Help understanding disk check logs

[fusio]

I have a RT-AX86U which I just updated to 388.2 -- all seemed well until I could not find Diversion anymore.

Logging to SSH and running amtm I found there seem to be some issue with the USB disk, which was already there BEFORE I updated.

Here is the logs:

Tue Dec 20 22:53:57 MEZ 2022 Probing 'ext4' on device /dev/sda1
Running disk check v3.1, with command 'e2fsck -p' on /dev/sda1
routy: clean, 2175/1880480 files, 884423/7511036 blocks
Tue Dec 20 22:53:57 MEZ 2022 Disk check done on /dev/sda1

Mon Feb 13 13:20:57 MEZ 2023 Probing 'ext4' on device /dev/sda1
Running disk check v3.1, with command 'e2fsck -p' on /dev/sda1
routy: recovering journal
routy: clean, 2236/1880480 files, 881691/7511036 blocks
Mon Feb 13 13:20:58 MEZ 2023 Disk check done on /dev/sda1

Thu Mar 16 19:04:51 MEZ 2023 Probing 'ext4' on device /dev/sda1
Running disk check v3.1, with command 'e2fsck -p' on /dev/sda1
routy: recovering journal
routy: clean, 2337/1880480 files, 888014/7511036 blocks
Thu Mar 16 19:04:52 MEZ 2023 Disk check done on /dev/sda1

Wed Apr 12 16:12:16 DST 2023 Probing 'unknown' on device /dev/sdb
Wed Apr 12 16:12:16 DST 2023 /dev/sdb Unknown filesystem (e.g. exFAT) or no partition table (e.g. blank media) - skipping check

Sat Apr 15 10:31:56 DST 2023 Probing 'unknown' on device /dev/sda
Sat Apr 15 10:31:56 DST 2023 /dev/sda Unknown filesystem (e.g. exFAT) or no partition table (e.g. blank media) - skipping check

Sat Apr 15 10:32:03 DST 2023 Probing 'unknown' on device /dev/sda
Sat Apr 15 10:32:03 DST 2023 /dev/sda Unknown filesystem (e.g. exFAT) or no partition table (e.g. blank media) - skipping check

Sat Apr 15 10:41:39 DST 2023 Waited 59s for NTP to sync date
Sat Apr 15 10:41:39 DST 2023 Probing 'unknown' on device /dev/sda
Sat Apr 15 10:41:39 DST 2023 /dev/sda Unknown filesystem (e.g. exFAT) or no partition table (e.g. blank media) - skipping check

Sat Apr 15 10:41:46 DST 2023 Probing 'unknown' on device /dev/sda
Sat Apr 15 10:41:46 DST 2023 /dev/sda Unknown filesystem (e.g. exFAT) or no partition table (e.g. blank media) - skipping check

Sat Apr 15 11:11:37 DST 2023 Probing 'unknown' on device /dev/sda
Sat Apr 15 11:11:37 DST 2023 /dev/sda Unknown filesystem (e.g. exFAT) or no partition table (e.g. blank media) - skipping check

Sat Apr 15 11:11:50 DST 2023 Probing 'unknown' on device /dev/sda
Sat Apr 15 11:11:50 DST 2023 /dev/sda Unknown filesystem (e.g. exFAT) or no partition table (e.g. blank media) - skipping check
---------------------------------------------------
END FILE

I updated today (the 15th) and the issue was already there on the 12th. No idea what happened or why.

Could you help me understand this log?

If I try to re-install Diversion I get:

[Error] No compatible device(s) found to install
Diversion on.

A permanently plugged in USB storage device
formatted with one of these file systems
is required: ext2, ext3, ext4

In the WebUI I see the USB is recognized but UNMOUNTED. Is the ext4 partition corrupted somehow? What's the best way to proceed?

Thank you!

 

[ColinTaylor]

The USB drive has either failed, or it's corrupted to the point where it doesn't have any recognisable filesystem. Try to use amtm's fd option to format the drive and then reinstall your program. If amtm cannot format the drive then it's likely the drive has failed and there will be error messages in the router's System Log indicating this.

 

[fusio]

Oh, yes. It seems the USB failed.. it is a SanDisk ultra fit (32 GB, USB 3.1, USB Type A) but now it shows up as 64 MB unformatted. Oh well.

So, just to be completely sure: it is enough if I change it with a new one and re-install the apps I want to use?

Or do I have to reset AMTM or the router? Thanks!

 

[ColinTaylor]

You don't have to do anything with amtm. Just use amtm normally to format the new USB drive and reinstall Diversion.

 

[fusio]

Perfect, thanks a lot

 

[Tech9]

Get a small SSD in an external USB case, @fusio. USB sticks are not reliable. Many fail from overheating.

Ultra Fit USB 3.0: Excessive Heat

SDCZ43-064G-G46 / SDCZ43-032G-G46 / SDCZ43-016G-G46 I bought the 64GB Ultra Fit to use as extra storage for my Chromebook. After leaving the Ultra Fit in either the USB 2.0 or 3.0 slots for a mere 5 minutes it gets considerably hot. Even AFTER ejecting the drive and leaving it in it is still...

forums.sandisk.com

I was testing some scripts with SanDisk Ultra Flair and it heated up to 62C. One died with Ubuntu installed on it in 4 days.

 

[fusio]

Oh wow, @Tech9 -- it's a miracle it lasted 2 years then!

So the problem is the form factor of USB sticks itself, or the vicinity to the router? i.e. would a usb stick with a USB cable extension resolve the issue?

If not, something like the Transcend ESD240C would work? It's really hard to find small SSDs these days.. and I don't think the router will need more than 60GB

 

[Tech9]

So the problem is the form factor of USB sticks itself, or the vicinity to the router?

- everything new is made cheaper and disposable, not necessarily better
- some USB sticks trade physical size for reliability, bad thermal management
- the router has passive cooling and heat is transferred to/from the USB port
- USB sticks are intended for temporary data storage, not constant read/write

It's really hard to find small SSDs these days.