It sounds like you probably have some bad sectors on your hard drive.

If that is the case AFIK you have three options:

1. Look at the mfslive.com web site. MFSLive allows you to format a new drive, load the necessary software onto the drive to work with DirecTV, and copy the shows saved on your old drive to the new one. This requires you to open your DVR, remove the drive, connect it to your computer along with the new drive, and then re-install the new drive in your DVR.

2. Look at the dvrupgrade.com web site. DVRupgrade sells both InstantCake and PTVnet. Like MFSLive, InstantCake allows you to format a new drive and load the necessary software onto the drive to work with DirecTV, but it does not allow you to copy your shows. PTVNet allows you to also install software that allows you to activate the network connection on your DVR assuming it has one.

3. Look at the weaknees.com web site. Weaknees also sells software that allows you to format a new hard drive and install the necessary software onto the drive to work with DirecTV.

Both DVRupgrade and Weaknees also allow you to send the DVR to them where they will prepare the new hard drive, install it in your DVR, test that everything is working correctly, and then return the DVR to you, but neither is cheap and their standard service does not preserve your recorded shows. I know that DVRupgrade will also copy your shows to the new drive for an additional fee. I am not sure whether Weaknees offers this option.

All of the above options also allow you to use a larger hard drive so that you will have room to record more shows depending on the model of your DVR.

All of the above options are assuming that your current DVR is Tivo based.

If your current DVR does not use Tivo software, AFIK your only option is to call DirecTV and order a replacement. Since you got your DVR in 2006, DirecTV will probably try to charge you the full price, but depending on what CSR you talk to, you might be able to get one at a reduced price.

If you currently have an HDTV or are planning to get one in the future, you may want to consider getting a new DVR from DirecTV anyway. Even if your current DVR is an HR10-250, which is capable of recording HD shows from both satellite and OTA, it will only work with MPEG2 formatted shows. DirecTV is planning to switch all their HD shows to MPEG4 format in the near future, if they have not done so already.

Also, all of the new HD DVRs offered by DirecTV allow you to increase capacity for new shows much easier by adding an external esata drive.