TiVo Community Forums Archives - Upgrade A drive or add a B?

Warning: include() [function.include]: URL file-access is disabled in the server configuration in /home/avsforum/archive.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/history/archive_functions.php on line 31

Warning: include(http://archive.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/history/header.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: no suitable wrapper could be found in /home/avsforum/archive.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/history/archive_functions.php on line 31

Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening 'http://archive.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/history/header.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/avsforum/archive.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/history/archive_functions.php on line 31
Pages:1

Upgrade A drive or add a B?
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: wtbates

Hello All,

After reading more threads than my brain can handle, I am still stumped as to a basic upgrade question. But first some background info...

I have a Sony, Stnadalone, 30Hr Series 1 TiVo (only contains 1 drive). I want to upgrade my TiVo to have more space.

I am planning to keep all the recorded shows that I currently have saved (only about 6 hours worth). I will delete all unnecessary shows from my Now Playing list before I begin. I realize that this is more time consuming, but it is my plan.

I know this seems to be a matter of opinion, but which is better? Should I upgrade my A drive to a larger size or just add a larger B drive?

I like the idea of being able to put my original A drive back in if there are problems. I know I could still take a backup, but I would need a third drive.

I appriciate the help.

WT

Posted by: rrr22777

Take it from someone who had some drives fail. Just keep the tivo drive as a backup. Makes it easy to just pop it in if the new drive fails!

Posted by: Robert S

You should still take a backup. If you mean you don't have a FAT partition to backup to, make a small FAT partition on your new drive, backup to that and then copy the backup to your main drive before proceeding with the upgrade.

Use an MFS Tools pipe (mfsbackup ... | mfsrestore ...) to transfer your recordings as this lets you increase your swap (will be important if you want to add a big B drive later).

I don't think the time taken for a copy-with-recordings is affected by number of active vs deleted recordings, it'll still take six hours. Set it going before you go to bed.

USe MFS Tools 2.0 as described in New Hinsdale (and don't work from an old copy - make sure your version tells you to use -s 127).

Extricating yourself from a twin drive TiVo with a botched upgrade or a failing hard drive and no backup can be really ugly.

Posted by: Nihilator

I agree with Robert S. My Sony SA originally had, of course, a 30GB A drive, to which I added a 60GB B drive. When 120GB drives went on sale for $99 after rebate at Circuit City, I picked one up and replaced both drives with the single 120GB drive.

All of my recordings were saved by doing a pipe backup, and I left the door open to future upgrades by using the -s 127 switch to increase the swap space. I really liked having the 30GB as a spare, and eventually I ended up using it (see the sig). And I also really like having a single drive in the old Sony, because it's cooler than two drives and you're less likely to have a drive failure problem down the road.

I would recommend either a 100GB or 120GB drive as an A drive. My 120GB drive is worth 141 hours at basic, and something like 39 hours at best quality.

Let us know how the upgrade goes. We like to hear success stories.

--Chris

Posted by: Mars Rocket

Two reasons why I recommend single-drive upgrades:

1. You always have a backup you can use in a pinch

2. Single drive means less likelihood of drive failure (two drives = twice the chance of a drive failing)

A single 120GB drive will give you 140-145 hours at Basic, something like 85+ hours at Medium or 40 hours at Best. That's a *lot* of space.

Warning: include() [function.include]: URL file-access is disabled in the server configuration in /home/avsforum/archive.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/history/archive_functions.php on line 37

Warning: include(http://archive.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/history/footer.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: no suitable wrapper could be found in /home/avsforum/archive.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/history/archive_functions.php on line 37

Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening 'http://archive.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/history/footer.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/avsforum/archive.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/history/archive_functions.php on line 37