2. Pioneer
  3. DVR-540HX-S
DVR-540HX-S

Pioneer DVR-540HX-S, DVR-540HX-S Typical DVR HDD Repair Operating instructions

  • Hello! I've reviewed the provided document, which details the repair instructions for Pioneer DVR hard drives. This document will guide you through the process of replacing or cloning your hard drive, as well as using a service remote and service disc. I can assist you with any questions you have about the steps involved or troubleshooting common issues such as error messages.
  • Do I need an exact match of the hard drive to replace the one in my Pioneer DVR?
    What kind of remote do I need to mate a new hard drive?
    What should I do if the DVR displays “HDD ERR” or “CPRM ERR”?
    What if my TV displays “Rom Write NG!” instead of “Rom Write OK!” after inserting the service disc?
Typical Pioneer DVR HDD Repair Instructions
You do not need to have the exact model match of hard drive to match the one in your Pioneer
DVR: any hard drive will work. Pioneer DVD/HDD model made prior to 2007 can accept your
new hard drive (after 2007, the HDD connection changed from EIDE to SATA).
HOWEVER: Do be aware that you will need a Pioneer-Sony Service Remote and Service I.D.
Data Disc to "mate" your new hard drive to the new recorder (even another Pioneer DVR).
Genuine service remotes are impossible to find, but generic clones are available from remote
control dealers, eBay, and Amazon. Clones of the Sony version (model J6090203A) are less
expensive and easier to find than clones of the Pioneer version (model GGF1381). You can also
use a programmable Harmony Remote.
The service dvd is available from the site PioneerFaq website, contact Hakan via the email link
and he can provide a download option after a small donation for site expenses.
There are three different service discs ( or more! ), so you'll need the correct one for your model.
( Pioneers sold between 2002 - 2005 use the GGV1302 Type 1 disc, the 2006 and later models
like 540 and 550H need the GGV1305 Type 2 disc, and the older models use the GGV 1175 /
1279 disk).
1. Remove the HDD from your Pioneer DVR and set it aside.
2. Install your new hard drive in your Pioneer DVR.
3. Power up your Pioneer DVR, and it will flash “HDD ERR” or “CPRM ERR” on the front
panel as well as your TV screen. This means you need to reset the CPRM code on the HDD from
the current code to the code the Pioneer DVR unit expects. Look on the rear panel for a
secondary small white label with a nine-digit code number, its located near the fan or the AC
socket. Write down the nine digits.
4. On your service remote, press ESC and then STEREO. Service mode will activate and a
service display will appear on your TV. Enter the nine-digit number you wrote down using the
service remote number keys, then press STOP.
5. Press ESC and STEREO again, enter the nine digit number again, and press SEARCH.
**** During steps 4 and 5, you MAY need to enter the CPRM number twice. A lot of people
don't realize this and get stuck. You hit ESC+STEREO, enter your ID code number, then press
STOP, then ESC+STER a second time, then enter the same number a second time, then press
SEARCH (instead of STOP).
6. The recorder will ask for the ID Data Service Disc. Load the service disc and close the tray.
After a moment, your TV should display "Rom Write OK!"
7. Press CLEAR on the service remote. The recorder will exit service mode. Remove the service
disc BUT DO NOT CLOSE THE TRAY. Turn the recorder off by the front button, and the disk
tray will close itself. Wait a moment, and turn power back on. Your Pioneer DVR should load
the hard drive contents and work normally with no ERR alerts from this point on. When you
press the HDD Nav button on the normal remote, it should display the contents of the hard drive
normally and let you burn DVDs from it.
**** In step 7, be careful NOT TO CLOSE THE DISC TRAY after removing the service disc.
Just take out the disc and turn off the power, the recorder will close the tray by itself. If you close
the tray by hand before turning off the power, the entire CPRM process can get corrupted
resulting in HDD ERR, meaning you have to start the whole thing over.
(If your TV displays Rom Write NG! instead of Rom Write OK! in step 6, don't panic.
Sometimes the recorder trips over itself, or you enter the nine digits in the wrong order, and have
to start the CPRM process over again. It nearly always "takes" the second time around.)
You can also clone 2 hard drives and put back the original hard drive that came in your Pioneer
DVR. Returning the original HDD does not involve using the service tools. When you power up
after the swap, the new hard drive should be recognized as the original hard drive as if it had
never been removed.
This doc is much more complicated to describe in words than it is to actually do, it only takes
about 2 minutes to reprogram your Pioneer DVR to work in another Pioneer DVR or rescue a
failing hard drive.
You can always keep one of the two HDDs as a spare for emergencies.
@ParkerBros
/