Using a 2.5 inch or SATA disk in Sky+

Avoriaz

Standard definition Sky+ boxes like my Pace 2 use 3.5 inch IDE/PATA drives.

Has anyone tried to use a 2.5 inch drive or a SATA drive with the appropriate converter cable?

Cables are available that convert SATA to PATA and 2.5 inch to 3.5 inch.

Has anyone ever tried to use one in a Sky+ box?

I do realise that a 2.5 inch drive will not fit the mounting frame. I don't care about that as I run my Sky box without the lid on as it keeps the fan from running. I can just rest the disk on the frame and it will stay cool enough.

Unstoppable_2

Considering Sky+ boxes are extremely picky about what makes and model numbers you can use in the first place, I doubt you'd be successful getting it to work.

sadly, the fan being on has little to do with the hard drive heat recently. It's the chuffing firmware turning it on. Mine is on even though the system has been in standby for hours. Been like that ever since 5.04.d update. 5.04.e was worse as it had the fan running flat out all the time.

mdbarber

only problem i can see is the speed many 2.5 drives spin at 5400 or less whereas standard 3.5s are 7200, this means a big diff in transfer rates

aliEnRIK

I cant recall exactly, but I believe the skys own internal software limits the size that can be used (200 gig say)

Avoriaz

mdbarber wrote: »

only problem i can see is the speed many 2.5 drives spin at 5400 or less whereas standard 3.5s are 7200, this means a big diff in transfer rates

Data transfer rates are not an issue and Sky+ boxes often work best with 5400 drives.

The original 40gb drive with a Sky+ box was 5400. A 5400 drive can easily cope with three data streams, two recording and one playback.

Some 7200 drives don't suit a Sky+ box if they take too long to spin up to speed. Most 7200 drives will work.

Avoriaz

aliEnRIK wrote: »

I cant recall exactly, but I believe the skys own internal software limits the size that can be used (200 gig say)

The limit is now a lot higher than 200gb. Well over 400gb I think.

I'm currently using a 250gb drive and the box can see all of that.

aliEnRIK

Im intrigued actually. How easy is it to replace?
Does it need to be preformatted NTSF or FAT?

Marty999

aliEnRIK wrote: »

Im intrigued actually. How easy is it to replace?
Does it need to be preformatted NTSF or FAT?

This link shows how you can change the hard disk on a Sky HD box, but I guess the procedure must be similar.

gm_xone

I don't have Sky+, but it seems that the current limit is 500GB.
XtendedPlay sell upgrade kits (I'm not saying you should necessarily purchase from them), and there's some info on their site which might be helpful.

sjc_2

Have a look on AVForums plenty of info on there.

Many people are running Western Digital 1TB Drives without an issue.

Avoriaz

aliEnRIK wrote: »

Im intrigued actually. How easy is it to replace?
Does it need to be preformatted NTSF or FAT?

It is very easy to swap the disk in a Sky+ box.

Switch off the power, remove the lid, unscrew the drive mounts, pull out the IDE and power cables, swap disks, reattach cables etc.

It doesn’t matter if the disk is formatted or not or has data on it or not. A Full System Reset will format it to Sky+ requirements.

I have a Pace 2 which came with an 40gb drive. I have put in an 80gb drive, then a 200gb and today I have put in a 250gb drive.