Replacing Hard Drive in Zinwell PVR

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PimpMyMagic

267 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 2

#89186 27-Aug-2011 16:49

The HD in my ZMT-640PVR is beginning to make ugly mechanical noises so I'm keen to replace it before it goes belly up.

Has anyone successfully done this operation or do you know what formatting, partitioning and software installation/copying may be required to make this work.

Thanks for any useful advice.

Terry

bfginger

1330 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 191

#513210 28-Aug-2011 21:56

Not many people own that device.

If you're buying a new hard drive look for a model that is made for STBs and home theatre PCs so it won't be too loud. It should be fairly easy to figure out what partition structure is on the drive, recreate it on a new one and copy the files across.

http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/
http://partedmagic.com/

Make sure your PC's HDD isn't plugged in while you do this so you don't wipe it by mistake.

PimpMyMagic

267 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 2

#513605 29-Aug-2011 18:51

If you're buying a new hard drive look for a model that is made for STBs and home theatre PCs so it won't be too loud. It should be fairly easy to figure out what partition structure is on the drive, recreate it on a new one and copy the files across.

http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/
http://partedmagic.com/

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Thanks for your reply and those links.

I'm not so worried about the hardware aspects (apart from any HD size limits that may exist)

While I've had plenty of experience with DOS and Windows, I've never ventured into Linux, which I suspect this machine probably employs. I'm a bit nervous about Partitioning, formatting and copying with this OS.

Ventura

109 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 9

#513618 29-Aug-2011 19:17

Surely the Zinwell setup has a HDD format option in the setup. If you use this it should set it up properly. My JC Matthew has this option.

bfginger

1330 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 191

#513638 29-Aug-2011 20:19

It may, but that isn't going to transfer the existing database over to the new drive

Ventura

109 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 9

#513645 29-Aug-2011 20:31

The operating system is firmware and is separate from the HDD. The disk is only for recordings so a system reformatted HDD should work fine. If your existing HDD is knacked then you probably won't be able to retreive anything off it anyway. If it you can still retreive things off it you could use Symantic Ghost to transfer the files over using a PC then install it into your Zinwell. Just need to find out if it uses FAT32 or NTFS.

PimpMyMagic

267 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 2

#513668 29-Aug-2011 21:19

My only experience with drive replacement in a PVR was with my TiVo which has multiple small partitions which contain OS and System Data storage in addition to the main partition which holds the AV file storage. These have to be partitioned and copied under Linux which is commonly used on proprietary recorders.

I'm sure the user available "Format" command would only apply to the file storage partition. While booting back from standby the system accesses the HD for the operating system or required data on the HD.

My copy of Norton Ghost does not mention Linux under its list of operating platforms.

New World

Shop on-line at New World now for your groceries (affiliate link).

ronstev

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#515257 1-Sep-2011 18:43

I have replaced/upgraded the HDD in my Zinwell ZMT-640PVR. Being a Linux based system it uses the ext3 file system. When I used a 320G drive and formated it with the 'Format HDD' option via the Zinwell menu it worked perfectly well. (note on the side - use 0000 for a password when asked). It created the file system plus the required PLAY_LIST folder. The 320G drive has been working perfectly ever since (2years).

I did also tried a 500G drive though but that failed. Format process started but froze half way through and never completed. Rebooting (a hard reboot = disconnecting the power!) was the only option. Checking the drive on another system confirmed that the ext3 file system had not been created.

PimpMyMagic

267 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 2

#516065 3-Sep-2011 10:02

Thanks for that last reply. It looks as though the replacement operation may be simpler than I had feared.

My original drive is only a 250GB. Though it's adequate for my usage with this machine I had intended replacing it with a larger unit.

After hearing your experiences I guess I'll stick with the smaller size, although it may be hard to find a matching replacement these days.

ronstev

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#516198 3-Sep-2011 17:46

I would guess that any SATA drive up to 320GB will work. The only thing to keep an eye out for is the speed (high data transfer and fast access time) of the drive. Since it is reading/writing media files a large buffer with high RMP is vital. 3GB/s SATA, 16G+ buffer, 7200rpm drives will be fine.
While working on it, you may consider (if not already done) a firmware upgrade. Check on this site for the latest firmware - http://www.nzdsl.co.nz/zinwell/

PimpMyMagic

267 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 2

#516376 4-Sep-2011 11:00

ronstev: While working on it, you may consider (if not already done) a firmware upgrade. Check on this site for the latest firmware - http://www.nzdsl.co.nz/zinwell/

Thanks, I'll do that. I'm presently running 1.2.0

I also have a ZMT 620HD STB (Dick Smith branded) which has gone faulty. It has lost tuner sensitivity to the point where received signal levels are unusable.

The same aerial feed plugged into the ZMT640 is fine.

Does nobody service Zinwell products in NZ anymore?

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 136

#516407 4-Sep-2011 12:16

PimpMyMagic:

I also have a ZMT 620HD STB (Dick Smith branded) which has gone faulty. It has lost tuner sensitivity to the point where received signal levels are unusable.

The same aerial feed plugged into the ZMT640 is fine.

Does nobody service Zinwell products in NZ anymore?

Seems to be a problem with these at 2 yrs+ old. They lose sensitivity and die.
I have had mine (2 1/2 yrs old) replaced by DSE under CGA as have others on Geekzone.
The Zinwell replacement is OK so far at 1 yr.
Servicing is probably uneconomic.