New 6500 receiver doesn’t run my external HD

[Mozzie]

Good evening; I was recently sent a new receiver from Bell at no cost to me - I was told that they were updating my equipment. I have now discovered that the new receiver does not recognize my external hard drive that I have used for maybe 15 years to PVR shows. I have been searching on the net tonight and am now coming to the conclusion that Bell’s ‘gift’ is going to cost me money - aka a new hard drive. Can someone confirm or deny that the new 6500 receivers are or are not compatible with HDs;  and how I can make this new receiver ‘see’ my existing - and in perfect working order - hard drive? Thanks!

[Phylip92]

I think to new Bell receivers use a different operating system then the old ones. So the Hard Drivers may not work that were setup with older ones. I could be wrong though.

[BellNick · Accepted solution]

Hi there @Mozzie 
Thank you for your post and welcome to the Community.
To turn an HD receiver into a PVR the external hard drives only work with our 6400, 6141 and 6131 models. The 6500 model does not support external hard drives.

[Mozzie]

Hi BellNick

Thank you for the clear information.

I have been on two help chats and one lengthy support call with a Bell employee. No one has stated this. In fact on the last lengthy call the employee encouraged me to go online and find something.

I guess I’m confused why this information is not commonly understood by Bell employees; and has not been communicated to customers as part of the roll out of the HD receivers?

I cannot control the roll out but had I known, I could have made better use of my time and the time of resource people inside Bell. Something for Bell to consider.

Now my decision is clearer- simply cancelling my service if PVR is important.  Thank you

[Tiredofitall]

I, too, was given a 6500 as a replacement for my 4100. 

I would like the 6500 replaced with one that is compatible with my external hard drive .

What is bell's solution?

[Jeffrey]

My upgraded receiver (6500) doesn't support external hd. So, to me, Bell is forcing me to upgrade to a $$$ new pvr receiver. Just another nail into canceling the service. So disappointed . 

[RobLyn]

I just want to add my voice to those disappointed that the 6500 units sent to replace our now defunct SD units cannot be upgraded to a PVR by adding our USB hard drives. At the same time that I submitted my request to replace the units, I ordered two of the remote controls that were presented on the same page an an option - the remote with the PVR buttons on it!!!!!!! That's $60 I didn't need to spend. Thanks!!!!!

[Tiredofitall]

so i spent 2 very long evenings, using the chat, then phone calls, & finally, after almost 4 hours, explaining my complaint over & over, they agreed to replace the 6500 with a 6400, compatible with an external pvr.

for some reason, it had to be installed by a technician - no one can explain why.

he showed up on time, with the same concerns i had, but was given a 6131, not the 6400

but it worked out in the end

not impressed with the customer service

[Kipper]

Free 6500 reciever. Beware, it does not accept ext hard drive. No offer of cheaper pvr capable upgrade?

[Linda2]

TV upgrade from 9400 to 6500 lost my pvr and also use of external Hard Drive. How do I proceed