GoFlexHome not booting

I have only just discovered this forum, so apologies if I'm posting in the wrong place...

I have been using a Seagate GoFlex Home unit for several years and had read that it was possible to install one's own operating system on it after reading https://archlinuxarm.org/platforms/armv5/seagate-goflex-home. I didn't want to mess with my unit as it was doing a reasonable job as a SAMBA server, but eventually decided to get a second dock to experiment with and managed to install Arch Linux, but after trying one or two things I found I was unable to restore the factory settings and it became inaccessible from the network.

On this forum I'm confused by all the different platforms supported and don't know the relationship between dockstar, shiva pogoplug and GoFlex. My question is, is there some software I can install on a USB stick which will enable my unit to boot up and connect to the network? Alternatively can I set up some verbose logging which will output to a logfile which I can examine after removing the USB stick?

balanga,

> I have only just discovered this forum, so apologi
> es if I'm posting in the wrong place...

This is the right place.

> I have been using a Seagate GoFlex Home unit for s
> everal years and had read that it was possible to
> install one's own operating system on it after rea
> ding https://archlinuxarm.org/platforms/armv5/seag
> ate-goflex-home. I didn't want to mess with my uni
> t as it was doing a reasonable job as a SAMBA serv
> er, but eventually decided to get a second dock to
> experiment with and managed to install Arch Linux,
> but after trying one or two things I found I was u
> nable to restore the factory settings and it becam
> e inaccessible from the network.

If you have saved the log of what you did, please post here. If you did not save the log, then tell me when you ran the installation procedure https://archlinuxarm.org/platforms/armv5/seagate-goflex-home (so I can determine which u-boot version you have installed).

> On this forum I'm confused by all the different pl
> atforms supported and don't know the relationship
> between dockstar, shiva pogoplug and GoFlex. My qu
> estion is, is there some software I can install on
> a USB stick which will enable my unit to boot up a
> nd connect to the network?

Yes, install Debian 4.4 rootfs on USB: http://forum.doozan.com/read.php?2,12096.

Scroll down to section

Quote

Updated 20 Feb 2016:

This Debian-4.4.0-kirkwood-tld-1-rootfs-bodhi.tar.bz2 is to keep in sync with kernel Linux-4.4.0-kirkwood-tld-1.

This rootfs works for all Kirkwood plugs (GF Home, Dockstar,....)

> Alternatively can I se
> t up some verbose logging which will output to a l
> ogfile which I can examine after removing the USB
> stick?

Sure, once you boot the Debian-4.4.0-kirkwood-tld-1-rootfs-bodhi.tar.bz2 rootfs, you can do that.


---

I expect that you need some additional set up to boot Debian-4.4.0-kirkwood-tld-1-rootfs-bodhi.tar.bz2 rootfs on USB. Because Arch u-boot is set up differently to boot Arch roots. But that should be doable without much effort.

-bodhi
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Thanks for your reply.

It's a few months since I got stuck with Arch Linux and no longer have access to the USB stick, but will follow your guidance and see how far I get.

Ok I've finally got a chance to follow the instructions cited and have a few questions.... The example uses kirkwood-goflexnet.dtb... should I substitute kirkwood-goflex.home.dtb? Not sure of the differences between the two.

Also I'm lacking mkimage. Where should I get this from? Is it an ARM binary?

balanga Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ok I've finally got a chance to follow the instruc
> tions cited and have a few questions.... The examp
> le uses kirkwood-goflexnet.dtb... should I substit
> ute kirkwood-goflex.home.dtb? Not sure of the diff
> erences between the two.
>

Yes, use kirkwood-goflexhome.dtb

> Also I'm lacking mkimage. Where should I get this
> from? Is it an ARM binary?

You can find ARM mkimage in Debian-4.4.0-kirkwood-tld-1-rootfs-bodhi.tar.bz2 rootfs, or on any Linux distro. It works the same way. But you don't need to use this binary during rootfs creation, when booting with separate DTB (you on ly need to use mkimage to append the DTB to zImage to make uImage, when the rootfs kernel is non-FDT).

