Installing a Larger Hard Drive?

JerryBass · 19-03-2007, 13:58

Hi folks

I haven't done this myself and probably wouldn't recommend it, as we don't own the TVDrive/V+ units after all, but given that it is simply a commercial hard drive inside the box, would it be possible for a technically able person to replace the 160 GB hard drive installed with a much larger one, for example a 500 GB drive?

If its just a PATA drive, presumably its just a matter of some screws, power cable and IDE cable, obviously done when the device is off and your are static protected.

Will the system boot up and recognise the new drive and format it for use, or throw a wobbly and go off and sulk? If not, this does suggest one way of archiving programs, although not a very sensible way.

Its just a thought experiment, folks, I'm not suggesting anyone try this (unless, of course, you already have, in which case, do tell...

**Rob** · 19-03-2007, 14:55

It may be a standard hard drive, but is there software on the drive as well as the stored media? how is the drive formated? etc.

As you say, the V+ is hired to you, not sold. Fiddling with it's insides is not for the customer and indeed would be a breach of the service agreement. In turn, VM could bill you for the cost of the STB.

And remember please Cable Forum does not allow discussion of any means of obtaining services illegally, thus this thread will be watched closely.

**David F** · 19-03-2007, 14:57

The box is able to accept external hard drives and eventually hopefully VM will allow this in its software

JerryBass · 19-03-2007, 15:21

Apologies, folks.

As the person who started this thread, I'm not suggesting or condoing anything illegal. Having been with Virgin Media/NTL for donkies years, and enjoyed nothing but good service, I certainly don't want to compromise my relationship with them.

Its just that my hard drive is filling up with Little Robots/Nina & the Neurons/Numberjacks/Charlie and Lola, and if it is possible it would be nice if i could increase its capacity. I guess I'll need to revisit the delete key.

I'm just cursed with an enquiring mind!

**David F** · 19-03-2007, 15:25

or you could by a dvd recorder to archive anything you particularly want

JethroUK · 19-03-2007, 18:56

160 G is positively 'tiddly' for it's current usage (audio visual H/Def)

i anticipate the drive growing to meet it's use (400 gig) in near future