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Forum Discussion
OS Reinstall issues
Hi, I just tried to re-install the NAS OS via the Boot Menu (using option 3 in the Boot Menu Options), but it appears to have failed:
LCD msg: "Updating FW"
LCD msg: "ERR: Could not extract" fail...
An OS Re-install installs the OS over the top of itself, resets some network settings and the admin password. It doesn't wipe your logs or configuration which can be vital when troubleshooting problems.
A factory reset (wipes all data, settings, everything) and creates the RAID, does a clean install of the OS, creates a new data volume etc.
There is of course a way to manually wipe the 4GB root volume which I have now done this once for you.
Retired_Member wrote:
I just want a fresh OS install, clean of any apps, etc. to start fresh.
USB Flash recovery wouldn't have given you that anyway.
The only path I know of to do what you want is the factory reset (which unfortunately destroys your data).
StephenB wrote:
Retired_Member wrote:
I just want a fresh OS install, clean of any apps, etc. to start fresh.
USB Flash recovery wouldn't have given you that anyway.
The only path I know of to do what you want is the factory reset (which unfortunately destroys your data).
Huh? That doesn't make sense...so technically, the "OS Reinstall" Boot Menu option is incorrect? If it wont re-install the OS (ie Operating System, the Netgear linux OS/distro, etc..) then it shouldn't be called an OS reinstall...It's it more like a "Netgear GUI" re-install?
An OS Re-install installs the OS over the top of itself, resets some network settings and the admin password. It doesn't wipe your logs or configuration which can be vital when troubleshooting problems.
A factory reset (wipes all data, settings, everything) and creates the RAID, does a clean install of the OS, creates a new data volume etc.
There is of course a way to manually wipe the 4GB root volume which I have now done this once for you.
mdgm-ntgr wrote:
An OS Re-install installs the OS over the top of itself, resets some network settings and the admin password. It doesn't wipe your logs or configuration which can be vital when troubleshooting problems.
I'm guessing you are refering to the Boot Menu "Reinstall OS" and not the USB Recovery tool? This, technically isn't an OS re-install - its an OS over-write on the existing OS.
There is of course a way to manually wipe the 4GB root volume which I have now done this once for you.
Not sure why this isn't an option either via USB Tool or as part of the Boot Menu - afterall an OS re-install should do a "clean" OS install without any prior depedancies. Although there may be some config dependancies in a prior OS, the seperation between OS and data should be more clearly defined and kept seperate.
3 Stages of severity:
1) Factory Reset is always a last resort for a whole device.
2) OS Install should allow the wiping of the OS Partition only leaving the data intact, which is non-OS depedant anyhow.
3) OS Recovery (USB Tool) should be used to fix an existing OS.
# 2) would be crutial for corrupt OS files. There are existing linux tools to wipe an OS partition, but I'm not aware of any avaiable Netgear Linux/debian OS image available to replace it with (unless I am mistaken and this already exists via an available tool?)
Perhaps if Netgear Dev team factor these 3 options it would provide more robust fix/repair options.
Anyhow, thanks for your assistance mdgm!
Yes, the boot menu option.
USB Boot Recovery wipes the flash and puts a clean copy of the OS on there. It's useful if there's a problem with the firmware on the internal flash.
An OS Re-install uses the firmware on the internal flash to re-install the firmware onto the disks over the top of what's already on the disks.
The 4GB root volume on the disks contains the OS, NAS logs, NAS config etc.
There is a manual process that support can use to wipe the 4GB root volume but this should normally only be attempted in very rare situations and it's important to verify that the data volume is accessible first.
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