-bodhi
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Can I use this:-

https://www.archlinux.org/packages/community/i686/uboot-tools/download/

balanga,


You can use one from the u-boot installation thread:

http://forum.doozan.com/read.php?3,12381

Quote

A. Flashing Instruction:


Installation is the same for each u-Boot image, the instruction below is written to include all boxes. So choose the platform name that you are installing for, and copy/paste the appropriate commands.

If you are running kernel that do not provide mtd-utils and uboot-tools (fw_setenv, fw_printenv, flash_erase, nandwrite), you can download the NAND and U-Boot tools binaries here in this thread.

-bodhi
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That is kind of a long thread with a lot of links and I have no idea what to download....

All I'm looking for is mkimage....

Having said that do I actually need mkimage to create a bootable USB stick?

balanga Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That is kind of a long thread with a lot of links
> and I have no idea what to download....
>
> All I'm looking for is mkimage....
>
> Having said that do I actually need mkimage to cre
> ate a bootable USB stick?

As I mentioned above, you don't need to use mkimage, if you have installed a relative new u-boot such as Arch u-boot or my released u-boot.

-bodhi
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I was following instructions in this thread

http://forum.doozan.com/read.php?2,12096

Quote

Updated 20 Feb 2016:

This Debian-4.4.0-kirkwood-tld-1-rootfs-bodhi.tar.bz2 is to keep in sync with kernel Linux-4.4.0-kirkwood-tld-1.

...mentioned above...

cd /media/sdb1/boot
cp -a zImage-4.4.0-kirkwood-tld-1  zImage.fdt
cat dts/kirkwood-goflexnet.dtb  >> zImage.fdt
mv uImage uImage.orig
mkimage -A arm -O linux -T kernel -C none -a 0x00008000 -e 0x00008000 -n Linux-4.4.0-kirkwood-tld-1 -d zImage.fdt  uImage
sync

Quote

Note: if your Linux box does not have mkimage, then install it

apt-get install u-boot-tools

so I don't know whether I need mkimaqe or not

balanga,

The whole instruction step 4:

Quote

4. Create uImage with embedded DTB for booting with older u-boots (2012 or earlier). Skip this step if you have installed the latest U-Boot for Kirkwood (or are installing this u-boot at the same time).


Please replace kirkwood-goflexnet.dtb below with the correct DTB name for your box (see the folder /media/sdb1/boot/dts).

Generate the uImage with DTB embedded inside:
cd /media/sdb1/boot
cp -a zImage-4.4.0-kirkwood-tld-1 zImage.fdt
cat dts/kirkwood-goflexnet.dtb >> zImage.fdt
mv uImage uImage.orig
mkimage -A arm -O linux -T kernel -C none -a 0x00008000 -e 0x00008000 -n Linux-4.4.0-kirkwood-tld-1 -d zImage.fdt uImage
sync

Note: if your Linux box does not have mkimage, then install it

apt-get install u-boot-tools

So if you have install the new u-boot (2016.05-tld-1), or installing this new u-boot at the same time, then you don't need it (step 4 is skipped).

If you still have older u-boot (circa 2012) and plan to keep running it then you do need mkimge to perform step 4.

-bodhi
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It seems as though I've completely misunderstood what I need to do... I thought I only needed to install a new rootfs, but I suppose I also need a new U-Boot... but the instructions for doing that are confusing. Can this be done on a Linux PC?

balanga,

> It seems as though I've completely misunderstood w
> hat I need to do... I thought I only needed to ins
> tall a new rootfs,

Your thought is correct. All you need is a new Debian rootfs. And then adjust some u-boot envs to boot it. Your situation is that you have installed Arch u-boot. Now you want to boot Debian rootfs with it:

http://forum.doozan.com/read.php?3,23727

-bodhi
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Just to clarify things for my own understanding since I've got lost with all the different options...

I need to (roughly copying and pasting from numerous posts...):

From http://forum.doozan.com/read.php?2,12096 - 20th February 2016

1. Format a new USB drive with a single Ext3 partition, and label it rootfs.

2. Mount the drive on a Linux box. cd to top level directory and extract it (https://bitly.com/20KHWq5).

It is assuming the USB drive is mounted at /media/sdb1

cd /media/sdb1
tar -xjf Debian-4.4.0-kirkwood-tld-1-rootfs-bodhi.tar.bz2

3. Adjust fstab. Skip this step if you have installed the latest U-Boot for Kirkwood (or are installing this u-boot at the same time).

