V1 boxes with >120GB HDDs - post your results here please!
There seems to be some debate as to whether all V1s behave the same given the new software update. This seems to be the opinion of some. However a number of users have reported that their early V1s do not work reliably with disks bigger than 120GB, even with the 1.31A8 software.
It would be useful for V1 users wishing to upgrade to find out what the version numbers are that seem to work with the bigger disks reliably.
Therefore if you have upgraded your V1 with a disk bigger than the previous 137GB limit, please post the following information here:
Model number: (i.e. Ph3_14)
Version number: (i.e. 9F2005)
Your OS version should be 1.31A8 but you can confirm this also if you wish.
Each page I shall try to post a running total of the results.
--Loob.
It would be useful for V1 users wishing to upgrade to find out what the version numbers are that seem to work with the bigger disks reliably.
Therefore if you have upgraded your V1 with a disk bigger than the previous 137GB limit, please post the following information here:
Model number: (i.e. Ph3_14)
Version number: (i.e. 9F2005)
Your OS version should be 1.31A8 but you can confirm this also if you wish.
Each page I shall try to post a running total of the results.
--Loob.
0
Comments
Model: Ph3_14
Version: 9F2023
OS: 1.31A8
EPG: sky+1.28.d
Hard drive: 250GB Maxtor Maxline II model 5A250J0 for over 2 months. Very happy, although I'll probably never use all that space!
17 minute bug: NO (although I did have it with the previous software and a Maxtor 120GB 6Y120L0)
Drive does not power down: YES (but not a big issue for me)
Also tried the 300GB 5A300J0 - Doesn't work: Input 2 not locked and box will not perform housekeeping. Doesn't appear to work in V2's either.
Pace V1 with 250Gb
Model: Ph3_14
Version: 9F2024
OS: 1.31A8
EPG: sky+1.28.d
Hard drive: 250GB Maxtor Maxline II model 5A250J0 for over 2 months. .
17 minute bug: NO
Filled box up, deleted stuff, did planner rebuild - all ok. Powered down - still ok.
Very happy.
Cheers
Mel
--Loob.
--Loob.
If I'm wrong and, by some miracle, above 120GB cures the problems on early V1 boxes it WOULD be very interesting and therefore if anybody has done it, it would be nice to hear from them.
I must admit, I'm slightly confused about why the 17 minute bug should still be affecting early units (pre 9F2023?). I ran a 120GB drive with absolutely no problems from when I first got the unit until the 17 minute bug kicked in, so I'm not sure why the recent software fix wouldn’t work?
Unfortunately, my 120GB drive is now installed in a PC or I'd give it a try myself.
Steve.
The trend that gave rise to this thread is that there were reports that even early V1s were now much better with up to 120GB disks - but not with disks bigger than 120GB - even though the full disk size (up to 250GB) is now recognised.
Anyone else got a bigger than 120GB disk in an early V1?
--Loob.
Ah, that makes more sense. When I bought my original 120GB drive (July 2002), 160's were available but I read that they didn't work in the Sky+ box due to an addressing limit.
Sorry to be a pain but can you quantify "much better"?
drive is a 250GB Maxtor DiamondMax9 7200rpm 6Y250P0 for £102.52 from Micro Direct
model: pace
model number: Ph3_14
version number: 9F2006
Operating System Version: 1.31A8
EPG software version: sky+ 1.28d
will report back to this thread if I have problems, you can be sure!
Greebo.
Model: Ph3_14
Version: 9F2005
OS: 1.31A8
EPG: sky+1.28.d
HD was a Samsung 120gb FBD cannot remeber the model number. the system worked fine for a good month or so until I had to do a forced reboot and then the 17min bug appeared, I have now put back the orignal 40gb disk, looking to get a sky 160 once the price comes down, I was going to get a v2 and upgrade but what is to say SKY dont bring the bug back on v2? at least with the sky 160 if I get anything along the lines of the 17min bug I can shout at them and get them to do somthing abaout it.
Adam D
Version: 9f2006
OS: 1.31A8
EPG: Sky+ 1.28.d
Upgraded with a 120Gb Samsung SP1213N. Only been in for 5 days. No sign of the 17 min bug, drive spins faster therefore ever slightly noisier than the original (higher pitched hum).
The only thing I am not entirely happy with at the moment is the drive seems to make a fair bit of clicking noise when recording or recording and playing back at the same time and can be heard unless the TV is at a reasonable volume. Almost completely quiet on playback, however.
You may find that the clicking is a result of write verify being on, this should sort itself out after a few power ups but you could always try using the drive makers utilities to turn it off.
This morning I upgraded my early version Sky+ to 250gb, and all appears well (so far). As Marvin ponts out, I'll watch for the 17 min creature, but fingers are crossed!
System details are;
Installed Maxtor 5A250J0 (did not use maxtor utilities as this was an out of the box, fresh, drive).
