Thecus n2100 'user' flash image

[sclebo05]

I'm trying to restore the ability of a Thecus N2100 to boot the original Linux based firmware. It has been altered to boot OpenBSD, which involves deleting the 'user' filesystem on the flash. I have the ability to access Redboot and list the current files in flash. I've also extracted the latest Thecus firmware (kernel and ramdisk), and just need 'user' to get things back to normal (I think).

On a working Thecus, the flash looks like this from Redboot:

RedBoot> fis list
Name FLASH addr Mem addr Length Entry point
RedBoot 0xF0000000 0xF0000000 0x00040000 0x00000000
RedBoot config 0xF0FC0000 0xF0FC0000 0x00001000 0x00000000
FIS directory 0xF0FE0000 0xF0FE0000 0x00020000 0x00000000
ramdisk 0xF0040000 0x00800000 0x00D00000 0x00800000
kernel 0xF0D40000 0x00200000 0x00160000 0x00200000
user 0xF0EA0000 0x00120000 0x00120000 0x00800000

On my Thecus, it looks like this;

RedBoot> fis list
Name FLASH addr Mem addr Length Entry point
RedBoot 0xF0000000 0xF0000000 0x00040000 0x00000000
RedBoot config 0xF0FC0000 0xF0FC0000 0x00001000 0x00000000
FIS directory 0xF0FE0000 0xF0FE0000 0x00020000 0x00000000
ramdisk 0xF0040000 0x00800000 0x00D00000 0x00800000
kernel 0xF0D40000 0x00200000 0x00160000 0x00200000
boot 0xF0EA0000 0x00100000 0x00020000 0x00100000

I'd like to delete 'boot' and restore 'user' to the flash filesystem. Does anyone have this file? I myself happen to have a working n2100, but I'm unsure how to extract the file from that box via devio or other mtd utility.

Just for completeness, this is the OpenBSD install Procedure I believe was followed.
ftp.openbsd.org/pub/OpenBSD/5.1/armish/INSTALL.armish

If anyone know how to extract this file, I think I'd be able to restore it. Thanks!

[sclebo05]

After much trial and error, I got it working. I posted a summary of what I did, just in case anyone ever finds themselves in this situation.

www.joshlebo.com/thecusn2100/

[ferg]

Fantastic effort!!

Although i doubt i'll be doing this myself, well done! Its nice to know there are still people playing with the n2100.