Can I Re-format the Pioneer DVR-420H DVD Recorder HDD

[Phil1970]

HI there,

I have a Pioneer DVR-420H DVD Recorder here and I was just wondering is it possible to re-format the internal HDD and if so how?

Phil.

[orsetto]

There doesn't seem to be a way to manually access the reformat option on the x20 series. Pioneer leaves it up to the recorder to monitor itself, and when it thinks its hard drive is unstable only then will it pop up a secret menu option and tell you to reformat it.

Unfortunately the automated system doesn't work too well: by the time recorder decides its "unstable" and offers you the reformat menu, its often already hosed and needs a new drive anyway. The only way to force it to reformat when YOU want to do it is to unplug from AC power, open the cover, disconnect the power and IDE cables from the hard drive for a minute, plug them back in, connect back to AC, and turn the unit on. It will then complain endlessly of an HDD ERR, which means you need to use the service disc and service remote to enter its machine ID number just the same as if you'd actually installed a new hard drive. Once you insert the special disc and click the service remote, the recorder will reformat the drive.

This is fine if you already have the service remote and disc, if you don't then forget it unless you want to make the investment. Instead, you could just erase all your recordings from the drive and start over fresh, this will help the drive work more efficiently for awhile. But I can say from personal experience with a couple of 520s: when they go, they go. The hard drive will just suddenly get corrupted one day and reformatting will not help: you'll need to replace the drive. If you notice it will record with no issue but refuse to play back without stalling and freezing, its time for a new drive. These earlier Pios cannot really have maintenance done on their HDDs: they either work perfectly or you replace the drive. There's no middle ground of patching bad sectors, etc, like on a PC: the recorders operating system is too simple.

[Phil1970]

HI there,

I have a Pioneer DVR-420H DVD Recorder here and I was just wondering is it possible to re-format the internal HDD and if so how?

Phil.

Unfortunately the automated system doesn't work too well: by the time recorder decides its "unstable" and offers you the reformat menu, its often already hosed and needs a new drive anyway. The only way to force it to reformat when YOU want to do it is to unplug from AC power, open the cover, disconnect the power and IDE cables from the hard drive for a minute, plug them back in, connect back to AC, and turn the unit on. It will then complain endlessly of an HDD ERR, which means you need to use the service disc and service remote to enter its machine ID number just the same as if you'd actually installed a new hard drive. Once you insert the special disc and click the service remote, the recorder will reformat the drive.

What special disc & service remote were do I get these from?

[orsetto]

Once you insert the special disc and click the service remote, the recorder will reformat the drive.


What special disc & service remote were do I get these from?

You need a Pioneer Service disc, there are several different ones that will work on the 420/520/720, I use disc #1256 but there are earlier and later versions. The service remote has some special button codes that activate service modes in the recorder. BOTH items are required for even the most minor servicing.

The disc ($55) and remote ($80) are available from a few Pioneer parts stores online but they usually won't sell to consumers. Also these are very expensive! As a workaround, several members have posted links to the remote codes here on the forum, these can be downloaded to a few kinds of programmable remote or a Palm Pilot, which will then substitute for the actual Pioneer Service Remote. Some members who have the disc are willing to lend them out or share them privately on BitTorrent. It's a good idea to leave a note at the comprehensive www.pioneerfaq.com site, the administrator there is very knowledgeable and can often help you to obtain a service disc if you request assistance. There is also a very detailed thread covering this issue here https://forum.videohelp.com/topic253998.html