Hard Drive upgrade for Pioneer DVR-520H

[kofola]

Ask Hkan (Hakan)!

[MDR365]

I have sent emails to hkan with no response so far.

[Seeker47]

O.K., I'll bite: What is the "2nd. Hidden Menu", and is it only in the 530 ?

[kofola]

pictures are old, now firmware is 3.56
1.Well known hidden menu for firmware version:
Audio Out->Digital Out->On or Off->[ANGLE(yellow)]
VERSION:3.56
.SYSCON:RELEASE_526
TUFLCON: 855.011 *
..DRIVE:1.64 *
.DEVICE:PRISM2 ES2
.REGION:2

2.NEW! Hidden menu for firmware, EPG, Infrared version:
Audio In->NICAM Select->NICAM or Regular Audio->[INFO]
VERSION:3.56
1.12113.2.61 $
GEMSTAR:1.03
TUFLCON: 855.011 *
..DRIVE:1.64 *
.....IR:1.01

as you see, nothing interesting, except EPG software version and IR code
try to find it yourself, but if you can access service menu, there is all information on first page

new pictures will be soon -> 400GB

[Hkan]

I have sent emails to hkan with no response so far.

Hm, are you sure? I normally reply to all emails/PM's I get!

[Seeker47]

O.K. -- of some interest to 53x series owners, but if you don't have a model with EPG / TVGOS, not relevant.

[supanit]

Hello all,
I am new here...

I had replaced my DVR-530H with a WD3200JB. Now it has 140hr of storage for SP mode recording.

However, every time I power up the machine, it shows "HDD ERR" in the LED display, and "Hard disk drive info is incorrect" in the screen. But the timer recording, disk navigation, ... all features are functioning as before. I tried to repeat the steps, but the "Disc Setup > Initialize HDD" option never show up again.

your battery back-up on dvd recorder empty. must replace it and reprocess to change hdd again. it may be pass.
for make shure you can be observe thus

-when are you unplug a longtime (2-3 day), after plug in power again. all parameter go to default and clock on 1200. not show in real time
-after that pls set up all parameter and unplag again (1-2 hours) .
- when plugin again it's cannot forget all parameter. it's shure "Bettery backup" on board must be place.

[orsetto]

every time I power up the machine, it shows "HDD ERR" in the LED display, and "Hard disk drive info is incorrect" in the screen. But the timer recording, disk navigation, ... all features are functioning as before. I tried to repeat the steps, but the "Disc Setup > Initialize HDD" option never show up again.

The 530H is an "international" model, available in several versions which usually have the "GuidePlus" over-the-air schedule software installed on their hard drive somewhere. If you followed the basic drive replace instructions but did not *also* re-load the GuidePlus system, you will get the HDD ERR display until you finish the install. The "initialize HDD" button has disappeared because the recorder "knows" the HDD was already successfully initialized and is most likely telling you it wants the GuidePlus software to complete its installation. It is often difficult or impossible to determine whether you have successfully installed the software/firmware package: the only indication is the "HDD ERR" displaying or not displaying.

These 2005 models are very very difficult to self-service because of this additional software/firmware step. We are all grateful to Hkan and contributors to his pioneerfaq website for their generous posting of software and installation instructions for these models. Unfortunately self-service just doesn't work out in many cases: for these 2005 units, its almost like brain surgery and service really needs to be done at an authorized Pioneer facility. When you weigh the cost of professional service against the cost of a newer, more reliable Pioneer, the best choice is usually to just get a new recorder. Every mfr has had a bad product run: for Pioneer, it was the x3x series which are a nightmare to service. Every other Pioneer recorder series is excellent, but the x3x remain a huge problem.

Since you say you tried the entire process a second time with no improvement, there isn't much else you can do. If the recorder is working fine except for the HDD ERR display, try to live with it and get as much use from it as you can. Most x3x service attempts result in a useless recorder: you are very lucky yours actually works. If you can live with the annoying HDD ERR display, you can still use it for another couple years.

[ptimale]

hello to all

Sorry I'm French and I write very little English this text is translated by google I hope you can understand

pioneer 540HX-S
160GB HDD

My hard drive is defective
So I try to change it, for now I try with a 80GB

I followed the procedure, but when he asked to insert the disk and tells me pioneer of CPRM and writing:

Rom Write ND!

Can you help me?
Or find the disc GGV1305?
What is this disk?

thank you in advance

[Seeker47]

pioneer 540HX-S
160GB HDD

My hard drive is defective
So I try to change it, for now I try with a 80GB

I followed the procedure, but when he asked to insert the disk and tells me pioneer of CPRM and writing:

Rom Write ND!

Can you help me?
Or find the disc GGV1305?
What is this disk?

It is the Pioneer Service Disk, a required item. (As is a programmable remote that can "impersonate" a Pioneer Service Remote -- which is different from your regular remote for this model, and not generally available to the public.)

Check with Hkan at Pioneerfaq.info. His site should be able to help you out.

