Amstrad HD Box - Walkthrough on how to change the Hard Drive

[NewsreadeR]

This guide will show you how to upgrade the Hard Drive in your Amstrad HD Box (This does not apply to the newer models, since released for customers)

If you wish to upgrade the Thomson HD Box, please use this guide. How to upgrade the Hard Drive in your Thomson HD Box.

If you wish to upgrade the Pace HD Box, please use this guide. How to upgrade the Hard Drive in your Pace HD Box.

If you wish to upgrade the Samsung HD Box, please use this guide. How to upgrade the Hard Drive in your Samsung HD Box.

This is one of the newer HD boxes from Sky and Glenn has now successfully managed to upgrade the original Hard Drive

Below are all the steps that he took, documented for everyone to see, to get to the end result. Warning - These images are huge.


Following these steps will invalidate your warranty

We have chosen to go with the same Hitachi HDD as used in the Samsung which is the Hitachi DeskStar 1TB Hard Drive SATAII 7200rpm 16MB Cache.

Step 1

You will need a medium Philips screwdriver, 2 non pointy knifes, new HDD, flat firm service with something soft to place box on (so not to scratch/scuff box) and no kids or distractions.



Step 2

With screwdriver remove one screw from rear of box as indicated.



Step 3

Turn the box upside down

Remove the 6 screws as indicated.



Step 4

Using the two knives, gently lift the 3 tabs to release the catches (gently as these can break) and gently slide back and lift the metal box from the plastic casing (will be awkward so patience is needed).



Step 5

Now removed, remove the 4 screws from the small circuit board on top.



Step 6

Turn box on its side and with a knife gently pry the top loose as shown, you will need to do this with both sides then just lift and slide to wards you.



Step 7

Remove the 6 screws holding the hard drive in place (there is no caddy).




Step 8

Once removed give the fans a little hoover out if dusty, follow the Instructions for using Copy+ and put new HDD back in then closing up is just the reverse of taking it apart.

[NewsreadeR]

Known HDDs that work with the Amstrad HD box

Hitachi DeskStar 1TB Hard Drive SATAII 7200rpm 16MB Cache

[Isitme]

I see you have bought new cutlery

[NewsreadeR]

Glenn did this one not me.

He's got better knives and takes better pictures

[SatDish]

LOL good old pound shop knifes

[SilverFox2]

Just a point on choice of HDD.

I did mine because Pace recalled by Sky so used Seagate from Pace.
Noise from HDD was appreciative (clicking etc).

Wife was complaining so have now put a WD10EADS with absolutely fantastic results.
Much less heat, no clicking at all, virtually no other noise from HDD..
Dont know if it matters but was a WD originally in Amstrad (dont know if they all are).

[Logan]

Hi

Is this the same drive:

1Tb Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.B SATA-2 Hard Drive 16MB Cache - Aria PC

Many thanks

[carlcall]

Thanks for the great tutorial......but just a couple of Q's.

Firstly I take it that the WesternDigital HDD is a better upgrade than the Hitachi HDD and are there any other HDD's that people know about ?

Secondly If I do upgrade to the larger drive and I use Copy+ will I get the full benefit of the 1TB drive minus 80Gb or would I be better just installing it and letting the box set it up and lose my recordings ?

TIA

Carl.

[Kona Owner]

Hi, i have just registered to say thanks for the information and walk though guide on changing the HDD in the Amstrad box. Although i am reasonably competent with such things having a guide to go over before hand is always invaluable and makes it easier.

The drive i used was a 1TB Western Digital Green Power and now the Amstrad box which was already quiet and rock solid to start with appears to be even quieter, oddly it also seems to be a bit more nippy in areas like the EPG but i am guessing thats my imagination LOL.

Just for reference my box came with a 320GB WD Green Power drived fitted from new.

Cheers again and i look forwards to looking around the rest of the site .

[topgeardog]

I really want my box upgraded but i dont think i could do it, i think i would brake it. I have been looking to local to see if anyone would do it but cant find anyone.. I would of thought that someone would be doing these all day long in a shop.