Poll Disk alignment..

af123 · Sep 9, 2013

It seems from recent threads here that Humax may have been shipping newer HDR-Fox T2 devices with advanced format drives which aren't properly aligned. This could contribute to picture break-up as well as additional noise and heat.

So, if you still have a factory fitted hard-drive, could you run the 4kalign diagnostic and vote in the poll above?

Here's an example of the output from the 4kalign diagnostic. The key points to look for are whether the first line says that you have an advanced or standard format drive and then whether there are any warnings near the bottom about alignment. Please feel free to post the full output to the thread too. Any information on where you bought it and how old it is would help build up the picture too.

Thanks.

Code:

>>> Beginning diagnostic 4kalign
Running: 4kalign
 
--> This is an Advanced Format (AF) drive.
 
    Model Number:      ST1000VM002-1CT162                     
    Logical  Sector size:                  512 bytes
    Physical Sector size:                  4096 bytes
    Logical Sector-0 offset:                  0 bytes
    Nominal Media Rotation Rate: 5900
 
Disk /dev/sda: 1000 GB, 1000202273280 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 121601 cylinders, total 1953520065 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
 
  Device Boot      Start        End      Blocks  Id  System
/dev/sda1              2    2104514    1052226  83  Linux
/dev/sda2        2104515  1932539174  965209297  83  Linux
/dev/sda3      1932539175  1953520064    10482412  83  Linux
 
 
*WARNING* - partition /dev/sda1 is misaligned by 1024 bytes.
*WARNING* - partition /dev/sda2 is misaligned by 1536 bytes.
*WARNING* - partition /dev/sda3 is misaligned by 3584 bytes.
 
>>> Ending diagnostic 4kalign

Scuttlebroom · Sep 9, 2013

Well looks lie mine is OK:

Code:

>>> Beginning diagnostic 4kalign
Running: 4kalign
 
--> This is a Standard Format drive.
 
    Model Number:      ST3500312CS                       
    Logical/Physical Sector size:          512 bytes
    Nominal Media Rotation Rate: 5900
 
Disk /dev/sda: 500 GB, 500105249280 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 60801 cylinders, total 976768065 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
 
  Device Boot      Start        End      Blocks  Id  System
/dev/sda1              2    2104514    1052226  83  Linux
/dev/sda2        2104515  955787174  476833297  83  Linux
/dev/sda3      955787175  976768064    10482412  83  Linux
 
 
Standard format drive - partitions are always aligned.
 
>>> Ending diagnostic 4kalign

EDIT: My box was purchased from Humax Direct as a Grade A unit in January 2012

rpb424 · Sep 9, 2013

We have 2 HDRs, but I can't vote twice :-(

Have voted with the standard 1TB drive (about 2 years old), but also have an advanced 1TB properly aligned too (about 9 months old).

af123 · Sep 9, 2013

rpb424 said:
but also have an advanced 1TB properly aligned too (about 9 months old).

Interesting - what's the model number of the disk?

dearleuk · Sep 9, 2013

Seagate 1TB Pipeline Internal Hard ST1000VM002, bought last month from ebuyer

Code:

>>> Beginning diagnostic 4kalign
 
Running: 4kalign
 
 
 
--> This is an Advanced Format (AF) drive.
    Model Number:      ST1000VM002-1CT162                   
    Logical  Sector size:                  512 bytes
    Physical Sector size:                  4096 bytes
    Logical Sector-0 offset:                  0 bytes
    Nominal Media Rotation Rate: 5900
 
Disk /dev/sda: 1000 GB, 1000202273280 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 121601 cylinders, total 1953520065 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
 
  Device Boot      Start        End      Blocks  Id  System
/dev/sda1              8    2104510    1052226  83  Linux
/dev/sda2        2104512  1932539166  965217330  83  Linux
/dev/sda3      1932539168  1953520062    10490445  83  Linux
 
*  OK  * - partiton /dev/sda1 is properly aligned.
*  OK  * - partiton /dev/sda2 is properly aligned.
*  OK  * - partiton /dev/sda3 is properly aligned.
 
>>> Ending diagnostic 4kalign

rpb424 · Sep 9, 2013

af123 said:
Interesting - what's the model number of the disk?

Same as the model in your example. I think its about 9 months old, can't check properly until I get home.

Code:

>>> Beginning diagnostic 4kalign
Running: 4kalign
 
--> This is an Advanced Format (AF) drive.
 