If you're going to change the hard drive, might as well put at least another 160G. one in (the standard size for this model, I believe), although you could go higher. 320G. is about the largest capacity that is recommended.

[ptimale]

good evening

Thank you for your interest in my problem

I did not quite understand what you said to me,

I translated with google

with respect to the remote, I use a logiteck Harmony 885

I tested with another hard disk with the same capacity, burn another CD of pioneer_service.nrg but always the same mistake

Rom Write NG!

I followed the procedure Hkan on the site.

thank you in advance for the info you can give me

[kofola]

ptimale
1.pioneer_service.nrg is probably GGV1179
2.GGV1179 is not for DVR-540
3.You need GGV1273 or GGV1305

[ptimale]

good evening

thank you for your help

I understand if I do not have the proper disc that would be the GGV1179

I should be GGV1273 or GGV1305

can you tell me or I just do I get these versions

thank you in advance

[orsetto]

GGV1273 is outdated, GGV1305 is newer and easier to get, the latest version is GGV1321. Write to Hkan at pioneerfaq.info for additional information.

[ptimale]

good evening

I send a mail to Hkan support@pioneerfaq.info

thank you for your help

[Hkan]

good evening

I send a mail to Hkan support@pioneerfaq.info

thank you for your help

And I have replied

[ptimale]

good evening

I send a mail to Hkan support@pioneerfaq.info

thank you for your help

And I have replied

and I have not received

[ptimale]

hello

I grieve wrong in your email address

I refer you and the mail with the correct address

thank you

[Hkan]

It's much easier if I'm given the correct address to reply to
Then it goes much faster

[cicero_brasil]

Sorry my english, i'm Brazilian...

I downloaded the GGV1179 and burn, it's ok.
I have the RC5000i universal remote control and I downloaded the .CCF archive and tested the buttons, all OK.
I make all steps > REC - STEREO etc... and when final arrive > ID NG !

When REC-STEREO and put the 9 digits, in the ''setup'' menu doesn't appear <CLEAR> when I push the STOP button [after 9 digits].

I use the original HD 250Gb, my DVR is new and never used! My DVR is DVR-650-H-S International.

HELP ME!

THX...

[orsetto]

GGV1179 is no good for the DVR-650: it is too old. Pioneer 650 needs "Type 2" Service Disc #1305 or later. Check the articles at pioneerfaq.info for more info, or contact Hkan here at VH for advice.

New members, do not run out to buy a larger hard drive for your Pioneer with the mistaken idea you can just "download the service disc": that is old news and it no longer applies. The GGV1179 is long obsolete, Pioneer has released a dozen service discs since then and each recorder series requires a different disc. These discs are not floating around the ether on torrent sites waiting for you to download at your convenience: these are enormous image files, proprietary to Pioneer, written in the machine language of the recorder. The disc images or actual discs are not readable by personal computers, so you can't just assume some random torrent has been correctly formatted as a Pioneer disc image. Interested members should look at the pioneerfaq.info website for details on their particular model, or contact Hkan for advice. The GGV1179 is *useless* on the popular newer Pioneers: it only works on the 510, 520 and 530 model series of 2003, 2004 and 2005. If the mfr date on the back panel of your recorder reads 2006 or later, you need a different disc and the required disc depends on your specific model number.

[reco1l]

Help please I broke my Dads recorder

He has a DVR-420 I downloaded the GGV1179 service disk, and using my PPC I have installed the correct remote.

All went wel or so I thought but instead of ID DATA OK I got ID DATA NG, now I have read more I probably have the erong service disk, where can I get the right one?

Even if I put the orignal HDD back in the recorder still wont work.

[Hkan]

Most likely you have burnt the disc the wrong way!
Please check to see what you can see on the disc in your computer (on Windows/MAC)!
Can you see any files on it?
Then you have burnt it the wrong way!
And this is why you get a ID DATA NG!

If it is an NRG file your trying to burn, please do as follow:
Start Nero Burning ROM, FILE --> Open --> locate the NRG file on your computer and then Nero will do the rest.

Also remember that you can not use a DVD-RW it has to be a DVD-+R

[reco1l]

Its OK, I burnt it on a Philips and it didnt work, verbaitum was fine, now I need to replace the dvd drive, is that just a straight replace, or must i do something else, and what drive should I get??

[cicero_brasil]

I want the last service disc, where I download this? Please! If possible i donate via paypal. Thx. My DVR-650H-S is waiting ^^

[orsetto]

Its OK, I burnt it on a Philips and it didnt work, verbaitum was fine, now I need to replace the dvd drive, is that just a straight replace, or must i do something else, and what drive should I get??

The GGV1179 should work on a Pioneer 420, always be sure to burn the disc per Hkans instructions, using a WRITE-ONCE blank, preferably DVD-R.

