Hard disk problem

I only have around 50Gb left of my 1TB drive, and lately it has been freezing whilst recording. The freeze takes a variable amount of time to happen. Once I tried just ignoring the freeze and after about 30 seconds it came back. However once I kept ignoring the freezes and then all of a sudden the hard disk started making metallic clicking noises which I think means the heads are trying to move further out from the disk than they are meant to.

I have now installed the custom firmware and ran hdfix which has cured the lack of remembering how much of a programme had been watched and the ability to save bookmarks

Unfortunately I think not running HDFIX earlier has resulted in a very poorly drive. I resorted to the big switch too many times not realising that if I waited longer it does actually come back, its only now that it is much iller that I have had enough patience to wait for it to come back which it does, even if its almost a minute sometimes before it comes back.

Now that I have the web interface finally installed, weirdly I had to resort to the USB method, and then all of a sudden when I visited the install page not having realised that the upload had worked, it finally stopped complaining about being unable to find any packages, it started working, and then said that it had already been installed.

Now the Web Interface tells me this:

Code:
Disk Information
SMART Status    FAILED!   
Model Family    Seagate Pipeline HD 5900.2
Device Model    ST31000424CS
Serial Number    9VX185BH
LU WWN Device Id    5 000c50 02d838103
Firmware Version    SC13
User Capacity    1,000,204,886,016 bytes [1.00 TB]
Sector Size    512 bytes logical/physical
Rotation Rate    5900 rpm
Device is    In smartctl database [for details use: -P show]
ATA Version is    ATA8-ACS T13/1699-D revision 4
SATA Version is    SATA 2.6, 3.0 Gb/s (current: 3.0 Gb/s)
Local Time is    Sat Aug 6 19:29:29 2016 BST
SMART support is    Available - device has SMART capability.
SMART support is    Enabled
Attributes
ID    Name    Flags    Raw Value    Value    Worst    Threshold    Life Left    Notes
1    Raw_Read_Error_Rate    POSR--    22625922    109    099    006        -
3    Spin_Up_Time    PO----    0    096    095    000        -
4    Start_Stop_Count    -O--CK    12422    088    088    020    85%    -
5    Reallocated_Sector_Ct    PO--CK    5936    001    001    036    -54%    FAILING_NOW
7    Seek_Error_Rate    POSR--    358959811    085    060    030        -
9    Power_On_Hours    -O--CK    13673    085    085    000    85%    -
10    Spin_Retry_Count    PO--C-    0    100    100    097    100%    -
12    Power_Cycle_Count    -O--CK    6211    094    094    020    93%    -
184    End-to-End_Error    -O--CK    0    100    100    099        -
187    Reported_Uncorrect    -O--CK    0    100    100    000        -
188    Command_Timeout    -O--CK    360782757972    099    098    000        -
189    High_Fly_Writes    -O-RCK    4    096    096    000        -
190    Airflow_Temperature_Cel    -O---K    52    048 (52°C)    044 (56°C)    045 (55°C)        In_the_past
194    Temperature_Celsius    -O---K    52    052    056    000        -
195    Hardware_ECC_Recovered    -O-RC-    22625922    048    035    000        -
197    Current_Pending_Sector    -O--C-    0    100    100    000        -
198    Offline_Uncorrectable    ----C-    0    100    100    000        -
199    UDMA_CRC_Error_Count    -OSRCK    0    200    200    000        -
Self-test logs
No.    Description    Status    Remaining    When    First Error LBA
# 1    Extended offline    Completed: unknown failure    90%    13673    0
# 2    Short offline    Completed: unknown failure    90%    13673    0
# 3    Short offline    Completed: unknown failure    90%    13671    0
# 4    Short offline    Completed: unknown failure    90%    13671    0
# 5    Short offline    Completed: unknown failure    90%    13663    0
# 6    Short offline    Completed: unknown failure    90%    13662    0
# 7    Short offline    Completed: unknown failure    90%    13662    0
# 8    Short offline    Completed: unknown failure    90%    13662    0
# 9    Short offline    Completed: unknown failure    90%    13662    0
#10    Short offline    Completed: unknown failure    90%    13662    0
#11    Short offline    Completed: unknown failure    90%    13662    0
#12    Short offline    Completed: unknown failure    90%    13662    0
#13    Short offline    Completed: unknown failure    90%    13662    0
#14    Short offline    Completed: unknown failure    90%    13662    0
#15    Short offline    Completed: unknown failure    90%    13661    0
#16    Short offline    Completed: unknown failure    90%    13660    0
#17    Short offline    Completed: unknown failure    90%    13660    0
#18    Short offline    Completed: unknown failure    90%    13657    0
#19    Short offline    Completed: unknown failure    90%    13656    0
#20    Short offline    Completed: unknown failure    90%    13656    0
#21    Short offline    Completed: unknown failure    90%    13655    0

Acknowledge any current disk faults.
Rendered in: 1.491 seconds

It looks like I might need a new hard disk for the Humax, although my Samsung HD in my PC has been complaining for about 8 months about being about to fail, although it is now not the system disk.

