Error Message on Genie DVR Receiver - Problem Detected on Storage Device

Your DVR's hard drive is dying. Call DirecTV and request a replacement. It's free if you have their Equipment Protection Plan, otherwise ~$20 for shipping. Phone number is below. 

if you are able to get the Genie HD DVR to boot for the 5 min it works be sure to quickly tape/video record any  important recordings or other on your phone. Obviously, if it’s on YouTube or ON-DEMAND, there’s no reason to perform this step. The only reason I say this is because recordings don’t transfer to the new DVR so I thought I should mention this.

Hard drive failing, need a warranty replacement. Call DirecTV and it will be $19.95 shipping or covered if you are paying for the Equipment Protection Plan.

Be careful, many agents will use this opportunity to offer an upgrade as an alternative option, but it might not be an upgrade for your exact setup. What are the models of each box you have now, including the problem one? That way you know your best options before calling to protect yourself if you end up with an overzelous agent.

Thanks everyone for the quick responses!  Interesting, they are sending me a new one at no charge however it’s been working perfectly since they ran a test while I was on the phone with them.  I’m guessing it will fail soon enough but it’s odd that it’s working fine now. 

Check the order to make sure it was just a warranty replacement and not an upgrade. An upgrade will come with a 24 month service agreement.

If the agent credited the delivery (or you had the protection plan), then great. Just double check before you install/activate the replacement box to be on the safe side.

Thanks, I’m sure it will crap out on me soon but it’s been running perfectly for the past 5 hours.  Very odd. 

The agent probably sent a refresh request (you can do this yourself too) to the box or even restart services (only available to reps). The satellite feed is one-way so they cannot run a test as they cannot see anything on the box or get communication back.

While it works, catch up on recordings or copy the old fashion way. They don't transfer to the new box.

If the box is an HR34, HR44, HR54 (or revised HR54R1) which is the regular Genie line you should get one of those models (same or higher, not to exceed HR54) If you get anything else it absolutely is an "upgrade". Read the order confirmation carefully.

Thanks. How do you copy the old fashioned way?

Plug a VCR or DVD recorder on the TV, or the DirecTV box, and record real-time while the show is playing. However this must not be by HDMI, but the Red/White/Yellow plugs instead. Otherwise it pulls up a HDCP error message when trying to use HDMI as it is not authorized.