Buffalo Tftp Boot Software Download

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From NAS-Central Buffalo – The Linkstation Wiki

Software, Firmware, Updates Please enter the name or product code of your device. Unbricking of a Buffalo LinkStation Duo. Buffalo LinkStation DUO 1TB (LS-WXL/R1) 2x Samsung 500 GB Drives; Bricking I removed the RAID0-array to rebuild as a RAID1-array. Because there were errors during the creation of the array, I tried rebooting the device. Unfortunately, now it would not want to boot.

  • 2 General Procedure
  • 4 Box Specific Hints
    • 4.1 LS Pro, Old LS Live
    • 4.2 LS Live v2

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The Uboot Bootloader is the ONLY thing in flash on this boxes (the Kurobox Pro is an exception here with its 256 MB NAND flash). Most boot problems therefore are related to messed up HDDs. As long as it is working you can always revive your box via tftp from scratch. Even with (a) completely blank HDD(s). If you encounter the problem that tftp does not work anymore your only chance might be JTAG for revival.

This guide should help you in the quest of reviving your arm9 box as long as your Bootloader is still working properly.

NOTE: This procedure has been found not to work on some LS Live v2 boxes (or more) as its dependant on uboot being programmed to request tftp kernel/initrd. YMMV

1) Get TFTP Server + Kernel and initrd + Firmware

  • Download the appropriate TFTP Boot program from Buffalo’s FTP site (road runner cable modem!!) ftp://24.153.165.234/disk1/share/nas-recovery/

I attempted to format the drive(s) and the machine strangely shutdown without warning. When i started it back up it went to TFTP mode and I was able to upload boot-loader though tftp, but now it's showing as the incorrect model and NAS Navigator gives an ACPStateFailure when I attempt to wipe the drives and flash (With 1tb drives). File Size: Post Date: Version: OS Support: Notes: Download: 2020-27-07: 3.0.2: Windows: NAS Navigator for Windows: Download: 2019-18-07: 2.99: Mac: NAS Navigator for Mac NOTE: For users running MacOS 10.13 or later, download and install the latest version of NAS Navigator2 from Mac App Store.

The TFTP Boot program contains an TFTP server for Windows, the Kernel and initrd for the Buffalo.
  • Also download the firmware from Buffalo’s website http://www.buffalotech.com/support/downloads/

Buffalo Tftp Boot Recovery Software

2) Configure Nics

  • Connect the Buffalo directly to a computer.
  • Set the IP address of the computer to 192.168.11.1

3) Boot The Unit

  • Launch the TFTP Boot program.
Make sure is says is is Listening On: 192.168.11.1
If it is not listening on 192.168.11.1, then it does not see the network adapter as being active. So either briefly power the NAS on, and restart the TFTP Boot program, then power off the Buffalo. Or try using a hub or a router.
  • Power on the Buffalo
  • The TFTP Boot Program should say that two files where pulled – initrd.buffalo and uImage.buffalo
It should only take ~30 seconds for the boot loader to pull these two files. If it takes longer than 2 minutes then the boot loader is not going to pull the files and you need to look at JTAG recovery.
  • If the box is stuck permanently pulling the initrd.buffalo and uImage.buffalo files over and over again or simply fails to appear in LSUpdate checkout the troubleshooting section below.

TFTP Boot

4) Update Firmware

  • If the Buffalo pulled the kernel and initrd from TFTP, wait till the power led is green.
  • Modify the lsupdater.ini files, which is included in the firmware update.
Add the following lines to the bottom of the file
  • Launch the firmware updater – which can be downloaded off Buffalo’s website http://www.buffalotech.com/support/downloads/
  • Right-Click on the two golden rings in the top left hand corner of the updater, and select debug.
In the config section of the window that opens – select Do not check version, Delete user-config, and Force Update
  • Finally Update Firmware

5) If upgrading the drive, or if step 4 fails

Warning: This will format the data partition

  • Run the same firmware updater, and go to the Debug options and additionally check the following:
Rebuild partition table

This should return your NAS to out of the box conditions.

