Feel really dumb posting this question as I've successfully used humaxrw with a ide/usb cable in the past. This time, however, I keep getting the 'unknown partition table' error!

The adaptor cable looks secure at both ide and usb ends. (have tried disconnecting re-connecting a few times). My 9200T is in standby. I've running humaxrw via cmd okay. I've checked Disk Management from within the control panel and it appears that my hummy harddrive is 1: (although I've tried several different numbers from 0 to 5)

I tried typing 'humaxrw 1: -l' and 'humaxrw 1: -r -l' but both produce the same reply

Be so grateful if something could tell me where I'm going wrong. Many thanks in advance.

PS I'm doing this not because I've lost any recordings but to put a file back onto the pvr which has been on the pc for a while.

Just to add I've now ran humaxcheck and it responded with 'Permission denied' ? I using an 'admistrator'-status account on my xp pc by the way.

I think that you should try more numbers (e.g. "0:" to "9:", without the quotes). I think it is the case that the Humax disk gets assigned the next free number, and all existing devices will have lower numbers. In particular, all disks, CD/DVD drives, pen drives that are plugged in, and memory-card readers (whether occupied or empty) all consume device numbers.

On my Vista system, I think that I had to use "7:" (without the quotes) as the device number, because my system has a multi-format memory card reader that consumes about four numbers all by itself.

Of course, XYZ321 is the real expert...

-- from CyberSimian in the UK.

I thought that was the problem until I re-read what the OP had posted.
On my WinXP, I use the "Safely remove hardware" utility, check there that the Hummy drive is identified (sometimes it lists as storage device - I have to reconnect it until it lists as an ST...ACE [full drive description] before is assigned a number).
Then do properties, populate volumes (IIRC) to see the assigned number.

Thanks, CyberSimian. I will try more numbers soon.


Cheers Nvingo too. Got a feeling you might have cracked it there! Hope so. I do remember it showing just as a storage device, so will perserve with the reconnecting tip as well.

Good tip. I have seen this problem and not really understood what was happening until you clarified it. Thanks.

This reminds me of a quirk that I found with my USB/PATA/SATA adapter, that may or may not explain the original poster's problem.

I have two adapters: an older USB/PATA adapter (now defunct), and a newer USB/PATA/SATA adapter. These differ with respect to how they behave when connected.

The USB/PATA adapter powers up only when its own power supply (which also powers the disk) is switched on. No problems with that.

The USB/PATA/SATA adapter powers up when plugged into the computer's USB socket. Although the adapter is powered up, it makes no attempt to power the disk (if connected), as USB sockets usually provide insufficient power for PC hard disks. The disk powers up only when the adapter's power supply is switched on. So, in summary:

-- The adapter can be powered from the USB socket or from the adapter's own power supply.
-- The hard disk can be powered only from the adapter's power supply.

What I found was that if the disk was powered up after I had plugged the USB/PATA/SATA adapter into the computer's USB socket, the disk would not be recognised. However, if I powered up the disk first (which also powered the adapter via its own supply), all was well -- the disk was recognised.

This behaviour mimics what happens with PATA disks plugged into the computer's motherboard -- if the disk is not powered up when the PC boots, the disk is not recognised, even if it is powered up later; you need to reboot with the disk powered up in order for it to be recognised.

So the solution may be as simple as:

-- Power up the hard disk; allow the disk to spin up, then:
-- Plug the adapter into the USB socket on the computer.

-- from CyberSimian in the UK

Nicely worded.
That is exactly what I have (USB/PATA/SATA purchased for the purpose, and USB/PATA removed from external DVD-writer) and experience the same operational quirks.
With my USB/PATA/SATA adapter though, the recognition of the HDD still occasionally fails if the devices are powered/connected in the suggested order leading me to think there's another issue affecting it.

Thanks to CyberSimian and Nvingo, I'm just connect up in the above sequence, used 'Safely Remove Hardware' to ensure my PC could 'see' my hummy, and first time, I'm in!!!

Another mystery solved! Much appreciated fellas.