TiVo Community Forums Archives - I'm Upgrading to 120gigs, Should I remove original drive?

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I'm Upgrading to 120gigs, Should I remove original drive?
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Posted by: Rockstead

I have a DSR6000 directivo that is currently using the original 40gig drive that it came with.

I have ordered a Samsung 120gig drive and have the following questions.

1) Will the Tivo run faster with just the 120gig drive in it by itself?

2) If there is no speed loss at all having two drives in (original + 120), will it make it any difference which one is set to Drive A and which one is set to Drive B?

3) How many hours does a 120gig drive equal in actual recording time? what is the formula for converting drive space to actual recording time.

Thank you very much.

Posted by: weaknees

1 - some people do report increased speed with one, new, larger drive - but the difference likely wont be huge

2 - you should try to set the new drive as A so that you can add swap space

3 - you get "variable, up to 105 hours" extra out of the drive. Actual recording time depends on the content, as different streams are compressed differently by DTV

We generally think you should replace the existing drive and not use it on any unit more than a year old. With a two-drive unit, if one fails, you need to re-image the other. So with an old drive, your chances of failure are much higher.

Michael

Posted by: stevel

I calculate that, for a DTiVo, you get .9 hours for every 1GB of space on an added B drive. Note that a Samsung 120GB probably doesn't have the same actual space as a Maxtor 120GB, which is different from a Seagate 120GB which is also different from a WD 120GB! Maxtor tends to be the most generous.

Posted by: Chris Gerhard

I would add the 120GB to the 40GB unless you have a good use for the 40GB drive. Expect up to 105 additional with the Samsung. I got 106 additional with my Western Digital and 114 with my Maxtor. One earlier upgrade with the Western Digital 120GB 7200rpm 8mb buffer drive, I got 111 hours. I had nothing to do with my 40GB drives and just didn't want them to sit in the closet so I am still using them. It might be a little faster and cooler with only the 120GB drive but the added space is worth the slight delay. Keep the DSR6000 elevated and get good air flow to keep it as cool as possible.

Chris

Posted by: mrtickle

Yes, but as weaknees said, do not "add the 120GB to the 40GB" otherwise you can't expand your swap space. Make the 120GB your new A drive, expand your swap space, and then "add the 40GB to the 120GB". Hinsdale now has suitable warning about swap space.

Posted by: Rockstead

Thanks for all the feedback guys,

Chris,

Well I won't be too concerned about heat anymore, after having my second power supply fry I decided to order this notebook cooler http://www.shop-at-zerus.com/notebookcooler.html

In order to diagnose my recent rebooting at power up (which ended up being the power supply) I had wiped my 40 gig just to rule out the HD wasn't the problem (there go my 50+ season passes). So now I have my 40 gig and 120 gig...still not 100% clear if I am better off putting them both in.

I don't know how I ever lived without my Directivo, live TV is such a waste of time! although one thing that I really enjoy now that I'm temporarily using my old receiver (while waiting for new switching board replacement for power supply) is that the menu is so nice and fast....it really puts it in perspective to how slow the Tivo program guide is.