LG-NAS (N2B1D) refuses password

[Barry Gill]

Hello members,
My name is Barry, from New England area, my LG is driving me nuts, I'm standing on a ledge about to jump.
Sure, it's only 3 feet to the ground, but I'll do it, I swear, if I can't solve this!
OK, I have an LG-NAS N2B1D with 2x2T drives running v2660 of the included software.
I wanted to remove a drive volume and try another 1T drive (from 2nd same model NAS running v2657) in the proper drawer to see if it would read it.
To remove a hard drive from this NAS you need to tell the UI, which I did.
A window came up saying it was removing it and to wait. I waited and waited and waited, I lost patience.
Remove drive. Bad.
So, I tried the other drive from the other NAS, I could not read it, then for some reason I lost my net connection, so I did a restart.
Now I cannot get in, it will not take my password.
Sigh.
This sexy white box is like a crazy ex girlfriend who keeps showing up your door, you let her in, have fun, she keys your truck on the way out, repeat.
Thanks for ANY help, I can't let her go, but I don't want to lose my data.

 

[sfx2000]

You didn't mention how the drives were configured - JBOD, RAID0, or RAID1 - you're likely in a bit of trouble...

Something like this happens - it's the jumping back and forth that'll lose data... so stop where you're at, turn off the NAS boxes, pull the drives, mark which one in which slot, and put on the recovery hat...

Not sure what the LG is based on, but judging from the feature set, I'm going to assume it's linux, and that the drives are managed by LVM (Logical Volume Manger) and perhaps MDADM, with the drives formatted as EXT4 (which is most common).

That means... yep, a Linux machine may be needed, along with enough spare drive space somewhere to copy over your data... On Windows, might consider UFS Recovery (this is pay-for SW, BTW), but no guarantee...

If you are linux savvy, many times you can attach the drives to another machine (not another NAS, but a full blown linux desktop - Ubuntu is a good option on LiveCD)...

Rather than go step-by-step, I encourage you to read thru the following post over on Anandtech - review it and see what your options might be...

 

[stevech]

LG didn't make good NASes.
If you can put the NAS on a linux box then dupe it, or use the extfs volume reader freeware for Windows, do so.

Then move on to QNAP or Synology. Even a 2 bay with 3 or 4 TB drives, non-RAID.

 

[sfx2000]

use the extfs volume reader freeware for Windows

Can that put together a volume set? If not, then UFS Explorer for Windows is a better option...

 

[sfx2000]

And the operative conclusion - did OP back up?

Remember - there's only two kinds of people in the world, those who back up, and those who have never lost a hard drive...

It is esp. critical to back up a NAS box from time to time as part of the overall backup strategy...

 

[Barry Gill]

Thank you all for taking time. I am a member of Cyberlink's video forum with 4,ooo+ posts, but helping video editing issues is NOT anything like NAS issues, so I'm waay out of my depth here. I do concrete and steel for a living, somewhat caveman, so bear with me.
The volumes were JBOD, and yes, a Linux kernel (?) and I actually have much of the data on other computers, but I'd hate to lose anything at all, and the sexy white NAS is a nice useful piece of hardware, lots of storage for my video/photo media. And the BR burner is a nice bonus for copying discs.
I read the link from sfx2000...hoo boy, nothing but respect for you folks who understand all that, I get bits n pieces. I think maybe my best bet is to bring the unit, or the drives, to a local guru, but I'll look at your links closer before I do that. I like to learn, but fiddling around is how I got here in the first place, the unit was working properly, mostly, most of the time, usually.

 

[stevech]

Remember - there's only two kinds of people in the world, those who back up, and those who have never lost a hard drive...

May I add to " never lost a hard drive" these

• Had a RAID fail to rebuild
• Had a burglar steal the PC, NAS, TV
• Accidentally deleted a folder/file that was solely on the NAS
• Accidentally hosed up the contents of a solely on NAS file (editing error. Cat on keyboard, ...)
• Suffered a mainboard failure that hosed up the file system across all drives in RAID (I don't use RAID)
  
• Ditto, power supply
• Got malware or intrusion into NAS via Internet
• Had an OS upgrade go bad on the NAS -> file system hosed
• Used JBOD naively thinking it was a backup
• Did not follow the 3-2-1 backup methodology

I rate drive failure rather low in the list of risks!

