TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Network Attached Storage System Recovery
Procedure
This document describes how to recover your Network Attached Storage (NAS) system if it has failed due to a
problem with the internal USB flash drive. It contains the following sections:
Products Affected •
Problem Description •
NAS Recovery Using an External USB Drive •
Formatting the External USB Flash Drive •
Downloading the Recovery Bootloader and Firmware Update Files •
Rebooting the NAS Using the External USB Flash Drive •
Upgrading the NAS Firmware •
Backing Up the NAS Configuration •
Products Affected
NSS4000 4-Bay Gigabit Network Storage System Chassis •
NSS4100 4-Bay Gigabit Network Storage System Chassis with 1.0 TB RAID •
NSS6000 4-Bay Advanced Gigabit Network Storage System Chassis •
NSS6100 4-Bay Advanced Gigabit Network Storage System Chassis with 1.0 TB RAID •
Problem Description
The Network Storage Server (NSS) can lock up unexpectedly during startup (for example, after a power outage,
power cycle, or a reboot required after a firmware upgrade). The System LED (light) flashes red or displays
steady red if the internal USB flash drive failed to boot in USB 2.0 mode.
NOTE: All data existing on the hard drives is secure.
NAS Recovery Using an External USB Flash Drive
You will need an external USB 2.0 flash drive to start your NAS. A USB 2.0 flash drive that is 256MB to 1 GB in
size with formatted bootable and FAT16 is required. (Linksys recommends the Kingston Data Traveler 512 MB
USB 2.0 flash drive.)
You will leave this external USB flash drive permanently inserted into the unit and it will be used every
time you start the unit.
If you are not sure that the external USB flash drive is formatted for FAT16, perform the steps in the following
section, “Formatting the External USB Flash Drive.” If your flash drive is already formatted, go to the
“Download the Recovery Bootable and Firmware Update Files” section.