    Model Number:      ST1000VM002-1CT162                   
    Logical  Sector size:                  512 bytes
    Physical Sector size:                  4096 bytes
    Logical Sector-0 offset:                  0 bytes
    Nominal Media Rotation Rate: 5900
 
Disk /dev/sda: 1000 GB, 1000202273280 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 121601 cylinders, total 1953520065 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
 
  Device Boot      Start        End      Blocks  Id  System
/dev/sda1              8    2104510    1052226  83  Linux
/dev/sda2        2104512  1932539166  965217330  83  Linux
/dev/sda3      1932539168  1953520062    10490445  83  Linux
 
 
*  OK  * - partiton /dev/sda1 is properly aligned.
*  OK  * - partiton /dev/sda2 is properly aligned.
*  OK  * - partiton /dev/sda3 is properly aligned.
 
>>> Ending diagnostic 4kalign

DLK987 · Sep 9, 2013

HDR Unit bought at (The now defunct) Comet, Late 2010

Code:

>>> Beginning diagnostic 4kalign
Running: 4kalign
 
--> This is a Standard Format drive.
 
    Model Number:      ST3500312CS                           
    Logical/Physical Sector size:          512 bytes
    Nominal Media Rotation Rate: 5900
 
Disk /dev/sda: 500 GB, 500105249280 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 60801 cylinders, total 976768065 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
 
  Device Boot      Start        End      Blocks  Id  System
/dev/sda1              2    2104514    1052226  83  Linux
/dev/sda2        2104515  955787174  476833297  83  Linux
/dev/sda3      955787175  976768064    10482412  83  Linux
 
 
Standard format drive - partitions are always aligned.
 
>>> Ending diagnostic 4kalign

I now have more time on my hands and recently joined the forum and installed your software, should have done it earlier. Respect to af123 for creating so much more functionality to an already good machine.

Brian · Sep 9, 2013

af123, how do you want members with more than one box to vote? would it be worth editing the poll, and enabling the "Allow selection of multiple responses" option?

af123 · Sep 9, 2013

I can't edit it but if you still can then please do. It won't necessarily help everyone though because I don't think you'll be able to record three votes for the same option : (

Posted on the move; please excuse any brevity.

Brian · Sep 9, 2013

OK, Multiple votes are now enabled. I'm not sure whether you will be able to vote for the same option more than once, but it may help people with different disk sizes/types.

Brian · Sep 9, 2013

It appears that you can now select more than one option, but can only vote once. So if any member has more than one box, with more than one disk size/type, they need to select the appropriate options before pressing the vote button.

Here are my results

HDR 1 : Purchased from Argos in September 2010 (HDD Replaced in 2012 with same model)

Code:

>>> Beginning diagnostic 4kalign
Running: 4kalign
 
--> This is a Standard Format drive.
 
    Model Number:      ST3500312CS                         
    Logical/Physical Sector size:          512 bytes
    Nominal Media Rotation Rate: 5900
 
Disk /dev/sda: 500 GB, 500105249280 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 60801 cylinders, total 976768065 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
 
  Device Boot      Start        End      Blocks  Id  System
/dev/sda1              8    2104510    1052226  83  Linux
/dev/sda2        2104512  955787166  476841330  83  Linux
/dev/sda3      955787168  976768062    10490445  83  Linux
 
 
Standard format drive - partitions are always aligned.
 
>>> Ending diagnostic 4kalign

HDR 2 : Purchased from Comet in December 2011

Code:

>>> Beginning diagnostic 4kalign
Running: 4kalign
 
--> This is a Standard Format drive.
 
    Model Number:      ST3500312CS                         
    Logical/Physical Sector size:          512 bytes
    Nominal Media Rotation Rate: 5900
 
Disk /dev/sda: 500 GB, 500105249280 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 60801 cylinders, total 976768065 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
 
  Device Boot      Start        End      Blocks  Id  System
/dev/sda1              2    2104514    1052226  83  Linux
/dev/sda2        2104515  955787174  476833297  83  Linux
/dev/sda3      955787175  976768064    10482412  83  Linux
 
 
Standard format drive - partitions are always aligned.
 
>>> Ending diagnostic 4kalign

HDR 3 : Purchased from Comet during closing down sale November 2012

Code:

>>> Beginning diagnostic 4kalign
Running: 4kalign
 
--> This is a Standard Format drive.
 
    Model Number:      ST3500312CS                         
    Logical/Physical Sector size:          512 bytes
    Nominal Media Rotation Rate: 5900
 
Disk /dev/sda: 500 GB, 500105249280 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 60801 cylinders, total 976768065 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
 
  Device Boot      Start        End      Blocks  Id  System
/dev/sda1              2    2104514    1052226  83  Linux
/dev/sda2        2104515  955787174  476833297  83  Linux
/dev/sda3      955787175  976768064    10482412  83  Linux
 
 
Standard format drive - partitions are always aligned.
 
>>> Ending diagnostic 4kalign

Mick · Sep 9, 2013

Mine was bought August 2012 - 1TB model:-

Code:

>>> Beginning diagnostic 4kalign
Running: 4kalign
 
--> This is a Standard Format drive.
 
