Oops... firmware is 1.05
I upgraded Monday evening in hopes that things would get better... but to no avail. I am hopeful there is something I'm missing somewhere.
Anyone seen an issue with "stalls" when copying (or accessing) multiple files from the same device or share?
Conversly, can anyone attest to "great success" copying and/or accessing multiple files?
Could I have a problem with my Netgear Gigabit switch/hub? I do have 2 other 100/10 switch/hubs plugged into it.
thanks for any help or feedback-
Slim
Hi,
Can confirm am seeing exactly the same symptoms on my LS-Q4.0TL/R5 F/W 1.05. Single stream or multi-stream, all combinations of reading and writing data. Thought it was only related to writing at first, with the RAID 5 array taking a time out to organise itself, but later had the same problem when copying files from the LS to a new PC, single stream.
The time outs on initial data copies were a pain, but the job was eventually completed. What is really bugging me now is that a media playing device (which worked fine with my old 250 GB linkstation), is now stalling in the middle of playback if any other device tries to interact with the Quad.
Only snippet of evidence I can add to the above posts is that the problem appears to be much worse (more frequent stalls / hangs) under F/W 1.05.
Buffalo support, that's now 3 units seeing this problem (4 if you count Humorme2003's replacement machine), so there *might* just be a problem... Happy to provide more details as required for your investigations.
Thanks.
Dustrega-
Thank you for the reply, but it did not change anything. The other folks that have responded (Orbit67 and Humorme2003) stated the problem quite well.
I followed your steps (access by IP and Maint/Init/Restore). Then I tried the following (and I recommend that you or someone at Buffalo try this, it’s pretty easy):
1. Started a 4GB file copy by dragging TEST_FILE_A.MPG from one directory on the buffalo share to a different directory on the buffalo share.
2. Attempt to start a second file copy by dragging a file to my desktop... but I could not b/c Windows Explorer and the file copy had both "frozen." After 30-60 seconds, the file copy resumed, I tried to access Windows Explorer and after a few clicks navigate around, it froze again.
3. It seems that one big file will gum up the entire works of the Buffalo.
How can anyone watch a video off of this device? If you try to copy a file or access the directory tree, you'll likely disrupt your video stream. Even if my email does a check (my PST is on the buffalo share), I'm going to be in trouble...
Please keep working on the issue and resolve it. Right now I've got an expensive (and useless) 4TB storage array stitting on my shelf right now...
thank you-
Slim
I have the same issue too. This is not an isolated problem. I upgraded from 1.04 to 1.10 and it didn't help. Any ideas?
I have had my 4TB Quad now for a few months, and have always had problems with the linkstation 'freezing' when streaming and/or copying more than one file simulateously.
The problem is most noticeable when I am performing a file operation (for example, copying a large file to or from the NAS) and trying to stream video to my PS3, but even when there is just bittorrent activity, video and even music still freezes for perhaps 10 seconds, and
PS3 frequently reports DLNA media server errors (usually 'A network error has occurred'). Any operation on a PC or laptop freeze and occasionally fail completely.
I have tried a number of things to isolate the problem - turning off the PVConnect DB refresh, stopping bittorrent downloads etc. I find that by stopping all bittorrent downloads seems to help in most cases.
I have a gigabit switch and use cat5e wired connections to PS3 for streaming, and also when managing files from my laptoptop, so this isn't a wireless or network problem. I am running firmware 1.04.
Not being able to do more than one thing at a time is pretty annoying and just shouldn't happen on a piece of kit that cost me £600.
I would love for someone at Buffalo to help on this before I'm forced to give poor product reviews and to return my unit. The only answer I've gotten back is basically don't use the NAS for anything other than backup and that it also shouldn't be a backup solution. That was a wierd answer I thought! Has anyone got one of these that works right? If so, what is the configuration? Maybe if I backed all the data off and changed the RAID type it might fix it? Any thoughts before I shoot the thing?
I've spend a good amount of time over the weekend, trying to work this out.
I found the latest update 1.11 and installed this. Unfortunately the release notes in the download are not readable even in notepad, so I can't tell if there is a fix included that is designed to address this stalling/freezing issue.
Anyway, following the update, there was still no obvious change in behaviour.
Further things I've tried.
- I have tried disabling everything I can think of (media server, bittorrent, even NTP!). Each time I disabled something I restarted the server just to be sure.
- Connecting directly to the unit (1Gbps connection confirmed on my laptop), so eliminating the possibility that the router is to blame.
Each time, same problem; trying to access or copy a large file results in regular stalling, and it's impossible to perform more than one large file operation at a time.
I am running the box with RAID 5 configuration, so I'm starting to wonder if this is actually the problem - is this software RAID, not hardware??
