Replacing A Hard Drive For A VMAX A1 32-Channel (2.1 MP)

Replacing A Hard Drive For A VMAX® A1 32-Channel (2.1 MP)

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Affected Roles:  Administrator

Complexity:  Medium to High

Last Edit:  February 2, 2020

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Hard Drive Replacement

The VMAX® A1 allows users to monitor live camera video and to archive footage to a local storage drive.  This internally installed hard drive permits users to store and review previously recorded footage, regardless of Internet connection status.

In the event of an issue, the recording unit can be troubleshot to resolve most recording problems. However, in the rare event of a hard drive failure, the internal storage drive may need to be replaced.

DISCLAIMER:  If you are opening a VMAX® A1 Plus unit to replace a pre-installed HDD, the warranty for the unit will become voided.  Digital Watchdog will not be liable for the loss of data or consequential damages (including without limitation, damage to recording media) resulting from this process.

Supported/Affected Devices

• VMAX® A1 32-Channel (2.1 MP)

Replacing the Drive:

Prior to replacing the hard drive, make sure that you will be using an approved hard drive model as the replacement.

HDD Model Number	Hard Drive Description
ST1000VX005	Seagate SkyHawk 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5"
ST2000VX008	Seagate SkyHawk 2TB SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5"
ST3000VX009	Seagate SkyHawk 3TB SATA 6Gb/s 256MB Cache 3.5"
ST4000VX007	Seagate SkyHawk 4TB SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5"
ST6000VX001	Seagate SkyHawk 6TB SATA 6Gb/s 256MB Cache 3.5"
ST8000VX0022	Seagate SkyHawk 8TB SATA 6Gb/s 256MB Cache 3.5"
ST8000VE0004	Seagate SkyHawk 8TB AI SATA 6Gb/s 256MB Cache 3.5"
ST10000VX0004	Seagate SkyHawk 10TB SATA 6Gb/s 256MB Cache 3.5"
ST10000VE0008	Seagate SkyHawk AI 10TB SATA 6Gb/s 256MB Cache 3.5"

To replace the hard drive, follow the steps below:

1. Confirm that the DVR is completely powered off. 

There should be no LED lights illuminated on the front panel of the DVR.  If there is still power, soft-shutdown or disconnect the power cable from the DVR.

**Note:  For a soft-shutdown, if you are currently logged in at the DVR, click on the power icon on the toolbar at the bottom of the Live View screen, then select Shutdown. 

Alternatively, right-click on Live View screen, then select Shutdown.

2. To access the interior of the DVR:
   • Remove the three (3) screws from the back panel of the DVR.
   • Remove the six (6) screws from the left and right side of the DVR – three (3) screws on either side.
   • Remove the two (2) screws from the top of the DVR.

3. To open the unit, slide the top cover off of the DVR case.

4. Disconnect the power supply and SATA cable connection from the hard drive.

5. Remove the four (4) screws securing the hard drive to its mounting bracket.

Remove the hard drive from its mounting bracket.

6. Insert the replacement hard drive to the HDD mounting bracket and replace the four (4) mounting bracket screws to secure the new hard drive to the DVR.

7. Connect the power supply and SATA cable to the new hard drive and replace the top cover of the unit.

8. To close the DVR:

• Replace the three (3) screws to the back panel of the DVR.
• Replace the six (6) screws to the left and right side of the DVR – three (3) screws on either side.
• Replace the two (2) screws to the top of the DVR.

9. Reconnect the DVR’s power cable and power the unit on.

Once the DVR has finished booting, right-click with the mouse and log in as the Administrator.

• Default ID:  admin
• Default Password:  <no password>

10.   Right-click with the mouse, then select Setup Menu.

Select System, then select HDD.

11.   The Hard Drive menu will display.

Click the check box next to your new hard drive, as it appears in the menu, then click the HDD Clear button.

Confirm the message inquiring if you wish to proceed with formatting the hard drive.

The progress bar at the bottom of the menu will show you the status of the format.

**Note:  If your VMAX® A1 32-channel unit has more than one hard drive, it is recommended to format one drive at a time.

12.   Once the hard drive is done formatting, a confirmation message will appear.

Confirm the message and reboot the DVR.  Once the DVR is done rebooting, you may use your VMAX® A1 normally.

**Note:  If your DVR continues to experience recording issues, please consult with Digital Watchdog Technical Support as there may be additional hardware or software issues occurring with the unit.