Edit /media/sdb1/etc/fstab entry for /dev/root to match the rootfstype of your usb_rootfstype. However, you can keep it as is without problem in booting since the u-boot env bootargs takes precedent.
/dev/root / ext3 noatime,errors=remount-ro 0 1

... so I don't know whether I should edit fstab....

From http://forum.doozan.com/read.php?3,23727

1. Download the attached file uEnv_arch_uboot_boot_debian.txt

(http://forum.doozan.com/file.php?3,file=723,filename=uEnv_arch_uboot_boot_debian.txt,download=1)

and copy to the /boot folder of your Debian rootfs (assuming this rootfs is mounted at /media/sdb1 on a Linux box):

cp -a uEnv_arch_uboot_boot_debian.txt /media/sdb1/boot/uEnv.txt

the DTB file in this file needs to be modified to boot another box:

fdt_file=/boot/dts/kirkwood-goflexhome.dtb

3. Create the label for this rootfs

tune2fs -L rootfs /dev/sdb1

sync

Take the rootfs to the box and boot with it.


I'll see how I get on....

Please point out anything I've followed wrongly.

balanga,

Basically all correct, except one important requirement that you did not mention.

Before starting, you must log in as root. This is basically step 0.

> 1. Format a new USB drive with a single Ext3 parti
> tion, and label it rootfs.
>
> 2. Mount the drive on a Linux box. cd to top level
> directory and extract it (https://bitly.com/20KHWq
> 5).
>
> It is assuming the USB drive is mounted at /media/
> sdb1
>
> cd /media/sdb1
> tar -xjf Debian-4.4.0-kirkwood-tld-1-rootfs-bodhi.
> tar.bz2
>
> 3. Adjust fstab. Skip this step if you have instal
> led the latest U-Boot for Kirkwood (or are install
> ing this u-boot at the same time).
>
> Edit /media/sdb1/etc/fstab entry for /dev/root to
> match the rootfstype of your usb_rootfstype. Howev
> er, you can keep it as is without problem in booti
> ng since the u-boot env bootargs takes precedent.
> /dev/root / ext3 noatime,err
> ors=remount-ro 0 1
>

When in doubt, this step 3 should be done anyway. So go ahead and do this. I can see why you are not sure about this step! I'll modify the intruction a bit to make it clearer.

The rest are all OK.

-bodhi
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I've changed /etc/fstab, inserted my USB stick in the GoFlex Home dock and switched on. The green light has been flashing for half an hour and no IP address seems to have been assigned to it, so I guess it's back to the drawing board...

Are there any log files I can look at to give me an idea about what is going on?

It looks like I'm going to have to use a USB serial connector to monitor the boot process,,

Will one of these do?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Cables/super9shop-PL2303HX-RS232-module-Converter/B008AGDTA4/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1496077576&sr=8-

and do I plug it into this?

http://images.anandtech.com/doci/3955/baseunitinside.jpg

balanga,


> Are there any log files I can look at to give me a
> n idea about what is going on?

There is no log file that can help.

> It looks like I'm going to have to use a USB seria
> l connector to monitor the boot process,,
>
> Will one of these do?
>
> https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Cables/super9shop-PL230
> 3HX-RS232-module-Converter/B008AGDTA4/ref=sr_1_9?i
> e=UTF8&qid=1496077576&sr=8-
>

This looks OK.

However, first, take a look at these posts in the Wiki thread to get familiar with serial console (the GoFlex Home is similar to GoFlex Net)

Quote

Serial Console & JTAG console

Repair Pogo E02 with Raspberry PI (JTAG) and OpenOCD
Serial Port connector - what are people using to make it work
Serial Console hookup - GoFlex Net (external link)
Serial Console hookup - Pogoplug E02 and Pogoplug Pro V3 (external link)
OSX Serial/Net Console
Use Phone Jack - Phone Jack Serial Console Pics
Adding serial connector to Pogoplug Mobile (external link)
WD Mycloud EX2100/4100 Serial Console pic1, also pic2, pic3

-bodhi
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/02/2017 12:56PM by bodhi.

