This is why I HATE these sort of forums, because out come the people who cannot understand those of us with no interest in 'computing-tech' / coding /etc.
Yes, well, I'm sorry but you're trying even my (little) patience. If you have no interest in "computing-tech", then you are just a consumer and need to stick to consumer-level solutions, ie: it's broken, buy a new one. A consumer has to just accept whatever is currently available on the market. The Aura is a PVR. It works as a PVR. If you pine for the HDR-FOX, there are still good used ones available on eBay... but that's like buying an old Vauxhall Astra because you don't like the bells and whistles on a modern car (for the record: I don't). Keeping an old Astra running is an enthusiasts game, you would need to get your hands dirty, but you're not an enthusiast.
prpr has his outbursts of exasperation, and so do I. We're prepared to be plain spoken when the rest of the world seems to think everything should revolve around them and their sensitivities. We say to those: get over it. And yes, we're more than tolerated because the wise know the world has gone soft, and the forum elders know just how much we've put into making this forum what it is (and continue to do).
The unwise, those who choose to voice exception, have invariably not contributed an ounce. If they wind us up enough they get "ignore" status, which then means we don't see their questions and won't help when they need it. One such ignored registered a new account thinking we wouldn't notice.
We help people get the most out of their units, and many long-term and very satisfied users of the CF wouldn't know one end of a command prompt from another – all they've done is decide they would like what is on offer, and had the courage to follow instructions, even if blindly. It's all written up, they just did what it said step by step. All it requires is a willingness to try. Thousands of hours work has been contributed for free, it's only fair those who want to benefit from it put in a little effort in return. We have done the work, we do not need to be tolerant of ungrateful freeloaders – especially not those who heckle from the sidelines.
It is a fundamental error to come on here saying you want to do something but you don't want to follow the steps necessary to do it. And that's you. We are not stopping you swapping your hard drive, it's your kit and you can do what you like. All the information is available to help you do that. If you choose to use an inappropriate HDD, that's your choice too. What we are saying is that without conducting some diagnostics beforehand, you have no idea whether you are wasting your time and money. Again, your choice. Don't come crying if it all goes wrong.
Yes we do understand people not being techie, and not wanting to get involved in anything techie. But anyone not wanting to get involved with techie things would not have even asked the question.