 

[Barry Gill]

I brought the unit to a local shop, and after some fiddling on a Windows machine the folders and files were visible, I think the fellow used Acronis, but I'll look into that. The tech had other work to do, so I did not ask him to pursue anything further at that moment, and he will get back to me to let me know if he could rescue the data.

 

[sfx2000]

@Barry Gill - welcome to the SNB Forums...

What probably happened - JBOD (and various RAID configs) runs as a volume set - so when removing a spanned drive as part of a JBOD, the NAS needs to shrink the volume to the remaining space, and then coalesce the filesystem (and files) to the remaining members of that set...

As you noted, it can take some time...

 

[Barry Gill]

I am still awaiting the results of the data rescue, but I am seeking a solution for all my troubles. NAS seemed the only thing I could figure out on my own which allows my other devices to access optical drive and folders. I could trash the whole thing, go for HDD docks, and I already have an external BR burner, but I cannot figure out how my other devices will find external USB drives and an external burner. Too much time trouble-shooting, not enough time editing video, very wasteful. Will update when the rescue results are in. Happy New Year 2016 everyone.

 

[stevech]

JBOD - bad.
No protection.

NAS properly setup and with prudent automated external backups, great.

 

[sfx2000]

JBOD - bad.
No protection.

What's scary is JBOD can be an easy trap to fall into with some NAS models out there - there was an article on the main site about that...

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/nas/...-roll-into-trouble-when-expanding-nas-storage

 

[stevech]

I over-preach that IMO, RAID is not prudent in a small SOHO/personal NAS. Better to use independent volumes, and with today's 4TB+ drives, that is often a 2 bay.

RAID IS NOT A BACKUP should be on a sticker on all small NASes sold.

 

[Barry Gill]

Finally I have an answer. Joe's Computer in North Attleboro did some Googling, and I sent him the link from this thread. The solution was to use a Windows computer and extfs. He had no problem at all and thinks I should be OK doing my remaining drive (unless corrupted). The bill was $60. for 427 Gb.
I have a new dock on the way, but with my Windows 10 it seems extfs needs an additional download to find the drive. Thank you all for your time.

 

[stevech]

If this was a need to read extfs under windows: I use a freeware utility that does just that.

 

[Barry Gill]

I found what he used on Sourceforge, free, and I am going to try it myself on the other drive from the old NAS. My new dock came today so I'll use it for this exercise. When it's all over I'll need to refresh myself on how to properly install the 2x2T drives in another identical NAS, I'll probably have to format them in some way again. It's been a few years since I did the first NAS so I totally forget. Yeesh, I gotta get to video editing, the tech stuff is very time-consuming, particularly for someone rather non- savvy tech person as myself. This troubleshooting can go on for weeks.

MAJOR EDIT "GAFFE": While going through my N2B1D instructions I realize my 2x2T volumes were set up as INDIVIDUAL DISKS, not JBOD as I have been telling you. I do not know how this may have affected your responses, but I really apologize for the factual error. You need to realize I am in construction, not IT, and I know you cannot aid any doofus who doesn't give you the proper information.

 

[stevech]

Individual disks, a.k.a. two volumes, independent file systems, is what I do in my 2-bay. Second volume gets backups of most of 1st volume, plus time backups with file versions back many months.

If you can handle it financially, I'd get a Synology or QNAP and dump the LG.

 

[Barry Gill]

Steve, thank you. Here is where I am now:
My freeware from Sourceforge was a bit complicated to figure out (for me), but I was on the right trail, and found Paragon software, free.
A few misses and I finally got to read and recover my data! Yay ME! So I paid Joe's $60 to recover 1 drive, and then learned how to do it myself.
At this time I am laid off, so after a new SSD, a new drive dock, and a quick day and a half at Foxwoods Casino getting beat like a baby seal, I am in no position for a new NAS.
I'll use my replacement N2B1D as my main storage, and make backups with the dock.
Let me express my appreciation to all who assisted and advised me, much like the video software forum I am part of, it's a great feeling (usually) to get strangers up and running when things look bleak for them. What you all do is very generous.
I may never come back here until my NAS dies and I need pointers on a new system, until then, MUCH thanks to all.
Sincerely,
Barry Gill
(bgillcyberstudio.com)