New HDD question

[HoppertheKangaroo18]

I got an hr44 that has a seagate 1tb that doesn't let me record for whatever reason when I select something live ro record it says delete oldest recording. In the DVR list it says 0% free and ive never used it. Any suggestions on what brand/ model HDD i should go with?

 

[John2021]

I think any seagate or WD would work...

 

[Jimbo]

I'm thinking the hard drive is full ...
With D*, as it fills up it will let you know your getting close, to go in and remove the oldest recordings.

You've never used this HR44 ?
So, this is New to you ?

IF thats the case, I would reformat the hard drive and then it would be clean, for sure and go from there.

IF, that doesn't work, then look for another HD.

I use to know the steps to do this, but I haven't done anything like that in 8-10 years.

Someone else here may remember.

Maybe Tom.

 

[Jimbo]

I'm thinking the hard drive is full ...
With D*, as it fills up it will let you know your getting close, to go in and remove the oldest recordings.

You've never used this HR44 ?
So, this is New to you ?

IF thats the case, I would reformat the hard drive and then it would be clean, for sure and go from there.

IF, that doesn't work, then look for another HD.

I use to know the steps to do this, but I haven't done anything like that in 8-10 years.

Someone else here may remember.

Maybe Tom.

Kangaroo,
Better yet, go into the HR44 into the System setting and you should be able to find a place to Reset setting, theres like 3 options, at the bottom I believe is a Reset Everything ....
That option WILL reset the box to Factory Setting, this should erase everything so your HD would also be wiped, which will allow you to start over ....
Keep in mind, that Will erase everything ... so IF you have used it, your setting, your Custom Guide options and all that will be gone.

 

[HoppertheKangaroo18]

John,
Better yet, go into the HR44 into the System setting and you should be able to find a place to Reset setting, theres like 3 options, at the bottom I believe is a Reset Everything ....
That option WILL reset the box to Factory Setting, this should erase everything so your HD would also be wiped, which will allow you to start over ....
Keep in mind, that Will erase everything ... so IF you have used it, your setting, your Custom Guide options and all that will be gone.

Its activated (no clients) if I reset everything would it screw up being activated at all or would I have to reactivate it

 

[Tom Speer]

I don't think reset everything will erase the hard drive. The hard drive does not actually contain the operating system, which is a custom version of Linux. That is stored in non-volatile memory on the main board. Activation is based on the Access card of the Hr44. There is a diagnostics menu where you can analyze the hard drive or reformat it. It is accessed by holding down two buttons simultaneously on the remote, but I can't remember which ones. I will try to find that tomorrow, if no one else can come up with it.

If you replace the hard drive or add an external esata drive, and it is not formatted for DIrecTV's file system, it will reformat it automatically at power up. Once that is done, the HR44 Genie will start up and run, with no further activation needed. Nothing on the hard drive is needed to run. I am not sure that recent models have an eSATA port, but I have substituted eSATA drives with an eSATA dock many times.

My personal recommendation for a replacement hard drive is a Western Digital Red drive. They are built for continuous recording in surveillance systems and DVRs. Even if you are just watching live TV, the buffer is recording all the time. But WD Red drives are more expensive than ordinary PC drives. WD Red drives will probably outlive theDIRECTV satellites at this point so it may not be worth it. Mine is 12 years old and going strong. Don't try using anything over 4GB. And contrary to many recommendations in the forums, I would never use a SSD. SSDs have an upper limit to write cycles.

 

[HoppertheKangaroo18]

I don't think reset everything will erase the hard drive. The hard drive does not actually contain the operating system, which is a custom version of Linux. That is stored in non-volatile memory on the main board. Activation is based on the Access card of the Hr44. There is a diagnostics menu where you can analyze the hard drive or reformat it. It is accessed by holding down two buttons simultaneously on the remote, but I can't remember which ones. I will try to find that tomorrow, if no one else can come up with it.

If you replace the hard drive or add an external esata drive, and it is not formatted for DIrecTV's file system, it will reformat it automatically at power up. Once that is done, the HR44 Genie will start up and run, with no further activation needed. Nothing on the hard drive is needed to run. I am not sure that recent models have an eSATA port, but I have substituted eSATA drives with an eSATA dock many times.