What is the recommended drive for replacement?
 
I forgot to say that HDFIX did have trouble with sector 0, yesterday I tried it about 10 times, before getting bored and selecting N, and also I gave up with the HDFIX when it got stuck around 36%, I realise now after reading this forum that I just should have waited longer, but I wanted to get to bed, and didn't want a repeat of my aborted attempt to install the Anniversary update for Win10, which after half past midnight just rolled the whole thing back!

Code:
Are you sure you wish to run the hard disk checker? [Y/N] y
Running /bin/fix-disk
Custom firmware version 3.10


Checking disk sda (512 byte sectors)

Unmounted /dev/sda1
Unmounted /dev/sda2
Unmounted /dev/sda3


Running short disk self test
Error at LBA 0
Do you wish to attempt repair of the bad block? [Y/N]: y

/dev/sda:
re-writing sector 0: succeeded

Running short disk self test
Error at LBA 0
Do you wish to attempt repair of the bad block? [Y/N]: n
Skipped repair of LBA 0

Checking partition tables...

MBR Status: not present
GPT Status: not present

Partition table is missing/corrupt. If the disk has not been formatted by
the Humax, recovery by fix-disk may not be successful.

Searching for partitions...

Partition 1 starts @ 2, ends @ 2104514
Partition 2 starts @ 2104515, ends @ 1932539174
Partition 3 starts @ 1932539175, ends @ 1953520064
Do you wish to attempt repair of the partition table? [Y/N]: y

/dev/sda:
re-reading partition table
New partition table has been created
Disk /dev/sda: 931.5 GiB, 1000204886016 bytes, 1953525168 sectors
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disklabel type: dos
Disk identifier: 0x2d2a94f0

Device     Boot      Start        End    Sectors   Size Id Type
/dev/sda1                2    2104513    2104512     1G 83 Linux
/dev/sda2          2104515 1932539173 1930434659 920.5G 83 Linux
/dev/sda3       1932539175 1953520063   20980889    10G 83 Linux
Using superblock 0 on sda1
Using superblock 0 on sda2
Using superblock 0 on sda3
Dev: /dev/sda LBA: 0


Checking partition /dev/sda3...
e2fsck 1.42.13 (17-May-2015)
Pass 1: Checking inodes, blocks, and sizes
Pass 2: Checking directory structure
Pass 3: Checking directory connectivity
Pass 4: Checking reference counts
Pass 5: Checking group summary information
/dev/sda3: 14/655776 files (0.0% non-contiguous), 438151/2622611 blocks

Checking partition /dev/sda1...
e2fsck 1.42.13 (17-May-2015)
Pass 1: Checking inodes, blocks, and sizes
Pass 2: Checking directory structure
Pass 3: Checking directory connectivity
Pass 4: Checking reference counts
Pass 5: Checking group summary information
/dev/sda1: 14/65808 files (7.1% non-contiguous), 14396/263064 blocks

Checking partition /dev/sda2...
e2fsck 1.42.13 (17-May-2015)
Pass 1: Checking inodes, blocks, and sizes
Inode 31499606, i_size is 844001280, should be 844046336.  Fix? yes

Inode 31499606, i_blocks is 1651216, should be 1650152.  Fix? yes

Pass 2: Checking directory structure
Pass 3: Checking directory connectivity
/lost+found not found.  Create? yes

Pass 4: Checking reference counts
Pass 5: Checking group summary information
/dev/sda2: ***** FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED *****
/dev/sda2: 1659/60334080 files (48.8% non-contiguous), 221770220/241304332 blocks
Removing extra swap space.
Are you having problems with a delete loop? [Y/N]: y

Finished
 
What's HDFIX? Might as well call it by the right name, 'cos although we know what you mean, there are other readers who might not.
 
Err, I have no idea what HDFIX is, I've been reading over this stuff since Friday, so I don't know a) where I got the term HDFIX, and therefore b) What the correct term is. All I know is what I entered maintenance mode and chose
Check and repair hard disk.

How do I go about backing up my hard disk. Can I ignore HD encryption if all I'm doing is copying the files to my PC, and then back onto the new hard disk I install. I'm assuming the encryption is tied to my box, and not connected with whatever disk is present?
 
