Just wanted to follow up on my problem,the same one you seem to be having.I decided to try what I had seen posted on this site.I switched my power supply which was 12 volts and 2 amps from the dvr to the cameras,[i have cables for cameras] and I used the camera power suppy which was 12 volts and 5 amps.As soon as I switched powered up my recordings Icons showed up and started recording.I went into Main menu and then advanced and then HDD to look at information and there was now a # for the hard drive and you could now go to the other setting to format if you wanted.I also went to recording playback and it is now working.Everything seems to be normal for now.I think I would not have had to purchase a hard drive at all.I am going to order a new power cord to replace the original one.I want to thank everyone for their posts for now I am able to get back to normal.I do not know if this work for you,but if you can find another power cord,borrow or whatever I think you might be surprised like I was that it worked.It is worth the try.Good luck Like they say,You learn something new every day and now I believe it.