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[reber1b]

The FAP has been connected to a Directv receiver (HR20-700) and working fine for about a year and a half until the HR20 stopped reading it recently. I subsequently disconnected it from the HR20 and tried to connect it via USB to a computer running Win2000 Pro, but the Seagate diagnostic tools software could not find it, but I notice that it lights up when plugged in. If I put my ear against the side of the enclosure I hear a barely discernable ticking sound. Is there any chance that the problem could be the interface /adapter inside the enclosure, and not the actual hard drive? I have a second 750Gb FAP connected to an identical HR20 receiver, and it is still working properly. I tried switching power supplies, but the result was the same.     TIA

[m_jraj]

Same problem here - been working fine for a year with 100 hrs of shows, but now not recognized even though light is on.

[AlanM]

Hi!

I suggest you connect the drive to the PC for troubleshooting, and see the Common Issues thread at the top of this board for help on this issue.

[m_jraj]

Thanks Alan,

Based on another posting in DBSTalk, I switched out the Power cord for the power cord on another Seagate drive I have.  This new power cord actually caused the drive to spin, whereas the first powercord turned the drive on, but did not cause the drive to spin.

So, it works now - but is this just temporary?  I assume something is wrong with the powercord and nothing is wrong with the drive - what do you think?

Mark

[AlanM]

In my experience, it is definitely possible that just the power cord failed.  So yes, it is certainly possible that the drive itself is fine.

But just like in any other circumstance, it is not only recommended, but essential, that you have a backup of your data.  That means two copies. 

[m_jraj]

Theres the rub.  Directv does not allow an esata drive to be copied (or i don't know how to at least) with the copy still working for watching TV,  However, do you think I can get anoher Esata and copy the first it will work?  

I suppose I could tape all shows from two different tvs however.

Thanks - mark

[AlanM]

Probably you'd have to connect the FAP drive to a PC and do the copy that way.  And it could conceivably go to another eSATA drive, or USB or Firewire, depending on what your computer has. 

Let me revise my last statement - a backup is only essential if you can't afford to lose the data in a disk crash.  But if they're TV shows that you'd like to watch but which are not really important to you, then a backup is not necessarily essential.  

Many people store, say, their children's baby pictures and important financial documentation on their hard drives.  THAT kind of thing would be essential to backup, but maybe not the latest episode of LOST, see what I mean?