N4200 - 4 questions

[stooartbaby]

Hi Guys,

When I click on the "auto module installation" option.. it just sits there saying "loading".... rebooting the device makes no difference....

Is there a way to setup some sort of "undelete" functionality on the N4200?

Has anyone experimented with getting rid of Linux (I know, sorry) and installing windows server onto the 4200? or if not, a fully fledged Linux version? I know this has been done with other models... just not sure about the 4200 hardware details etc...

And lastly, are 5200 modules compatible with the 4200 device? what about modules from other devices such as the 7700?

Thanks Heaps,
Stuart.

[reidmefirst]

Hi Stuart -

This is a very late reply, but better late than never?

Undelete functionality will be a no-go. Undelete requires being able to look at raw blocks on a disk. Network filesystems like SMB, AFP, NFS, etc hide disk blocks from you and present a 'prettified' version of your hard disk to you for network consumption.

Fully fledged linux should be possible, but there are some challenges that need to be fixed (either you will need a serial port header on your N4200, or find some way to enable the on-board VGA or get a PCIe x1 video card that will work). A windows server install will probably require working video? But I'm not a windows guy.

The N5200 modules are compatible with the N4200, but only if you have N4200 before FW version 5.00.04. With the latest 5.00.04 version of the firmware, the SYS module installs okay but most importantly SSHD fails . With no way to get shell access to my NAS right now, I can't diagnose why this is. I think that given you can't downgrade firmwares anymore, the 5.00.04 firmware probably uses a new decryption key, furthering our troubles...

[twisted]

I recently purchased a N4200 and 4 HDD from the compatibility list. Once the HDD's were installed and the unit powered-up, I set it up for RAID-5. All good. Then about an hour (or less!) after the array has finished building, the status of the array is downgraded to "Degraded". checking the logs, it says that Disk 4 has an I/O error.

I have withdrawn and reinstalled Disk 4 and the array rebuilds itself. Great. But after that, the I/O error appears again (for Disk 4).

I have run Drive Health Test on the problem HDD, and it returned with no errors/faults - 100% working. Installed the drive in a PC - all good there too.

Some have said that the SATA cable needs to be re-seated etc, as that has solved the problem for them, but unfortunately, not me.

I am running the latest firmware (version 5), and the drives are Hitachi HDS722020ALA330 which I am very happy with.

Any suggestions etc, will be greatly appreciated, as Thecus have not taken any interest in the ticket I logged via their web-site for 'technical assistance'.

Cheers,
Twisted.

[trelevn]

Dear Wiki Admins,

Could we have a N4200 area in between the 4100 and the 5200?

I'd like to accumulate the 4200 posts and get hacking.

trelevn

[rfav]

Hi twisted,

Had exactly the same problem with an N4200PRO. Did some test work by swapping drives but problem persisted. Consulted Thecus and explained my findings to them and what I tested but they just were not inclined (or able) to answer my questions.

I then returned the thing to my supplier. They just swapped it with another N4200PRO without asking questions. Problem solved but I never got an explanation why this could happen with a new (not even a week old) NAS. I will never know if this problem might reappear in my new NAS and I am no longer very confident about the acclaimed reliability of this product.

I doubt that Thecus will be able to improve the quality of their products in this way.

Good luck with your problem!