[gdavisloop]

My Pioneer DVR-550 just froze up, and after rebooting I get an "E01" error and it can't switch to the hard drive.


I already know how to put a new hard drive in, but has anyone ever recovered the programs on the old hard drive after an E01 error, or is it toast?


thanks

--Gary

 

[CitiBear]

Have you tried removing and replugging the SATA data and power cables? The 550 and 650 are notorious for SATA-related E01 errors when their cables either loosen slightly from vibration or become oxidized. Since you have the service remote and disc, you could drop into the service screens to narrow down the source of the HDD problem:


Press ESC and then DISP on the service remote to enter the primary service screen. There should be a line showing HDD with a mfr model number and capacity in GB to the right (i.e. 160). If there is only blank space to the right of "HDD" that indicates a bad SATA connection, which is the easiest fix: try replugging the cables a few times. If replugging the cables clears the SATA issue, you'll regain access to the HDD and the HDD line in the service screen should read something like this:


HDD: WDC 10234564 160


If a problem remains with the hard drive data itself, the line will show a "#" or "!" symbol and error number just before the capacity figure:


HDD: WDC 10234564 #XX 160 means the recorder recognizes the hard drive but can't mount it, usually due to boot block corruption.


HDD: WDC 10234564 !XX 160 means the recorder recognizes the hard drive but can't use it because there are more bad sectors and corrupted data than its crude error-correction system can handle.


If you can't clear these error displays by replugging or replacing the SATA cables, the HDD is toast and you've essentially lost everything on it. If you're ambitious and have a lot of time on your hands, you could boot your PC into Linux and purchase Stellar Phoenix recovery software ($79), with a lot of effort some people here have been able to piece together and salvage their recorder videos. The less fragmented the drive, the more successful the recovery: continuous unedited blocks of material are easier to pull off the HDD than recordings scattered all over a heavily-used HDD which has had a lot of edited material on it (this can be tedious to the point of impossible to recover). For further discussion you can browse AVS threads such as "Panasonic HDD Recovery- it IS possible!".


Good Luck!

 

[UncleVernon]



Quote:
Originally Posted by CitiBear /forum/post/18197019


Have you tried removing and replugging the SATA data and power cables?

Couldn't believe it would be so simple, but it worked for me. Next possibility I am going to make a full image of the HD and copy it to a spare WD1600 for backup.


And, yes, I know it is an old thread, but appearently there are still DVR-550's around and a recent succes could serve others.

Cheers

UV

 

[CitiBear]

Glad you were able to "wake up" your Pioneer 550!

Yes, there are lots of them still around, and they're about due to start changing hands as people move on to other ways of recording, so maybe those people should be alerted once more to SATA glitches. Since this is the only thread where I posted in such clinical detail regarding the Pioneer SATA service screens, I'm glad you found it- you may want to bookmark it or copy the text to WordPad, because when I reread this info just now I had no memory of posting it at all- can't even remember where I put the service manual!

My mind must be going after seven years using/servicing these wonderful recorders.


BTW cloning the HDD may or may not work for you: it usually fails with most Pioneer models. The recorder motherboard checks the ID, mfr and serial # of the HDD on startup to be sure it hasn't changed, and cloning will not bypass this startup check (because the HDD hardware is in fact different and the recorder will sense this). Pioneers have an annoying requirement that a special service remote and service DVD be used to initialize any new HDD for use in the recorder: you'll need those tools if you ever expect to replace the HDD. Cloning will usually only duplicate the recordings, not carry over the motherboard/HDD matchup settings, but sometimes it does work. The only way to tell is by installing the clone in your 550 and seeing if it starts up normally and gives you full access to use the new HDD. If it starts up with an HDD ERR showing on the front display panel and your TV, the cloning wasn't enough and you'll need the service tools. Take the clone out, put back the original HDD, and the recorder should recognize it and return to normal (once initialized to the recorder chassis, any given HDD will always be recognized even if removed and replaced later).

 

[abdo achkar]

Dear Mrs UncleVernon and Mr CitiBear,


I have bought the DVR-LX60 three years ago and months ago the hard drive started to give E01. I pulled the SATA cable and it worked with me. This fault happened many times later and i remedy it the same way.


