Drivestation NTFS NAS issues

[alan_gen]

   

Thanks to anyone in advance who can offer help...

 

I have DriveStation FlexNet HD-CE1.0TLU2 (1TB USB/NAS drive) which I am having a lot of difficulty installing.

 

First: I started using it in USB mode so that I can quickly backup my data. However, in doing so, I used Windows Disk Manager to reformat the drive to NTFS so I can copy >4G files.

 

Looks like that was a bad move. Problems galore:

 

1) Initially I was able to copy a lot of stuff on to it from my main laptop but now it simply will not register as a USB drive anymore...the XP balloon pops up that new hardware is detected but I don't see a new drive under "My Computer". However it works on another older laptop - no problem.

 

2) I hooked up the drive to my router; after installing the Buffalo program, using the BrowseHD-XXXX shortcut, it asks me for a password, which I do not have.

 

3) I looked up the DS IP address from my router admin page. Going to \\IP does not work -- I am asked for a username / password. "admin/password" does not work.

 

I did (2) and (3) above with my old laptop that "see" the drive using USB.

 

Reading some notes on this forum shows that in formating the drive to NTFS, I have deleted a crucial Share folder, so IP access (NAS) will not work. Is that true? I do I correct? I ***REALLY*** cannot reformat the drive to FAT32 because a) I need NTFS, b) I have a lot of stuff on here now which I don't know where to put anymore!

 

Finally, on a slightly humorous note, I tried to download support software from buffalo's website. It asks me for a SERIAL number. At the bottom of the drive, I can find 2 numbers starting with: MEMBUFFXXXX and 455----. Neither of these work.

 

I am not a complete dunce when it comes to electronics but I fail to see how I can recover having apparently committed some cardinal sins in setting this up. Help? :)

 

PS: I have tried the support line but been on it for >1 hour at various times to no avail. Just music.

 

To summarize: I'd like to find out:

a) Why the external drive as USB is not showing up on my new laptop (the port is OK, I checked) -- I read somewhere that sometimes it gets confused so a few reboots are needed - tried that, no avail. Pressed "reset" button. No avail again.

b)  Why is ethernet access (\\IP) askng for username / password? I don't think I set it up but even if I did, how can I reset?

 

Message Edited by alan_gen on 04-08-2009 02:58 AM

[JoshC]

First off there is no username/password for that model.  You can only keep the format at fat32 becuase if you use NTFS it will as for permissions, fat32 does not rec. permissons.  Also you dont have to use the MEMEO software you can use any backup software that you choose if you are still having a problem with the key and (yes it will start with MEMBUFF) it wont work give us a call and we can fix that issue.

 

 

Reading some notes on this forum shows that in formating thedrive to NTFS, I have deleted a crucial Share folder, so IP access(NAS) will not work. Is that true? I do I correct? I ***REALLY***cannot reformat the drive to FAT32 because a) I need NTFS, b) I have alot of stuff on here now which I don't know where to put anymore!    CORRECT!

 

[alan_gen]

   

1) Thanks, JoshC for the response...much appreciated. Your sentence did not come out complete - can you restate: "You can only keep the format at fat32 becuase if you use NTFS it will as for permissions.."?

 

2) I don't care about using MEMEO software. But I do need ethernet access -- after all, that is the reason why I got this drivestation. Now that I have some data on here and it is in NTFS format what are my choices? I don't want to delete the data but if necessary to reformat to get ethernet access, I will do so. Please help me understand how I can revert to a state where IP access is feasible.

 

3) Also, I undersand your point that no username/password are required -- but then why does going to \\192.168.1.64 (the DriveStation's IP address on my router) ask me for username/password?  

 

Thanks. 

[davo]

   In a nutshell, if you reformat the drive to NTFS you lose all the NAS / LAN capabilites.

[JoshC]

Correct and also when I say Permissions I mean when you were trying to access your drive station it was asking for a username and password.  That will only happen when you format it to NTFS.