My serial connector has finally arrived but I can't figure out how to break into the docking unit...I haven't yet found a guide showing how to break into the unit.

Take a look at the Wiki thread
http://forum.doozan.com/read.php?2,23630

Quote

Serial Console & JTAG console

Repair Pogo E02 with Raspberry PI (JTAG) and OpenOCD
Serial Port connector - what are people using to make it work
Serial Console hookup - GoFlex Net (external link)
Serial Console hookup - Pogoplug E02 and Pogoplug Pro V3 (external link)
OSX Serial/Net Console
Use Phone Jack - Phone Jack Serial Console Pics
Adding serial connector to Pogoplug Mobile (external link)
WD Mycloud EX2100/4100 Serial Console pic1, also pic2, pic3
Dreamplug Serial Console

The GoFlex Net is very similar to the GoFlex Home. And opening the GoFlex Home is quite easy. The bottom has screws hidden behind the plastic feet.

-bodhi
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Well I finally managed to open it but it wasn't all that easy and thought I would break smething in the process... Actually, a small catch broke off but nothing major... Also there are only two screws, but four feet. I removed two rubber feet but saw no screws which caused some head scratching, but I decided to take off the other two feet and found some screws...

Anyway after finally getting access to the innards of the base unit, I connected three wires, the black, green and white cables of my USB serial adapter to pins 2,4,6 (actually they are not pins but holes). Initially I got the numbering the wrong way round, but I believe Pin 1 is towards the centre of the unit and Pin 10 near the casing. After connecting the serial connector to my USB port with the wires attatched to the base unit and starting the terminal emulator on my PC, I switch on the dock, the LED starts flashing but nothing appears on my screen. Any ideas what to try next? What should the baud rate be set to?

balanga,

> of the base unit, I connected three wires, the bla
> ck, green and white cables of my USB serial adapte
> r

You need to identify Tx, Rx, and GND on your serial adapter. And then connect to the GFHome using the serial pinout (see attached GF Home pinout pic).

Depending on the type of serial adpater, Tx and Rx might need to be crossed. The Prolific type is Tx-Rx and Rx-Tx. The CP2xxx type is straight: Tx-Tx and Rx-Rx, not crossed.

-bodhi
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I swapped the green and white cables and ran:-

cu -l /dev/cuaU0 -s 115200

... and got:-


U-Boot 2014.04.R2-1 (May 15 2014 - 14:36:05) Arch Linux ARM
Seagate GoFlex Home

(plus lots of other stuff...)



Many thanks for all the help in getting to this point. Now a new journey begins....

Finding out the mysteries of the 'GoFlexHome>' prompt.

balanga Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I swapped the green and white cables and ran:-
>
> cu -l /dev/cuaU0 -s 115200
>
> ... and got:-
>
>
> U-Boot 2014.04.R2-1 (May 15 2014 - 14:36:05) Arch
> Linux ARM
> Seagate GoFlex Home
>
> (plus lots of other stuff...)
>
>
>
> Many thanks for all the help in getting to this po
> int. Now a new journey begins....
>
> Finding out the mysteries of the 'GoFlexHome>' pro
> mpt.

You're welcome!

You are running Arch u-boot. It is relatively new so very capable. And at this point, with serial console, anything is possible.

One recommendation is: use picocomp for serial console.

-bodhi
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It's only just becoming apparent how the boot process works, now that I have a serial connection. Is there any info about the commands available at the uBoot prompt? I can type help and see a lot of commands, but I don't know how to use them. Is there anything like a command reference or some man pages?

One thing I see is on bootup the system is looking for zImage but I have zImage..fdt...

Anyway, it seems as though it's working now... An IP address has been assigned and I can gain access via SSH, so thank you very much for bring my GoFlex Home back from the dead :).

> Anyway, it seems as though it's working now... An
> IP address has been assigned and I can gain access
> via SSH, so thank you very much for bring my GoFle
> x Home back from the dead :).

Cool :)

-bodhi
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