TiVo Community Forums Archives - Upgrading Hard Drive

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Upgrading Hard Drive - simple ?
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Posted by: Devg

Hello all!

I am brand new to this entire Tivo thing. I saw one recently at a friends house and I have been thinking about purchasing one.

I saw some series 2 "refurb" models on the tivo website that start at $149 which is cheap so I am interested.

However the hard drive is small, and I would want to put a 120GB or so hard drive into the unit becuase they are cheap.

So my questions are:

1) Can I replace the hard drive that is in the Tivo? I saw some bless Tivo software but it looks like it only adds another drive as a second one. I would want to replace the original and just have 1 drive, and put the original away for safekeeping. Is this possible? How? Where is the software and or parts I need.

2) If my only option is to add another hard drive as a second drive is this bless software all I need? What about any hardware mounting kits? Where can I get this.

I am sure this has been asked here 10000000 times but a simple quick answer would save me hours of searching. Thanks a lot! =)

Posted by: tivolovit

First post (sticky post) at the top of this area (TiVo Upgrade Center). Read it, and all of your questions will be answered.

Welcome to the best TiVo forums on the net,

Posted by: Devg

OK Thanks! :)

It looks like I can just replace the small single drive and put in 1 larger drive. I really just want to store my original drive in a safe place. I dont need the capacity of 2 drives and the added noise.

It also looks like I can back things up and always put in a new drive if it breaks? (Remember I would keep the original safely stored away).

Just one more thing...this Mfs Tools 2.0 program is all I need? I guess the bless tivo thing I read about is old news?

I think the Tivo is great (when I saw it). I see Microsoft has windows xp media edition but the tivo can do the same stuff (Pictures, MP3's, Recoding) at a fraction of the price!

Thanks :)

Posted by: Robert S

Yes, MFS Tools 2.0 does it all.

Just make sure you put the backup file somewhere nice and safe (burn to CD-R, perhaps?).

Posted by: Devg

Well I ordered my Tivo and its waiting for me at home...as soon as I get out of work.

I had one other question...is the max size of a replacement hard drive 120GB? I think I read about a Kernal patch that allows for 200GB?

If so where is the information about a kernal patch?

Thanks

Posted by: Robert S

The only discussions here are about patched kernels for the Series 1 TiVoes. You may be able to find information on patched Series 2 kernels if you look elsewhere.

The maximum hard drive size is 137Gb, so you get some benefit from using a 160 over a 120. The patched kernal limits you to about 2Tb per disk (not that such things are manufactured at the moment). I know of people running 2x300Gb in their Series 1 TiVoes.

Posted by: Devg

One last question...what is the best 120GB drive to use to replace the original 40 hour one?

I read the Maxtor makes a special one for recorders, but it seems like the only place it can be ordered from is Weaknees.

I think I am looking at 120GB and 5400 (for heat and noise reasons, besides I read that 7200 is not needed or used in the original TiVo).

Should I get this Maxtor "special" drive...is Seagate or WD better. Although I know there are different opinions I just want one that works very well and I dont want to run into this locking thing...whatever that is.

Thanks for all the help so far! I am LOVING my new TiVo :)

Posted by: Robert S

I wouldn't fret about that too much. AFAIK every current ATA drive will work just fine in your TiVo.