Explorer 8300 Harddrive

bill94 · 08-19-2006, 10:40 AM

Is there anyway to stop these drv's from not powering down the harddrive??

KHD75 · 08-20-2006, 10:46 PM

On the Charlotte, NC boxes it under the Menu/More Settings/Power Manager/Hard Drive Power. You can choose always on or on with settop.

mfabien · 08-21-2006, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill94

Is there anyway to stop these drv's from not powering down the harddrive??

Why would you want to do that?

paulc · 08-21-2006, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfabien

Why would you want to do that?

Even when the DVR is "off" it is alive and doing stuff (generally speaking, it constantly is recording to the buffer, even when "off"). Powering down the external drive has caused a lot of problems for folks with them because the "connection" between the DVR and the external drive gets severed. I've seen folks post about having to actually format the external drive again... losing all that was recorded there.

bill94 · 08-21-2006, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfabien

Why would you want to do that?

Why not.

goober22 · 08-22-2006, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill94

Why not.

Because it makes no sense to do so. There is no advantage to you. Unless you care to elaborate further - case closed.

bill94 · 08-22-2006, 03:13 PM

I just wanted to know IF it could be done. Case closed.

gossamer · 08-23-2006, 09:09 AM

I realize we do not own these boxes, but powering them down does prolong the life of the hard drive.

paulc · 08-23-2006, 09:39 AM

Not at all... first, the only way to stop the HD from spinning is to manually pull the power plug. Second, spinning the drive up and down constantly actually puts more "strain" on it than constantly spinning.

If a drive does go down, they give you another box, doesn't cost you a dime.

mfabien · 08-23-2006, 11:49 AM

I have 2 of them, a SA8000HD and a SA8300SD, both of which I own (was the only way to get the SA8000HD in April 2004 and I opted to buy the SA8300SD last November).

For the SA8300SD, the remote commands both the TV and the DVR and powers them ON or OFF in one Power command. When we power ON in the morning, you can hear the HDD start up.

The SA8000HD is controlled by my Harmony 880 remote and, as for the other DVR, this one powers up at the same time as the other components. In the morning, you can hear the HDD start up, if you pay close attention.

The update of the Guide is done in the course of the night and the system takes care of activating the HDD for that period, just as it does during a software update.

Leaving the DVRs ON has no advantage. In any event after a certain time of inactivity by the user, it will power OFF (as the original poster complained).

As for this causing a dysfunction of an external drive connected to a SA8300, this is the first time I read about this problem.

bill94 · 08-23-2006, 01:38 PM

Cool, thanks for the info!!

goober22 · 08-24-2006, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfabien

...
Leaving the DVRs ON has no advantage. In any event after a certain time of inactivity by the user, it will power OFF (as the original poster complained). ...

No, the OP asked about stopping the HARDDRIVE from powering down - not the entire unit. There is a difference - maybe he did not clearly state which he was referring to.

The unit does power down during the night (around 1am I believe) but only after advising that it will happen. The user only need to touch any key to stop the powerdown for 2 hours. After 5pm (I believe) it will no longer powerdown. But again, this is the entire unit - not just the harddrive, which in both my 8300s, spins all the time (even if the unit is off).

mfabien · 08-24-2006, 11:52 AM

I read a contradiction in your reply:

Quote:

Originally Posted by goober22

... The unit does power down during the night (around 1am I believe)...).

Quote:

Originally Posted by goober22

... But again, this is the entire unit - not just the harddrive, which in both my 8300s, spins all the time (even if the unit is off).

Better get up during the night to find out that you can't hear the HDD spinning. Better still, power OFF one of the units tonight and listen to what happens in the morning when you power ON the DVR.

davecramer74 · 08-24-2006, 02:04 PM

Quote:

I realize we do not own these boxes, but powering them down does prolong the life of the hard drive.

actually, no it doesnt. Turning them off and on decreases their life, not increases.

bill94 · 08-24-2006, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goober22

No, the OP asked about stopping the HARDDRIVE from powering down - not the entire unit. There is a difference - maybe he did not clearly state which he was referring to.

I think your right. I wanted to know if there is a way to stop the harddrive from powering down.

08-19-2006, 10:40 AM	#1
bill94 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Hamilton, NJ Age: 43 Posts: 86	Explorer 8300 Harddrive Is there anyway to stop these drv's from not powering down the harddrive??

08-23-2006, 11:49 AM	#10
mfabien High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,087	I have 2 of them, a SA8000HD and a SA8300SD, both of which I own (was the only way to get the SA8000HD in April 2004 and I opted to buy the SA8300SD last November). For the SA8300SD, the remote commands both the TV and the DVR and powers them ON or OFF in one Power command. When we power ON in the morning, you can hear the HDD start up. The SA8000HD is controlled by my Harmony 880 remote and, as for the other DVR, this one powers up at the same time as the other components. In the morning, you can hear the HDD start up, if you pay close attention. The update of the Guide is done in the course of the night and the system takes care of activating the HDD for that period, just as it does during a software update. Leaving the DVRs ON has no advantage. In any event after a certain time of inactivity by the user, it will power OFF (as the original poster complained). As for this causing a dysfunction of an external drive connected to a SA8300, this is the first time I read about this problem. __________________ Samsung LN52B750, SA8300HD, Energy speakers, Yamaha RX-V540, SVS PB12-ISD, Harmony 880, HD-A1, BDP-1400, Oppo DV-970HD, Zektor HDS4.1 Last edited by mfabien; 08-23-2006 at 11:55 AM.

08-20-2006, 10:46 PM	#2
KHD75 What is HD? Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1	On the Charlotte, NC boxes it under the Menu/More Settings/Power Manager/Hard Drive Power. You can choose always on or on with settop.

08-22-2006, 03:13 PM	#7
bill94 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Hamilton, NJ Age: 43 Posts: 86	I just wanted to know IF it could be done. Case closed.

08-23-2006, 09:09 AM	#8
gossamer 50 is the new 42 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Da Boogie-down Bronx Posts: 538	I realize we do not own these boxes, but powering them down does prolong the life of the hard drive.

08-23-2006, 09:39 AM	#9
paulc Very Grizzled Vet of 1 yr Join Date: May 2006 Location: New York City Posts: 1,764	Not at all... first, the only way to stop the HD from spinning is to manually pull the power plug. Second, spinning the drive up and down constantly actually puts more "strain" on it than constantly spinning. If a drive does go down, they give you another box, doesn't cost you a dime.

08-23-2006, 01:38 PM	#11
bill94 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Hamilton, NJ Age: 43 Posts: 86	Cool, thanks for the info!!