HDX HDD failure

For this price, you could go for the 2Tb version almost,no? Then back-up on external HD... ?

I am satisfied with just doing backups.  If all support were to vanish, it's not clear to me that such a clone could simply be installed and be assured of working.  Unless I knew that it would be certain to work, it might be just false security.

Assuming support will be available . . . I would just let it ride.  There are upgrade options; you are not "stuck" with that particular drive I am pretty sure.

Well, I'm not asking this for music backup purposes, I always have the internal backup drive.  But the system (OS, hidden partitions, etc) are why I would like to clone the main drive.

My point was that I am ok relying on support being available if I ever need to replace the drive.  It costs nothing to try . . . and then if/when you need it, you can see if it works!

Yes, I understand your point.  However, NAIM service/support in the US has a spotted history, particularly over the last 5 years - it would be intolerable to any UK customer.  Dealers here are usually of little help as far as technical support is concerned (they mostly work out of their homes), and the equipment has to be shipped back to the (only) authorized service center in the entire country.  Parts have to be special ordered from the distributor or (for anything significant) the UK.  Down time is significant, shipping costs are on the customer, as are repair (service and labor) costs, if out of warranty.  Naim no longer services the 2x500Gb - I got the last one.  So future owners have to upgrade to 2Tb or SSD, neither of which are what I want (I want a simple, all in one, auto backing up, source system).

Hence my desire to clone the master drive so that any crash can be quickly and easily repaired at home.  It appears that no-one here has done that, which is fine - I just thought I'd ask.

Just a quick note - in my experience (and I'd have a pretty good sense ), there has always been exactly one warranty service center for Naim Audio products in the U.S., whether based in Chicago or in Indianapolis.  This is, by the way, typical for manufacturers of import brands not based in the United States....

The Seagate Pipeline HD SATA drives were 2nd-generation parts (2 x 400, 2 x 500, 1 TB, 2 TB) and I wouldn't expect a distributor or third-party service facility to have any on hand (especially as they are generally pretty reliable, and as their cost includes a fresh Windows XP Embedded license).

Your desire to maintain the music backup drive configuration is atypical, inasmuch as most people go for the 1TB and 2TB single-drive units, which sound better; the SSD-based units sound better still, in conjunction with a suitable NAS for music storage.

Most people back up the music to an external drive, either manually or via the Desktop Client as a music backup.  If the database goes south, that is far more important than worrying about the OS drive.

Looks like nobody tried this yet !

Given that the HDX runs a Windows based system, I would think you'd be able to clone the drive using a Windows PC.  You'll need a  l o n g  SATA cable for power & signal linking into your PC (these are easily available), then it's just a matter of also attaching your new 'spare' 500gb disk to your PC, fire up your cloning software and keep your fingers crossed.  Bear in mind that the HDDs in your HDX are probably sealed in with that glue stuff they use, so don't remove the disk, just unplug the HDX power & signal leads and plug in your PC ones.

Given that this will be an excellent way to completely negate your final years warrenty, I'd like to disassociate myself completely from this post   

If it works, let us know.  If it totally bricks your HDX, you're on your own my friend, and I never suggested nothin' of the sort  

Anon.

Thanks Dave.  Yes, your history with NAIM is well known and respected.  The Seagate AV pipeline drives are current and can be had quite easily (but for how long, I don't know).  The problem is the system software load (which I have already paid for - twice).  Hence my desire to clone the system drive so that if the warranty replacement (which was not a new drive) dies, I have "Options" (pun intended)! 

RJ:  Thanks for your reply - I have no intention of doing this while the HDX is still under warranty!  But out of warranty, the worst thing that can happen is I send it in for out of warranty repair (there's nothing I would do that could damage the HDX in any way as I'm quite competent around computers and electronics).  That's an interesting point you make about the black coating I've seen in pictures of the HDX drives - I'll figure that out if and when the occasion ever presents itself!