Windows 7 and Buffalo Linkstation Pro
Posted by: Dungassin on 02 October 2010
Well, I'm now at the hair-tearing stage (very difficult, as SWMBO cuts it down to "no 2" when she attends to me fortnightly).
After she got her new laptop, I decided that the time had come to "upgrade" my laptop to Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit, to avoid any potential problems with home networking etc. After all, she will want to be able to access the photos/videos etc stored on the Buffalo Linkstation Pro 2TB.
All went well with reinstalling most of my software, except for Roxio Creator, where I have had to get a newer version to make it Windows 7 compatible (sigh). However, I can't get my Buffalo NAS to work.
Tried initially with the supplied CD (after resetting the drive as per the instructions). All proceeds well (IP address etc assigned automatically) until we get to the mapping stage. When I get the message "Failed mapping. Remote default skin (? this word could be something else - doctor's handwriting) missing. I let things proceed anyway, and carry on with the installation. Fails to install the little file security item, but NASNavigator installed OK. However when click on the appropriate item, I get request for "UserName" and Network Password. Very interesting, as I don't have any username other than "John" for Windows 7, and I have never set a Network password. I do have a Homegroup password. I also have Windows 7 set so I don't have to enter a password on bootup (well, the only users are family).
I've tried every combination of username/password I can think of, but nothing works. These include : John, Admin, my BTHomeHub2 Network name, passwords : WPA key and min key for the BTHomeHub, my homegroup password, "password".
So ...
I downloaded all the updates I could find for the Linkstation Pro (Firmware, Utilities, CD Image), and "unzipped" them.
I haven't applied the firmware updates, as I'm not sure how I would do this if the drive can't be accessed properly.
When I try to run the CD Image, it stalls at stage where it would be assigning IP address to the NAS - keeps cycling through "stage 4" of the process, where it asks me to make sure the top LED etc is on. So, it never actually gets to the IP address assigning stage.
The next thing I tried was to run the initial bit from the CD until we get past the IP assignment stage, then installing the new version of NASNavigator2, without actually doing the mapping bit. This all seems to work, but again we get to the "username/password" bit.
I'm at the stage of packing the whole thing in and giving the Buffalo to my son-in-law (he uses a Mac). Means I wouldn't be able to setup a Unitiserver (or HDX) SSD, which was the next of my proposed upgrades. I suppose I could get a professional to come and hopefully sort it all out. I was thinking of installing a CAT6 network anyway for possible future video streaming. Before I do that, does anyone have any ideas at all?
I should add that I have already searched Buffalo forums, Microsoft etc for solutions, and have tried the obvious such as switching off password protection of networks, etc.
My laptop spends most of its time with its wifi turned off and connected to the BTHomeHub2 by CAT6.
After she got her new laptop, I decided that the time had come to "upgrade" my laptop to Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit, to avoid any potential problems with home networking etc. After all, she will want to be able to access the photos/videos etc stored on the Buffalo Linkstation Pro 2TB.
All went well with reinstalling most of my software, except for Roxio Creator, where I have had to get a newer version to make it Windows 7 compatible (sigh). However, I can't get my Buffalo NAS to work.
Tried initially with the supplied CD (after resetting the drive as per the instructions). All proceeds well (IP address etc assigned automatically) until we get to the mapping stage. When I get the message "Failed mapping. Remote default skin (? this word could be something else - doctor's handwriting) missing. I let things proceed anyway, and carry on with the installation. Fails to install the little file security item, but NASNavigator installed OK. However when click on the appropriate item, I get request for "UserName" and Network Password. Very interesting, as I don't have any username other than "John" for Windows 7, and I have never set a Network password. I do have a Homegroup password. I also have Windows 7 set so I don't have to enter a password on bootup (well, the only users are family).
I've tried every combination of username/password I can think of, but nothing works. These include : John, Admin, my BTHomeHub2 Network name, passwords : WPA key and min key for the BTHomeHub, my homegroup password, "password".
So ...
I downloaded all the updates I could find for the Linkstation Pro (Firmware, Utilities, CD Image), and "unzipped" them.
I haven't applied the firmware updates, as I'm not sure how I would do this if the drive can't be accessed properly.
When I try to run the CD Image, it stalls at stage where it would be assigning IP address to the NAS - keeps cycling through "stage 4" of the process, where it asks me to make sure the top LED etc is on. So, it never actually gets to the IP address assigning stage.
The next thing I tried was to run the initial bit from the CD until we get past the IP assignment stage, then installing the new version of NASNavigator2, without actually doing the mapping bit. This all seems to work, but again we get to the "username/password" bit.
