NAS threw a wobbly!

Posted by: The Meerkat on 25 January 2015

My Qnap NAS threw a wobbly last night, none of the music servers (Minim, Twonky and PLEX) would work. I kept getting error messages stating "Not enough RAM memory, Restart NAS". To cut a long story short, I switched the NAS off for 10 minutes, then back on again. This time everything was back to normal. Should this happen again, it could be a sign the Qnap is on it's last legs.

 

If this is the case, do I look for another domestic NAS, or use a Windows or Mac computer, which has a much better processor. The trouble with most NAS drives used with streamers, is that they are not very powerful. Qnap, Netgear and Synology NAS drives are used by many forum members, but is there an alternative to a NAS that would serve my music files, (including 24/96) to my ND5 XS?

 

I was using PLEX on the Qnap. I also have a version of PLEX on my iMac. The iMac is WiFi connected, so not sure if it would stream 24/96 without buffering.

 

 

Thanks

Posted on: 26 January 2015 by popeye34

If its been up and running in pretty much the same config for ages (months, years) then its possible as SB says its a slow memory leak that eventually exhausts resources. Full reboot of the device in question will clear it down. If theres an OS you can access to examine the processes then you may be able to see the leak with some OS tools and then possibly restart a subset of resources, a more elegant solution.

Having bounced the box, you can carry on and it may not turn up again for months, happy days.

Popi.

Posted on: 26 January 2015 by The Meerkat
Originally Posted by Huge:

Have you opened the NAS box and blown the dust out?  Dust accumulation on the heat-sinks after 3 years can easily be the cause of overheating and odd behaviours.

 

(Maybe saving the cost of the replacement NAS will help you save to upgrade the A5s - not my favourite Spendor speaker, IMO the ND5 and SN deserve better).

Actually Huge, I may well try that, as I've noticed that the system temperature has gone up from 37 to 41 degrees, and the HD from about 34 to 37 degrees. I have only noticed these increases though, since moving the NAS from my rack in the front room, to the cupboard under the stairs. Which I may add, is left ajar most days. I take it that this cleaning can be done without removing the HD? As this may well wipe the HD.

 

As for the speakers, I do have eye on the PMCTwenty23s, but can't get them yet! Why does everyone hate the A5s 

Posted on: 26 January 2015 by The Meerkat
Originally Posted by popeye34:

If its been up and running in pretty much the same config for ages (months, years) then its possible as SB says its a slow memory leak that eventually exhausts resources. Full reboot of the device in question will clear it down. If theres an OS you can access to examine the processes then you may be able to see the leak with some OS tools and then possibly restart a subset of resources, a more elegant solution.

Having bounced the box, you can carry on and it may not turn up again for months, happy days.

Popi.

Pope & SB

 

It was totally shut down on several occasions, when I moved it's location just before Christmas.

Posted on: 26 January 2015 by Mike-B
Originally Posted by The Meerkat:
 I've noticed that the system temperature has gone up from 37 to 41 degrees, and the HD from about 34 to 37 degrees. 

Thats a bit worrying,  I measured my Synology, in a small'ish closed door cabinet,  after playing for about 2 hours runs at 28'C (room is 20'C) ...  and when idle/hibernating it runs about 2'C above ambient

Posted on: 26 January 2015 by The Meerkat
Originally Posted by Mike-B:
Originally Posted by The Meerkat:
 I've noticed that the system temperature has gone up from 37 to 41 degrees, and the HD from about 34 to 37 degrees. 

Thats a bit worrying,  I measured my Synology, in a small'ish closed door cabinet,  after playing for about 2 hours runs at 28'C (room is 20'C) ...  and when idle/hibernating it runs about 2'C above ambient

Mike...I haven't used the system today, but I have literally just checked the NAS status. System temp 40 degrees, HD 36 degrees. Best I get the vacuum cleaner out tomorrow!

Posted on: 26 January 2015 by Mike-B
Originally Posted by The Meerkat:
................ Best I get the vacuum cleaner out tomorrow!

...........  how about the pressure wash  

Be careful with the vacuum,  if it doesn't have visible dust,  you need plan B. 

Posted on: 26 January 2015 by fatcat

Meercat

 

I wouldn't worry about the temperature.

 

Just checked my TS-112. Hard drive 38C, system 42C. It's idled for a few hours at 2.8% CPU usage.

 

How much free memory do you have, my TS-112 has 74mb.