The last times it happened (three months ago) it didn't work again. i knew that the hard drive had to be changed. I made a recovery for it and i could manage make it work for few days only. Later i bought a used HDD with the same type Seagate DB35 Series 7200.3 ST3250820SCE - Hard drive - 250 GB - internal - 3.5 but for sure with a different S/N and manufacturing date and it did not work.


I suspected that it might not work but i was not sure till i read your useful conversation and i realized that there is a special tool with its DVD to make it work.


Now i have my HDD not working and i am really desperate to see how i can make it work. Can you please advise how can i get this special tool and DVD? is it possible to buy it through the web or it is PIONEER dedicated tool?


Please help me if possible know how to make it run again,


Thanking you in advance


Abdo

 

[CitiBear]

abdo,


Sorry to hear your LX60 has given so much trouble with the SATA!

While it is common for the SATA connection to go "bad" once a year, it is very strange that yours goes out as often as you describe. This is not normal. Do you live in very humid area? You might consider trying a new cable from a computer shop. Yes, you will need the service disc and service remote to install a brand new HDD. The used HDD you want to try may need to be completely erased, including the formatting, on a computer before putting it in a recorder: the recorder can get confused and lock up if there are any PC files on the HDD.


The LX60 was a "LuXury" model sold only outside North America: what country are you living in? The service remote can be difficult to find outside US/Canada. You need either Pioneer GGF1381 remote or Sony J-6090-203-A remote. The Pioneer is VERY expensive, the Sony is 1/3 the price and works just as well. Google the Sony to find web dealers who can ship to your country. The service disc is number GGV1321 Type 2, send an email to the Dutch Pioneer user site supportATpioneerfaqDOTinfo to request help downloading a disc image.


Once you have the two service tools, this is the procedure to match the new HDD to your Pioneer:


1. If the recorder complains of an HDD ERR, you'll need to reset the CPRM code. Look on the rear panel for a secondary small white label with a nine-digit code number, its located near the fan or the AC socket. Write down the nine digits.


2. On your service remote, press ESC and then STEREO. Service mode will activate and a service display will appear on your TV. Enter the nine-digit number you wrote down using the service remote number keys, then press STOP.


3. Press ESC and STEREO again, enter the nine digit number again, and press SEARCH.


4. The recorder will ask for the ID Data Disc. Load the GGV1321 service disc and close the tray. After a moment, your TV should display "Rom Write OK!" (If your TV displays Rom Write NG! instead of Rom Write OK!, don't panic. Sometimes the recorder trips over itself, or you enter the nine digits in the wrong order, and have to start the CPRM process over again. It nearly always "takes" the second time around.)


5. Pres CLEAR on the service remote. The recorder will exit service mode. Remove the service disc BUT DO NOT CLOSE THE TRAY. Turn the recorder off, the tray will close itself. Wait a moment, and turn power back on.


6. Using your original remote that came with the recorder, go into the Disc Setup Menu while recorder is switched to HDD mode (not DVD). You will see an "Initialize HDD" option now available under HDD setting. Tell the recorder to initialize the new HDD.


Your LX60 should work normally with no ERR alerts from this point on (unless there is a very bad SATA connection problem in the unit).

 

[abdo achkar]

Dear CitiBear,


I really appreciate your prompt answer.


I am from Lebanon in the middle east and the area where i am living is not humid nor my home.


I will format the HDD that i bought on a computer before installing it on the recorder.


I will also proceed immediately looking for a Sony special remote on the web as well as contact Dutch pioneer for downloading the disc.


I hope that i will succeed having those tools to fix the HDD.


However i sincerely thank your valuable support and allow please to contact you again for any eventual additional support


Kind regards


Abdo

 

[tonypeter]



Quote:
Originally Posted by abdo achkar /forum/post/20364489


Dear CitiBear,


I will format the HDD that i bought on a computer before installing it on the recorder.

Abdo

As I understand CitiBear's instructions, DO NOT format a NEW (unused) hard drive in the computer. If it is previously used drive, put in a computer and delete all the partitions (and do not format it) so it would be as new one.

