login trouble on new 2100

[farfields]

I have just bought a new Thecus N2100 and am having trouble with login. I may solve this tonight, but wanted to post here in case there are some tips.

The setup utility has been unable to find the unit. webadmin was working, but is now unable to find the server. I managed to start adding users through webadmin, but am now stumped.

With connection PC <-> 2100 (no router), a ping gets a response from the box (fixed IP and mask on PC), but there is no webadmin server login. Perhaps using https instead of http will work later.

I've noticed some other comments about telnet, ssh or serial port. I'm loathe to start tinkering with something I have limited knowledge of, when I don't believe the OS is buggered. Although I've pressed the reset button, I'm not sure if it's being recognised properly. How long does it need to be held after the power button is pressed?

I believe it is V1.1.9, but didn't particulary notice what the version number on the OS was, so could be wrong. Whatever difference that may make.

I was wondering if it is a firewall or similar problem with my PC, so will use an alternatice PC later instead. I'm able to login to my router without problem using a fixed IP address, so am not sure if that is relevant.

more later....

[farfields]

managed a hard reset and login using 192.168.1.100/
this allowed webadmin access. The setup utility still doesn't see the box. Why is that?

Now configuring the folders for network access

Created folders with user ACL access. wanted to delete one and did this from windows. Resulted in DEGRADED RAID error. Ran Create RAID from setup which recovered the missing folders. This is not what I expected and undermines my confidence in the reliability somewhat.