Posted on: 26 January 2015 by Huge

A compressed 'air' duster can is usually better than a vacuum.

 

The dust is usually very fine and sticky; to remove it with a vacuum you need to use a brush and then you risk static discharge (unless you take suitable precautions).

 

If you power down the NAS properly, removing the hard disk shouldn't be a problem if you earth yourself to the NAS and the disk, it certainly shouldn't wipe the disk.

Posted on: 26 January 2015 by Huge
Originally Posted by Mike-B:
Originally Posted by The Meerkat:
................ Best I get the vacuum cleaner out tomorrow!

...........  how about the pressure wash  

Be careful with the vacuum,  if it doesn't have visible dust,  you need plan B. 

Thinking about it, if you use the cold supply, the water from the pressure washer will cool it down very effectively... (equally )

Posted on: 26 January 2015 by The Meerkat
Originally Posted by fatcat:

Meercat

 

I wouldn't worry about the temperature.

 

Just checked my TS-112. Hard drive 38C, system 42C. It's idled for a few hours at 2.8% CPU usage.

 

How much free memory do you have, my TS-112 has 74mb.

Fatcat...Latest system check. System temp 40', HD 37'. CPU usage 13.6% Free memory is 118mb.

 

I'll take Mikes advice, and pressure wash it tomorrow! If nothing else, it'll clean the cupboard out! 

Posted on: 26 January 2015 by The Meerkat
Originally Posted by Huge:

A compressed 'air' duster can is usually better than a vacuum.

 

The dust is usually very fine and sticky; to remove it with a vacuum you need to use a brush and then you risk static discharge (unless you take suitable precautions).

 

If you power down the NAS properly, removing the hard disk shouldn't be a problem if you earth yourself to the NAS and the disk, it certainly shouldn't wipe the disk.

Huge...as far as I am aware, if you remove the HD on this model, it's cutains!  

Posted on: 26 January 2015 by Huge
Originally Posted by The Meerkat:
Originally Posted by Huge:
If you power down the NAS properly, removing the hard disk shouldn't be a problem if you earth yourself to the NAS and the disk, it certainly shouldn't wipe the disk.

Huge...as far as I am aware, if you remove the HD on this model, it's cutains!  

That's most odd.  Normally, if it's powered down, the hardware shouldn't even know that the HDD has been disconnected and re-connected... unless there is something really odd about the TS-112 of course.

Posted on: 26 January 2015 by fatcat
Originally Posted by The Meerkat:
Originally Posted by fatcat:

Meercat

 

I wouldn't worry about the temperature.

 

Just checked my TS-112. Hard drive 38C, system 42C. It's idled for a few hours at 2.8% CPU usage.

 

How much free memory do you have, my TS-112 has 74mb.

Fatcat...Latest system check. System temp 40', HD 37'. CPU usage 13.6% Free memory is 118mb.

 

I'll take Mikes advice, and pressure wash it tomorrow! If nothing else, it'll clean the cupboard out! 

Just took a look at the smart fan configuration in the TS112 system administration/hardware, the cooling fan only rotates at high speed if the system temp reaches 57C or the HD temp reaches 50C.

 

40C system temp is far to cool, a bit of insulation may be in order, or maybe you should put it in a sealed box.

 

I've just transferred 40Gb to the nas from my PC, CPU was working at 80% to 90% system temp only increase 1C, HD remained the same.

Posted on: 26 January 2015 by fatcat
Originally Posted by Huge:
Originally Posted by The Meerkat:
Originally Posted by Huge:
If you power down the NAS properly, removing the hard disk shouldn't be a problem if you earth yourself to the NAS and the disk, it certainly shouldn't wipe the disk.

Huge...as far as I am aware, if you remove the HD on this model, it's cutains!  

That's most odd.  Normally, if it's powered down, the hardware shouldn't even know that the HDD has been disconnected and re-connected... unless there is something really odd about the TS-112 of course.

I think Meercat is correct.

 

When I set mine up, I recall the instructions indicating that reinserting the HD after removal will result in it being formatted. But I'm not 100% certain.

Posted on: 26 January 2015 by Huge
Originally Posted by fatcat:
Originally Posted by Huge:
Originally Posted by The Meerkat:
Originally Posted by Huge:
If you power down the NAS properly, removing the hard disk shouldn't be a problem if you earth yourself to the NAS and the disk, it certainly shouldn't wipe the disk.