 

[abdo achkar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonypeter As I understand CitiBear's instructions, DO NOT format a NEW (unused) hard drive in the computer. If it is previously used drive, put in a computer and delete all the partitions (and do not format it) so it would be as new one.

Dear tonypeter,


Thank you for your comment but from what i understood from Mr Citybear is also to format the used HDD from what he said:


Quote:

The used HDD you want to try may need to be completely erased, including the formatting, on a computer before putting it in a recorder: the recorder can get confused and lock up if there are any PC files on the HDD.

Unquote


So i think after deleting partition we should format it. Anyway i didnt do it yet hoping that Citybear could advise about it?


Thanks in advance

 

[CitiBear]

Sorry for delay in responding:


If the replacement HDD is brand new, you can put it directly into the Pioneer recorder using the instructions I gave earlier.


If the replacement HDD has been previously used in a computer, it will have Windows formatting and many little hidden formats that can confuse the Pioneer, and prevent the Pioneer from formatting the HDD for itself. So HDDs taken from a computer should be erased on a computer BEFORE attempting to install in a Pioneer recorder. Each computer is different, I cannot explain exactly how to erase an HDD, but what you want is something called a "complete erase and format" (all partitions deleted, all data erased).


I hope that is more clear for you, abdo: often I use too many words to say something simple, which makes me a confusing person.

 

[abdo achkar]

Dear Mr CitiBear


Please you dont have to be sorry, you havent be late at all!


Thank you for your calrification which was so clear.


Don't worry i also like to have a lot of words for clarifications,


Once more thank you


Sincerely


Abdo

 

[Hkan]

Seagate has a tool for erasing the HD, think it is called seatools.



Otherwise you could zero the first bytes out with following command using Linux:

dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sdb bs=512 count=100

 

[UncleVernon]

It worked for a couple of months. Now my HD seems to have died. When I start the DVR, the HD sais 'tick..tick..tick..tick' and spins down. I am trying to replace the HD with this replacing_HDD_X4XH(X).pdf recipe. Does anyone know where to get the GGV1273 type 2 disk?

Thanks

 

[CitiBear]

UncleVernon, replacing the Pioneer HDD with a new one requires both a proper "Service I.D. Data Disc" and "Service Remote". The final revision of service disc for the DVR-550 was "GGV1305 Type 2." Send an email inquiry to the same Swedish user site that created your instructional PDF file: supportATpioneerfaqDOTinfo. Ask for assistance finding a download of the disc image: if you make a small PayPal donation to help keep the site running, they'll be happy to do this.


The Pioneer service remote is out of production, scarce, and hideously expensive. Fortunately, Sony began making and selling a clone of it after Pioneer folded: you can buy the Sony J-6090-203-A for about $24 + shipping from various remote dealers like this one .

 

[Choclitman]

Thanks to all the good advice in these forums I bought a service remote & disk a while ago anticipating their eventual use. A couple months ago my DVR-550H-K started to lock up on a program, gave hdd repairing messages & eventually E01 codes. I located a 1TB Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 drive which successfully formatted to 1TB. I determined that the original 160GB drive has bad sectors at about the 85% full point. By deleting some recent programs it was still operational to permit salvaging the existing recordings.

Deciding that I would prefer to clone the disk over to retain the existing order of recordings I did some experimenting. Turns out that the HDD prep procedure only writes to Sector 2 (the third one, 0-1-2) when it preps the HDD - after the "ID OK" message is shown. I used a (free) disk editor to save that sector then used G4U (ghost for unix-free) to sector-by-sector clone the 160 GB to the 1TB drive, restoring the 3rd sector afterwards. Surprise! It works! ( of course it is still a 160GB partition on a 1TB drive-can I extend the partition?).

Now the question arises - could you clone first & then perform the prep procedure & avoid the sector backup procedure? I believe I saw another post where the drive from one machine was placed into another & worked after the prep procedure.
If your drive is older maybe replace it before it fails & still keep your recordings without backing up to disks first! (I was only able to clone successfully because the bad sectors were no longer part of an existing recording).

