Upgrading Sky+ box

rmg1

I've got SATA connections on my PC. If I buy the drive and an extra cable(s), can it be done on there?

wealdroam

rmg1 wrote: »

I've got SATA connections on my PC. If I buy the drive and an extra cable(s), can it be done on there?

Rmg1, re-read post #9.

almillar

rmg1 - you're scaring me! You MUST make sure you follow the instructions of the software makers. PLEASE read that stuff before attempting this. It's important that you know what type of Sky box you have and what software is on it (Darwin/Not Darwin) before you even choose what software to use.
Anyway, in relation to your question, you can do it with USB for one or both drives, but USB (USB2) slows the process down, so the fastest way is to connect BOTH drives via SATA or eSATA (external SATA). So you'll need to have your computer's own drive still connected obviously so that you can get into Windows, then another 2 SATA connectors, AND SATA power connectors. So the answer to your question is yes, that's the best way to do it.

rmg1

I haven't looked at the instructions as yet. I'm just making sure I don't need to buy caddies, etc before I start.
I'll be doing the researching and reading everything at least twice bfore I even start taking the sky box apart.

almillar

Good stuff. A couple of SATA cables will be cheaper AND better than buying caddies. As long as you know you have enough sockets available on your mobo as above.

Avoriaz

rmg1 wrote: »

I would have thought I could use my normal cloning software (Acronis) to do the job.

Don't use Acronis or any similar disk cloning software.

use ExPVR.

or Copy+

ExPVR will work on the latest Darwin boxes and is the best current choice. It is free if all you want to do is copy your existing recordings onto a new disk.

Copy+ will only work on pre Darwin boxes.

Both are specifically designed to copy Sky+ disks. You can either copy an entire disk or select some programmes only.

Avoriaz

rmg1 wrote: »

..As the box is now "ours" (according to sky), is it possible to swap out the HDD in it for something bigger?
If so, does anyone know what type they are (I'm assuming SATA 1/2?) and is it an easy job?

Yes it is possible, and straightforward, to swap to a bigger disk.

The type of disk depends on the type of box. Older boxes used 3.5 inch PATA/IDE disks. Newer boxes use 3.5 inch SATA disks.

On older boxes the disk is easily accessible. On newer HD boxes the disk is buried inside but it is still easy to do if you follow the detailed instructions available online.

I have successfully upgraded both older PATA and newer SATA boxes and I had no prior experience.

Avoriaz

Digital Spy have a very good forum that covers Sky+ upgrades.