Huge...as far as I am aware, if you remove the HD on this model, it's cutains!  

That's most odd.  Normally, if it's powered down, the hardware shouldn't even know that the HDD has been disconnected and re-connected... unless there is something really odd about the TS-112 of course.

I think Meercat is correct.

 

When I set mine up, I recall the instructions indicating that reinserting the HD after removal will result in it being formatted. But I'm not 100% certain.

Ouch!  IMO that's a serious design error.

 

Meercat, then a backup is in order before even opening the case to dust it, just in case you accidentally disturb the device used to detect the HDD removal.

Posted on: 26 January 2015 by The Meerkat
Originally Posted by Huge:
Originally Posted by fatcat:
Originally Posted by Huge:
Originally Posted by The Meerkat:
Originally Posted by Huge:
If you power down the NAS properly, removing the hard disk shouldn't be a problem if you earth yourself to the NAS and the disk, it certainly shouldn't wipe the disk.

Huge...as far as I am aware, if you remove the HD on this model, it's cutains!  

That's most odd.  Normally, if it's powered down, the hardware shouldn't even know that the HDD has been disconnected and re-connected... unless there is something really odd about the TS-112 of course.

I think Meercat is correct.

 

When I set mine up, I recall the instructions indicating that reinserting the HD after removal will result in it being formatted. But I'm not 100% certain.

Ouch!  IMO that's a serious design error.

 

Meercat, then a backup is in order before even opening the case to dust it, just in case you accidentally disturb the device used to detect the HDD removal.

Huge...I agree it is. I have two backups.

 

The NAS is working perfectly at the moment, but I will open it up, just to take a 'Butchers Hook'. I like tempting fate!

Posted on: 26 January 2015 by Guy007

I put an extra 2GB in my 459 Pro II when I got it, to take it to 3GB, it uses 350MB when 'idle'.

 

When you shut down the NAS, did you do it through the QNAP Control Panel ?

Are you running the latest firmware ? - 4.1.2 ( 29 Dec 2014 is the latest version )

Latest versions of the streaming apps you are using ?

Have you turned off all non essential apps ?

Turned off Cloud services/internet access ?

Have you seen the Resource Monitor to look at CPU / Memory/ Disk / Process stats ?

Have you run the HDD Smart in the Storage Manager, to check the disk status ?

 

And the compressed air can is your best bet.

Posted on: 27 January 2015 by Southweststokie
Originally Posted by The Meerkat:
As for the speakers, I do have eye on the PMCTwenty23s, but can't get them yet! Why does everyone hate the A5s 

 

What about a nice pair of Focal Aria 926's to replace those A5's. Would they not be a good compliment for ND5XS / Supernate? 

 

Ken

Posted on: 27 January 2015 by longmanjon

+1 guy007, check that the firmware is up to date. also if you have a mobile/tablet download the qnap app Qmanager this will give you current status and check what things are running and using all the RAM.

Posted on: 27 January 2015 by The Meerkat
Originally Posted by Guy007:

I put an extra 2GB in my 459 Pro II when I got it, to take it to 3GB, it uses 350MB when 'idle'.

 

When you shut down the NAS, did you do it through the QNAP Control Panel ?

Are you running the latest firmware ? - 4.1.2 ( 29 Dec 2014 is the latest version )

Latest versions of the streaming apps you are using ?

Have you turned off all non essential apps ?

Turned off Cloud services/internet access ?

Have you seen the Resource Monitor to look at CPU / Memory/ Disk / Process stats ?

Have you run the HDD Smart in the Storage Manager, to check the disk status ?

 

And the compressed air can is your best bet.

Guy...

I always shutdown on the control panel, via the browser.

I am running the latest software for Qnap and all media servers. I check virtually every day! 

All status checked, which displays 'Good' in green.

 

Will give it a clean with compressed air.

Posted on: 27 January 2015 by The Meerkat
Originally Posted by Southweststokie:
Originally Posted by The Meerkat:
As for the speakers, I do have eye on the PMCTwenty23s, but can't get them yet! Why does everyone hate the A5s 

 

What about a nice pair of Focal Aria 926's to replace those A5's. Would they not be a good compliment for ND5XS / Supernate? 

 

Ken

Shut it Stokie! 

