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View Full Version : Sky+ Hard Drive Upgrade Query

powder
22-09-2006, 06:56
I've bought an Amstrad DRX280 Sky+ box on Ebay, and it's 80Gb usable space on a 160Gb drive. I've upgraded numerous V1 and V2 boxes before with 160/250Gb hard drive to increase the amount of recording space, and the full amoiunt is always used.

On the new V3 boxes is 80Gb always reserved? So if i wanted to upgrade the drive i'd need to go for at least a 200Gb drive to get any more spaced, or can i take the existing 160Gb drive out, delete all the partitions and then put it back in as though it was a new and blank 160Gb drive?

The one i've bought is brand new and has never been opened, and as such still has 12months warranty on it, which i'm quite happy to void if i can get more space on the drive without having to spend £50 on a new 250Gb drive. This all comes up because i'm upgrading from a 120Gb upgraded Tivo which holds around 100hours, so downgrading to only 40hours isn't that appealing.

Cheers in advance
splobber
22-09-2006, 07:15
moving...
Kryten
22-09-2006, 07:15
Moving...

EDIT - %@#$%$@ lurking admins :D
alsproject
22-09-2006, 07:37
I have read in other forums that the 80gb of space will still be reserved even if you replace the HDD for a different one. There is no way around this with a v3 box.

I purchased a 250gb drive to put in a refurb box (expecting a v2 box) but a brand new v3 one was installed. I'm going to keep hold of the drive to install in a different box now.
powder
22-09-2006, 08:37
Ah, figured that might be the case. Not a big problem, if we want more recording space i'll put in a 250/320 and use the 160Gb in a PC for extra pr0n storage ;)
Ridcully
22-09-2006, 11:16
Not sure 320 will work. LAt time I looked at this the largest standard disk was 250 or an absolute max of 274 if using a bigger disk but you had to manually adjust the block siz or something.
powder
22-09-2006, 12:47
So the bottom line is if i want maximum capacity, buy a V2 box and put in a 250Gb drive, or just stick with the V3 box i have got and keep it to 40hours capacity.

No big deal, probably would have only bidded on V2 boxes had i known that in advance, but such is life...