How do I add more storage to my TiVo

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mikeypnz

34 posts

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#157634 7-Dec-2014 22:04

I brought a new TiVo from Telecom back when they first came out with a new Western Digital 1GB external hard disk. "Western Digital My DVR Expander 1TB"

I'm trying to get another one for another TiVo and they are no longer available.

Would a non Western Digital external hard disk enclosure with Esata will work with TiVo?

Or

Where I can get a "Western Digital My DVR Expander 1TB" from? I see a couple of second hand ones on Ebay in USA, but would like to get the solution from NZ.

Mike

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44 posts

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#1190302 8-Dec-2014 07:08

My TiVo recently developed a rebooting issue which after some research found to be the hard disk failing, I removed the disk and used the original hard disk and a new 2TB disk with MFSLive (http://www.mfslive.org/) and formatted the new disk.

I lost all existing recording as I didn't want to risk over using the failing disk (as the MFSLive can just copy the OS rather than everything), and then used the "expand" option to make use of all 2TB.

Works perfectly though and now the wife can record a ridiculous amount of cooking shows etc. I don't expect her to run out of recording space the with 2TB drive ever.

grb67

63 posts

Master Geek

#1198032 15-Dec-2014 19:34

Flick an email to Darren King <tivodoctor@gmail.com> and he will give you link to an image for Tivo and instructions for loading onto a new drive.
His suggestion is Seagate ST1000DM003 models drive
I am awaiting delivery of the seagate drive but dropped the image onto a spare SATA drive and resurrected my dead Tivo
I had already brought a Panasonic PWT530 to replace it but the Pana interface and remote is so horrible and you can't tell it to record all Scifi like the Tivo can.
My readings say Tivo can only use max 1.2tb so I have gone for the 1tb
Takes an afternoon to set it up while the Tivo goes through all the steps but I have a happy wife so all worth it.

rphenix

985 posts

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#1199527 17-Dec-2014 21:22

I would recommend replacing the internal drive rather than using the esata port with an external drive.

Jasonsbx

24 posts

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#1211122 9-Jan-2015 13:52

mikeypnz: I brought a new TiVo from Telecom back when they first came out with a new Western Digital 1GB external hard disk. "Western Digital My DVR Expander 1TB"

I'm trying to get another one for another TiVo and they are no longer available.

Would a non Western Digital external hard disk enclosure with Esata will work with TiVo?

Or

Where I can get a "Western Digital My DVR Expander 1TB" from? I see a couple of second hand ones on Ebay in USA, but would like to get the solution from NZ.

Mike

As indicated earlier I'd just look and replacing internal drive. I've had few issues using standard drive so last replacement went for WD purple specifically designed for 24x7 video

CutCutCut

1039 posts

Uber Geek

#1244647 23-Feb-2015 10:55

Ohhhhh my TiVo seems to have died over the weekend. Just constantly rebooting. Occasionally makes it all the way but when you hit pause or change channel it'll start rebooting again. Does this sound like the HDD has died?
I'll contact TiVo support see what they say otherwise I might have to try some of the above suggestions.
My wife is currently most unhappy!

Stu

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#1244654 23-Feb-2015 11:03

Sounds like the drive. One of mine was doing the same. Imaged the drive and all sorted.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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Jaxson

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#1244656 23-Feb-2015 11:05

Nice to know these options exist.

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Stu

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#1244658 23-Feb-2015 11:10

Just make sure you use the tools developed for the purpose of imaging TiVo drives. There're links somewhere here. Will search when I get on a computer later.

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CutCutCut

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#1244659 23-Feb-2015 11:13

BigHammer: Sounds like the drive. One of mine was doing the same. Imaged the drive and all sorted.

What sort of drive did you use to replace it?

Stu

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#1244668 23-Feb-2015 11:29

It was a WD Red from memory

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Stu

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#1244681 23-Feb-2015 11:42

Try this thread. There may be others. After doing some homework and making sure I had the right versions of any suggested tools, I successfully copied the old drive to the new 1TB drive without losing any recorded programs.

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Jasonsbx

24 posts

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#1245078 23-Feb-2015 18:44

CutCutCut:
BigHammer: Sounds like the drive. One of mine was doing the same. Imaged the drive and all sorted.

What sort of drive did you use to replace it?

You'll need an image from somewhere but this 'winmfs beta9_3g' can be used to create new drive. Can't remember what max size is but 1TB is a safe bet.

I picked WD purple because it's for 24x7 video surveillance which is basically what Tivo is.

Stu

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#1245086 23-Feb-2015 19:04

Last time I checked I think 2TB was possible, but yes 1TB is safe and easily achieved. With luck you should be able to get the image from an existing drive, even if it's starting to fail. I had no trouble at all when mine was failing.

Purple weren't available when I did the replacement/upgrade on mine. Three more TiVo boxes here that'll need doing at some stage though!

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

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rphenix

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#1245183 23-Feb-2015 21:05

I have 2TB without any problems.

Batman

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#1287423 19-Apr-2015 20:29

hi, walked into my TiVO making a big grunty metallic hard drive noise this morning. after staring at it for a few minutes it hushed back ... is that normal?

and when I retire my 240gb (2.5") SSD, do you think I will be able to swap it into the Tivo? [not for fun, but with no heads it should be better right?]

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