Originally Posted by Salladay

I've tried 8 ways from Sunday to get my Scientific-Atlanta HD to recognize an external Seagate FreeAgent Pro 500G drive.

I always get the message "Attention: The external recording device is not functioning properly. Check to make sure the power and data cables are plugged in properly."

I'm using an eSATA to eSATA cable that I had to mail order. The drive says its port is eSATA. The 8300HD port is labelled SATA (but I saw somewhere that it is really an eSATA). Also saw that there may be a Passport software upgrade required.

My service provider is Comcast and their tech support people (even though I escalated to a supervisor) said they were aware there was such a thing as an external drive capability but really they said they knew nothing about it and could not help me - they suggested I ask Best Buy - who was similarly clueless.

I've followed the recommendations I found on AVS (i.e. unplug both boxes, connect cables, plug power to hard drive, plug power to 8300HD, power on 8300HD - then I always get the message above.

1) Am I using the right cable or should I have an SATA to eSATA?

2) Does Comcast support external hard drives on the 8300HD?

3) Is there a software upgrade or change required on the 8300HD and if so, can I somehow get it since Comcast tech support is clueless?

4) Is there another hard drive that will work?

5) The drives all come formatted - should they be completely unformatted somehow?

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated - should I take the drive back and give up?