Hi SatPat:
Note that I had already installed the latest sifteam image that I was happy with before I even got this far!
I looked at an external HDD first through USB.Dropped it for an internal Samsung 500g which is now working fine.
I was spooked by previous reports of fan noise and heat, but frankly I don't have these issues. iP Box is really quiet, but I have version2(release2).
I guess you have a manual with your new iPBOX. It says that it only supports Sata1.
1. Before you buy your Samsung ask if it's Sata1 or 2. Probably Sata2.Ask your dealer if there's a jumper pin in the box as well as the 4 mounting screws. The jumper pin is to make your Samsun backwards compatible with Sata1. When I opened the plastic around my Samsung I almost threw away the 4 screws and didn't find a jumper pin.
(Note I see that another member used the software patch on the Samsung site to re-fix his Samsung on Sata1).Samsung explains this well in the manual.
Only when you're happy with the HDD and the fact that you can make this Sata1 change, unpack the HDD and prepare it for insertion into the iPBOX.
Put the iPBOX on the table (power cable OUT!!) in front of you and take a Philips screwdriver. (see pics in manual, it's no big deal). Take out the two screws on each side and the 3 at the back.
Pull off the top. Inside you'll see 2 black plastic rails onto which you need to screw the HDD. One rail on each side of the HDD.THis is where you need the screws from the Samsung. By looking at the components inside the ipBox you can judge the best position ( check the photos in your manual).
Once you have the HDD on the plastic rails it's no big deal to slip it in.
There are two loose cable connectors in the Box. One for the HDD power and the other for the Sata interface.How they fit in is a no brainer, both cables only go in one way and the power cable is twice as large as the Sata one.
Careful with the power cable as it passes a heat sink on the right of the box ( your working from the rear, right).
The Sata cable needs looping so that one the HDD on the rails is inside the box it doesn't prevent it from sitting comfortably at the correct level. Check the pics in the manual.The HDD on rails is not actually screwed down but on the lid there are two strips that press it into place.
So far so good?
In fact I left the lid off and once all was in place, put in the power cable, connected the SCART and heard the HDD kick in.
Then I opened the menu, saw that the HDD part was no longer grayed out and saw that I could make the necessary adjustments ( not even sure I needed to do this).
I then rushed off and opened a bottle of champagne as it had been 2 weeks before I got this far.
Put the lid back on when the HDD looks as though it's OK with the system.
Your next challenge is to fathom exactly how it works. If your in recorded files ( envelope on remote control) there a botton that you press ( green I think) that gives HDD status.
If you reach this stage, you're lucky. Treat yourself to a beer.
Best
TerD