I'm dreading having to disassemble the PVR, as I'm not terribly good at that sort of thing. Installing an SSD in my current PC took quite some time
 
How do I go about backing up my hard disk.
It depends on your skill level and what resources you have available. The easiest (IMHO) is to use a powered USB-SATA adapter and do it entirely on the Humax once you have your new disk. It'll also be the quickest.
Can I ignore HD encryption if all I'm doing is copying the files to my PC, and then back onto the new hard disk I install.
Yes.
I'm assuming the encryption is tied to my box, and not connected with whatever disk is present?
Correct.
 
If you can fit an SSD in a PC this will be no problem.
I assumed it would be harder because a PC is designed to be opened whereas the Humax is a consumer unit.
It depends on your skill level and what resources you have available. The easiest (IMHO) is to use a powered USB-SATA adapter and do it entirely on the Humax once you have your new disk. It'll also be the quickest.
Where can I find information on what steps are necessary, to do this disk to diskcopy?
 
I'm dreading having to disassemble the PVR

Here are some steps to getting inside your HDR-Fox T2 :-
  1. Ensure the unit is un-plugged from the mains electricity supply
  2. Use a hair dryer to remove warranty seal without breaking it
  3. Remove 3 top cover screws on rear of unit
  4. Slide top cover towards rear and then lift
 
There are no HDR-FOXes still with a current warranty. It's a very easy operation.

1. Fit and format new HDD.
2. Use an easily obtainable USB disk caddy/adapter to plug old HDD into HDR-FOX USB port.
3. Use menus: Media >> Storage (blue) >> USB to copy content onto new HDD.

Simple as that (but it will take a long time). I have found that large block transfers fail inexplicably, so I advise only selecting a few folders at a time to copy.

The transfer will result in decrypted StDef recordings but HiDef recordings will remain encrypted (unless you unprotect them first, for more info see Decryption Guide). Encryption is not a problem, the original HDR-FOX will decrypt for playback, but decryption means recordings are recoverable if the original HDR-FOX dies.
 
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Thanks guys very helpful.

If I want to download the odd programme across to my PC (and remove it on the Humax), is it possible to FTP files off (and decrypt the HiDef ones). We have very thin walls in the flats here, and so it would be good to get the programme onto my PC which is in the bedroom, and doesn't have a connecting wall with my neighboour, so that I could listen to the music at the volume I like (I have quite a few unwatched Jools Hollands etc on the PVR)
 
If I want to download the odd programme across to my PC (and remove it on the Humax), is it possible to FTP files off (and decrypt the HiDef ones).
For the sake of clarity; any programs (SD and HD) you want to transfer by FTP must have been decrypted on the box first if you want to play them on a PC.
 
Stone Free - As you are going to have to copy your recordings to the new disk, I would suggest using the method suggested by Black Hole (post #12). You might as well install the auto-unprotect pakage first. It will only take a couple of minutes to unprotect any high def. recordings, and as long as you use the remote control handset to start the copy everything will be decrypted in the process. You can then use FTP, if you like, to copy any recordings you want to your PC.
 
Well after an hour and 12 minutes I have finally got the new Hard Drive Installed.

The main point of confusion was the unobvious at least to me part of how to disconnect the SATA connectors, I couldn't tell if I needed to take out two cables like I would if I was attaching a new HD in my PC. It turns out that the entire block needs to come off.

Second thing was some wasted time removing the screws for securing the HD into the enclosure, and then doing them back up again when I figured out they weren't the screws the myhumax guide was talking about, of course they actually get removed in a later stage of the guide, so there was no need to put them back.

Then I wasn't sure which cable was the fan cable, once I figured it out I found it a little fiddly as the cable is quite short. I left the SATA cables at the motherboard end alone as you can get the hard disk out just from unplugging the block.

I'm glad I ended up using my chubby philips head screwdriver as I can't remember the smaller one being magnetic enough to lift the tiny screws whenever they fall into the motherboard, must be the extra amount of metal compared to the small one.

Then I came across another problem as the replacement hard disk is slightly thinner than the Seagate one which means that when you try and put the screws back in the blue vibration dampening
grommets the holes aren't high enough so you have to lift the hard disk slightly to get them to go in. I'm sure one of them isn't going in as far as it was in the first hard drive!

Anyway thanks for your advice. My next stage is to attach the old hard disk to the Startech USB 3.0 SATA Hard Drive enclosure, so I can get some of the recordings across. I ran one last FIXDISK on the old one before taking apart the PVR.
 
Now a little confused as when I visit the webpage it starts off by saying 'The system is still initialising', please wait then after a while we get:

'To install the full web interface and supporting packages a suitably formatted internal hard disk must be present and none was detected. This is unexpected - a HDR-Fox T2 should have an internal disk which is already formatted appropriately.'

Which is weird because I have formated the hard disk, and the Humax has already recorded the X Files from Spike correctly, and I've just tried to play it back and it is showing me the programme so how the hard disk is supposedly not present when the Humax is recording programmes to it successfully.

Should I load up a USB stick again?
 
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