DM 600 Recorded Movies get erased when switched off

[felicianf]

DM 600 Recorded Movies get erased when switched off
My DM 600 was working fine and I was recording movies.
I tried to remove the Hard Drive and connect it to the computer to test whether I can copy them to the hard drive-which was not possible.
Now when I re fixed the Hard drive to the DM and record movies (after formatting) the movies get erased when the power is off.
How sad.
Also I noted the movies are now recorded with a ".ts" at the end.
Can someone help me?
Do I miss something basic?

 

[HB13DISH]

DM 600 Recorded Movies get erased when switched off
My DM 600 was working fine and I was recording movies.
I tried to remove the Hard Drive and connect it to the computer to test whether I can copy them to the hard drive-which was not possible.
Now when I re fixed the Hard drive to the DM and record movies (after formatting) the movies get erased when the power is off.
How sad.
Also I noted the movies are now recorded with a ".ts" at the end.
Can someone help me?
Do I miss something basic?

You could have downloaded all the recorded files to your PC HDD using a suitable FTP application and ethernet cable between the PC and the Dreambox or if you have a router, then using one of the router's ports and the box.
You can then open them with a Nero DVD player (called Nero Showtime) or make a DVD out of them using Nero Vision.
(Nero latest version 8 evaluation (14-days) can be downloaded from the Nero website.
The files are recorded with *.ts extension by default and Nero supports this format.
If the problem still there, I suggest that you would flash the box with the latest Gemini image, then format the HDD and see what happens.
If you still have this problem, we will be happy to help you again.
Good luck

 

[felicianf]

Thanks for the advice.
I did downloaded the way you said.
Since it took long time I tried the way i mentioned.
Now the problem I have is all the movies I record get erased once I switch off.
I flashed with the Gemini image again.
Formatted the Disk.
Even changed to another one I had.
But no positive response.
Shall I flash with an earlier version of Gemin?

 

[HB13DISH]

Thanks for the advice.
I did downloaded the way you said.
Since it took long time I tried the way i mentioned.
Now the problem I have is all the movies I record get erased once I switch off.
I flashed with the Gemini image again.
Formatted the Disk.
Even changed to another one I had.
But no positive response.
Shall I flash with an earlier version of Gemin?

It would take a long time to dl to the HDD if you have a lot of recordings so it is wise to dl on a regular basis or just select one or two files and see how long it would take.
Which Gemini version did you use to flash and was it from a reliable website?
I suggest that you would flash again with Gemini 4.0 (not Gemini 4.1), disconnect all cables except the null modem (after shutdown of PC and box) and use the RS-232 connectors (w/o ethernet cable)
Let us know how you get on.

 

[felicianf]

I flashed Gemini 4.1

 

[HB13DISH]

I flashed Gemini 4.1

Try Gemini 4.0 and let us see what happens.
(I have 7000S and I had problems with 4.1, but unless you tell us what happens if you want to try flashing with 4.0, the mystery would still be unsolved)

 

[felicianf]

Try Gemini 4.0 and let us see what happens.
(I have 7000S and I had problems with 4.1, but unless you tell us what happens if you want to try flashing with 4.0, the mystery would still be unsolved)

I flashed with Gemini 4.0 but the problem is there.
When restart the DM (even without unplugging) and go to Setup-system-Hardrive- it shows as unknown format, which needs to be formatted.
If I do not format and try to record it says unaccessible HD.


To sum up the Hard drive formatting of Linus is lost everytime I restart the DM.

 

[HB13DISH]

I flashed with Gemini 4.0 but the problem is there.
When restart the DM (even without unplugging) and go to Setup-system-Hardrive- it shows as unknown format, which needs to be formatted.
If I do not format and try to record it says unaccessible HD.


To sum up the Hard drive formatting of Linus is lost everytime I restart the DM.

What is the HDD make, model number and size?
Did you format the HDD after the Gemini 4.0 flash?

 

[HB13DISH]

Another idea
Disconnect the HDD (IDE cable and Power supply) and flash with Gemini 4.0
After scanning channels check that everything is OK as a receiver of TV and radio.
Shutdown box, unplug power cord and then connect the IDE cable and power connector and see what happens.
Format the disk as usual using the box.
If you still have this problem, then it could be a hardware issue.

