I followed these instructions and upgraded my box with a WD20EARS disk this evening. Was very straightforward, made easier by my Linux box having hot-swap SATA bays.

The only thing I did differently was I sized the 2nd partition much smaller than the instructions (matching the size of the 2nd partition on the disk that came out of the Humax), and sized the 4th partition (Music/Photo) at 50gb.

Took a few hours to copy over all the data, since there was ~200gb of recordings on the old disk. I didn't have any BBC HD recordings so I can't say what will happen to those (but since they are just files, and all my settings were preserved in the upgrade, I can't see why they wouldn't work).

HD menu now reports 849 hours of SD recording space free

Hi,
I can confirm the WD20EARS is ok as a drive.
If you want to do this then spare some time, read all you can from this forum and other sources and go for it.

I now have 2TB internal 240hrs of HD available and the old 320 external HD. Most time took was for the backup and copying of files. I first copied the old 320 HD onto my Windows 7 laptop using the Ubuntu 10.04 CD boot which sees all internal windows and external linux drives. Made some mistakes but not any unrecoverable ones. Copied all data on new drive from laptop only to find that the hdr would not recognise the drive (due to my bad format of sda3, was not linux 83.

It would be useful to have a spare sata drive as if the HDR sees a drive it thinks needs formating it will prompt to format this and will not allow you to continue untill it formats a drive. So a spare in that case is useful. In that case I let it format the old 320Gb drive having backed it up on my laptop. Risky yes but the most you can lose is your old TV data.

All in all I have all my old data available, tons of extra space and yes I can confirm the HD stuff still works. DR WHO lives in glorious HD after living on my old HD in the HDR, then my laptop, then the old HD again and finally transfered from the 320 drive via USB to the new 2TB drive.

Its useful to know what not to do as well as what to do, just in case. Most of all be patient and try not to skip any steps.

Windows 7 also now reads .TS files via the VLC software , SD fine but HD does not work as this is protected. That is BBC HD at least as I dont think I had any ITV HD recordings.

As for hardware the drive was about £100.98 and the ICY box IB-318StUS2-B esata box £31.65 both inc vat and delivery on offer last week from aria.co.uk You can buy cheaper boxes but this one works and looks nice laid flat next to the HDR.

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Compo...roductId=40039

Note just checked its £3 cheaper but ony 19 left.

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Compo...roductId=35986

Before I waffle on any more as said read all you can and go for it.

I also went to for ICYBOX - very nice - I replaced the HD on a new box with a WD10EARS 1TB - very simple (and no copying)

My only comment is with the fan connector - mentioned many times in this thread. It is very difficult to get ones fingers around - especially with that capacitor just to the right of the fan power connector - I recommend using a very small screwdriver to push the release catch with one hand, le

I also went to for ICYBOX - very nice - I replaced the HD on a new box with a WD10EARS 1TB - very simple (and no copying)

My only additional comment is with the fan connector - (mentioned many times in this thread). It is very difficult to get ones fingers around - especially with that capacitor just to the right of the fan power connector - I recommend using a very small screwdriver to push the release catch with one hand, leaving the other free.

ITV1 - Hd can't be copied to usb if recorded in freesat mode (It has a copy zero setting).

Both ITV1 - HD and BBC-HD can be recorded without encryption in non-freesat mode (Go into non-freesat and reboot the box). You have to start the rcordings manually though

I was thinking of buying a 500GB Humax Foxsat but have been offered a 320GB at a reasonable price and would be happy to upgrade it myself.

Are there any other differences beween the two boxes apart from HD size that would make the 500GB a better bet?

Apart from the HDD they are identical

Thanks

Noticed that two different WD drives were mentioned here so thought I'd look up what the different part numbers mean. In case it's of interest..

WD20EVDS
20=2TB
E=3.5"
V=Business unit/brand = Audio/Video
D=5400rpm+32MB cache
S=SATA

WD10EARS
10=1TB
A=Business unit/brand = Desktop
R=5400rpm+64MB cache

More here..
http://www.wdc.com/en/library/2579-001028.pdf

Have just upgraded the HDD on a brand new box. Before plugging it in I was reading this thread to check I hadn't missed anything. Noticed first post says to enter a PIN..


Is that step asking you to set a new pin or enter one supplied with the box (that I can't find)?

Unless you have altered it's 0000 (four zeros)

You only need this to reformat a hdd after installing it to reallocate the space used for jpegs/mp3's and recordings. The minimum size for the jpg partition is 1GB

Thanks.

I've now powered up the box and it's sitting there saying WIZARD on the front panel but there is nothing on the TV screen. It initially displayed a Humax logo but then went black.

Is this normal after an upgrade or does this indicate a problem?

Its not normal. You normally get a dialogue telling you a new disk is found an it formats it automatically. Check the drive data and power connectors are secure and the jumpers are set to drive select.

When I upgraded my never powered up box with a 1tb WD drive - All went fine - It said it needed to format it - I don't remember if I was asked for the other install settings before or after.

If the drive is over 1tb you need to format it first - see earlier in this tread.

If under 1tb I would recheck all the connections are fine.

Ok rebooted and seems to have more life. Has asked for post code and is scanning for channels. Not formatted yet. Will report back.

Ok after saving the channels it found and settings it's finally detected the HDD isn't formatted and is now doing so. Yippee.

Don't forget to reformat after to reset the partition otherwise you will have a large jpg/mp3 partition you will likely never use. Both these will replay easily from a usb drive anyway. It only takes a very short time to move the partition. For some reason you have somehow forced a factory reset which is not needed for a new drive, hence the re-install

Thanks - It was a brand new box. Never powered up or installed with the original drive so that probably explains the difference.

Already noticed that BBC HD seems better on the FoxSat than on my old Thompson/Sky HD box.

That definetely explains it . If you stick the original drive in a usb enclosure you can use it as a archive drive

Finally got around to upgrading to a 1TB WD 10EVDS following the instructions posted by SJC.
Was a bit unsure about unplugging the fan - the socket seemed very stiff so I didn't want to force it and damage the main board so simply unscrewed the fan from the caddy whilst I swapped the drives. Rest of the procedure went perfectly. Using original 320GB drive in an Eminent docking station model EM7010.
Thanks.

I also balked at pulling the fan connector, not least due to the capacitor next door to it.

I didn't notice that I could unscrew the fan, so replaced the drive by tilting up the caddy and resting it on the side of the box.

One heart-stopping moment at power up when the box failed to boot first time, but the second boot was fine and the drive formatted.

Now have a perfect working 1TB machine (WD10EVVS AV-GP).

Thanks, all.

After a power off the hdr always has to be booted twice. The first push restarts the clock and restores scheduled recording (in your case there won't be any they are on the old hdd ). The second push boots the box.

Not much really, see link http://www.astra2d.com/hiddenmenu.html

I was somewhat worried when I saw this post - suggested that HDD upgrade was more than a simple unscrew and replace job but might involve some kind of HDD gymnastics.

In the event fitted 1Tb WD10EVVS AV-GP with no sweat, unscrew, unplug power, sata and fan, remove disk caddy and swap, simples. anyone who has swapped a HDD or graphics card in a PC should have no problems. Expected to wait an hour whilst it formatted, shocked when it only took minutes - I had to record something to convince myself it really was ok.

Just remember to disconnect all power and dish connections before you start !

No more managing 95%+ capacity .... for a little while anyhow ! £57 inc delivery from scan.

I would add that a optician's screwdriver is very useful for aiding the removal of the connector which is so near that capacitor (or whatever it is).