: eyeball_kid July 23, 2012, 08:14:43 AM
Hi, I have a LS-VL LinkStation Pro 2TB NAS and I'm unable to access it at all. When the device powers up the front LED flashes blue and continues to flash (even if the unot is left for several hours). Any attempt to reset the unit following instructions given on this forum (i.e. hold function button down, power up and continue to hold etc.) have also failed and result in both the front LED and the Function light to flash and do nothing else.
When the NAS Navigator is fired up it fails to locate the NAS anywhere on the network and you do not seem able to connect to it through entering an IP in a browser, indeed, it would seem that it's not even getting an IP.
I originally formatted the drive for use with OSX but ultimately would like to reformat the drive and return it to factory standard.
Does anyone have any advice on what to do next?
Many Thanks!
: sethz July 23, 2012, 09:07:48 AM
These units are Network Storage devices with an operating system loaded on it. They are not meant to be formatted, since it's got a firmware loaded on it. If you removed the drive and formatted it with a computer, that effectively erased any operating system that was on it.
Does the Navigator give you a valid firmware version?
: eyeball_kid July 23, 2012, 09:30:32 AM
Hi sethz,
Sorry, incorrect choice of words by me there. When I got the NAS I could connect through the Network Navigator ok and partioned the drive for OSX using my Mac running Snow Leopard. I haven't formatted the drive at all.
I then upgraded my Mac to run Lion and my Mac refused to see the NAS. from then on, be it on a Windows PC or a Mac I've experienced the symptoms described in my first post.
Hope that helps!
: davo July 23, 2012, 09:32:01 AM
eyeball_kid wrote:Hi sethz,
Sorry, incorrect choice of words by me there. When I got the NAS I could connect through the Network Navigator ok and partioned the drive for OSX using my Mac running Snow Leopard. I haven't formatted the drive at all.
This makes no sense, you cannot partition the HDD at all.
: eyeball_kid July 23, 2012, 09:37:09 AM
OK, sorry guys, I'm working from memory here as I can't get to the GUI. I've just checked the documentation and I created two shared folders and enabled them to support Apple (I can't remember whether I allowed Windows support to be honest). I can 100% confirm that I haven't formatted or partitioned the drive.
: sethz July 23, 2012, 10:44:20 AM
Both Windows and Apple support are enabled by default, so that shouldn't be a problem. The next step I would try is to plug in directly via ethernet and see if anything can be seen. If not, you may want to try the TFTP boot procedure http://forums.buffalotech.com/t5/Storage/FAQ-3-of-5-TFTP-boot-procedure/td-p/100319
: eyeball_kid August 01, 2012, 08:26:35 AM
Hi,
I have tried to perform a TFTP reboot but I've just noticed that in the FAQ on putting your NAS into EM in mentioned that the LS-VL model does not have a TFTP boot program yet :-
- LS-XHL, LS-WXL, LS-VL and LS- WVL : These units do not have any procedure to boot into EM mode. The unit will automatically boot into EM mode if it needs to. If the unit is not booting at all you need to follow the TFTP boot procedure for the LS-XHL and LS-WXL. At the moment the LS-VL and LS-WVL units do not have a TFTP boot program and a fix is being worked on.
There is an exe on the FTP site which looks like it could be correct (TFTP Boot Recovery-LS_Pro-1.11.exe) but it looks like it was created in 2008
Could someone confirm whether there is or isn't a TFTP exe for the LS-VL and if so which is the right exe to use?
Many Thanks!
: eyeball_kid August 02, 2012, 03:24:37 AM
Hi,
I was just wondering if someone could help me with the query above?
Thanks!
: csylvain August 02, 2012, 05:34:14 AM
: csylvain August 02, 2012, 05:35:29 AM
: davo August 02, 2012, 06:25:10 AM
You can use the following link for the TFTP for the LS-VL, the link will be good for 2 days:
http://buffalonas.com/davo/axs/u:ee15573f7541066f8a7077d24d52a144/TFTP%20Boot%20Recovery%20LS-VL.exe
: eyeball_kid August 02, 2012, 07:36:04 AM
Right Guys,
I am bleeding from hitting my head against the wall so many times.
Firstly, davo thank you very much for the link and taking the time to upload it, I am at least sure now that I have all the correct components!
Here is my setup
1) Windows XP netbook
2) I have diabled the wireless driver completely, and actually toggled it off in hardware as well
3) Uninstalled virus checker (Microsoft Security Essentials)
4) Disabled Firewall (MS Firewall and disabled the service)
Configured my TCP/IP to 192.168.11.1, submask 255,255,255,0
I have tried two different connections
1) Direct cable from netbook to NAS (not crossover)
2) put a spare router in the middle (so nas to router to pc)
With the original 2TB disk in the unit, it switches on and flashes blue continuously
So my procedure was
1) once everything is plugged in and router is off start up tftp and ensure its listening
2) switch the router on.
but no connection every gets made (block written) it just stays at accepting requests..