Posted on: 27 January 2015 by trickydickie
Originally Posted by The Meerkat:

As for the speakers, I do have eye on the PMCTwenty23s, but can't get them yet! Why does everyone hate the A5s 

Meerkat

 

I like the A5's!  I owned a pair for 4 years.  I used mine with a 202/200 and later 282/HicapDR/200 fronted by an NDX.  They easily showed improvements in the amp as I upgraded the Pre and 2 Hicaps (non DR first).

 

They are flawed though, the bass can become overblown all too easily  and the lower midrange is coloured even when the bass is under control.  This is most noticeable on vocals.

 

Having said that, they are very musical and if you have the bass under control which does seem to be room dependent they are a very satisfying listen with no fatigue.

 

I replaced mine last year with Kudos C20's.  These are quite different and address all the issues that the A5's had but are much more revealing.  This is sometimes a mixed blessing, the A5's make everything sound nice and are very forgiving, bad recordings are ruthlessly revealed with the C20's where they still sounded Ok with the A5's.  I took advice from a dealer who felt that if I stayed at the level of the A5's (PMC 23 etc) then I would not see a significant improvement, just a different compromise.

 

The A5's do respond well to improvements to the amplifier and need a good amp to keep them under control.  You may find improving the source or amp may be a better use of funds if you have the A5's working well in your room.

 

Richard

Posted on: 27 January 2015 by Huge

Hi Meercat, I am greatly reassured that you have proper backups, thanks.

 

On the A5s I don't actually hate them, and I acknowledge that they do respond rather better when partnered by amps that are much more expensive than they are.  I just think most of the other Spendors are a lot better.

If you like the bass extension of the A5s, the A6Rs are less coloured and present more detail.

If you don't mind having slightly less bass extension, the SP2s give a quite remarkable degree of musical insight and involvement and the bass is better balanced.

Posted on: 27 January 2015 by ChrisSU
Originally Posted by Huge:

Hi Meercat, I am greatly reassured that you have proper backups, thanks.

 

On the A5s I don't actually hate them, and I acknowledge that they do respond rather better when partnered by amps that are much more expensive than they are.  I just think most of the other Spendors are a lot better.

If you like the bass extension of the A5s, the A6Rs are less coloured and present more detail.

If you don't mind having slightly less bass extension, the SP2s give a quite remarkable degree of musical insight and involvement and the bass is better balanced.

I ran a pair of A5s for a bit, and I actually did hate them! The sound, with a Superuniti, was so muffled I thought they must be faulty, so I took them to a dealer to get them checked out. We compared them to his demo pair, but there was little difference between them. Obviously, if they work well for others, in different systems, that's great: for me, it was an odd experience to be so dissatisfied with what I thought to be a well-regarded speaker.

Posted on: 27 January 2015 by The Meerkat
Originally Posted by trickydickie:
Originally Posted by The Meerkat:

As for the speakers, I do have eye on the PMCTwenty23s, but can't get them yet! Why does everyone hate the A5s 

Meerkat

 

I like the A5's!  I owned a pair for 4 years.  I used mine with a 202/200 and later 282/HicapDR/200 fronted by an NDX.  They easily showed improvements in the amp as I upgraded the Pre and 2 Hicaps (non DR first).

 

They are flawed though, the bass can become overblown all too easily  and the lower midrange is coloured even when the bass is under control.  This is most noticeable on vocals.

 

Having said that, they are very musical and if you have the bass under control which does seem to be room dependent they are a very satisfying listen with no fatigue.

 

I replaced mine last year with Kudos C20's.  These are quite different and address all the issues that the A5's had but are much more revealing.  This is sometimes a mixed blessing, the A5's make everything sound nice and are very forgiving, bad recordings are ruthlessly revealed with the C20's where they still sounded Ok with the A5's.  I took advice from a dealer who felt that if I stayed at the level of the A5's (PMC 23 etc) then I would not see a significant improvement, just a different compromise.

 

The A5's do respond well to improvements to the amplifier and need a good amp to keep them under control.  You may find improving the source or amp may be a better use of funds if you have the A5's working well in your room.

 

Richard

Thank you Richard

 

Speakers are a nightmare to demo, as it really needs to be done in the room where you listen to your  music, not in a HiFi showroom. Don't get me wrong, you can get a reasonable idea, but best in one's own environment. I'm a naughty boy, and hold my hands up. I bought the A5s as a result of the showroom demo.But as I said, trying to demo loads of floor standers in your own home, is a logistical nightmare!

 

I will change the A5's, when funds become available!