Hard drive failures on two DVR's in the same week.

[TheForce]

Update- All is well. I got the 722K installed today and had no problems with the procedure. Took a few minutes and got my timers all set up too. I was a little concerned because it was raining all afternoon but light enough not to cause any rain fade.

 

[harshness]

Is it possible I got a bad Refurb 722 that will not do a check dish properly?

It is possible, but I think it more likely that you need to let the DVR do a software update.

 

[TheForce]

harshness- The problem turned out to be my fault. Specifically it had to do with different times I upgraded DVR's from 622 to a 722. When I had the 622 and 722 it would not cooperate with the 1000.4 dish. So, my sat wiring switch board was configured for a dish 500 for the 622 and 1000.4 for the 722. Then when I replaced the 622 with a 722k, I kept the one 722 connected to the Dish500. I forgot this was the case. As soon as I discovered this, I switched the connection to the second cable from the 1000.4 and then redid the check switch which allowed the 722 to correctly find then 72/77. Up popped all those news HD channels too. mea culpa!

Yesterday adding the replacement 722k ( due to hard drive failure ) went easy with no trouble.

I now have both my 722K and 722 with fresh (refurb) hardware. Hopefully, these last for awhile. If they don't, I may decide to upgrade then to the Hopper.


Since the hard drive is a part of the system that can wear out as it is used in constant heavy duty reading and writing all the time, I would suggest Echostar design a future DVR with user replaceable HD, in a slot, much like some players like the HiMedia does. The DVR seems to be a very mature product now but it's life seems to be limited to 2-3 years due to the heavy wear on the drive. Making it user or at least local service tech replaceable by design would be a great idea. The DVR could have a bios that could format and configure a blank drive when first booted up.