If the box is stuck permanently pulling the initrd.buffalo and uImage.buffalo files over and over again or simply fails to appear in LSUpdate extract the HD as described below and connect it a PC running Linux – Knoppix is ideal for the purpose if you typically use windows.

Mount the first partition (where the kernel and initrd live) as root and delete the contents replacing the capital X in the command below with the appropriate letter. This is system dependent so check the output of dmesg to discover which one it is:
Download the Buffalo firmware for the device. We need to copy uImage.buffalo and initrd.img to /root/boot.
The final step is to unzip initrd.img from inside /root/boot (it is a zip file, it is just in disguise!).
The password is one of these:
For examplefor the LS Pro’s password is YvSInIQopeipx66t_DCdfEvfP47qeVPhNhAuSYmA4
Reinsert the HDD and reboot the box – it should now boot to EM mode correctly (or sometimes to the original state depending what you did to get here) and appear in the updater ready for the firmware of your choice.

Note that you can use this method to install Freelink or other firmwares manually however they will not appear to the buffalo updater so be sure to get them right. It might be better to install the buffalo firmware and use the updater according to the correct instructions than follow this route.

LS Pro, Old LS Live

If you have a arm9-Linkstation and you tried Step 4 and if Step 5 is no choice because you have valuable data on the box then you need to recover the data before.

Tftp Server Software

HD removal

1. Disassemble your box:
LS Pro & LS Live v1

2. Connect the hdd to a workstation running Linux. Knoppix for example is recommended as you can boot it directly from CD/DVD.

3. If the HDD isn`t defective then the partitions should even be mounted automatically.

4. Backup your data (most easiest if you connect a second hdd for backup)

5. Now try Step 5 from the general instructions.

6. In case even Step 5 did not work then you can rebuild the partitions from scratch. Look at Custom_Partitions_on_the_LS_Pro for instructions.

LS Live v2

SEVERAL BOXES were bricked by flashing the stock firmwares. use the 2.06 for unbricking!Followup to the above warning – schurl85 used 2.10 with success, as 2.06 was unavailable for him. Read more here: Bricked LSLiveV2
If you have a arm9-Linkstation and you tried Step 4 and if Step 5 is no choice because you have valuable data on the box then you need to recover the data before.

HD removal

1. Disassemble your box:
LS Live v2

2. Connect the hdd to a workstation running Linux. 8th grade readingwelcome to mrs. bryan's learning cafe. Knoppix for example is recommended as you can boot it directly from CD/DVD.

3. If the HDD isn`t defective then the partitions should even be mounted automatically.

4. Backup your data (most easiest if you connect a second hdd for backup)

Buffalo Tftp Boot software download, free

5. Now try Step 5 from the general instructions.

6. In case even Step 5 did not work then you can rebuild the partitions from scratch. Look at Custom_Partitions_on_the_LS_Pro for instructions.

Terastation Pro v2, Terastation Live

If you have a arm9-terastation and you tried Step 4 and if Step 5 is no choice because you have valueable data on the box then you need to recover the data before.

Look at Manual Recovery on a seperate computer.

After you recovered the data try Step 5.

In case even the “Rebuild Partition Table” Option does not help follow this steps to rebuild the partitions on all HDDs:

1. To rebuild your disk you will need to connect your disk to a PC running Ubuntu, Knoppix or similar. These two programs offer a downloadable bootable CD which you can use on most computers. Simply install/connect the TSP disk to your computer and boot up your computer with the bootable Ubuntu or Knoppix CD. The information below is based on commands used on a computer running Ubuntu. Please remember that you will require all the files you extracted from the firmware file in the directory of your choice once you have booted with Ubuntu. A USB memory stick is quite useful for this purpose.

2. Once booted with Ubuntu, create a directory on your desktop called tsp (right click the desktop and choose new folder). Copy all the firmware files, including the unzipped password protected files to the tsp directory on your desktop.