[alan_gen]

   

I have created some original videos for DVD creation that fall at 5G / file so I definitely need this NTFS storage.

 

For 90% of my other work, FAT32 is OK so I can have ethernet based access & backup to my laptops.

 

Here's an idea: As a work around to the NTFS / NAS constraint, can I partition the drive into NTFS and FAT32 and expect that the FAT32 drive will have NAS capability? 

 

(BTW, guys, really appreciate your help on this) -- Thanks.  

[Dustrega]

Unfortunately, reformatting this device into NTFS will eliminate it's NAS function. I would recommend keeping the device in FAT32.

[jclothi]

   RE: HD-CE1.0TLU2. Is there a 3rd party software utility that will manage this product? Apparently there is factory software on the drive that was supposed to make it function as a network drive? And this software gets destroyed when you format the drive? Apparently it was factory formatted to a  non-functional FAT32 format, so when you reformat it NTFS to at least get it to work as a  USB drive, you the lose the NAS operating software. Then you find out that it should be restored to FAT32. So you try to reformat to FAT32 but it is too late... cant be reformatted from NFTS TO FAT32 . The failed formatting leaves a drive that cant be accessed either USB or LAN.

[Colin137]

jclothi: Not quite.

 

The Drivestation Flexnet needs to use FAT32 for the filesystem, since Linux NTFS write support has not been determined to be stable enough for use on our devices. FAT32 is the only filesystem that is well-supported by Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux, hence the NAS mode will only with when the drive is formatted with FAT32.

 

Formatting the device to NTFS will not destroy the operating system for LAN/NAS mode, but it will prevent file access via Windows File and Print Sharing (SMB). You should still have access to the web interface. Follow these steps to reformat to FAT32 (this will erase all data), and restore the NAS functionality:

1. Switch the drive to USB mode and attach it to the computer.
2. In Windows Disk Manager (Start->Run, diskmgmt.msc) – DELETE THE NTFS PARTITION on theFlexNet's drive. Note that this will delete any data on the drive, so make sure you're choosing the correct one! The drive should now show asUnallocated Space
3. Shut down the DS Flexnet.
4. Reboot the DS Flexnet. After it’s had 30 seconds to spin up,push the button on the front to switch it to LAN mode (the light on thefront should be green once the button is pressed).
5. Run the DriveNavi.exe on the installation CD.  Click on “Options” at the bottom of the screen, and then “Browse Setup Page.”
6. A browser should open up and the web interface for the FlexNetshould load. If it doesn’t, go back to the Drive Navi tool and clickthe “View Information” button there to find the LinkStation’s IPaddress and connect manually with a browser.
7. In the Web Interface, click on Disk Management on the leftcolumn, then “Format Disk.” This will restore the original FAT32partition to the drive as well as the Share folder that it needs to benetwork-accessible.

 

Message Edited by Colin137 on 04-25-2009 01:33 PM

[jclothi]

   

Colin:

Thanks for your reply but I cant get past steps 6/7. Message is "Cant Find...Check Cable:

Tried several LAN cables and several hubs. Hub green light wont come on. I must have fried the on-disk software.

 

Can you give me a phone number at Buffalo for a return? I will gladly pay for a repair or exchange, including shipping, of the HD-CE1.0TLU2.

[Colin137]

Make sure you have firewalls disabled on the computer, and try finding it again. If that doesn't work, call our US support line at (866) 752-6210 to troubleshoot a bit more, and if we can't get it working, we'll set up an RMA for you.

Message Edited by Colin137 on 04-27-2009 04:31 PM

[Osotaino]

   

Hi there Colin! 

 

I followed your instructions and I get the IP address on the browser but it still requests a username and password. any sugestions after that?

 

 

Thanks!  

[Dustrega]

Did you try the defaults of admin/password when attempting access to the web admin?

[Osotaino]

   

I did try those. even the variation that some companies seems to like. 

no luck.

 

[JoshC]

If you set the unit back to the FAT32 format then by default there is no username and password.