    Model Number:      ST31000424CS                           
    Logical/Physical Sector size:          512 bytes
    Nominal Media Rotation Rate: 5900
 
Disk /dev/sda: 1000 GB, 1000202273280 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 121601 cylinders, total 1953520065 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
 
  Device Boot      Start        End      Blocks  Id  System
/dev/sda1              2    2104514    1052226  83  Linux
/dev/sda2        2104515  1932539174  965209297  83  Linux
/dev/sda3      1932539175  1953520064    10482412  83  Linux
 
 
Standard format drive - partitions are always aligned.
 
>>> Ending diagnostic 4kalign

Black Hole · Sep 9, 2013

It's going to be tricky getting results for HDR2...

prpr · Sep 9, 2013

I look after two, both 500MB standard format. One bought from JL a year ago, the other ex-display off E-bay 9 months ago (although it looked to be unused, as in pristine condition with 0 hours on disk and only a handful of start/stops).
Mum's box reports:

Code:

  Device Boot      Start        End      Blocks  Id  System
/dev/sda1              2    2104514    1052226  83  Linux
/dev/sda2        2104515  955787174  476833297  83  Linux
/dev/sda3      955787175  976768064    10482412  83  Linux

and mine reports:

Code:

/dev/sda1              8    2104510    1052226  83  Linux
/dev/sda2        2104512  955787166  476841330  83  Linux
/dev/sda3      955787168  976768062    10490445  83  Linux

I don't understand why the partitions are slightly different sizes. I haven't formatted either AFAIR.

I see two of Brian's boxes have the same layouts as mine...

I wonder if there was a change in production to align all disk partitions to multiples of 8 even though my box is a standard format disk.

Brian · Sep 9, 2013

prpr said:
I see two of Brian's boxes have the same layouts as mine...

I wonder if there was a change in production to align all disk partitions to multiples of 8 even though my box is a standard format disk.

My oldest box has the same layout as yours, and my other two boxes have the same layout as your Mum's. My HDR 1 had the HDD replaced by another of the same model number in late 2012, this was formatted by the HDR.

MikeSh · Sep 9, 2013

My diag result is a character perfect clone of the one in af123's first post, which suggests it may be normal.
I've voted it as 1TB not aligned (I assume that is what you want for misaligned).

Bought from Amazon November 2012.

af123 · Sep 9, 2013

MikeSh said:
My diag result is a character perfect clone of the one in af123's first post, which suggests it may be normal.
I've voted it as 1TB not aligned (I assume that is what you want for misaligned).

Bought from Amazon November 2012.

The output in my first post is actually from Wallace's box IIRC.

Brian · Sep 9, 2013

Another HDR-FOX T2-G Grade A Purchased from Humax Direct 2013

Code:

>>> Beginning diagnostic 4kalign
Running: 4kalign
 
--> This is a Standard Format drive.
 
    Model Number:      ST3500312CS                           
    Logical/Physical Sector size:          512 bytes
    Nominal Media Rotation Rate: 5900
 
Disk /dev/sda: 500 GB, 500105249280 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 60801 cylinders, total 976768065 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
 
  Device Boot      Start        End      Blocks  Id  System
/dev/sda1              2    2104514    1052226  83  Linux
/dev/sda2        2104515  955787174  476833297  83  Linux
/dev/sda3      955787175  976768064    10482412  83  Linux
 
 
Standard format drive - partitions are always aligned.
 
>>> Ending diagnostic 4kalign

4ndy · Sep 9, 2013

My second HDR bought in July from Richer Sounds is AF and misaligned. What can I do to fix it?

>>> Beginning diagnostic 4kalign
Running: 4kalign

--> This is an Advanced Format (AF) drive.

Model Number: ST1000VM002-1CT162
Logical Sector size: 512 bytes
Physical Sector size: 4096 bytes
Logical Sector-0 offset: 0 bytes
Nominal Media Rotation Rate: 5900

Disk /dev/sdb: 1000 GB, 1000202273280 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 121601 cylinders, total 1953520065 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 2 2104514 1052226 83 Linux
/dev/sdb2 2104515 1932539174 965209297 83 Linux
/dev/sdb3 1932539175 1953520064 10482412 83 Linux

*WARNING* - partition /dev/sdb1 is misaligned by 1024 bytes.
*WARNING* - partition /dev/sdb2 is misaligned by 1536 bytes.
*WARNING* - partition /dev/sdb3 is misaligned by 3584 bytes.

>>> Ending diagnostic 4kalign

Black Hole · Sep 9, 2013

There is no certainty you need to fix it.

Poll Disk alignment..

Disk size, format and alignment

500GB disk, Standard format

500GB disk, Advanced format, properly aligned

500GB disk, Advanced format, not aligned

1TB disk, Standard format

1TB disk, Advanced format, properly aligned

1TB disk, Advanced format, not aligned

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