Other observations:
Stellar Phoenix appears to not work on SATA drives - no drives showed up. (Vista era Dell with Win7)
Maybe it is EIDE only. Nice that you can download it & test first but I did want to see what it could find.

Don't copy sector info into a text file & expect to paste it back - find a diskeditor that allows you to save a sector & restore it.
I have not spent much time examining the 3rd sector info to see if I recognize the CPRM number etc - someone mentioned that in another post...

I hope this helps someone - enjoy your machines while they are still running

 

[CitiBear]

I believe I saw another post where the drive from one machine was placed into another & worked after the prep procedure.

Yes, that is correct: you can transfer a HDD from one Pioneer to another (and keep all videos intact) by simply performing the CPRM number matching procedure after the move. Of course there is always the slight chance of a mishap, so there is some risk of video loss involved: I wouldn't casually swap HDDs for no good reason.

That said, over the years I have heard from several Pioneer "power users" (like OP gdavisloop) who tell me they frequently swap HDDs in and out of their recorders as if they were VHS tapes, with no issues whatsoever.

Additional note re the front panel "E01" error alert: in some cases this indicates a serious, potentially unrepairable problem with either the HDD or the recorder motherboard. I have had two Pioneers on my workbench that exhibited frequent "E01" displays, no matter what HDD is installed or what repair commands are issued via the service tools. Process of elimination indicated a severe fault in the motherboard SATA HDD controller as the culprit. There is no DIY cure for this: the unit will need factory service (hard to come by in 2015). If your Pioneer SATA recorder (x50, x60 or LX model) throws a persistent "E01" error despite installing a new replacement HDD and trying new SATA cables, the motherboard controller may be dying. Your original HDD is most likely fine, and would work normally if installed in different Pioneer chassis (with CPRM reset).

 

[M.c.motors]

Please help.

I have a pioneer lx60d. It's been good as gold for many years but this year it's had a few occurrences of 'repair hard drive' then about a month ago I found it with the 'e02' error.

Having read up info on this forum I opened it up and switched the sata cable and power leads, but with no avail.

Figuring that the hard drive was probably dead I decided to open up the hard drive to see if it appeared to be functioning correctly (I NOW know this is a really stupid idea). Everything look fine so I put it back together. Strangely the 'e02' message was gone but it now told me to initialise the hard drive (now very noisy hard drive)... So I did - knowing that my recording were history regardless.
It then kind of worked, though the hard drive is noisy and the recordings were glitchy. At least it allowed me to record and watch DVDs.

Then a couple of days ago it seems to have gotten stuck on an update... I guess it's trying to write it to the hard drive???

Either way I figure that if I can install a new hard drive I'll be up and running again???

So my questions:-

How do I install the hard drive?
Can it be any make/type of hard drive?
They did a upgraded 500gb LX60D so can I install a 500gb drive?
Do I need the software and remote as per earlier pioneer DVRs models?

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[CitiBear]

The Pioneer DVR LX-60D was not sold in North America, so info on that model is sparse here at AVSforum. You may want to ask for advice on the Europe-centric AVforums site instead: similar questions turn up via this search link.

The North American (actually, Canadian-only) equivalents to the LX-60D model were the DVR-550, 560, 650 and 660. These were nearly identical to the LX-60D, but they do not have the European tuners or Guide Plus+ electronic program grid. Those features were exclusive to the European versions, so we here in North America have no experience troubleshooting them. Based on what I've heard from other owners of the LX-60D, updates downloaded thru Guide Plus+ do not ordinarily cause lockup problems.

NEVER open the case of a hard drive: absolutely no good can come of that, and often much harm. You are fortunate you didn't totally brick the recorder motherboard when you re-installed it after opening its case. I'm stunned you got the unit to work at all.

AFAIK, the LX-60D was hard wired to recognize a maximum hard drive capacity of 250GB. You can install a larger HDD like 500Gb or 1Tb, but the recorder will most likely format it to only 250Gb. There are workarounds to make it recognize larger HDDs to full capacity, but these are very tricky to implement and I don't recommend trying. (If yours was running a 500Gb HDD at full capacity, it may have already been "hacked", so you should get 500Gb if you put in a new 500Gb HDD).

