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Preparing a Replacement Hard Disk for a Dedicated Micros DVR

Replacing the hard disk on a Dedicated Micros DVR
By 03/12/10 [Last Edited by Joseph 28/02/11]
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Replacing the hard disk in a DM DVR is not as straightforward as it is on other DVRs, the new disk must be prepared correctly, with the firmware files present in the root of the disk partition. On other DVRs, the firmware (OS/Software etc) is stored on a flash ROM IC on the motherboard, this is in contrast to the DM DVR range, where only the bootloader is stored on flash ROM, and the main bulk of the firmware is stored on the primary hard disk. Attempting to insert a completely blank (i.e. new) hard disk will result in the DM DVR having nothing to boot, therefore it won't work.

Luckily for us, the process isn't as complicated as it may sound, especially as all the disk setup can be done from within Microsoft Windows. Just follow the instructions to the word, and you should be successful

Bits Required

  • PC running Microsoft Windows 2000 or above, and a user account with administrative privileges [required]

  • A new hard disk. It is now harder to find very large disks (e.g. 1.5TB) that use an IDE interface. Therefore, purchase an IDE to SATA adapter, and the appropriate cables.

  • Although not completely necessary, I would recommend using a USB to IDE converter, it makes life easier. These can be bought for around a tenner, and save you having to open the PC case to plug in the hard disk (and possibly voiding the warranty in the process), and configuring the BIOS to recognise the new disk. Also, the adapters usually have a SATA port built in, which allow you to plug in a newer SATA hard disk (if you're planning to use a SATA to IDE converter in the DVR)

Methodology

  1. First of all, connect up the new hard disk to the computer (here I'm using my USB to SATA/IDE converter



  2. After a few moments, Windows should detect the new hardware, and install the USB mass storage class drivers automatically



  3. Open the command prompt (start -> run -> type in cmd and press OK)





  4. Enter the following commands, pressing enter after each line:

    diskpart
    list disk



    Note down the disk ID number under the Disk ### column corresponding to your new hard disk (you can tell by the disk size). In this example, the Disk ID is Disk 6

  5. Enter the following commands (replacing 1 with the disk ID of your hard disk if applicable)

    select disk 1
    create partition primary
    assign
    list volume



    Write down the drive letter of the partition under the Ltr column (e.g. E:)

  6. You have now partitioned the disk. Next, download GUI FAT32Format. Download the GUI fat32format utility. Open and run the application. Select the drive letter you earlier wrote down, and click Start



    You have now partitioned and formatted the disk. It should now be accessible from My Computer

  7. Go to Dedicated Micros Firmware Download, locate your exact DVR model, and download the firmware (listed something like full software update).



  8. When the ZIP file has downloaded, extract the ZIP file (right click -> extract all), copy the entire contents in the extracted ZIP file straight to the hard disk.

  9. Safely eject the hard disk, unplug it from the computer when it is safe to do so



  10. Connect the disk up to the DVR



  11. Turn on the DVR, it will take much longer than usual to start up. You should see multiple screens, including 'building the main partition' (note: This step took near an hour for a 1.5TB hard disk, so don't assume it has just frozen)

Done, hopefully!