Recovery information specific to LS-QVL/E unit is fragmented and sometimes difficult to find. For the benefit of other users, I have documented my experience and method of replacing all four HDs and recovering the Linux operating system. I have made reference to other threads and outlined methodology changes specific to the LS-QVL/E unit below.
I hope the information below helps clarify the process for recovering LS-QVL/E units.
I have LS-QVL/E unit fitted with 1 x 1TB HDs in RAID 5 configuration. One of the HDs was marked as failed so I replaced it with another 1TB drive and kicked off the RAID rebuild process.
After more than four days of RAID rebuilding, a second HD was marked as failed which meant the whole rebuild process failed.
I decided to replace the existing HDs with 4 x 4TB WD Red NAS had and rebuild the unit from scratch. This where the fun started!
Reference threads are: (Thank you to the thread publishers).
https://forums.buffalotech.com/index.php?topic=25378.msg90547#msg90547http://forums.buffalotech.com/index.php?topic=10185.0http://forums.buffalotech.com/index.php?topic=10185.msg73607#msg73607First Recovery Attempt I referred to the Quick Setup Guide for LS-QVL/E document which can be found here:
http://buffalo.jp/support_ap/support/products/ls_qvl.htmlIf you are lucky, the process outlined in document will work as documented.
Note: If the LS-QVL/E unit was in RAID 5 configuration previously, the firmware install process will not start unless 4 HDs are installed. The firmware install process will not start because disks 2, 3 & 4 positions show as RED (Error).Conclusion: Despite undertaking a factory reset of the LS-QVL/E unit, somehow it retains information the information on how many HDs were installed previously OR, the LS-QVL/E will not operate with less than 4 HDs installed. Could find any information to verify this.
Results: I know this process works as I have done a completed HD replacement on another LS-QVL/E unit with success. However, on the second LS-QVL/E unit, only the Red E06 was displayed. What this means is somehow the firmware has become inoperable and firmware recovery was required.
Second Recovery AttemptI began doing a Google search on how to recover a LS-QVL/E unit but could not find much specific information about the LS-QVL/E unit but this thread which shows how to perform a Performing a TFTP boot:
http://forums.buffalotech.com/index.php?topic=10185.0Step 1 of the process says to “Download the TFTP Boot Image for your model”. You will not find the LS-QVL/E TFTP Boot Image here.
You must download and use the “TFTP_KirkwoodVariants” boot image found in this thread:
http://forums.buffalotech.com/index.php?topic=10185.msg73607#msg73607Once the TFTP Boot process has Served the two block, the LS-QVL/E unit will reboot at least once (maybe twice).
Note: Do not disconnect the Cat 5/6 direct connection cable between you PC and LS-QVL/E unit yet.Once the TFTP Boot process has completed, the Power LED is a solid Blue and all four HDs status are Green.
Start the NAS Navigator and it should find the LS-QVL/E in EM mode.
At this point, I tried to load the firmware using the latest firmware. The process failed because the LSupdater kept losing connectivity with the LS-QVL/E unit. Repeated the process and it kept failing. NAS Navigator reported the LS-QVL/E had a random IP address which I concluded was a default IP address allocated when the LS-QVL/E unit could not find a DHCP server.
Solution to Firmware Update Issue – There are Important Step: Once the TFTP Boot process has completed and you have confirmed the LS-QVL/E is in EM mode perform the following step:
1. Power down the LS-QVL/E unit.
2. Disconnect the Cat 5/6 direct connection cable between your PC and the LS-QVL/E unit.
3. Connect the LS-QVL/E unit to a LAN that has access to a DHCP server.
4. Power up the LS-QVL/E unit.
5. Once the LS-QVL/E unit has booted, use NAS Navigator to find LS-QVL/E unit. It should still be in EM mode.
6. Use LSupdater utility to install the firmware.
After the firmware update is complete, the default language is Japanese, you will need to change the language to suit your needs. You can the proceed to configure the LS-QVL/E unit.
Enjoy!