 

[felicianf]

HD is Samsung 80GB IDE 2.5 HD used for Laptops

Did you format the HDD after the Gemini 4.0 flash?

Yes of course

Now I try to install a another HD and see what happens.

 

[HB13DISH]

HD is Samsung 80GB IDE 2.5 HD used for Laptops


Yes of course

Now I try to install a another HD and see what happens.

Is this the original HDD that came with the box or did you add it yourself?
My 7000S has 3.5" and it works fine. But with a 2.5" you need a special adapter so that the HDD would have the IDE + Power with one connector instead of two connectors as with the 3.5"
Have you tried a 3.5" HDD?

 

[felicianf]

Is this the original HDD that came with the box or did you add it yourself?
My 7000S has 3.5" and it works fine. But with a 2.5" you need a special adapter so that the HDD would have the IDE + Power with one connector instead of two connectors as with the 3.5"
Have you tried a 3.5" HDD?

Is this the original HDD that came with the box or did you add it yourself?

I added it after buying and it worked perfectly.

Have you tried a 3.5" HDD?

3.5" cannot be fitted into the DM600.

 

[HB13DISH]

Thanks for all the updates. Now I have a better picture.
Your problem started after dismantling the HDD from the 600 box and then connecting it the PC, followed by reinstall in the 600.
Have you checked the possibility that the connectors or cable might have become faulty as a result?

 

[felicianf]

Thanks for your great support.
Mainbord end cable cannot be changed and I did not manipulate.
How can I know whether I have connected the HD end correctly ?There is an arrow on the Cable.
Should it come to the printed letter side of the HD or the other side?
Can you tell me a way to double check the cable which I reconnected is correct or not-any site or pic giving the proper way to connect it?
Dreambox manual doesnt give.

 

[HB13DISH]

Thanks for your great support.
Mainbord end cable cannot be changed and I did not manipulate.
How can I know whether I have connected the HD end correctly ?There is an arrow on the Cable.
Should it come to the printed letter side of the HD or the other side?
Can you tell me a way to double check the cable which I reconnected is correct or not-any site or pic giving the proper way to connect it?
Dreambox manual doesnt give.

I haven't used a 2.5" HDD before. But usually the red colored wire on the cable represents pin number 1.
Look at the HDD connector and see if there is a pin 1 marking.
This is where the coloured wire should go.
Does the connector on the cable goes either way or is it polarized to prevent wrong insertion?

 

[felicianf]

I dont think so. I got down a technician and he said the cable connection is ok.
I feel the Hard Disks are corrupt.
I will retry tomorrow with anew hard drive.
Thanks for your help.
I will update you.

 

[v9oly]

I'm no expert on formatting, just a thought, but did you format the harddrive with the pc? I have read that this can cause problems.

Regards,
Ollie

 

[felicianf]

did you format the harddrive with the pc? I have read that this can cause problems

Cant be-since all harddrives are usually formatted for PC

 

[felicianf]

Thanks so much for the help you offered.
Finally I got it working.
What did I do?
I bought another new Hard Drive and tried.
This time i noticed when formatting it goes as "Master".
earlier I remember it went as "SLAVE".
I do not know how to change it to become Master-but my new hard drive acted as Master.
@ HB13DISH
Anyway thanks again for your enormous help. I you were in Sri Lanka I would have invited you for a dinner.
Thanks again.

 

[HB13DISH]

Hello felicianf,
I am glad that you have got the thing working to your satisfaction now.
These 2.5" HDD are quite fragile and they need to be treated with utmost care, especially with regards to ESD.
If you download the data sheet for the model that you have now, it should tell you how to configure it as a Master or a Slave with the jumper.
Just like a 3.5" HDD.
It would be intersting now to check the other two HDDs and see if they are really damaged or not. But don't use the 600 for this.
Also, flashing with Gemini 4.1 might also work fine, now that we know it wasn't a software issue that you had.
Finally, thank you for the generous invitation. I will keep this in mind if I ever make a trip to Asia.
I remember drinking a lot of Ceylon Tea many years ago and it is indeed the finest tea in the world.

:-hny