So I decided to try a brand new disk
1) once everything is plugged in router is off, startup tftp and ensure its listening.
2) the router flashed 6 red blinks .. I understand this means it cannot find the kernel (which is to be expected)
3) I click the function key once, and it now starts flashing the blue LED
but no connection every gets made (block written) it just stays at accepting requests..
Any ideas gratefully accepted ...
Thanks
: davo August 02, 2012, 08:14:05 AM
Can you post a screen shot of the TFTP screen since you have put in the new HDD?
: eyeball_kid August 02, 2012, 09:24:35 AM
Hi davo,
I can't seem to see how to upload an image so here's what is on screen...
Preparing to write TFTP configuration settings.
TFTP Configuration setting have been written.
TFTP Server Multithreaded Verion 1.4 Windows Built 1.400
Starting TFTP...
alias / is mapped to C:\nas\LSVL\TFTP Boot Recovery LS-VL\TFTP Boot Recovery LS-VL\
listening On: 192.168.11.1:69
listening On: 127.0.0.1:69
permitted clients: all
server port range: all
max blksize: 65464
default blksize: 512
default interval: 3
overwrite existing files: No
thread pool size: 1
accepting requests..
and there it stays.
Looking at this from a different angle, if it proves impossible to get the TFTP cilent ot connect to the drive, is it possible to get an image of a working disk (and therefore working firmware) and use that to spark it into life?
Thanks!
: davo August 02, 2012, 09:38:25 AM
OK, everything looks OK on the TFTP screen, you do have your AV and firewall (including Windows one) disabled right? If so just press the fucntion button and wait 2 minutes for the blocks to be passed, failing that, use a different PC.
: steveianson August 02, 2012, 12:09:22 PM
I have never managed to get my LS-VL boot using TFTP. I have had to install the firmware on my LS-CHL then swap the hard drive to my LS-VL.
: davo August 02, 2012, 12:30:27 PM
Really?! Ive flashed mine multiple times, no problems, once the instructions are followed correctly and there is nothing physically wrong with the unit it will work.
: eyeball_kid August 03, 2012, 02:38:52 AM
Guys
Again - Thank you for the replies - It is appreciated!
Im going to try it on two different PCs this weekend and will report back ..
@davo can I please check my steps one more time - You mention "If so just press the fucntion button and wait 2 minutes for the blocks to be passed, failing that, use a different PC."
These are my steps
1) After turning off AV, firewall, wireless and configuring TCPIP to the static address and its all plugged in, I start TFTP
2) Then switch on the unit
3) When if flashes red 6 times, I press the function button for a second
Thats right - right?
@steveianson - based on the fact you use another unit to initialise the drive, it does imply its a generic install (rather than to a specific unit) - If all else fails I presume if I got hold of a disk (empty with just firmware) image I could redo the disk outside of the unit?
If so, can anyone help me obtain a disk image (or the partition information, with partition backups)
Again, thanks ... boy Im praying the two PCs work!!
: eyeball_kid August 04, 2012, 04:07:24 PM
Okay its all working again .. Thanks everyone for your kind assistance - This is what I had to do maybe someone will benefit from this?
Firstly davo, you were right my Win7 machine worked straight off (see below for one condition) but my win xp netbook was having none of it!
You need
1) tftp file for ls-vl (thanks davo for supplying this)
2) latest firmware update (i used 1.6) has lsupdater and a whole bunch of files in the archive
This is what i had to do
0.5) removed hdd from nas, connected to pc and deleted all partitions, resassemble
1) Direct cable connect between pc and nas (normal not crossover cable) - On Win7 machine disabled AV, firewall, wireless and set my TCPIP to 192.168.11.1 (router connection never worked, i think tftp packets were blocked)
2) switched on nas to where the 6 red lights where flashing
3) started up tftp
4) hit the function button (lights start flashing blue)
5) blocks were then sent (wait for solid blue light)
6) without switching off the nas i disconnect the network cable and plugged it in my router - did the same to pc, and set it again to dhcp - now both pc and nas were connected to router and on same subnet.
7) editted lsupdater.ini so that (NoFormatting = 0) othewise it will never format the drive
8) added section in lsupdater right at the bottom (to enable debug mode)
[SpecialFlags]
Debug=1
9) started lsupdater
10) very top left corner menu, chose debug (step 8 is needed to see this menu item)
11) ticked all boxes except "Execute change as following" (given you are using dhcp)
12) hit update (selected yes when promopted for formatting)
13) the nas then reboots, and lsupdater waits for it
14) the nas then reboots flashing 6 reds again .. dont worry normal
15) without switching anything off, direct connect pc to nas, remember to set ip to 192.168.11.1
16) start tftp
17) hit function button (lights flash blue)
18) blocks are sent, lights will flash amber see below
18.5) reconnect to router, change ip to dhcp
19) firmware update starts flashing (2 long amber followed by 5 short amber)
20) wait
21) wait
22) nas reboots - all ok .. yay..