V1 Pace box
PH3-14
9F2005
1.31A8 software
Did Housekeeping/reset, and all appears well...
Special thanks to PCBBC!!!!
Mike
I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm, but I am 100% sure that you WILL see the '17 min bug' at some point during a power cycle / reboot. Early V1 boxes (9F2006 and earlier) are all known to have the issue..... Good luck in proving me wrong though!!!
--Loob.
So far noone with a V1 using a 250G drive has reported the 17min bug. I'd be a little more optimistic.
Bluestraw,
Where are you getting that information? If its 120G drives you are thinking of virtually all V1's early or late seem to get it eventually.
Fair point. I was talking 120Gb drives. I guess no-one has convinced me that 250Gb drives should be 'safe', whereas 80 and 120 have been shown to exhibit the 17 min bug. Especially since 80, 120 and 250 are all 'bug free' on a V2, this (to me) points to a very likely problem with 250Gb in V1's.
But, as I said, please do prove me wrong!!
The only thing I'm convinced of is that there should be no differences relating to the drives between early or late V1's
Theres are two possiblities for 250G's being bug free, Ive done most of my reasons to death, but the short version.... Assumed drive geometry can produce 'magic' drive geometries that behave the same. It depends a lot on how its coded, but if it was coded well, we wouldnt have this problem at all. Secondly for >137G access the box low level firmware (ATA command set) had to be added to and its possible they had to bypass the assumed geometry system entirely. What is more than possible is that for compatability reasons they are using the old code for <137G drives so as not to introduce any possible new bugs to existing 40G users (the vast majority), and hense has the bug, and using the new code for >137G drives which could bypass the buggy code.
Speculation of course but it simply isnt possible to prove that the bug will never happen to a particular box/drive combination. Just that after enough people have reported that we think its very unlikley.
Here is where I would like some help please.
I would like to try this 250gb in my early pace V1 9f2005 (Now has 120gb with no problems) and try to see it will work, Been watching out on here with interest, as also (Touch wood) I have had no sign of the 17 min bug :eek: for some time now and with the box well over half to 3/4 full more often than not and 4-6 planner rebuilds and a power down (Trip set off by blown fuse on washing machine) I would have almost certainly had 17 bug by now, before the 1.31A8 update especially "The Bill" ITV that was a dead cert. for 17min bug for me.
Anyway hears where I would like some help before or if I undertake this procedure.
If I did get problems (i.e. 17 min bug, etc.) on the V1 with this hard drive, etc. I could remove the 250g disc and re put the 120gb back? without many problems?
Only now the 250gb would now have been formatted by sky+ etc and used in the V1, So would I be able to put that drive straight into the new pace V2 without doing any formats or low level stuff from a pc? as I only have a laptop. Plus Pc's have a habit getting the better of me. :eek:
Bottom line is should I leave well alone with the V1 with its 120gb running fine at present and wait until I aquire a V2 before I open the 250gb as it's brand new. Also lidl say no refunds if wrong.
Hope this makes some sense as its given me a bad night? As also I have read so much on these tobic's from here that I begin to get information meltdown.
Thanks again.
If the 250G is a no go you can just put back the 120G and the box wont care. If you then get a V2 box and put it in you will have to do a full system reset to reformat the drive, the V1 is a big endian system, the v2 is a little endian so things crash. There is no way to avoid losing everything on the 250G drive recorded on the V1 if thats what you are thinking.
Good luck!
Edit,
If you get as far as the V2 system (not a good thought but a warning anyway) remind yourself of the full system reset from boot method just in case. Left and right together until it flashes then select etc.
Hi Marvin and thanks for the reply it is a Maxtore Diamond Max plus 9 got it April 03 then December 03 was the dreaded! 17min bug
One other point I should say I was or did have the 17 bug occasionally after the 1.31A8 update but I noticed I had programes stored at the beginning of the planner and when I realised they were flawed ie 17min or stuck in still frame(when I played them back) so I deleted them and so far all working well since.
Edit,
If you get as far as the V2 system (not a good thought but a warning anyway) remind yourself of the full system reset from boot method just in case. Left and right together until it flashes then select etc.
Today 05:13
Not quite sure I know what you mean on the Left right together bit though.
Haven't tried it incase I lose my recordings :eek:
My point is if the box is formatted with another box its possible the V2, should you need to upgrade might not boot, in which case the hidden menu isnt much help. You can wipe the drive from bootup that way.
Manufacturer: Pace
Model Number: Ph3_14
Version Number: 9F2006
Operating System Version: 1.31A8
EPG Software Version: sky+ 1.28.d
If there is any way to get to play any of the programmes that I've recorded without having to wipe the entire box, I would be grateful to know!
Version: 9F2005
OS Ver: 1.31A8
EPG Ver: sky+ 1.128.d
I installed the Maxtor 5A250J0, after running the 3 maxtor utilities on it. It's definitely louder than the old 40Gb drive.
So far there's been no sign of the 17 minute bug.