Upgrading Sky HD

Some Basic Instructions For Increasing The Storage Capacity Of Sky HD.
Note: A PC May Be Required For This Upgrade

(The Standard 300Gb Drive Fitted In Sky HD Is A Maxtor 6L300S0)
Popular Drive For The Upgrade Is A WD5000AAKS (500Gb)

Do This Upgrade At Your Own Peril!

Put Sky HD in standby and disconnect mains cable followed by all other cables.
The Viewing Card must also be removed.
Remove the screw centre above the VCR Scart.

Flip the box upside down and slacken the six Philips screws one turn. (the ones in the recessed holes, three either side)

The three plastic tabs now have to be carefully lifted together to allow
the case to slide forward. Be careful or they can snap off!
 

The plastic outer case can now be slid forward while pulling the rear
sides out slightly till it is completely removed.

The inner chassis exposed with the plastic outer case removed.

Remove the three Philips screws from the left hand end of the inner chassis.

Now remove the two Philips screws holding the top circuit board in place (top control buttons).
The board can then be very carefully bent forward on the ribbon cable ready for removal of
the chassis top cover.

The top cover can then be lifted from the left end till vertical when it can be completely removed from the
right end.

Remove the four Philips screws holding the hard drive cradle to the motherboard.

Carefully lift the cradle and unplug the red SATA connection along with power from
left side end of drive and unplug the cooling fan power from the motherboard (shown above) at right
end of drive.

Note the SATA and drive power cables now exposed.

The last four Philips screws can be removed breaking the warranty seal.

A 500GB drive may just work if fitted. A 750GB drive will not work unless made ready with the Copy+ program.
Typically you will need a PC with two free SATA drive channels or two external USB SATA drive caddies.
I already had two SATA USB caddies so I used this option which is probably the easiest method
and does not require opening up your computer - even a laptop (with USB2) can be used.
Visit the Copy+ website for full instructions and to download the application.

After your new drive has been prepared and has been powered down you transfer the green
thermal sheet (careful, drive may be hot).

Fit the new drive in the cradle and carefully lower back into position over the motherboard
plugging in the SATA cable, Drive power cable and lastly the cooling fan power.

Refit the metal cover making sure it in place lapping over the inner chassis at back and front.
Refit the three Philips screws in the left hand end followed by the two screws
securing the top controls circuit board.
I myself wanted to check for correct operation before fitting the outer plastic case.
This involves some extra risk but avoids having to get the plastic case off should it not work as expected.
Thus I connected the 2 x LNB cables, HDMI, Optical and lastly power.
Waited two minutes for unit to boot, carefully inserted viewing card and pressed Sky key.
Thankfully my unit worked okay if not somewhat more noisy.

If all is well proceed to fitting the black plastic cover which is just the reverse of removal.

Before 6% Free

After upgrade 58% free

Page Created 03 March, 2007 19:00 +0100
Last Updated 30 March, 2007 17:54 -0000