Like all other Pioneer DVD/HDD units, you would need the special Service Remote and Service I.D. Data dvd disc to install a brand new HDD. These have become difficult to find in Europe but you might be able to purchase "clones" of them off eBay. Complete instructions for replacing a Pioneer HDD can be found here.

 

[BunnyDVR]

Hoping that Citibear or others may weigh in?

My first post here! This is regarding my Pioneer 460, which I believe was the Costco model equivalent of the 560, with 160GB drive. I regularly optimize the hard drive and have had perfect service since 2008. Recently when either browsing the navigator, or playing back from the drive, the image flickers, then may go black. The audio remains clear. I've read all the posts re SATA cable vs replacing the drive, but I haven't seen any reference to this flickering/ turning black issue.

Does this sound like a drive replacement? I would not be able to do it myself, but understand that the new drive must include a data disc. It is still possible to purchase a drive (VXF 1152) from Pioneer US for $295 US, plus the shop will charge 2 hours labour.

Thank you for your opinion.

 

[CitiBear]

I regularly optimize the hard drive and have had perfect service since 2008.

Welcome to our forums!

Having owned, used and repaired many different Pioneer recorders since 2003, I've learned that manually-invoked "optimizing" isn't really necessary and can cause more harm than good if done too often (more than once every six months). Optimizing the entire HDD stresses the system more than simply leaving it alone to take care of itself.

Later models like the x40, x50 and x60 will automatically optimize fragmented videos upon startup. Usually this is not obvious unless you see the display "Repairing HDD..." This will pop up if you have recently edited a long recording down to much shorter length, or the HDD is getting very close to full, or the HDD is beginning to fail with increasing number of bad sectors. Unfortunately, the display is binary (it shows or it doesn't), which isn't very informative: you need to use your own judgement to interpret it. If your HDD is full, erase some things to open up at least 10 hours at SP speed. If your HDD is not full, but you see this alert often, it may be time to replace the HDD. If it only appears the day after you've done some editing, its usually OK.

Recently when either browsing the navigator, or playing back from the drive, the image flickers, then may go black. The audio remains clear. I've read all the posts re SATA cable vs replacing the drive, but I haven't seen any reference to this flickering/ turning black issue.

Flickering or turning black is almost always caused by one of two things: the SATA cable has come loose or is going bad, or the HDD has become worn out and will fail soon. If replugging the cables or changing to new ones doesn't get rid of the problem, odds are your HDD is dying. Much less likely, but still possible, would be the back panel connections going bad (HDMI, component, composite). The back panel is thin metal, the sockets are barely attached to it, and stress from connected cables can cause solder breaks or other shorts leading to intermittent output signals.

Does this sound like a drive replacement? I would not be able to do it myself, but understand that the new drive must include a data disc. It is still possible to purchase a drive (VXF 1152) from Pioneer US for $295 US, plus the shop will charge 2 hours labour.

While these outrageous repair fees are typical for out-of-warranty recorders, they're inflated to the point of ridiculous today (when the recorder itself is barely worth $200 in good working order). Unless you have absolutely NO geeky friends or relatives you can turn to, I would not pay Pioneer $295 +$$$ to repair a nine year old recorder. You don't need a special proprietary HDD: any standard SATA HDD sold for computers will work fine (you can find tested, good 160Gb drives on eBay for $20 or less, new ones for under $60). Then you just need a copy of the Service I.D. Data dvd and a Service remote. The disc is available for download by contacting pioneerfaq.info (email address is at bottom of opening page). Send them a small PayPal donation to help keep the site alive, and they will link you to the disc (GGV-1305 or 1321, either is fine.) Then you need a Pioneer/Sony service remote- originals are no longer available but you can buy a cheap clone here. Total parts cost well under $100.

Physically removing the old HDD and replacing it with a new one is no more difficult than for a desktop PC, actually easier. Anyone you know who's ever tinkered with their PC could do this for you in ten minutes. After that, programming the new HDD with the service dvd and service remote takes just two minutes more. Step by step instructions can be found earlier in this thread: scroll up to my post of April 27, 2011.