Can I use a 45gb HDD from a TIVO unit in a computer?

[stockjock]

Western Digital 45gb drive from DirectTV Tivo unit...can it be formatted for use in a Comp? When I use Fdisk it tells me the drive can't be accessed.

 

[CalvinHobbes]

If the drive is connected correctly you should be able to see it. Try another utility like "DelPart" (which will delete any partition) or partition magic.

 

[stockjock]

It's connected correctly...Fdisk sees the drive, but it tells me its unable to access the drive. I must have the jumpers screwed up.

 

[stockjock]

Still a no go...I've tried Partition Magic and Delpart. They don't seem to recognize the drives! Fdisk sees the drive, but tells me it's unaccessable. When booting up the drive does show...but it does not show in windows...any ideas??

 

[Slapstick]

Don't know if this is the case but I once had a bad Linux install on a drive didn't think a thing about just put the drive off to the side. Well later I went to use it for a windows install and fdisk couldn't access it. I used Boot N Nuke to completely wipe the drive and the previous partian info and afterwards fdisk had no trouble accessing the drive. Might want to give it a try.

 

[stockjock]

Thx Slapstick...I'll give it a try too. I just hate to waste this drive...45gb is 45gb..right!

 

[bunker]

Slapstick's suggestion should work, pretty sure Tivo's are formatted with Linux.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: stockjock
It's connected correctly...Fdisk sees the drive, but it tells me its unable to access the drive. I must have the jumpers screwed up.

You can use it and it works the other way around. TiVo Hacking is a popuar thing to do and hard drive upgrades and aditions are one of the first things people do when they get them. ANY HDD will work in a TiVo. (TiVo uses linux.)

Jumpers maybe screwed up like you said or you may need to delete the partition first.

Hack your TiVo
http://www.maximumpc.com/how_to/reprint_2002-03-04.html

http://www.tivofaq.com/hack/

 

[Ike0069]

I want to try adding a bigger HD to my TiVO. Anyone know if you can still do this if your TiVo is also a DirectTV receiver?

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Ike0069
I want to try adding a bigger HD to my TiVO. Anyone know if you can still do this if your TiVo is also a DirectTV receiver?

Read my previous post. And go to TiVoFAQ.com for all you need to know. There are guys out there that have re-written the linux code in their TiVo's so they act as network routers and media hubs.