My personal recommendation for a replacement hard drive is a Western Digital Red drive. They are built for continuous recording in surveillance systems and DVRs. Even if you are just watching live TV, the buffer is recording all the time. But WD Red drives are more expensive than ordinary PC drives. WD Red drives will probably outlive theDIRECTV satellites at this point so it may not be worth it. Mine is 12 years old and going strong. Don't try using anything over 4GB. And contrary to many recommendations in the forums, I would never use a SSD. SSDs have an upper limit to write cycles.

Found this on ebay that I may try unless I find a WD red for a low price Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" HDD ST3000DM007 SATA 6Gb/s 7200RPM Desktop Hard Drive 763649090855| eBay

 

[Jimbo]

Its activated (no clients) if I reset everything would it screw up being activated at all or would I have to reactivate it

Sorry, I posted the wrong name earlier,

Tom know much better than I do ...
I do remember the diagnostic section he was talking about to clear the HD, but as mentioned, its been a long time since I played around with that type of thing.

This is off a quick Google search, not sure how reliable it is.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Perform a factory reset (Deletes all recordings, preferences, and custom settings)

• This is the most drastic option and should be used if other methods have failed.
• Press and hold the red reset button on the front of the receiver for 20 seconds to reset it to its original factory settings.
• Be aware that this will erase everything, and you will have to set up your preferences, including playlists and favorites, again.
• You may also need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network.

Important considerations

• A factory reset will erase all recordings and custom settings, so only use this as a last resort.

 

[alnielsen]

Why don't you have Directv send you a replacement receiver?

 

[HoppertheKangaroo18]

Sorry, I posted the wrong name earlier,

Tom know much better than I do ...
I do remember the diagnostic section he was talking about to clear the HD, but as mentioned, its been a long time since I played around with that type of thing.

This is off a quick Google search, not sure how reliable it is.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Perform a factory reset (Deletes all recordings, preferences, and custom settings)

• This is the most drastic option and should be used if other methods have failed.
• Press and hold the red reset button on the front of the receiver for 20 seconds to reset it to its original factory settings.
• Be aware that this will erase everything, and you will have to set up your preferences, including playlists and favorites, again.
• You may also need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network.

Important considerations

• A factory reset will erase all recordings and custom settings, so only use this as a last resort.

Ok good to know. I forgot to mention when I reboot it it usually reformats the drive every time im not sure if thats saying a dying drive

 

[Jimbo]

Why don't you have Directv send you a replacement receiver?

That was also an option, except at this point in D* business line, there may or may not be too many out there.

 

[HoppertheKangaroo18]

That was also an option, except at this point in D* business line, there may or may not be too many out there.

I also dont want to activate a new receiver i want to keep the current one.

 

[Tom Speer]

Ok good to know. I forgot to mention when I reboot it it usually reformats the drive every time im not sure if thats saying a dying drive

That's important info. I would say the hard drive belongs in the recycle bin. The Seagate drive you mentioned should work.

 

[HoppertheKangaroo18]

That's important info. I would say the hard drive belongs in the recycle bin. The Seagate drive you mentioned should work.

Ok good. I'll look into buying that hdd soon

 

[Tom Speer]

Do you know how to open a HR44 without breaking everything?

 

[HoppertheKangaroo18]

Do you know how to open a HR44 without breaking everything?

Id say try to pry the little metal tabs for the cover but im sure someone here knows more than I do.

 

[Tom Speer]

I can't remember my HR44 from 2010. The HR54 has slots in the bottom where you can insert a screw driver to release plastic clips holding on the top cover. The people that refurbish these things for DiecTV have a fixture with flat posts sticking up., The just press the unit down on the fixture and it releases all of the locking tabs and the cover comes off easily. I wouldn't try bending anything metal.

 

[b4pjoe]

Id say try to pry the little metal tabs for the cover but im sure someone here knows more than I do.

Youtube is your friend here.

 

[Mr Tony]

For the folks who don't know you're dealing with a 14 year old who has no desire to use the receiver as an actual receiver. He just buys crap and gets his jollies on a free channel that may be out there (look in the Dish Network area for proof)

 

[navychop]

He's learning. Active in a good hobby.