Intel SS4200-EHW NAS will not boot or get IP

[ThePiston]

I've read the threads on this NAS and have found several people saying that you cannot get an IP unless you are booting with HDDs that have no partition or MBR. (I'd like to say that's ridiculous by the way - who would make a headless NAS that doesn't boot unless you have your HDDs in some special arrangement??).

I'm using old drives from another raid, but I deleted the partitions and the mbr (using mbrtool). Still nothing - just a blinking power light.

I tried with an MBR and no partitions - nothing.

I tried with 2 NTFS partitions - nothing.

Nothing I do to these drives makes this thing boot.

WTF!?!?!?!?!?

Losing it here - someone talk me off the ledge or this thing is getting thrown out the f*cking window.

 

[Emulex]

its quite heavy don't hit anyone when throwing it.

you know you can plug a video card into that beast

 

[SunnyD]

How are you going to get an IP with no OS on it? Are you trying to boot it off RIS or something? You NEED an OS with a TCP/IP stack to get network connectivity on it.

Are you really running the -E version? With the IDE flash drive running the EMC software?

 

[ThePiston]

How are you going to get an IP with no OS on it? Are you trying to boot it off RIS or something? You NEED an OS with a TCP/IP stack to get network connectivity on it.

Are you really running the -E version? With the IDE flash drive running the EMC software?

I thought this thing came with WHS already on it - no? The instructions just say "connect network and power, then turn it on." There is nothing at all in paperwork about installing an OS.

**edit** This is the SS42--EHW - I'm reading up on it now.

 

[ThePiston]

well now it makes sense - I have no OS! long day - don't ask

 

[ThePiston]

the back of this box says "SS4200-E" does the -EHW version also say this or did I get the -E version?

 

[SunnyD]

I thought this thing came with WHS already on it - no? The instructions just say "connect network and power, then turn it on." There is nothing at all in paperwork about installing an OS.

**edit** This is the SS42--EHW - I'm reading up on it now.

No, it doesn't come with WHS. If you have the -E, it comes with a solid state drive that plugs into the IDE header on the mobo that has Intel/EMC's firmware on it.

If it's the -EHW, it does not come with this SSD, nor does it come with any OS whatsoever.

I'm assuming you got the one from the Newegg sale last week? That's the -EHW, hardware only version. No backup firmware/software included.

 

[ThePiston]

box says -EHW, sticker on back of machine says -E but no SSD. I read how to make one and turn the -EHW into a -E, but I'm wary of the quality, performance, and reliability of a crappy homemade SSD

 

[SunnyD]

box says -EHW, sticker on back of machine says -E but no SSD. I read how to make one and turn the -EHW into a -E, but I'm wary of the quality, performance, and reliability of a crappy homemade SSD

I wouldn't worry. Pretty much any IDE flash key will work fine. Gotta remember, it's mostly read-only, so you shouldn't have to worry about write cycles to the drive.

 

[ThePiston]

would you recommend a real SSD (one of the pre-made DOMs) or a compact flash/IDE interface combo?

 

[Jimmah]

CF IDE is fantastic, just make sure you get a decent drive from a reputable mfg. else you mightbe stuck with a lemon like my first CF card.

Currently the 8gb Kingston in my router is over a year old, no corruption or slowdowns that I can detect. Also, no heat.

 

[WalkingDead]

It needs at least two matching drives for it to boot up.

Those have to be brand new or you have to low-level format/zero wipe them.