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Recommended drive for upgrade?
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Posted by: brianld

Sorry for the somewhat duplicate of an earlier post. I should have clarified it better.

I'm considering upgrading and I need recommendations on a drive to buy for upgrading my Series2. From what I gather in reading other posts, 5400rpm should be just fine. Is this correct? Is the 7200rpm drive worth the price difference?

Can anyone offer their $0.02 on a good 80-120gb drive to buy? I've seen a lot of posts mention the Maxtor D540X series, so I'd like to hear comments on them, as well as others brands if possible.

Also, what are problems I might run into if I choose a particular brand/model? (i.e. are their issue between the BlessTivo utilities and any particular drives?)

Thanks again to all ... I don't know what I'd do without this forum!

-Brian

Posted by: stevel

The Maxtor D540X is quiet, inexpensive, easily available, and has a good warranty. I have two 120GB drives, though I believe one of them died and is being replaced under warranty by Maxtor.

Posted by: arkham999

quote:
Originally posted by brianld
I'm considering upgrading and I need recommendations on a drive to buy for upgrading my Series2. From what I gather in reading other posts, 5400rpm should be just fine. Is this correct? Is the 7200rpm drive worth the price difference?

Can anyone offer their $0.02 on a good 80-120gb drive to buy? I've seen a lot of posts mention the Maxtor D540X series, so I'd like to hear comments on them, as well as others brands if possible.

You don't want a 7200 RPM drive. Your TiVo will not benefit from the faster performance, and the extra heat and noise will shorten your TiVo's life and annoy you. Get a 5400.

With that said, I just put a Maxtor 536DX 100GB in my TiVo as a B drive. I paid $113 +S&H. I found it on PriceWatch.com. I can't hear it at all.

Posted by: BobCamp1

Try this link:

www.storagereview.com

They compare various hard drives. For a Tivo:

The most important thing is noise.
The next important thing is heat.
The next important things are size and cost.
Performance is irrelevant -- all modern drives are more than fast enough for a Tivo.

5400 rpm drives are generally BETTER for a Tivo than 7200 rpm drives. They generally produce less noise and heat, and are cheaper.

The Seagate U series is the best, but only offers up to 80 GB (model # ST380020A) in drive space. For a 100GB drive, use a Maxtor 536DX drive (model #4W100H6). All drives mentioned above are also some of the cheapest drives around.

-Bob Camp

Posted by: mischa23

quote:
Originally posted by stevel
The Maxtor D540X is quiet, inexpensive, easily available, and has a good warranty. I have two 120GB drives, though I believe one of them died and is being replaced under warranty by Maxtor.

Steve,

I also have a maxtor that's about to die? Whats the process of getting it replaced?

Posted by: zaknafein

I'd recommend a Seagate 5400 RPM. I've had 3 Maxtors die prematurely. I've had an 80 gig Seagate in my DSR6000 for about 3 months now, (longer than any of the Maxtors have made it) and it works perfectly. Not only that, the drive is almost completely silent. I'd say it's at least 50% quieter than the Quantum lct A drive that is sitting right next to it.

Posted by: stevel

Regarding Maxtor replacement - it's more complicated than I thought at first. Maxtor manufactures drives for other vendors, and if you have a drive that isn't actually labelled as Maxtor, you may have to go to the other vendor for warranty support. As it happens, the drive I bought was made for "PC Peripherals" which offers their own warranty, but as I bought it through a local PC show and not directly from PC Peripherals, I don't yet know if the warranty applies.

If you have a Maxtor-labelled drive, the RMA application form is [url=https://extranet2.maxtor.com/PreDiag.asp\here[/url]. One thing you may run into is that your drive's model number is not included in the drop-down list on the form. You can also call 800-2MAXTOR and follow the prompts to start an RMA over the phone. Unless you bought a retail box drive, don't be surprised if they tell you that you have to get warranty support elsewhere.

Posted by: zaknafein

quote:
As it happens, the drive I bought was made for "PC Peripherals" which offers their own warranty, but as I bought it through a local PC show and not directly from PC Peripherals, I don't yet know if the warranty applies.

It does, I got ahold of some PC Periph. drives as well. Their website doesn't have an option for advance RMA, so if you want the drives replaced quickly, you have to call them. They are prompt though, and I've never had a problem getting a drive replaced.

Posted by: feldon23

I am not a Western Pigeonhole fan, but I couldn't pass up the deal.

5400 RPM Western Digital 100GB $108

www.buy.com

Suffice it to say, I have a backup of my A drive for when the WD crashes.