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Replacement Hard Disk Recommendations

MartinLiddle said:
The point I was trying to investigate is whether a 4KB sector disk running with the partitions unaligned (but with 512 byte sector emulation) is capable of adequate performance.
Click to expand...
It would be an interesting test. In theory, write performance would suffer most but given the way that the Humax tends to access the disk using large sequential writes and reads it may not matter as much as it would on a general purpose system. Of course, the partitions might actually be aligned, either through chance or Seagate's Smart Align thingimebob.
 
@martypants16 - I'd be interested to see the output of the 4kalign diagnostic if you could oblige.
 
Interesting article at http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/linux/library/l-4kb-sector-disks/ includes the following chart (it also includes a similar chart for read performance showing relatively minimal performance impact):

Write performance penalty for misaligned partitions (1 meaning no penalty). Large files are better than small ones but the penalty is still significant.

4kwrite.jpg
 
Output of 4kalign on my system for reference:

Code: 
Running: 4kalign
    Logical  Sector size:                   512 bytes
    Physical Sector size:                  4096 bytes
    Logical Sector-0 offset:                  0 bytes

Disk /dev/sda: 2000 GB, 2000396321280 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 243201 cylinders, total 3907024065 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sda1              64     2104575     1060258   83  Linux
Warning: Partition 1 does not end on cylinder boundary.
/dev/sda2         2104576  3886043175  1941969330   83  Linux
Warning: Partition 2 does not end on cylinder boundary.
/dev/sda3      3886043176  3907024064    10482412   83  Linux

*  OK   * - partiton /dev/sda1 is properly aligned.
*  OK   * - partiton /dev/sda2 is properly aligned.
*  OK   * - partiton /dev/sda3 is properly aligned.
 
Humax HDR-FOX T2/GB HDD 500GB Upgrade to 1TB
To gain more space for recordings I have attempted to upgrade the HDD in one of my Hummies. I purchased a Seagate 1TB pipeline drive and swapped the drives on first reboot the drive was not seen so I rebooted again the drive was seen and the humax offered to format it which I accepted. Once to reboot was complete I again rebooted but he drive was not seen.
Accessing 'Settings >> System' the Data Storage was greyed out! I returned to original drive to the Hummy, it booted up without problem.

The HDD Info:
Original 500GB HDD
Model No. ST3500312CS
Part No: 9GW132-191
Firmware: SC13

New 1TB HDD
Model No. ST1000VM002
Part No: 1CT162-300
Firmware: SC23
Humax 1tb HDD Partion Table.jpg
I would appreciate any help as I am at a loss!

#1 HDR Fox-T2 v1.02.32 with CF v2.19 HDD upgrade problem
#2 HDR Fox-T2 v1.02.32 with CF v2.19
#3 HDR Fox-T2 v1.03.06 Loader a7.34
 
I got the screen shot of the with the drive attached to PC using EaseUS.
I received another Seagate Pipeline (now called @Video') HDD this afternoon and the Hummy just does not see it to even offer to format it. Both drives are Model ST1000VM002 with Firmware SC23. Cables used to connect to the Hummy are those belonging to the original HDD which is seen and works without problem.
 
michael.h said:
I got the screen shot of the with the drive attached to PC using EaseUS.
I received another Seagate Pipeline (now called @Video') HDD this afternoon and the Hummy just does not see it to even offer to format it. Both drives are Model ST1000VM002 with Firmware SC23. Cables used to connect to the Hummy are those belonging to the original HDD which is seen and works without problem.
Click to expand...
I have installed the same model of disc and it worked fine. I did not use the Hummy for formatting as it is an AF disc and might not be formatted optimally this way, though it would still work. If you connect the drive you formatted to one of the USB ports on the hummy (using a USB caddy/ power supply) can you see partitions? If so the problem could be with the internal connections; do you have different sata and power cables you could try out to connect the drive to the motherboard? The only other thing I can think of is jumper settings on the disc. The disc you have should not need jumpers, but if it does there will be a diagram showing the different jumper settings on the front. If it does have a jumper present, this will need to be set to reduce the interface speed. The disc I installed did not require a jumper, so your's is most likely the same but I have seen different versions of what is supposedly the same model before.
 
The cable set I used to connect the new drive work fine with the original 500GB drive so I conclude it is not the cables.
I am wondering if it could be the ST1000VM002 drives Firmware SC23.
 
I have now tried a third Seagate Pipeline HDD, the Hummy just does not see it, or offer to format it. All 3 drives are Model ST1000VM002 with Firmware SC23. Cables used to connect to the Hummy are those belonging to the original HDD which is seen and works without problem.
Checking in Settings> system the entry for Data Storage is greyed out!
Has anyone replaced an original 500GB HDD with a 1TB drive with Humax software v1.02.32, I ask this in case Humax have done something to stop people upgrading to 1TB thus forcing the purchase of a new 1TB HDR-Fox T2 which is not an option as there is no custom firmware path for boxes with Humax version 1.03.06.

