Can I Recover Date from a Dying Linkstation - through Network Cable?

[bryanm]

   

Hi,

 

My Linkstation HS-DH500GL appears to be dying although it's only 5 months old.

 

I took all precautions and had another hard drive connected via USB, backing up the linkstation every night. But, unbeknown to me, the linkstation was unable to backup and the last succesful backup was months ago.

 

I've tried a firmware update around 20 times and am now ready to give up!

 

Does anyone know if there is a way of recovering the data from the linkstation, perhaps via the network cable?

 

Ideally I'd like to recover the information and then wipe the drive before claiming on the warranty as all my business information is on there.

 

Grateful for any advice on how to do this.

[JoshC]

Before you give up please try the TFTP Boot. 

http://forums.buffalotech.com/buffalo/board/message?board.id=0101&thread.id=9312

[PCPiranha]

You can try UFS Explorer (a raid recovery software, costs 50$ for the liscense) or a data recovery specialist.

[bryanm]

   

Hi JoshC,

 

Thanks for the link.

 

Tried that, but TFTBoot.exe just hangs at the 'accepting requests...' point and gets no further.

 

Spent a lot of time on this now and don't appear to be getting anywhere.

 

Wondering if I can open the case and perhaps use some adapter to connect the hard drive through USB?

 

It's really frustrating as the drive appears to boot up and the LINK/ACT light flickers as though it's doing something, but I just cant access the drive in any way.

 

Starting to think I may have to bin it !!

[PCPiranha]

If the unit is booting the TFTP won't do anything.  You can disassemble the LS (which would void our warranty) and hook it up to a linux comptuer, you can find information on doing that elsewhere (posting that here would violate our guidelines).  There is no way to do it through USB.

 

If you're looking for more troubleshooting information, let us know what you have done and what is happening.   If you're looking for data recovery options then read my first post.

Message Edited by PCPiranha on 06-30-2009 04:36 PM

[bryanm]

   

Hi again

 

Spent hours trying to get the firmware to update, to no avail, but managed to get the data recovered at last!

 

Now I need to know how I get the Linkstation repaired under warranty. I have all the original packaging, purchase receipt etc. but don't know where to take it for repair in the UK.

 

Have emailed Buffalo support on Friday and today, with no reply yet, although it is the weekend.

 

Grateful if anyone could advise the returns procedure. I'm in the UK by the way.

 

Thanks in advance

 

[JoshC]

You will have to call your regional support and they can set you up with an RMA.

[drmemory]

UK customer:UK  0845 3511005 9:00am - 7:00pm Monday - Friday (GMT)9:00am - 5:00pm Saturday (GMT) Call them to get the RMA initiated.

[bryanm]

   

Thanks all.

 

Took the linkstation back today and got a refund!

 

Lesson learned, I'm now going to look for a network drive that may be a little more reliable and a lot less hassle if things do go wrong!