Author Topic: Hack my Linkstation  (Read 69231 times)

Hack my Linkstation
on: March 11, 2010, 20:17:51 PM
Right folks, here we have the definitive hacking thread, as the official Wiki is a bit confusing.
http://buffalo.nas-central.org/wiki/Main_Page

The model that is on offer on ebay at the moment is a HS-DH500GL

Well start with upgrading the HDD.

Dissasembly
This should take the average tekker no more than 5 minutes.  I didnt even know there was a guide at first as its that straight forward.

Once you have your HDD in, prepare the PC.

Youll need the following files:
Firmware : http://www.buffalo-technology.com/support/getfile/?HS-DHGL_211_101b.zip
Quote

WebAccess with upload function, MediaServer PS3 issue fixed, beta version


TFTP :
ftp://24.153.165.234/disk1/share/nas-recovery/TFTP%20Boot%20Recovery%20HS-DHGL%202.10.exe

Earplugs are optional, as the drive likes to get a bit vocal that its having identity issues.

Performing the TFTP boot:

 
    1.       Directly connect your NAS to your computer via an Ethernet cable (crossover isnt necessary)

    2.       Set your computers NIC (Network Interface Card) to a static IP address of 192.168.11.1

    3.       Run the TFTP program for your respective NAS and have the files extracted to your desktop

    4.        Open the TFTP folder and run the program TFTP Boot.exe with the icon: TFTP program icon

    5.       Boot the device.

    6.       A command prompt similar to the one shown below should appear:



     7.       When the NAS boots up it will make a request to the IP address 192.168.11.1 (which is what your computer should be set at) and the terminal should look something like this:



    8.       If it doesnt show the blocks served, try the process again. Some user have reported that after the device shows the error, holding the function button down for 5 seconds can provoke the TFTP requests.

 

After you see blocks of data being served the NAS typically boots to Emergency Mode at which point you can perform a firmware update.  

The firmware file above has an executable file in it, run this and it will partition and format your HDD for you.
It might take anywhere up to 2 minutes for the firmware updater to see the NAS.
If it shows up in the included NasNavigator*, the firmware updater should see it also.

* Latest version: http://www.buffalotech.com/support/getfile/nasnavi-224_win.zip

More than likely when you connect it back to the PC, the web console is in Japanese.
Just click around until you see it.  Im not sure what the actual location will be (whoever gets their drive first, post the location of the language settings.)



Ive done this on a LS-GL, which is essentially the same hardware as the Live, and it went without a hitch.

Pack Contents

Re:Hack my Linkstation
Reply #1 on: March 11, 2010, 20:30:52 PM
Heres a couple of links :

Firmware Mods

Opening Stock Firmware

Buffalo Modding Forum


Ive not tried this, do it at your own risk.  There is the possibility you may brick your device.


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Re:Hack my Linkstation
Reply #3 on: March 11, 2010, 22:36:36 PM
One question I have:

If youre not changing the hard drive straight away and just updating the firmware, are the steps from "Performing the TFTP boot" all that is necessary over the original drive, or is there something else required, like booting to emergency mode?

Ill be doing this tomorrow on one of them, if not both.

Re:Hack my Linkstation
Reply #4 on: March 11, 2010, 23:01:51 PM
If its not already at the latest, its easiest to just run the firmware updater with the drive connected directly to the PC.
You dont need to do any of the TFTP stuff, thats just for if there is no Uboot file on the drive.

You may need to set the drive to a static IP and change your lan IP address to match.  They can be a little picky if you do it over a network.

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Re:Hack my Linkstation
Reply #5 on: March 11, 2010, 23:23:28 PM
Im sure it will become obvious. ill take some photos for the guide tomorrow and show setting up the backup system (assuming it all arrives tomorrow!)

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Hack my Linkstation
Reply #6 on: March 12, 2010, 09:10:54 AM
Cool. Well I got my sent to Shrewsbury so wont get to play with it for another 3 weeks - I expect a nice long list of shiny things I can do :P
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Re:Hack my Linkstation
Reply #7 on: March 12, 2010, 09:24:38 AM
Ill explain how to do the basics, but advanced stuff like the alternate firmwares you can research yourself.
:)

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Hack my Linkstation
Reply #8 on: March 12, 2010, 09:42:52 AM
to be honest Ill prob just update the firmware to newest version and then just use it as intended unless the custom stuff really does add awesome things.
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PC: i5 760 .::.  GA-P55-UD3 .::. 8GB Corsair 'Dominator' DDR3 .::. 1GB EVGA GTX 460 SC .::. Win7 Ultimate  .::. Dell 24" Ultra Sharp
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Phone: SE Xperia Mini Pro .::. MiniCMSandwich Lite (Android ICS Custom) .::. OC @ 1.6Ghz
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Re:Hack my Linkstation
Reply #9 on: March 13, 2010, 11:44:22 AM
My two finally arrived this morning, no Gbit switch though sadly :(

Playtime!

Re:Hack my Linkstation
Reply #10 on: March 13, 2010, 12:17:25 PM
Im having issues with the PS3 compatibility on mine :s

It can see the drive, but will only show two albums.  I dont know if it wants more time to populate.

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Re:Hack my Linkstation
Reply #11 on: March 13, 2010, 17:04:14 PM
Well one of them works perfectly and seems tip top, updated the firmware dead easy by just running the program.

The other one seemed to be dead at first (just a dodgy power switch) but also has a dead activity LED. Doesnt seem to be any way of fixing it so Im going to have to send that one back :(

The one that works seems to work extremely well though.

Re:Hack my Linkstation
Reply #12 on: March 13, 2010, 17:43:56 PM
Installed Twonky using this guide :
http://forum.buffalo.nas-central.org/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=2999

The working link to twonky is on the last page.

Works so much better than the built in PCast for DLNA, works properly with the menu system on the PS3.
Looks like Im buying a licence! (Good job its 50% off until the end of the month)

If you have a PS3 or Xbox, DO THIS

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Hack my Linkstation
Reply #13 on: March 17, 2010, 12:40:58 PM
Right, Ive spent 2 nights going at this and I finally have FreeLink installed. Its been hard work getting the image on as sometimes the unit just didnt want to boot into EM Mode, sometimes it just gave me 2+4 red lights (flash error) and sometimes it just wouldnt switch on :o

Still, I have linux on there now and webmin installed. Time to work out how to the simpleton Samba things; like get the Linkstation to respond to ping on its hostname :)

Re:Hack my Linkstation
Reply #14 on: March 17, 2010, 13:16:33 PM
Easy way into EM mode (other than the instructions on the buffalo site) is to whip the HDD out and format it or delete the partitions.

As soon as you put it back in the box, EM mode.

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