, I would not be surprised if the drive itself is dead.
I have worked with and built PCs for 20 years so I can handle trying some things to try and repair it, but since the unit is having trouble now even acting as a receiver minus the drive, is it likely something other than the drive and I am just going to have to bite the bullet and replace the unit? Should I just get the HPP to get it replaced, and if so, am I likely to get stuck with a leased box or the monthly DVR fee?
After trying the typical restore procedures several times (unplugging the unit for a while, front button reboot, smart card reboot), I was able to get the channels back, but the hard drive really looked like it was having problems (missing recorded events, incorrect remaining time free space amount listed, etc.). Then I lost the signal again and have not been able to get anything back but the channel banner and the black screen.
I had read that the 50x DVRs should still operate as a receiver even if the drive dies...is that true? I own this DVR so I don't currently have the monthly DVR fee and would like to avoid that if I have to replace the unit. Searching around the web, I have found instructions on how to essentially "reset" the hard drive and that sometimes will "restore" a seemingly problematic hard drive, although after 5-6 years, I would not be surprised if the drive itself is dead.
I have worked with and built PCs for 20 years so I can handle trying some things to try and repair it, but since the unit is having trouble now even acting as a receiver minus the drive, is it likely something other than the drive and I am just going to have to bite the bullet and replace the unit? Should I just get the HPP to get it replaced, and if so, am I likely to get stuck with a leased box or the monthly DVR fee?