kendrew

Just purchased a WD Elements 500GB (external).
Minimal information supplied - basic “plug & play” - very good for conventional purposes.
I bought it as an external storage for a Topfield; TF7000 HD PVRt.
The PVR has its own internal HDD formatted in Linux.
An EHDD must be formatted FAT32 via a PC then connected via USB to the PVR which then formats it to Linux ext2.

The WD EHDD has some preinstalled files; including a feature which powers the unit on/off via USB when the computer (PVR in this case) is switched on/off. (There was no mention of this feature on the box or in the skimpy one postcard size Instruction Guide.)
There is no manual on/off switch on the EHDD.

I wish to disable (or remove) the auto switch on/off files - and use a USB activated power board to allow the EHDD to switch on/off - when I want it to.

Several Topfield owners suspect that some preinstalled files on an EHDD may cause some instability with the Linux system; resulting in freezes which prevent proper unmounting of the EHDD, with consequent “inconsistent” behaviour. This usually requires a reformat and hence a loss of any archived recordings.

I want to know if I can erase all files from the EHDD - and then do a complete format to FAT32 (I have the Ext2IFS utility which will permit a FAT32 format of the entire drive).

I don’t want to void warranty - so I must be sure I don’t create more problems. I am concerned because I have a USB memory stick which came preinstalled with proprietary files - which took up much room and were of no use to me. All my attempts to erase the files failed. Finally I found an uninstall utility on a website which had been provided by the USB software manufacturers after much pressure from other owners. It was the only utility which would remove the offending files.

If I can’t remove the files, I’ll try to swap the WD for a unit which comes bare bones - and an off/on switch.

Your advice is appreciated.

eneles

Hi

I would return the WD and get an enclosure + HDD, not a combo.

That way you won't void the warranty in case you have to open the enclosure (when/if the drive>> enclosure-PCB connection fails).

kendrew

Thanks for the suggestion.
Good idea - a bare bones EHDD - no fiddling with onboard software (fixed or otherwise). Plus if you want to change the drive, etc.
Only issue may be the cooling fan. My experience with ext. device caddies indicates a brisk fan noise - whereas the combos I have been checking mostly are fanless - mainly for minimal noise in an HT environment.
Not sure whether to disable an intrusive cooling fan would be a wise move.
What do you think?

eneles

There are lots of good, fanless enclosures - for example this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171012

More: http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCateg...nal-Enclosures

kendrew

Thanks again.
An embarrassment of riches.
Far better range than over here in OZ.

Still reading up - but I note that some caddies (e.g. Cooler Master) come with onboard backup software, etc. Would this defy the concept of a bare bones device? Could this cause inconsistent behaviour with the record/playback stability?

eneles

TBH - I don't know.
Don't install the software - it's not needed to run the caddie.

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kendrew

I thought there might be no choice.

Maybe I’m worrying over nothing.

But I’ll make a few more enquiries before ordering.

I’ll keep you posted as to the outcome.

All the best and many thanks for your advice and patience.

eneles

OK. Keep us updated and good luck.

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kendrew

Hello eneles,

I was sick of waiting for results of some of my enquiries from various sources so I took the plunge and set up the WD Elements; with a USB activated power supply which I can mount right next to the PVR. It has a master switch so I can easily switch on/off the EHDD as I require.
All working well.
I was able to erase the drive completely and format with FAT32, on my MAC (without the utility required for Windows XP). From my reading on the PVR forums, I was led to thinking our PC was essential and was sidetracked from the MAC.
I find, now, that I can also do an fsck for Linux on the MAC.

Live and Learn.

Thanks for your previous patience and helpful comments.

All the best,

John

eneles

Good news.

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