I'm going to try different frame sizes now, but am running out of options....
I will also calling UK support this week and will keep you all posted on my progress.
Chris
Here is an idea. Suppose I took three of the disks and put them in a RAID5 configuration. Then did media serving off of the 4th drive. Then I could backup to the RAID5, but media serve off of the 4th disk. I will try this, but wondered if anyone had any thoughts on if this might work.
In theory, if the problem is slow RAID, then the backup would cause stalling, but it's done in the background anyway and at a time when I'm not trying to share files, get photos or watch movies. Of course I've turned my 4TB into 1TB, but if it's not usable any other way...
So, I tried Raid 1 it doesn't work. Then I said I'd just blow away RAID altogether -- just go for 4x1TB disks. Guess what?!? It still stalls. As an example, it copies just fine for one minute or two and then just stops... for a while... then restarts. 7500 files totalling 17.1GB and it has taken 6 hours so far because of this problem. This is really not good!
I think maybe if you only do one or two files at a time you don't notice. The problem is that I use Adobe Photoshop elements and it gives you a preview of all of your pictures. The program hangs because it tries to read a lot of files and the LinkStation stalls. Now I'm at a loss. My major reason for buying this was to store my photos for working with and sharing and it doesn't do that well.
Anyone reading this thread, do not buy this product unless there is a fix for this problem!
Of course it's hard to really tell if this is what I'm seeing, but I believe that because of this, copying less data can take longer. As an example, copying a lot of MP3's (less data) takes much longer than copying the same amount of data but fewer files (like my pictures). Is anyone reading this who has developer access and looking into the problem (Hello?) that might help troubleshoot?
Summary: It seems that the reading files is way better now (actually usable) that I turned off RAID completely. Turning RAID on is a disaster, Turning RAID off is a write disaster and reading isn't great, but it's usable.
Another solution I guess would be to take the drives out and use them in another NAS from another company. I'm considering that, but it means spending another hundred bucks or so.
-Jason
I have a LS Live and i can't even copy an mp3 to it without it dropping out! You think you guys have problems. I guess I only wasted £100 reather than what you paid for the 4Tb storage device though...
Hi all, I seem to have no problems streaming hi-def files from my Linkstation Quad to my PC. I'm not using DLNA. Just playing the files off the Quad with Windows Media Player. The Quad doesn't hang up like you guys describe and the blue lights never go off and I've played 1hr long files. Perhaps one of you can replicate my setup to try:
Linkstation Quad Firmware V1.11
Two 1TB WD Caviar Green running in Raid 1. Two empty slots
Shuttle PC with 3.0Ghz P4, 1GB RAM and ATI Radeon 2400 video card, 100Mbit/s Ethernet card
Buffalo HIgh Power Wireless-N Router (It is Gigabit, but my client is only 100Mbit/s)
Jumbo frames NOT set.
Windows Media Player with Cyberlink H.264 Codec
MPEG files downloaded from a HDV camcoarder 1080i resolution H.264 encoded
Windows XP
Using the System Monitor, I see a steady 25Mbits/s from the Quad to my PC.
http://www.buffalo-technology.com/support/downloads/
You might try switching to the European site.
I'd love to know why the contents of http://www.buffalo-technology.com/support/downloads/ are different from http://www.buffalotech.com/support/downloads/... Why would anyone maintain two separate codebases for what is essentially the same site?!?
Me too... checking periodically to see if there is a solution. Mine is relegated to the same tasks you mention. I can’t put often accessed files on it.
I have the same problem with my Cloudstor and Linkstation Pro. If you try to do more than one large file copy at the same time the unit locks up and you have to start the process all over again. I have tried to contact Buffalo support but they have been no help.
marki2239 wrote:I have the same problem with my Cloudstor and Linkstation Pro. If you try to do more than one large file copy at the same time the unit locks up and you have to start the process all over again. I have tried to contact Buffalo support but they have been no help.
so almost as useless as your post! What exactly have you done to try and resolve the issue?
I have tried to contact the vendor who sold the product for support. They cannot seem to find any solution for this problem. As a consumer I should not be solving problems for the vendor.
You need to grow up.
And what can the vendor do to resolve any technical issue?! They probably don't know how a device works let alone give any advise with a problem...... again what have you done to resolve the issue, or are you just another poster who comes here to moan and not actually look for a resolution. There are people here (including myself!) that are willing and able to help, but if you post issues without substance then well, your on your own.
"I have a Cloudstor and a Linkstation Pro".... thats great, there are 3 different kinds of Linkstation Pros and 3 different kinds of Cloudstations, and also multiple different firmware revisions for each device?!