#1 HDR Fox-T2 v1.02.32 with CF v2.19 HDD upgrade problem
#2 HDR Fox-T2 v1.02.32 with CF v2.19
#3 HDR Fox-T2 v1.03.06 Loader a7.34
 
I have now reached the conclusion that there is a fault with my problem Hummy which stops it from seeing any HDD with a capacity greater than 500GB. It fails to see a 1TB drive and does not offer to format the drive.
I have performed the following tests.
  1. I replaced the original 500GB HDD with a 500GB from a scrap Hummy, my Hummy saw the foreign HDD and worked perfectly.
    Any 500GB drive formatted on a different Hummy is seen and works!
  2. I replaced the original 500GB HDD with a 1TB HDD formatted on another Hummy HDD accessing 'Settings >> System' the Data Storage was greyed out!
If anyone has any ideas as to the cause of this problem I would be very pleased to hear. My thanks to all who have offered suggestions.

#1 HDR Fox-T2 v1.02.32 with CF v2.19 HDD upgrade problem 500GB HDD
#2 HDR Fox-T2 v1.02.32 with CF v2.19 - upgraded to 1TB HDD
#3 HDR Fox-T2 v1.03.06 Loader a7.34 with CF v2.19 - 1TB as supplied.
 
I would have a look at the label on each of the disks. This usually states the current consumption from the supply rails. The 1TB disk may take more current. Perhaps your power supply is struggling to supply enough current to the 1TB disk.
 
In reply to xyz123.
Seagate Pipeline (latest production re-named Video) drive voltages:
  • ST3500312CS: 500GB +5v - 0.316A +12v - 0.155A
  • ST1000VM002: 1TB +5v - 0.55A +12v - 0.27A
  • ST2000VM003: 2TB +5v - 0.55A +12v - 0.37A
It therefore seems that the problem Hummy
  1. an under performing PSU or
  2. there is some component on the mother board which is pulling more power than it should.
Hummy 4 in the list below was bought on ebay as not working and had its power lead cut off for spares. However, Updating the Humax software and installing latest CF it works perfectly!

#1 HDR Fox-T2 v1.02.32 with CF v2.19 HDD upgrade problem 500GB HDD
#2 HDR Fox-T2 v1.02.32 with CF v2.19 - upgraded to 1TB HDD
#3 HDR Fox-T2 v1.03.06 Loader a7.34 with CF v2.19 - 1TB as supplied.
#4 HDR Fox-T2 v1.02.32 Loader a7.33 with CF v2.19 - upgraded to 1TB HDD
 
michael.h said:
In reply to xyz123.
Seagate Pipeline (latest production re-named Video) drive voltages:
  • ST3500312CS: 500GB +5v - 0.316A +12v - 0.155A
  • ST1000VM002: 1TB +5v - 0.55A +12v - 0.27A
  • ST2000VM003: 2TB +5v - 0.55A +12v - 0.37A
It therefore seems that the problem Hummy
  1. an under performing PSU or
  2. there is some component on the mother board which is pulling more power than it should.
Hummy 4 in the list below was bought on ebay as not working and had its power lead cut off for spares. However, Updating the Humax software and installing latest CF it works perfectly!

#1 HDR Fox-T2 v1.02.32 with CF v2.19 HDD upgrade problem 500GB HDD
#2 HDR Fox-T2 v1.02.32 with CF v2.19 - upgraded to 1TB HDD
#3 HDR Fox-T2 v1.03.06 Loader a7.34 with CF v2.19 - 1TB as supplied.
#4 HDR Fox-T2 v1.02.32 Loader a7.33 with CF v2.19 - upgraded to 1TB HDD
Click to expand...
I wonder how old your HDR#1 is?

If HDR#1 is an “older model”, could it be that the PSU that it has was designed for the disk drives to be supplied and is not beefy enough to provide the necessary power for those more recent bigger drives? Were you able to hear the 1TB drive spin-up when it should when it was in HDR#1?

Also, on another forum about another PVR make (Topfield) it is often the case that when this sort of unexpected happens one of the first ports of call is the PSU (test and repair; which is typically replacing the electrolytic capacitors or occasionally replacement of the PSU). A possible theory being that a failing PSU is unable to supply enough power for the new drives. I have repaired two (Topfields) myself in this manner, added fans (they don’t come with one) and they have run for many years afterwards. I have also got a router, flat panel displays, computers and the like going by updating capacitors on the power supply/motherboard. But it is not something you want to get in to unless you are comfortable and sure about such undertakings.

See if you can see any details written on the PSUs next time (if) you have the covers off; also look for electrolytic capacitors that are bulging or domed on top (a definitive sign of a problem, but absence of such is not an “all clear”) - they should be nice and even like a can and the metal flat on top with embossed lines (often forming an X or Y; really small ones may not have these).

You now have a “scrap” HDR FOX T2? If the PSUs are 100% the same, maybe they can be temporarily swapped over for testing purposes if you feel like experimenting? The caveat is that if there is something wrong with HDR#1 that is stressing the PSU, it will stress the other one too; but I feel the risks are lowish if HDR#1 is otherwise running okay with its 500GB disk.


PS: If doing things with the PSU (or anything else inside) remember to unplug the HDR from the mains; don’t touch parts of the power supply until you are sure nothing is holding a charge. For example: switch off and unplug; the “orange” ring will still glow for a bit, touch it and it will try to power up but fail as it drains remaining power. There could potentially be some residual high boltage on the PSU for a while, depending on its design. Be safe.
 
Yes, still the best option in my opinion. Consider the 4TB variant too if you're running custom firmware (there's also a 3TB for a small incremental cost over the 2TB but I have no experience with this)
 
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