Clone Humax 500GB > 1TB: Windows only Programs

[stephan]

Humax HDR T2 FOX 500GB > 1TB:
New Hard Drive cloned with Windows only Programs.

Know there are lots of posts about this, but they seemed complicated, hence my easy guide to Clone Humax Drive to new bigger drive without resorting to Linux/Ubunto.

In brief with Windows10 Laptop cloned Humax 500GB to new 1TB Sata3 Hard Drive with Schedule/Recordings/Mods in DISK GENIUS just "Clone Partition" for each of the 3 EXT3 partitions from Old Drive to New Drive, & possibly just with DISK GENIUS.

However initially New Drive partitions were created/sized/formatted with AOMEI PARTITION in EXT3, which didn't take long (well 2nd partition took a while to format) but in DISK GENIUS Clone Partition didn't work until in AOMEI deleted prep'd partitions, hence then available "unallocated space", then in DISK GENIUS Clone Partition each partition individually, order done in 1st > 3rd > 2nd.

Initially tried following carry on procedure below this statement. My 1st attempts were Clone disk, but the extra 500GB was unallocated & could not be merged with the 2nd/middle/largest partition for recordings,then tried to format 1TB in Humax directly but msg hard drive too large, hence in DISK GENIUS Clone Partition individually was the correct solution.

Tools Needed:
Philips ScrewDrivers
2 External 3.5" Sata Caddys:
New 1TB Hard Drive
Old 500GB Hard Drive
Windows 10 Laptop with 2+ usb ports

DISK GENIUS Partition Program

DiskGenius Download Center | Free Download DiskGenius

Free download DiskGenius to recover lost data & partitions, manage disk capacity, backup Windows and personal data, and fix disk issues on PCs and Servers.

www.diskgenius.com

AOMEI Partition Program

Free Partition Manager Software for Windows 11/10/8/7 | AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard

As one of the best free hard disk partition manager software for Windows 11/10/8/7, AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard enables you to manage hard drives and partitions for peak performance, while ensuring the safety of your data.

www.disk-partition.com

PROCEDURE:
Turn off Humax
Unplug Humax Power/Aerials/Hdmi/Network
Unscrew 3 screws back of Fox hdr T2.
Take Top off.
Unscrew 4 screws holding Drive Caddy to case.
Unscrew 4 screws holding Drive in Caddy.
Lift Caddy up carefullyas fan just to inplug Sata Plug, then take out 500GB Hard Drive.


AOMEI Partition:
Format New Hard Drive
New Partitions
Ext3 3 partitions
1st: 1GB
2nd: (All say 1000GB - 11GB = 998GB or what is the left, the remainder after 1st & 3rd partition)
3rd: 10GB
(Partitions are individually Deleted later & Unallocated space is cloned to)

DISK GENIUS Partition:
Old Hard Drive Humax has 3 partitions
1st: hmx_int_store(0) 1GB
2nd: hmx_int_store(1) 500GB (-1st & 3rd Part)
3rd: hmx_int_store(2) 10GB

Right click Old Humax 500GB Hard Drive 1st Partition > Clone Partition > Select Target > New Drive > 1st Partition > OK

(If can't copy to new partition):
AOMEI:
Right Click: Select New Drive partition
Delete Partition > Apply > Proceed > OK.

DISK GENIUS:
Clone Partition of old 1st partition to new 1st unallocated partition space, once done:

3rd (Last/end) Clone Partition of Old to New Target.
(If old partition won't copy > Aomei Partition > Delete new drive partition to unallocated, then try clone partition of 3rd again in Disk Genius).

2nd (Middle/Biggest) Clone Partition of Old to New Target.
(If old partition won't copy > Aomei Partition > Delete new drive partition to unallocated, then try clone partition of 2nd again in Disk Genius).

If many recordings on 500GB 2nd (middle/biggest partition) could take 15 hours to complete Clone Partition.

Once all 3 partitions cloned from old to new drive put NEW 1TB HARD DRIVE in Humax & Power on, mine worked immediately.

 

[Luke]

Know there are lots of posts about this, but they seemed complicated, hence my easy guide to Clone Humax Drive to new bigger drive without resorting to Linux/Ubunto.

You mention using an HDR-FOX T2 but have posted this in the FOXSAT-HDR Freesat forum.

What advantage does cloning have compared to just fitting the new drive in the Humax, (letting the Humax format it), and then copying over any programmes that you want to keep?