Remember to turn av and firewall back on.
have a serious BIG beer... smile ... all done
: djdave January 01, 2013, 12:03:21 AM
Hi - I'm having similar problems with my LS-VL and I can't find the correct tftp file. I've found a working buffalo FTP server, but the file for the LS-VL doesn't seem to be on there. Can anybody point me in the direction of it?
Thanks,
David
: bonehead January 13, 2013, 11:50:25 PM
: sirnah January 14, 2013, 09:47:54 AM
I was hoping someone could give me some guidence on how to recovery my LS-V2.0TL as well . I was doing the most recent Firmware update and my PC had in issue. The update was interupted and now the NAS is stuck, I cannot update it now because it gives me an error saying " no partition found- update aborted ". I can see it in the NAS Navagator and it shows there in EM mode, however the LED light on the unti itself is not red. It is showing steady blue. I was reading about the TFTP process but there does not seem to be a version for this unit. ( Davos had one that he posted earlier in this thread, but that is no longer a valid link. Can that perhaps be posted somewhere? ) I am not that versed on how to continue with this so any detailed help would be greatly apprecitated. I am running Win Vista on the machine the Unit is connected too. I also have a Win 7 64 machine I could try, however on that system I cannot see the unit at all. The info on the NAS has been backed up so there is no problem if there is data loss for the recovery process. I just really would like to get it running again. It worked well for my needs and now it is unusable. I was not able to get the Updater into debug mode when I tried that either. Thanks in advance for any help provided ..
: davo January 14, 2013, 11:40:20 AM
sirnah wrote:I was hoping someone could give me some guidence on how to recovery my LS-V2.0TL as well . I was doing the most recent Firmware update and my PC had in issue. The update was interupted and now the NAS is stuck, I cannot update it now because it gives me an error saying " no partition found- update aborted ". I can see it in the NAS Navagator and it shows there in EM mode, however the LED light on the unti itself is not red. It is showing steady blue. I was reading about the TFTP process but there does not seem to be a version for this unit. ( Davos had one that he posted earlier in this thread, but that is no longer a valid link. Can that perhaps be posted somewhere? ) I am not that versed on how to continue with this so any detailed help would be greatly apprecitated. I am running Win Vista on the machine the Unit is connected too. I also have a Win 7 64 machine I could try, however on that system I cannot see the unit at all. The info on the NAS has been backed up so there is no problem if there is data loss for the recovery process. I just really would like to get it running again. It worked well for my needs and now it is unusable. I was not able to get the Updater into debug mode when I tried that either. Thanks in advance for any help provided ..
reinstall the firmware in its debug state (FAQ 2 of 5) and select all the debug options, the data on the unit will need to be erased to get it into an operation state again.
: sirnah January 15, 2013, 11:31:10 AM
Still no go on that update on Linkstation. I followed the intructions on the update and did find the debug settings. I selected all the options and started the update. I still got the " no partition found- update aborted " error. What are my options now?
: davo January 15, 2013, 11:54:37 AM
Post a screen shot of the LSUpdater.ini file and the debug options you have selected.
: bonehead January 15, 2013, 03:44:35 PM
: sirnah January 16, 2013, 10:57:13 AM
Here are the screens you asked for Davo. Thanks for taking a look. This first is my NAS NAV . It shows I am in EM mode but the light on my NAS is solid blue. The workgroup is showing UNKNOWN
http://www.flickr.com/photos/82500497@N08/8387329480/
Then I get into the Updater and it shows me this...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/82500497@N08/8386244215/
My Debug settings...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/82500497@N08/8387329476/
And when I run the updater .. I get this..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/82500497@N08/8387329488/
I hope that helps.
: davo January 16, 2013, 11:14:34 AM
actually it was the LSUpdate.ini file (not the exe file) make sure you have the following lines set:
VersionCheck = 0 (modify this line from 1 to 0)
NoFormatting = 0 (modify this line from 1 to 0)
[SpecialFlags] (add this line)
Debug = 1 (add this line)
: sirnah January 16, 2013, 11:17:14 AM
yes I have those lines set in the .ini file and still stops the update.
: davo January 16, 2013, 11:29:36 AM
The only reason you would get that error message is
1. The HDD itself is faulty.
2. The .ini file is not set correctly, ensure you have the noformatting link set to 0 not 1
: sirnah January 17, 2013, 08:11:44 AM
Yes it was set to zero, and I still got the message that the format failed and was aborted. If you change it to 1 it says "partion not form Update aborted". So I am assuming then that the HDD itself is the problem. So what now? change the HDD?
: sirnah January 21, 2013, 10:43:04 AM
Still no reply on this? Is there someone that can provide my next course of action? Based on the help that Davo was kind enough to provide, I think it is safe to say it is my HDD that is no longer working correctly. For the price these retail for, it is really not acceptable to have no options to replace a failed drive, or is it the reality that Buffalo fully expects that we treat these as a disposable product.