Samsung HD Box - How to change the HDD

[nickb23]

Hi Guys,
Just been reading up on changing my HD in my Samsung Box to a 1TB one. I am now Sooooo confused as to which drive to use. After reading on the copy+ forum, I have ordered a drive that was recommend for the Samsung Box - a Samsung HD103SJ Spinpoint F3 1TB Hard Drive. But now reading this forum, this seems not to be the best one to use. Is this the case? Should I return it and get a proper PVR hard drive. If so which one? Also whats this issue with Darwin. Is this something I should worry about??

Please please please can someone tell me which drive to get.....

Thanks all.

Nick

[Scubbie]

The issue with Darwin simply means that at present you cannot copy the contents of your existing hard drive to the new drive.

In order to get the new drive working in the Samsung box, you will need to perform a full system reset if you have Darwin on your STB.

As to the drive, although it may well be suitable for a PVR, some of the Sky boxes are more fussy than others though. Without reading this thread in full, I am guessing that some members have had particular issues with that model drive on the Samsung STB.

[nickb23]

Thanks Scubbie,
I have just followed one of your other posts to see if I have Darwin, and I do. Bugger!!! Anyways I am going to get a 1tb hard drive, once I have worked out which one to get. Is it still the case that I have to still use copy+ to prepare the drive, or is it a case of just putting the virgin drive into the box and doing a full system reset? Do I get to use all the available space?
Sorry to be so clueless, but some of the info on here is over a year or 2 old, and I believe that lots have changed in a year!!

Thanks
Nick

[Scubbie]

If you can connect the drive to a PC, then all you need to do it to initialise the drive in the PC. Don't partition or format it or anything else.

This task can be performed under most modern Operating Systems.

In Windows you need to open Disk Management which is hidden in the Control Panel.

The 'full system reset' on the Sky STB will partition & format the drive.

[Isitme]

The F3s are high performance desktop drives, you would be better sticking to a drive designed for PVRs such as the Seagate Pipeline or the WD AVs or even the Samsung FI CE - SAMSUNG Hard Disk Drive - learning resource - consumer electronics if you can find one.

[nickb23]

Hi Tom,
Thanks for the recommendations. Would this one be a good choice for the Samsung Box...
WD Digital AV HD/1TB Up t 120 Hours HD Video | Ebuyer.com

Its the Western Digital WD10EURS

Thanks again..

Nick

[Scubbie]

That drive is from WD's AV range. It should be fine.

[nickb23]

I have just read that someone had issues with this drive with the Samsung Box.

Some info required for changing to 1TB hard drive.

So should this one work too??

Western Digital WD10EVDS 1TB Hard Drive SATAII 32MB.. | Ebuyer.com

This one is the WD WD10EVDS.

I know lots of people have issues with hard drive upgrades, but do most people find that it is a seemless process and once installed using the Sky EPG is as it was before?

My Sammy Model number is SYSF26.59.01 and version number is 973004 - if this makes any difference....

Thanks Guys
Nick

[Scubbie]

There is an article relating to the 2Tb drive in the same range here.

Whilst your Samsung box won't work properly with a 2Tb drive, the article is useful for you as it should answer your questions.

[nickb23]

Thanks Scubbie for your help.

I am going to order the second drive I posted about tonight. inititalise it using Windows 7, and then system reset once i have installed the drive..

thanks

nick