Linkstation Duo (LS-WXL/E-AP) Setup problems

[mattstig]

So I just bought a Linkstation Duo from Newegg in China. No drives came with the machine, so I also ordered 2, 2 TB Seagate drives. I could not find any instructions on whether or not I needed to format the drives first or anything, so I just put a single drive into the Linkstation directly from the box and followed the setup instructions. Left it alone for a few minutes to do its thing, then installed the software. It found the drive the first time, but the setup failed, apparently because the machine went into EM mode (the red "function" light is on, which seems to mean that it's in this mode? This light has been on since I put the drive in and started the Linkstation once the bootup process was complete). Since then I have tried resetting the machine, etc. Finally tried to update the firmware, but even that is not working. Directly connected it to my machine via the included ethernet cable, set my IP address to 192.168.11.XXX, turned off the firewall/virus protection as instructed etc. It seems to find the Linkstation, but it can't "connect" to update it. The firmware updating program shows: Host: LS-WXL-EM674  Workgroup: UNKNOWN  IP Address: 169.254.43.57  Subnet mask: 255.255.0.0  Firmware Version: ----  MAC: <The MAC address is shown>

 

When I try to "update" the firmware, it says that it does not receive any response from the Linkstation and asks me to check that we're on the same subnet. But when I change my IP address to match the "169.254.43.57" address the Firmware program shows, the program can't find the Linkstation. It can only find the Linkstation if my IP is 192.168.11.XXX, which makes sense since the machine is supposed to default to 192.168.11.150 when in EM mode. But why is the IP address shown in the firmware program different than that?

 

This new Linkstation seems to be non-functional directly out of the box, and I have no problem returning it, but I want to confirm that I have not done anything wrong or overlooked something simple (like needing to format the drive before putting it into the Linkstation) before I do so, or I'm going to have the same issue after exchanging the machine for a new one. Oh, I'm using Windows XP.

[realborat]

I am guessing you have the nasnavigator software installed to confirm that the unit is in EM mode.?

It sound to me like you will have to TFTP( Look at the FAQ `s on the forum)

Idon`t think there is anything wrong with the LS,

[mattstig]

Didn't work. When I get to the point in the TFTP instructions where I need to hold down the function button for 5 seconds to reboot it (this unit doesn't have a reset button), the unit fails to do anything when I hold the function button down. I tried rebooting the unit manually (shut it down and restart it again) but the TFTP boot program did not receive anything on boot. I double checked and the IP address and everything and it's all as it should be: Anti-virus disabled, firewall off, wireless connection disabled, etc.

 

I'm guessing I should send the unit back for a replacement.

[longxia]

Same thing happened to me. I also bought mine from China. If you like, I can help you, my QQ is 1020919964. First format the drive, and remove partitions. 

 

This is easy. There should have been a paper in the instructions titled, "If the LinkStation doesn't Boot after a Hard Drive is Installed" - Its a one page instructions how to clean the hard drive. But before you do, I would format the drive, becasue it will make things smoother.

 

When you install the drive, connect the power to the NAS, but NOT the ethernet cable. If the ethernet cable is connected, the NAS unit will just be an expresive paperweight.

 

Hope this helps.

[longxia]

Same thing happened to me. I also bought mine from China.

 

First format the drive, and remove partitions. This is easy. There should have been a paper in the instructions titled, "If the LinkStation doesn't Boot after a Hard Drive is Installed" - Its a one page instructions how to clean the hard drive. But before you do, I would format the drive, becasue it will make things smoother. When you install the drive, connect the power to the NAS, but NOT the ethernet cable. If the ethernet cable is connected, the NAS unit will just be an expresive paperweight. Hope this helps.

[mattstig]

I found the notice. It was buried in some of the other documentation (Web Access I think) that I hadn't looked at yet.

 

But I'm afraid it's more complicated than that. I bought 2, brand new 2 TB Seagate hard drives at the same time I bought the buffalo device. After days of messing around, I've confirmed that neither of those hard drives work. I've tried accessing them via my desktop SATA, but while the bios can see the drives, if either of the drives is plugged in, the computer will not boot. It gets stuck loading windows. I've never seen anything like it. And it's BOTH new drives. I bought an external SATA-USB hard drive enclosure to try to access the drives that way. The computer can see the enclosure, but neither of the drives. They start up when you turn the enclosure on, but then stop spinning shortly after. I know it's not a problem with the enclosure because I tested an older drive in it and it worked fine.

 

Is there any way that the Buffalo device could have caused this somehow? Could something on the Buffalo Linkstation be broken in such a way as to render the drives defective when it tries to load a boot image onto them? I've never had a bad HD right out of the box, and to get two of them at the same time seems like an unbelievable coincidence.

[realborat]

OK, Go to this website and Format the HDDs www.easeus.com

[longxia]

Just a thought, partition your hard drives, then format them. I am sure this is a simple fix. 

 

You can go into the CMD command (The paper tells you how), and go into the diskmgmt (Dish Management) and set the unallocated space to partitioned space, then format them.

 

I am in China also, so I am sure I can help you, my QQ number is in a earlier reply to this problem.

 

[Nizzywizzy]

Hi Longxia,

 

I have exactly the same proble and I spent two days still not solved. 

 

Now what i have is linkstation with 2x3tb WD HD's and showing steady blue light. The Nav software shows the unit is in EM mode. It only finds the nas when directly connected to the computer (firewall off, IP 192.168.11.x  subnetmask 255.0.0.0) and when I tried to install the firmware including to format the drive, it copies the files setup the frmware then halfway it says cant find Nas.

 

I tried the TFTP way but it cant any reply.

 

What do i do with this brick.

 

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

my qq id is 1523044360 and Im in UK

 

Niz