RN204 how to do USB recovery via TFTP through serial port?
RN204
Windows 10 pc - virtualbox ubuntu
I know the NAND linux kernal firmware is corrupted. The USB Recovery option fails and I have tried several different usb drives. If I put in diagnostice mode, I get legible english on display. Under normal boot I get what I call box cars, basically all the lcd is lit up. Hooked up to my router or my computer via ethernet (I can run DHCP server) the RN204 does not even try to pull an IP. I got this used, so not under warranty. On natisbad.org he discusses how to load up debian to different NAS units (RN104, RN204, and others) over serial port in back of the RN204 via TFTP. I know for older NAS units there are instruction there was instructions on how to do RAIDiator 4.1 TFTP boot recovery, but that seems to have been taken down. The label on the back of my RN204 says it had 6.3.2 firmware. There is couple of hits for 'Installation OS 6.6.1 on RN104 error TFTP_REQ', with note from 'PM' that they would send instructions, but nothing on how to do it. The files on the USB recovery drive are:
Re: RN204 how to do USB recovery via TFTP through serial port?
So you can't see the NAS unit in RAIDar regardless of which boot menu option you use?
There could be a hardware issue with the unit. That's a risk you take buying a second hand unit. Some second hand sellers may see if lights come on when powering it on diskless (if they even do that) to check if a unit is working which is totally inadequate testing.
The issue on 6.6.1 affected the RN102/RN104 and RN2120. The RN204 theoretically could have run into the same problem but I know of no cases where that has happened.
It's also possible that your USB keys are incompatible with USB Boot Recovery or that you've run into a problem that USB Boot Recovery can't fix, but is still fixable.
Re: RN204 how to do USB recovery via TFTP through serial port?
Well aware USB front port is VERY picky about USB used. When manufatured the NAND needs to be loaded with uboot/firmware/diagnostics. Since there is a serial port on the back of the main board I am guessing that is what they use to load an image into the NAND. The USB recovery method is basically loading the latest firmware image into NAND. Since the usb method is not working for me, I believe that if I could get the procedure to load it through the serial port, I could get it back up and running. Buying used equipment is a risk, yes. Does that mean that if it is fixable I should just trash it, simply because the manufacturer wants to charge for support? I am not a business with deep pockets. I know the NAND can be rewritten. I know that the display, and mainboard are working. It is just the linux software that Netgear uses (readynas os) is corrupted in the NAND. There is info on TFTP for Raidiator 4.1. It would be a VERY similar process to do readynas os.
