format/prepare HDD from computer not PCH?

[backwheelbates]

Hi,

I just bought a new hard drive for my popcorn hour A110, and have just now discovered it is on the hardware incompatibility list and wont format in the PCH.

What I would like to ask, does anyone know if it is possible to prepare the disk in the same way the PCH does(EXT3+partitions), but through my pc? Im assuming that if the software is installed, and the appropriate partitions are made, I should be able to pop the drive in and it should work. Is there a setup application that can be run on a PC? or any other options?

Thanks for any suggestions!

btw, this is the drive that I purchased; Hitachi Deskstar HDP725050GLA360

[nuke12]

You never said what PCH this is? This is for the A series;
http://www.networkedmediatank.com/wiki/i...ps_Install

[backwheelbates]

Hi nuke12. Thanks for the quick reply! Yes it's for the A110.

It looks like the directions on the link are for a linux guru. Is there anything for the windows side?

[mattioz]

I just had a similar issue with the Seagate Barracuda 7200 ST31500341AS. I formatted the drive as ext3 using the process described in this link http://www.networkedmediatank.com/wiki/i...D_to_Ext3. I attached the drive to my Windows PC via USB. I have put the drive back in the PCH and it is now going through the setup process which it wouldn't before.

[nuke12]

(10-10-2009 11:30 AM)backwheelbates Wrote:  Hi nuke12. Thanks for the quick reply! Yes it's for the A110.

It looks like the directions on the link are for a linux guru. Is there anything for the windows side?

There is no way on a Windows machine to do the complete process. You can do it with a bootable Gparted .iso disk. It does not require a Linux install.

@mattioz - this is much more then a simple format to ext3 thing. This is the internal drive and requires 3 partitions and installing the NMT apps.

[backwheelbates]

This is definitely more work than I want to do! I think I'll try and exchange my HDD for one that is on the working list tomorrow morning!

I wonder why there are these HDD incompatibilities in the first place?

Anyways, thanks for all the advice!!

[nuke12]

(10-10-2009 12:09 PM)backwheelbates Wrote:  This is definitely more work than I want to do! I think I'll try and exchange my HDD for one that is on the working list tomorrow morning!

I wonder why there are these HDD incompatibilities in the first place?

Anyways, thanks for all the advice!!

I see what mattioz is saying. It might be worth a try? Use the Gparted .iso to partition and format the drive to ext3 and then place the drive in the PCH and see if it can prep the drive in the normal way.

Heck, maybe using Windows to partition and format the drive might also work?

Some things to try before returning the drive.