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ReadyNAS couldn't update Antivirus, then System volume 'root' usage was 85 %, now I can't boot...
Hi all,
I have 2 identical ReadyNAS 516 systems (with only different storage capacities and content); one is working fine, and the other one seems to have gone crazy. I am 99% certain that BOTH Operating Systems are/were at version 6.9.3 in Raid 5 configuration. For the most part, I use the NAS for streaming/accessing media throughout the house and to house assets/resources for content creation.
Last wednesday, I had my internet modem upgraded. I put this upgrade to use immediately by transferring files from my old NAS to my newer one (which has a much larger storage capacity). About a week later, I tried to update the Plex app on my system because a device was having sound issues when videos were being streamed to it (via Plex), but the app refused to update. I tried using different browsers and restarting the NAS in an effort to get the process to work, but to no avail. When I finally checked the logs in Frontview, I noticed an error of "Volume: System volume 'root' usage is 85 %", which had been popping up over and over again along with a message to reach out to tech support because it's abnormal. Additionally, I noticed that it had started at approximately the same time that another error about the antivirus being unable to update had started, which began showing up the day after the modem was replaced [without me realizing]. Being the kind of person that doesn't want to bother tech support before trying to see if I can fix it myself (and because it looks like my access to support has expired according to myNetgear), I checked on the forums for a solution; it seemed that everyone who had the root usage problem could trace it back to an overly-large database file of sorts. I began by trying to uninstall some excess apps, but the problem seemed to get worse; Frontview would sometimes refuse the request and/or suddenly claim that there weren't any apps on the device at all. Some users communicated that clearing the logs helped; in a panic, I tried doing that, but I was prompted with a message communiating that this wasn't possible and that I should contact tech support (it even opened my Outlook and I sent a message; that was 2 days ago and I haven't heard anything back), then after a restart, all the logs were gone (aside from the same errors coming up as before).
When trying to SSH into the device, Frontview would become inaccessible altogether. After a restart, I began looking at the Settings > Services, to see what I could turn off, and realized SSH wasn't even active, so I activated it (thinking that maybe this was the problem)... well... now I can't even boot up my device (it gets stuck in the 92-99% range); most recently, it's been in the process of booting for over a day now, seemingly stuck at 92%...
[Likely because it isn't fully booted] I can't access Frontview, I can't see the device in File Explorer, I can't SSH into the system to view anything, and I can't get any system to show up on RAIDar v6.4, so now I'm totally blind and have no idea how to proceed.
As far as I can tell, the HDs are fine (all lights are blue), and the problem seems to be related to the OS root itself; I considered an OS re-instal, but that seems heavy-handed if indeed the issue ends up simply being a large database file in the root... plus, every time I touch this thing, everything seems to get worse, so I'm starting to feel a little insecure about taking any additional steps myself without consulting tech support at this stage. Thoughts? Advice? :smileyfrustrated:
Thanks in advance for anyone's input. :smileyhappy:
17 Replies
Replies have been turned off for this discussion
I don't recommend an OS reinstall, as that will just try to put more files into the full OS partition.
You can still get paid netgear support at my.netgear.com. Also if you purchased between 1 June 2014 and 31 May 2016 you have lifetime chat support.
How proficient are you with the linux command line?
Thanks for the heads up Stephen.
1. I'll mentally shelve that OS reinstall option then! (lol) :smileyhappy:
2. It looks like I'm not covered by those criterion (I bought my NAS in Feb of 2014, and the second one in Dec of 2017); story of my life, I always fall between these cracks (lol). I'm super strapped for cash, so I likely won't be able to afford extra support at the moment unfortunately (unless a miracle happens). :smileyindifferent:
3. I'm basically a newb when it comes to Linux; I've tinkered with BASH in a course, but I definitely consider myself far from proficiently competent. Also, contextually speaking, I'm not feeling particularly confident given that this system's seemingly self-destructing a little bit more every time I make any move at all. Having said that, [depending on the level of complexity] I'm willing to try the command-line approach if there's no other option (only because I'm desperate), but my main concern is data loss, given that we're talking about almost 18TB, which would definitely feel like a crushing catastrophy to lose... I'd probably have a very hard time even looking at the unit for a few months if I were to lose that data [to be honest]. :smileyfrustrated:
Cleaning the root partition does require some linux skills, since you can do more damage if you make a mistake. Also, the procedure isn't cook-book - you need to first determine where the space is going, and the remediation depends on that analysis. Sometimes the full OS partition results in some corruption to the configuration files on the NAS, and in those cases they need to be manually repaired.
Someone from Netgear here might offer to help, otherwise I suggest powering down the NAS for now, and engaging paid support when you can afford it.
Longer term, you should put a backup plan in place since RAID isn't enough to keep your data safe. (I realize that costs, but unfortunately there is no other way to protect your data from loss).
- And how would I get into this lifetime chat support?. I fall between those purchase times. I think mine was 10-24-15. I'm having the same exact thing. Somthing about root at 92%.
It should be available to you on my.netgear.com.
Turn off AntiVirus right away.
UPDATE:
I know it's been a while, but for anyone interested in this case, mdgm ended up fixing the problem enough to allow me to get into FrontView (which has been helpful, though I unfortunately don't know what he did). Meanwhile, I've been slowly attempting to migrate items from my lower-capacity NAS onto my higher-capacity NAS in an effort to gradually make more space in general (given that it's come to my attention that 90%+ capacity usage can start generating errors and strange behaviour).
On the flipside, since the previous remedy was employed, I've been unable to successfully interact with the 'System> Settings> Services' items; as a result, it's been a gruling process to move items, given that I no longer have access to SMB. There are no errors or warnings in the logs, but the consistent [detailed] response to my immediate attempts is: "Unable to start or modify service. Code 15002030001".
I haven't made a new case for this yet (nor am I sure if that would even be the appropriate course of action), but for now I'm focusing on offloading whatever I [safely] can. At this stage, I have the same error when attempting to enable Antivirus and SSH (both of which are off as a result).
I've casually sought out solutions, but haven't found anything concrete yet. If anyone has any suggestions or ideas, I'm open to hearing them. :smileyhappy:
Thanks in advance. :smileyhappy:
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