3. Open a terminal window from the applications menu at the top left hand side of the screen and type:

(you should see the name of your disk, probably something like /dev/hda or /dev/hdb or /dev/sda or /dev/sdb. If you have more than one disk you might be able to differentiate them by size) this might help to find out the device name

4. Once you know the name of your disk type:

(replace ??? with the three letter code of your disk. We will use sda as the three letter code for the following example)

5. If there are any existing partitions delete all of them using the up and down arrow and the delete menu at the bottom of the screen

6. Create the following partitions using the arrow keys and the menus on the bottom of the screen:

Buffalo Tftp Boot Software Download

(If you are planning on “customising” your unit, you should consider increasing the sda2 partition size)

7. Write the changes before you exit cfdisk

Buffalo Tftp Boot Recovery

8. You should now format your partitions:

(the –c is optional)

9. Mount the /boot and /rootfs file systems:

10. Copy the files initrd.buffalo and uImage.buffalo to /boot:

11. Extract the content of hddrootfs.buffalo.updated to /rootfs:

12. Unmount the 2 file systems:

13. Disconnect the disk from your computer and reinstall the disk in the TSP

Tftp

14. Turn on (reboot) your TSP

15. Your TSP should boot normally and you should see Loading Kernel on the LCD display, try running the TSUpdater again. 15a. In case of LiveStation box, it will get into the EM mode. Use acp_commander.jar to get telnet access to the system. Execute /usr/local/bin/chghddroot and than reboot. This should enable the system to come out of the EM mode. 16. If you are still having problems, rebuild all remaining TSP disk in the same manner. Then run TSUpdater again.

Source: http://buffalo.nas-central.org/wiki/Revive_your_arm9_box_from_scratch

This article covers only Buffalo Linkstation LS-GL model. For other Buffalo Linkstation NAS devices you may need to use different tools and methods.
Please be aware that any issues during firmware re-flash may render your device unusable! Proceed at your own risk.

  1. Replace the hard drive. I tried this process with 1TB Seagate and 2TB WD SATA hard drives.
  2. Download and extract TFTP Boot Recovery LS-GL 1.11 and Firmware LS-GL_FW_115
  3. Change computer's IP address to 192.168.11.1 / 255.255.255.0 (or add this address as an additional IP address to the network adapter)
  4. Make sure Buffalo LinkStation is connected to the same network as your PC.
  5. Launch TFTP Boot.exe (which you downloaded and extracted in step 2). Make sure you have line: listening On: 192.168.11.1:69
  6. While the Linkstation is powered off, press the red Reset button on the back of the device and power on the Linkstation (while holding the Reset button). After the device plays a short tune, release the Reset button.
  7. Wait a minute or so for device to boot from TFTP. When this happens, TFTP command prompt should display following lines (blocks served...)
  8. Now your Linkstation should is in Emergency Mode (EM). You can re-install firmware and re-format the hard drive.
  9. Launch LSUpdater.exe (which you downloaded and extracted in step 2)
  10. It should find your device in EM mode and give an option to update the firmware. Click Update.
  11. If you get the message below, check IP-Address field in Buffalo LS-GL updater and make sure you can access this address from your machine. Remember, you can add more than one IP address to the same network adapter.
  12. If Buffalo Updater is ready to re-flash the firmware, you will get a warning that all data on the hard drive will be lost.
  13. Click Yes and the utility will begin the process of partitioning the hard drive and flashing firmware.
  14. Update should be done in 2-3 minutes. During this time Linkstation may restart couple of times. Do not interrupt the process.

After the update is complete, the Linkstation will boot normally and get IP address from your Router or other DHCP server.

Default username and password is admin / password
If Linkstation displays web GUI in Japanese, click on the second menu item from the top (Basic Settings)

Buffalo Tftp Boot Recovery Software Download

Scroll down to almost very bottom where you will find an option to change display language.

Buffalo Ls Wxl Tftp Boot Recovery Download

View the discussion thread.