Cloning, or similar, isn't necessary unless you are going for a drive lager than 2TB.

Why not just do the same as this post?

There is no procedure that needs detailing, as long as the new HDD is no larger than 2TB (for Humax firmware 1.03.xx) or 1TB (for firmware older than that). Just fit the new drive, and if the Humax doesn't automatically offer to format the drive go to Menu >> Settings >> System >> Data Storage >> Format Storage.

With the new drive fitted, it is straightforward to transfer content from the old drive by fitting it in a USB adapter and connecting it to the Humax USB port.

As af123 says, users of the Custom Firmware have the option to install much larger drives (no practical limit). See HERE (click) for details, and below for an introduction to custom firmware.

Quick Guide to Custom Firmware (click)

 

[Black Hole]

Humax HDR T2 FOX 500GB > 1TB:
New Hard Drive cloned with Windows only Programs.

Okay... so why have you posted this in the FOXSAT forum?

PROCEDURE

Disassembly instructions with pictures are available here (better to refer out than to repeat information): Commissioning, Disassembling, and Repairing an HDR-FOX (click)

What you have failed to mention is that, in order to carry out the cloning procedure, you need some means to connect two bare drives at once to your laptop/PC/whatever, and power them. The user would also have to be extremely careful to select the correct drive for any write operations.

I wouldn't recommend any of the above to novices, and anyone not a novice could probably work out what to do for themselves. However, with the reservations above, if taken as a blog thank you for your contribution.

 

[stephan]

Thanks moved to "HUMAX HDR T2", initially didn't notice the sat ref.

Anyway, who do partition clone? Easy to do on a standard laptop whats not gd about that... Sure 2 External Drive isn't that hard to distinguish between, afterall they are different sizes, did mention, Partition Clone from "Old" to "New", and list of tools includes 2 sata 3.5" caddys, laptop with 2 usb ports, it wants to be easy for a novice to do, who doesn't want to put a different OS onto their laptop just to see EXT3 appear in their file explorer, other Partition programs do that.

U asked why not let the Humax format the 1TB, it can't, even with the MODS.

Hence did it via Laptop, DISK GENIUS, PARTITION CLONE worked by cloning the 3 partitions, thats great, not complicated, didn't have to reinstall mods etc.

Whereas other Partition programs either didn't recognise EXT3, or Clone Disk left extra 500GB as unusable unallocated space due to cudn't merge EXT3.

 

[stephan]

Also to browse EXT3 folders on a windows laptop (not linux/ubunto), since Windows File Explorer doesn't recognise EXT3, a Humax prep'd drive attached via Sata caddy usb won't "pop up" as a recognised drive, hence the use of 3rd party programs.

Recommend:
DISK GENIUS: CLONE PARTITION
AOMEI PARTITION: CREATE/DELETE PARTITIONS EXT3
EASEUS PARTITION: EXPLORER EXT3 FOLDER VIEW

Best partition software, Windows partition manager - EaseUS® Partition Master Professional

EaseUS Partition Master Professional is the best partition software that can quickly solve low disk space and resize partitions on hard drives and hardware RAID in Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista/.

www.easeus.com

 

[prpr]

U asked why not let the Humax format the 1TB, it can't, even with the MODS.

Of course it can. It can do up to 2TB with the latest firmware. What version are you on?

 

[stephan]

Prompt was DRIVE TOO LARGE TO FORMAT
Version: 1.03.12.
Did look at Humax ftp portal didn't see any other relevant options.

Anyway!... to preserve all RECORDINGS, SCHEDULES & MODS, it was extremely easy to clone 3 EXT3 partitions:

Aomei Partition to Create Ext3 Partitions.

Disk Genius to Clone Partitions.

THATS IT! Apart from 2nd partition cloning time (overnight), the rest took minutes, and as an occasional 1off install upgrade preserving all your old stuff.....

Its a brilliant method via Windows laptops & few free 3rd party partition programs, that most will find easy to use, yes of course you need 2 Sata 3.5" Caddys, these are cheap from ebay!

Did read the other guides, but thought surely it must be easier & more conventional then that & it was, guess most of the previous talk that EXT3 DRIVES weren't recognised by FILE EXPLORER, anyway DISK GENIUS, AOMEI PARTITION & EASEUS PARTITION can create/delete EXT3 PARTITIONS.

