Scenario1: When I connect external drive to DVR, I'm prompted on TV that external drive is connected, and it will be erased. Select "accept" or "reject". I click "accept", and nothing happens.
Scenario2: I go to "Enable More Storage", I follow the steps, and set-top box reboots. When the DVR comes back up, I still don't see the external drive under "Recorder Status".
Verizon tech support has been little help. When I first called, the rep had not idea about external storage functionality. The 2nd rep that I chatted with, replaced my DVR, this didn't help. The 3rd rep that I chatted with told me they couldn't issue commands to my DVR because it was during off hours.
So I've tried two DVRs, and no success.
Tech details:
Western Digital My Book AV 500
Motorola DVR QIP-7216-1, Release: 1.9, Build: 10.95
Please help!
Hey, sorry you're having difficulties getting the external storage to work properly! I am not familiar with this particular drive, though I have heard of it. Is it a brand new drive you're using specifically for additional storage, or have you used it with a different device/computer previously? I'm wondering if it may be due to how the hard drive is partitioned/formatted. My suggestion would be to refer to the manufacturer instructions for formatting the drive within windows if possible, and once that's done, try it again on your DVR. Feel free to post back here or shoot me a PM to discuss further. Thank you!
Thanks for your response Travis. I purchased this new to use with the DVR. Western Digital pointed me to Verizon. I haven't pursued reformatting yet. I was a little concerned when I received the drive because the packaging looked like it was open and then resealed. I'm going to RMA this drive with Western Digital.
I'm having the exact same situation as your scenario #2. I've never had scenario #1 occur.
I have the 1 TB drive and the QIP-7216. I just love having invested the cash in this, having the issue, calling tech support, and being told I can't be helped.
I'm now using the drive as a focal point and as a talking point during conversations held in my living room.
Please keep me updated with your progress, if any.
Still awaiting my RMA from Western Digital.
Also, awaiting a response from Verizon.
I'll post results here.
Thanks Verk and Brilan for providing the information requested.
I've sent a command called a refresh to both of your circuits. What we want you guys to do is to try power cycling the box, and once the IMG is fully loaded (guide data present etc) go ahead and try reattaching the drive. Verk, I realize you may not have a drive currently to test with, as I'm not sure how RMA's are handled from WD, but please try this step if you're able to and report back with results. Brilan, if you could try the same steps that would be appreciated. Again, we have developers looking into this right now.
No change whatsoever, and I tried it numerous times and in different sequences. Still just a paper weight.
Thanks Brilam. Sorry that didn't work but it's a step the developers wanted us to take. I'll let them know. Thanks again, and I'll keep you guys posted as we get more information.
I have the same LED but mine has always stayed illuminated. Did you do anything special when connecting it? What order did you connect them in, if any? Still having trouble with mine. Have pretty much given up..... Seems like a lost cause and a waste of $100. I think I hear cablevision calling my name. We'll see.
@Verk wrote:
I connected USB to set top first. Then powered drive.
I hope you mean eSATA not USB since the USB ports aren't supported on Verizon's STBs. Big difference in what interface is used and the WD drives support both (different connectors).
Yeah, I meant eSATA.
I noticed:
originally ordered P/N WDBACS5000EBK-NEVZ
WD replaced with P/N WDBACS5000EBK-NESN
I remember having problems finding 500G Verizon model on WD's site.
My advice, get the 1T model.
Quick update on my situation: I received my new eSATA cable and, shockingly, it didn't work. So I now have a 1 TB eSATA drive sitting there doing nothing like it has been doing for 1.5 months. Outstanding.
brilam,
please excuse the recommendation, have you tried, menu > customer support > in-home agent > reboot stb? I know it sounds silly as you have probably had the thing boot a hundred times,soft and hard, but it worked for me and others having similar problem. what is different you might wonder? for some reason the dvr recognizes the drive during that reboot. mysterious, but give it a try.
I do not have a wd; I use an iomega 2tb professional esata--works great, but, warning, the price of the thing has gone up markedly over the past month.
oh yeah, I almost forgot: I did kick it once and then draged it in around the property for a while as my dog urinated on it, the dvr that is, and then reboot the stb. works like a champ, but now it smells. if you need urinating dog, I have dog for hire. 🙂
good luck.
I have the 1TB WD My Book AV DVR Expander working now. Here is how I managed to get it working: Plugged in the external drive to the eSATA port and powered it on, then unplugged the electrical power and the coax from the Motorola STB. I let it sit for about 60 seconds in this state, then plugged everything back in, coax cable first. Once the STB restarted, it recognized the external hard drive. You just kinda have to fish around with it. I do have the QIP-7216.
Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately, no dice for me.
I ordered a new eSATA cable and am hoping that does the trick as it has for others. After that, I'm out of ideas.
I love the fact that I ordered this hard drive specifically because Verizon supported it and, now that it doesn't work, Verizon has no ideas. I LOVE IT.
I thougt I would add my crappy experience here also.
I wanted more storage, but found that all the reccomended drives were on backorder due to the high demand. I ordered the Fantom 2TB GreenDrive Esata, as the DirectTV guys were having good luck with it. I tried hooking it up to my 7216 a few weeks ago, and after a few nights of troubleshooting, I called Verizon. After the guy argued with me that the Esata port was not enabled, I informed him of the new features in v1.9. So I had to inform the tech support, and this was an immediate clue as to how helpful he would be. He eventually gave up and sent me a new 7232 HD Dvr.
Finally watched enough shows to swap out the box last night. Everthing went good with swap, then I attempted to add the hard drive. About 8 reboots later, it recognized it!! I was so dang relieved. Then we sat there to begin watching the 9:00pm shows that would record, and all of the sudden, the box rebooted twice by itself. When it came back, the hard drive is now not recognized, and I can't get it back. The verizon support tech on the phone just informed me that they don't support anything other than the three reccomended HD's, and he couldn't help me anymore. He said they have more difficulty with any HD over 1TB.
I expressed my displeasure with their service and software, and told them they better get their crap straight in the new software release. I am just upset with this whole issue as I don't feel they put enough r&d into this before releasing. If Comcast was available in my area, I would be making an appointment right now! I've also tried rebooting as described above with the in home agent, only using the keys on the front of the box, wearing different color socks while standing on my head when rebooting, nothing works. **bleep** you technology!!!!
Along the same lines. I have a new My Book AV 1TB. and a new from Verizon 7216. The DVR sees the My Book and seems to record to it just fine. However the 7216 reboots it self sevral times a day the external is always there after a reboot but it will happen in the middle of recording a show, sometimes watching a show. It dose seem to happen in the 10pm hour alot but i don't know if we just notice it then because we are watching at that time. Any ideas?
Thanks
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