You should not need to replace your burner at the same time as the hard drive, unless the burner has been acting up and refusing to play or record BEFORE you opened up the unit to replace the hard drive. Note that when older Pioneers like the x20 series suddenly fail to burn, it does not necessarily mean the drive has gone bad. Often it means your latest batch of blank media has had a formula "update", and the recorder being older cannot handle the changed media. This hit me again today, as a matter of fact: the Sony 16x DVD-R I stocked up on last year suddenly failed to burn in both my Pio 531 and my Pio 640. After making six coasters in a row on each one, I tried my "premium" 8x TY media, and both machines burned without a hitch. I then tried the same Sony 16x media again, but this time from a different spindle bought at a different store, and those Sonys burned fine. Standalone recorders are not as flexible about media as PCs are, recorders can get very picky when you least expect it. So before you pull out your Pio 420 optical drive, test it again with TY (Taiyo Yuden) 8x premium DVD-R, or Verbatim 8x DataLife DVD-R, available from online suppliers.

If the burner in your Pio 420 proves totally dead, it can only be replaced with the same burner from the same year, in this case the off-the-shelf generic Pioneer PC burner was model DVR-107 or DVR-AO7 from 2004. These are rarely available new anymore, but good condition second-hand burners appear often on eBay and electronics clearance websites. After carefully removing the burner from the recorder, you need to peel back the silver grounding tape covering the four screwholes on its bottom. Remove the screws to take off the bottom cover, carefully disconnect any small ribbon cables you see connected to the controller board, and remove the controller board. You must swap this board from the recorder into the replacement drive, or the recorder will not accept the replacement. Take the silver tape from the recorder drive and apply it to the same places on your replacement. Install the replacement into the recorder. Upon powerup, you will need to use the service remote and service disc just as if you were replacing the hard drive: same procedure. Just be careful if BOTH the hard drive and the burner are dead at the same time: they have to be replaced independently. If both your current drives are bad, disconnect the hard drive and replace the burner first. Then power off, connect your new hard drive and do the install procedure again with the service remote/disc.

[kizmat]

Hi all. I tried replace a new HDD for my DVR-630H and unfortunately when I plugged in the power, the recorder couldn't start. I did not hear any loud spark that could have caused the power supply to blow. I tried removing the new HDD and tried to on it again but it still cannot start. Anyone knows what might have caused the problem?

[orsetto]

You may have made the same mistake I did once: as you removed or installed the bracket for the hard drive, you shorted one of the circuit boards by brushing against it for a split-second. If you're lucky, you simply blew a fuse: look around near the power supply area and see if replacing the fuse restarts the machine. If that doesn't work, you've probably hosed one of the circuits and it will cost serious money to repair. I advise anyone trying this to ALWAYS make sure the unit is not connected to power while you fiddle with its insides. Also its a good idea to leave it unplugged for 24-48 hours before going in: the power supply caps retain enough juice to short a circuit board even when the machine is recently disconnected. Pioneers do not screw around with "partial functionality" the way some other brands do: if you mess something up seriously, they will flatly refuse to power on at all, and thats the end of it.

[Seeker47]

You may have made the same mistake I did once: as you removed or installed the bracket for the hard drive, you shorted one of the circuit boards by brushing against it for a split-second. If you're lucky, you simply blew a fuse: look around near the power supply area and see if replacing the fuse restarts the machine. If that doesn't work, you've probably hosed one of the circuits and it will cost serious money to repair. I advise anyone trying this to ALWAYS make sure the unit is not connected to power while you fiddle with its insides. Also its a good idea to leave it unplugged for 24-48 hours before going in: the power supply caps retain enough juice to short a circuit board even when the machine is recently disconnected. Pioneers do not screw around with "partial functionality" the way some other brands do: if you mess something up seriously, they will flatly refuse to power on at all, and thats the end of it.

Thanks for all that -- it will be important reference down the line. We are very fortunate to have the benefit of your advice and experience.

Re the dyes on most current DVD blanks, it is already bad and will only get worse. (Even for a lot of the burners still in use in PCs.) Most of the junk out there isn't even going to last 2 - 3 years for what's recorded on them -- forget about archival storage. I just hope the TYG02s and TYG03s remain on the market and do not mess around with their formulations.

[kizmat]

You may have made the same mistake I did once: as you removed or installed the bracket for the hard drive, you shorted one of the circuit boards by brushing against it for a split-second. If you're lucky, you simply blew a fuse: look around near the power supply area and see if replacing the fuse restarts the machine. If that doesn't work, you've probably hosed one of the circuits and it will cost serious money to repair. I advise anyone trying this to ALWAYS make sure the unit is not connected to power while you fiddle with its insides. Also its a good idea to leave it unplugged for 24-48 hours before going in: the power supply caps retain enough juice to short a circuit board even when the machine is recently disconnected. Pioneers do not screw around with "partial functionality" the way some other brands do: if you mess something up seriously, they will flatly refuse to power on at all, and thats the end of it.

Hi, thanks for your advise. I'm not too savvy about changing fuse on my own, though it doesn't seem to be burnt when I looked at it. Will this still happen if my power was unplugged? It was left unplugged when I did the replacement and I last checked the power about a day ago and it was still working. I've sent in to Pioneer for servicing since and am waiting for their assessment. I'll update on the report. Thanks.