After searching the net, and finding articles from 2006, thought I'd ask here.

Has anyone upgraded their Sky Plus to a bigger drive? Mine's a late 2007 Thompson box (model 129e163, version 4e2125) if that makes any difference.

Just after advice as to which Samsung drive to use.

if you want to keep whats on the current drive, use some software on your PC called Sky Copy+.

http://www.skycopyplus.co.uk/

Do you know the model number or drive family that is currently in there?

I thought from the title you were referring to the number of doorsteppers trying to get you to switch to Sky. We've had three or four lately. I just point them to the dish on the side of our house (left by the previous owners), and tell them that their records must be wrong...

I stuck a 160GB drive in my original Sky+ box with no problems at all. I didn't replace it with the same brand, I think I stuck a Seagate or something in it. As long as it has the same specs (bar capacity of course) It isn't a huge problem.

That box went pop due to an unrelated problem so I replaced it with a Sky+160 box from eBay.

This thread may be of some use to you.

This site is quite useful as well.

Do you know the model number or drive family that is currently in there?

Not opened up yet, but most results I've come across suggest you have to use specific drives only, and speeds (5400rpm limit?) else you get issues.

Surely a drive is just a drive? :confused:

Thanks.

So only certain drives can spindown? I know Samsungs are the quietest and fav amongst upgraders, but all the numbers I've found so far dont/no longer exist.

Not opened up yet, but most results I've come across suggest you have to use specific drives only, and speeds (5400rpm limit?) else you get issues.

Surely a drive is just a drive? :confused:

That's why I asked what was in there as this can answer a lot of potential questions

Often specific drive requirements come from firmware in one place or the other.

From the comments I am guessing the older boxes are using IDE drives, but I'd think the newer ones would use SATA drives due to the volumes they would be purchasing.

That is one of the major reasons for needing to look before you buy.

Edited 28 October, 200916 yr by cheezemonkhai

I have just got Sky + and its only got the 80 gb one in? I got it 2 month ago? is that correct in them givin me that one or should I of got the new ones?

It's just luck of the draw really...

Steve

thats not good enough lol.

I didnt even know they did a bigger HDD one. only had it 2 month and its 70% full already. full of all the GF cookin stuff lol

You see, ignorance is bliss. It's only now that you know there's a bigger version, you want that instead

You could just do the drive upgrade path as well then. I doubt you'll get Sky to swap you onto a newer, bigger Sky+ box.

Steve

prob not. I am not impressed with sky at all. I think they are crap. and slow

took 2 month from orderin it to get it in. when I got BT in my room on camp it was done in 1 week and working.

thats all another story tho lol.

take it itsjus a case of puttin it in and it formats it automatically?

Regular Sky+ is IDE, Sky HD is SATA.

Pretty much so but you have to go into the hidden installer menu & do a full reset once the new HDD is in...

Press 'em quickly: Services >> 401 >> select ....which gives you:

...then number 8 "Full System Reset".

I guess they are phasing out the SD sky plus boxes or they are of an old design as I'd be stunned if any box designed in the recent past used IDE drives as they just cost more per GB and more to wire up than a SATA one.

Do you know if IDE drives are still being actively produced Mark, from the usual suspects?

Steve

Well the list I've found is out of date, and most major component online retailers dont sell them anymore

Suggested Drives

The Skycopyplus forums are also VERY quiet....

Do you know which one from that list you're after particularly?

The only one that still seems available is WD5000AAKB.

Was thinking of Seagate ST3500630A, but seems discontinued. Both seem to have only a few mentions, but all seems well.

Dabs have that WD in stock:

dabs.com - Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB U133 16MB (WD5000AAKB)

eBuyer too, but a few quid more. You can see their actual stock level though, which is often useful for stuff like this:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129413

Steve

Is there 500GB of TV worth recording? :confused:

LOL.

Nah, but most films as 8% a go, and when you have 22 episodes of a series (@4% a go) that swmbo doesnt like, so you have to watch when you can, I need the space.

Plus Baby's due in 6 weeks, so I doubt I'll get time to watch stuff I dont want to loose to make way for more stuff.

Dabs have that WD in stock:

dabs.com - Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB U133 16MB (WD5000AAKB)

eBuyer too, but a few quid more. You can see their actual stock level though, which is often useful for stuff like this:

Western Digital WD5000AAKB 500GB Hard Drive 7200rpm 16MB Cache - OEM Caviar Blue - Ebuyer

Steve

Thanks.

I need 2x USB caddies too it seems. Unless I rip out everything from the old desktop and run the old and new drive as slaves.

Will sort this soon ready for a few days off planned for mid month.

EDIT: Simbo has correctly spotted that the Seagate is indeed a SAS drive, so won't be compatible anyway. It does explain the pricing though! Wonder why that PN you gave came back to that. But anyway, link removed as it's not suitable

I see the Seagate too, but at an uber price! And one in stock.

Errr, WD it is then

Steve

Edited 28 October, 200916 yr by Wardy
Technlogy update!

With some Quidco too

But of course! It'd be rude not to

When i asked on AVForums about this the concencus seemed to be these three Western Digital drives which are specifically for PVR use.

500GB

Western Digital WD5000AVVS

750GB

Western Digital WD7500AVVS

1TB

Western Digital WD10EVVS or WD10EVCS

I'm looking at upgrading our Sky+HD box some time soon so will probably go for the 750gb or 1tb option myself.

Cheers

Dave.