I'm at the stage of packing the whole thing in and giving the Buffalo to my son-in-law (he uses a Mac). Means I wouldn't be able to setup a Unitiserver (or HDX) SSD, which was the next of my proposed upgrades. I suppose I could get a professional to come and hopefully sort it all out. I was thinking of installing a CAT6 network anyway for possible future video streaming. Before I do that, does anyone have any ideas at all?
I should add that I have already searched Buffalo forums, Microsoft etc for solutions, and have tried the obvious such as switching off password protection of networks, etc.
My laptop spends most of its time with its wifi turned off and connected to the BTHomeHub2 by CAT6.
Just climbed into the loft to put a few things away because SWMBO was nagging at me to do it. (250 box and a few other odds and sods).
Checked the Buffalo box while I was up there, and it would appear that UPnP is enabled by default on the Buffalo. Not really sure why I would want it, as I have no intention of accessing the NAS via the internet. That is what UPnP is for, or am I operating under a misapprehension?
That link applies to older Buffalo drives. My model is a LS-XH2.0TL, and the actual NAS bit I need to get into is the LS-XHL647 (the drive itself).
I suspect I will be ringing one of our local Network engineers tomorrow and getting him to come do some wiring, perhaps supply a better router/server and sort the whole mess out. If I do that I'll have to have a long chat with him/her to decide whether to keep the Buffalo or just hand it on to one of my sons-in-law. At least I won't mind one of them seeing our files, especially as I was intending to allow them access anyway when they visit us! Knowing them they'd probably have a quick look and delete all except the photos which they want.
That would mean getting a new NAS. I expect great fun persuading an engineer that I must have a "Naim approved drive".
Checked the Buffalo box while I was up there, and it would appear that UPnP is enabled by default on the Buffalo. Not really sure why I would want it, as I have no intention of accessing the NAS via the internet. That is what UPnP is for, or am I operating under a misapprehension?
That link applies to older Buffalo drives. My model is a LS-XH2.0TL, and the actual NAS bit I need to get into is the LS-XHL647 (the drive itself).
I suspect I will be ringing one of our local Network engineers tomorrow and getting him to come do some wiring, perhaps supply a better router/server and sort the whole mess out. If I do that I'll have to have a long chat with him/her to decide whether to keep the Buffalo or just hand it on to one of my sons-in-law. At least I won't mind one of them seeing our files, especially as I was intending to allow them access anyway when they visit us! Knowing them they'd probably have a quick look and delete all except the photos which they want.
That would mean getting a new NAS. I expect great fun persuading an engineer that I must have a "Naim approved drive".
quote:These are tasks that any NAS drive should be able to handle with ease.
I have just had a quick look in the ‘NAIM tested NAS drives’ sticky and the Buffalo Linkstation Pro (FW 1.15) is in the list of drives that have passed the streaming test. So, if yours has firmware version 1.15 it should be fine.
I would highly recommend having the house wired if you are able it removes many potential problems.
My Linkstation is now upgraded to firmware v.1.34 as part of my efforts to get it working under Windows 7, so I hope it will still pass the test!
Suddenly occurred to me that when I tried creating a password for my windows login, I didn't restart the laptop (I tend to just close the lid when not using it). Just did it again, and this time restarted. Then used my windows login username and password to login to the Linkstation, and now it works perfectly!
I've loaded NASNavigator2 onto SWMBO's laptop, and I can access the NAS from there too. Also setup a Homegroup, and made various folders on both machines "shared read/write". Only thing left is to sort out why I can't print from SWMBO's laptop to the HP Laserjet 6L connected to my laptop (alas, the BTHomeHub2 doesn't seem to cater for having a network printer connected to its USB port - although I believe there are workrounds). Daresay I'll be able to sort that out for myself. The only hard bit will be telling SWMBO that she now has to actually type something into the login box - sure she's not going to like that!
Thanks for all the help. I'll still get in touch with a Network installer tomorrow about a hardwired LAN setup.
Got the printer up and running too, now, so all is well with the world.
quote:Excellent!……. Great fun this lark don’t you think?
Yup. You'd think this bit about needing a login password for your windoze user account before you can access your NAS would be in an FAQ somewhere. Think I'll email microsloth and Buffalo to suggest they put it in theirs.
SWMBO has temporarily vetoed me having a hardwired network.
She says there isn't much point till we actually need it for downstairs. I suppose she has a point. Still think I'll talk to them about possibly getting something better than the BTHomeHub2.