 

[Luke]

Stephan, thanks for your replies but I'm going to stick to the method I mention in post #2, as it is not usually as complicated as your method and needs less additional hardware.

Your method requires 2 caddies instead of just 1, although with your both methods you could use the cheaper adapters rather than caddies.
Your method requires a laptop that can execute those 3rd party softwares or some other equivalent.
Your method requires downloading of other 3rd party software and so a novice could download those from a site that has added PUPs or other unwanted ware.
Your method requires entering additional commands into the 3rd party software instead of just using the copy functions from the HDR-FOX T2's own menus to retain recordings
Both methods retain recordings and the schedule.
Your method saves all C/F but that can easily be reloaded.

By "DRIVE TOO LARGE TO FORMAT" did you mean 'Cannot format the hard disk. The capacity is too large'?
That message can appear when attempting to format the drive that came with the HDR-FOX T2. Humax haven't programmed the HDR-FOX T2 with a fill all singing and all dancing range of meaningful messages. Standard solution is a full power down and restart. Those with C/F may also need to telnet in and put the box into RMA mode.

Cannot format - capacity too large

For various reasons I removed the original 1TB drive from a box running 1.02.32 and copied files off it. I then reinstalled it and wanted to delete everything on it. I decided that the quickest way would be to reformat the drive. Going via Menu - System - Data Storage - Internal HDD - Format...

hummy.tv

 

[stephan]

Ok it's only 3 partitions!

Change to bigger hard drive & preserve all your mods/recordings/schedules, seems the obvious choice with DISK GENIUS, not something you could with any Windows Accessories Program.

 

[Black Hole]

Prompt was DRIVE TOO LARGE TO FORMAT

Try reading stuff:

Frequently Asked Questions (or anything else that needs to be said)

I'm trying to reformat the hard disk, but it says it's too big

This is a side-effect of the custom firmware running in the background. The standard Humax firmware, having been instructed to reformat the HDD through the menus, finds it cannot unmount the hard drive volumes (because of CF activity), but was not programmed to expect such a thing and presents a misleading* error message... <snip>

list of tools includes 2 sata 3.5" caddys

Who the heck is going to buy two caddies? Certainly not a novice, and I'm not even sure I've got two knocking around. No, sorry, our way only needs one caddy, and as we know exactly what version of OS is being used and what tools are installed, we can talk people through what they need to do without constantly fishing for information they haven't supplied.

Along with all the spelling/grammar/presentation faults, I don't find this terribly good advice.

 

[Luke]

No windows, or other operating system, or other computer other than the HDR is required.

Yes your method may not be that complicated for some, but it is more complicated as it brings in additional software, hardware and use of that additional software and hardware.

... not something you could with any Windows Accessories Program.

That is a very random comment. What I do and what many other do is to use the Humax box's standard software to move the programmes to the newly installed drive. No other computer operating system or other software, is required.

... schedules ...

The schedule isn't stored on the hard drive.

Ok it's only 3 partitions!

which a novice does not need to know about at all as the standard Humax menus are fine.

 

[stephan]

Try reading stuff:

Who the heck is going to buy two caddies?

Caddys are £10 each which is nothing...

If only buy 1 caddy, then in DISK GENIUS:
Clone Partition to Image File
Then
Restore Partition from Image File

Easy.... Just do for each for the 3 partitions.

Some are the alternatives here are making a simple matter appear complicated. And to be honest only tech savy ppl will google to find this, and they won't be a silly blond Barbara.

& your instructions are lets say more then a bit vague, and some suggestions made earlier don't work, such as internal format or larger drive.

Usb 3.5" Caddy SataIII are only about £10 on Ebay

External 6Gbps USB 3.0 to SATA III 2.5Inch 3.5Inch Hard Drive Enclosure HD L9R9 | eBay

ATA (SATA) hard drive to your computer through an available USB3.0 port on your desktop or laptop. Supports SATA III, backwards compatible with SATA II/SATA I. Supports standard notebook 3.5/2.5" SATA hard driver.

rover.ebay.com

 

[stephan]

It is an alternative many might find easier to upgrade to a bigger hard drive in their Humax HDR T2 whilst preserving all their current features & recordings.

Read on the forum many suggest direct format, then reinstall mods, and away you go.... What sort of advise is that... Put the new hard drive in.... Really!

Clone 3 EXT3 Partitions with DISK GENIUS, sorted. My last words to be useful to others searching for solutions that actually work that don't involve cack like Linux or G Parted.

