I have a ReadyNAS 3200 and when I attempt to boot nothing happens. When I connect a serial console I can see the unit cannot find whatever boot flash device is looking for.I have used the USB Recovery and tried different USB sticks, but I am sure the original stick should be fine as it boots from it, but perhaps there is a missing file from the USBThe files on the USB are:initrd.gzkernelldlinux.sysRAIDiator-x86-4.2.24syslinux.cfgHere is the error on the console:SYSLINUX 3.73 2009-01-25 Copyright (C) 1994-2008 H. Peter AnvinLoading kernel............................................Loading initrd.gz...........................................ready.▒Searching for external boot flash device...Could not find external boot flash!ERROR: Could not find external flash device!!/bin/ash: can't access tty; job control turned offAm I missing some files? I don't care about the data on the unit at this time so whatever method to get it going again I am fine with.ThanksPaul Aviles

What do you see on the console when you attempt to boot normally from the internal flash?

On the VGA console? nothing that always is stuck like below if I am not mistaken as it is redirected to the serial port,From memory I think is this.SYSLINUX 3.73 2009-01-25 Copyright (C) 1994-2008 H. Peter AnvinLoading kernel............................................Loading initrd.gz...........................................ready.What is the flash besides the USB stick and what should be loaded there?ThanksPaul

Sorry I just tried again and it is exactly the same as belowSYSLINUX 3.73 2009-01-25 Copyright (C) 1994-2008 H. Peter AnvinLoading kernel............................................Loading initrd.gz...........................................ready.▒Searching for external boot flash device...Could not find external boot flash!ERROR: Could not find external flash device!!/bin/ash: can't access tty; job control turned offnothing else. I can type some commands on the serial console, but not sure what to do next.Please help...Paul

You see it trying to boot off an external USB device even when attempting to boot the NAS normally?

Isnt that what is supposed to do? As far as I know, the OS is on the USB stick not on the physical drives.

ReadyNAS 3200 boot Could not find external flash device

26 Replies

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mdgm-ntgr
NETGEAR Employee Retired
Apr 12, 2015
What do you see on the console when you attempt to boot normally from the internal flash?
paviles
Aspirant
Apr 12, 2015
On the VGA console? nothing that always is stuck like below if I am not mistaken as it is redirected to the serial port,
From memory I think is this.

SYSLINUX 3.73 2009-01-25 Copyright (C) 1994-2008 H. Peter Anvin
Loading kernel............................................
Loading initrd.gz...........................................ready.

What is the flash besides the USB stick and what should be loaded there?

Thanks

Paul
paviles
Aspirant
Apr 12, 2015
Sorry I just tried again and it is exactly the same as below

SYSLINUX 3.73 2009-01-25 Copyright (C) 1994-2008 H. Peter Anvin
Loading kernel............................................
Loading initrd.gz...........................................ready.
▒Searching for external boot flash device...Could not find external boot flash!
ERROR: Could not find external flash device!!
/bin/ash: can't access tty; job control turned off

nothing else. I can type some commands on the serial console, but not sure what to do next.

Please help...

Paul
mdgm-ntgr
NETGEAR Employee Retired
Apr 12, 2015
You see it trying to boot off an external USB device even when attempting to boot the NAS normally?
paviles
Aspirant
Apr 12, 2015
Isnt that what is supposed to do? As far as I know, the OS is on the USB stick not on the physical drives.
StephenB
Guru - Experienced User
Apr 12, 2015
paviles wrote:
Isnt that what is supposed to do? As far as I know, the OS is on the USB stick not on the physical drives.
No, there's a 4 GB OS partition on each drive.
paviles
Aspirant
Apr 12, 2015
OK so how do I transfer one? The disks are blank for sure.

Thanks

Paul
StephenB
Guru - Experienced User
Apr 12, 2015
Normally the NAS installs the OS partition when you power up with blank disks installed.

What status does RAIDar give?
paviles
Aspirant
Apr 12, 2015
Cannot even see it. I know for sure there is no OS on the drives.

I was under the impression that the USB recovery would redo the USB and then Raidar will allow to do some sort of PXE boot and load the OS that way.

How do I create an new install on the drives without Raidar?

Thanks for your help.

Paul
mdgm-ntgr
NETGEAR Employee Retired
Apr 12, 2015
Have you tried boot menu options?: http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/24868