 

[prpr]

This guy obviously is a shill for DISK GENIUS.
I predict spam shortly.

 

[stephan]

Right & another last comment then, what's with all the hate/spite comments? Far from insipring helpful intentions.

Alternatively to other endless suggestions Clone Partition seems pretty simple.

Anyway its just another method for persons with no intentions or posting on this forum, but browsing for solution they can work with.

And for me its 3rd party programs, lets not dilute valid suggestions with your petty insults, as lets be honest none of you have actually even tried that program for cloning partitions, which after browsing this forum was next logical conclusion after bad advise of disk cloning, which was wrong as extra space was unallocated, and didn't see any derogatory comments after all that, keep your nasty remarks to yourself, useful suggestions, mention just that.

 

[MartinLiddle]

My last words to be useful to others searching for solutions that actually work that don't involve cack like Linux or G Parted.

Where did you find the advice to use Linux or GParted for an HDR-FOX T2.? That advice is sometimes offered for a FOXSAT-HDR for users who want to fit a 2TB drive but the standard advice for an HDR-FOX T2 for a 2TB or smaller drive is to just format it in the Humax.

 

[Ezra Pound]

stephan : And for me its 3rd party programs

It's beginning to look a lot like . . . Advertising

 

[stephan]

U r splitting hairs/heirs here guys..... week ago googled it, found nothing concisive hence this worked, and upto few days ago never heard of Hummy, after all it's just a Freeview Recorder....

Anyway upgrade to larger drive, only method on here is via portal for fresh install, not wanted to loose all recordings & mods hence suggest for laptop to clone partitions.

Guess you lot mean this, dos prompt style direct ext3 partition format.... But doesn't at 1st glance from web page make particular reference HUMAX HDR T2 except for introductory sentence.

Very Large Hard Drive

wiki.hummy.tv

or more vague waffle with mention of above:

Things Every HD-FOX T2/HDR-FOX T2 Owner Should Know

Latest update: 2021/07/25 (Please note: for brevity, when something applies to both HD-FOX T2 and HDR-FOX T2 they are referred to as "HD/HDR-FOX". "T2" can be omitted without creating confusion. None of what follows is necessarily applicable to any other Humax device, including the Foxsat HD or...

hummy.tv

considering how many ppl are blonde Barbaras with long nails, they might also just google about exporting HD vids or larger drive, so not sure why you're insisting the best/only way is a direct format which requires Mod software then Ftp Portal format with nothing on it....

Hence still think the Clone Partition is easier, and not blank sheet so to speak...

 

[Luke]

Guess you lot mean this, dos prompt style direct ext3 partition format.... But doesn't at 1st glance from web page make particular reference HUMAX HDR T2 except for introductory sentence.

Very Large Hard Drive

wiki.hummy.tv

Is that the link you meant to post? That is not about fitting a 'larger drive' but is a link is about fitting a drive larger than 2TB.

... not sure why you're insisting the best/only way is a direct format which requires Mod software then Ftp Portal format with nothing on it....

No one has suggested either using Mod software or an "Ftp Portal". Not sure why you are insisting that anyone has suggesting that, but I do understand that anyone who is under that illusion, and is also ignoring everything else that has been said, may think that using "the Clone Partition" plus using everything else that is required for that is easier.

 

[stephan]

Ok splitting hairs again guys, bigger/larger drive, obviously in data capacity, it is 3.5" Sata III Hard Drive. And browsing forum no concise highlighted post of cloning.

What's with all the negative/bad comments? It is a useful suggestion.

And the 2TB+ HARD DRIVE Guide is just portal format with drive in Humax in maintenance mode, hence it does say that.... Read it...

Humax Network Lead to Laptop with WLAN: Firefox: Ip address of Humax
Humax: Settings, System, Internet, Configure LAN. Diagnostic > Maintenance mode > Enable (Command Line > 0000 > maint)
gptf > OK > OK > OK.

Of the 2 options to prepare higher data capacity hard drive:
1. Clone.
2. Portal Maintenance Format.

I'd suggest 1. What anybody chooses to do, good for them.

If 1 didn't work on your Hard Drive, then if opting to do 2, you 'd need a laptop with WLAN as newer high spec doesn't have WLAN, just WIFI, & if your computer doesn't have CAT5 Network port, your home router may not be conveniently anywhere near your Humax.....

So less of the ridicule, I see lots of loop holes & bad advice on here, just don't see the need to mention it..