N299 - Is there a common Power Up Fault?

[mnorth]

I have four N299 devices, all under 4 months old. I has a consistent pattern of faults. Initially they work fine, but 1-2 months later, they refuse to power up when I push the on button on the front. I sometimes manage to get they to start by plugging and unplugging the power connector. Its not a power brick problem, but seems to be a fault in the units. When I get them to start like this, I then find they do not power down properly. Problem exists with a selection of firmware releases.

I have have three units replaced already, and the new ones are now displaying the same faults.

Anyone else got the same problems? There are two earlier posts, but I cannot tell if they are the same issue. I have a feeling there is a design fault with the N299 unit.

[Iammer]

I have got this issue only two times in about 3 month.
But since last month not (knock on wood)

I ´ve got it run by disconnecting the powercable and reconnecting it. Then press button
Maybe it depends on some harddisk startup voltage.

Please try in this cases to start unit without harddisks plugged in.
Maybe we can get closer to a solution.

please post your result.

[mnorth]

Hi. Thanks. I have tried removing the HDD's. The unit does still not power up - if I press the button, nothing happens - no light, no fan. If I pull the power connector out and plug it in again, sometimes the unit then starts - the light and fan starts up, and if I have a hard drive attached it powers up (my first thought was not enough power to the drives).

If I manage to get it goling by playing with the power connector, the unit works - except that I cannot power it down using the power button on the front, and if I use the browser access, and select turnoff, the hard drive powers down, but the fan stays on and the light stays on. Its not accessible from the network at this point.

If it were just one unit, then I would not worry, but all four, including three replacements exhibit the same problems.

I also checked the source power for surges and low voltages, but they are fine. I have other Thecus units N4100 and N5200 and they work flawlessly.

Also, have confirmed there are no loose connections in the N299, and checked power was getting inside the unit - its a motherboard or firmware problem.

[nutter998]

Hi there, same started happening to mine after about 4 months. Finally got it gioing after fiddling with button cell cr1220. Checked it's voltage and it's at 0.2v instead of 3v. Could this be the problem?

[mnorth]

Hi, yes, the voltage on the backup battery is close to 0 volts. I checked my other units, and in each case the battery is showing the same low level. So that begs the question whether there is an issue with the unit which runs down the battery quicker than it should, or whether its just old batteries. I will try and get hold of a new one, and see what happens since I assume its not rechargable. A quick Google tells me a cr1220 should have a 3 year life.

The unit behaves exactly the same as before with the battery removed, so it looks like this is source of the problem - but if there is something on the circuit board which is running it down quicker than it should, is there a cure?

[Iammer]

Hi ,

I have made some tests cause I now got this issue everytime.
Powerbutton dont work.

If you plugged out the network cable from port the N299 powered up and runs.
I have made this test many times now and always the same.

Powerbutton dont work -> networkcable plugged out -> N299 runs up.

Strange ! Any idea ?

[arthurleung]

I just received a replacement (brand new) N299 from SCAN.

Oh well, I'm getting intermittent problem like everyone above. I have to somehow orientate the N299 in one specific orientation to get the unit to power up. It was better than the one I RMA-ed.

Very annoying consider this is a completely NEW unit fresh from SCAN!
And it cost a lot to get it sent back for RMA.

Although I'm suprised the new unit is much faster than the one I sent back (70Mbps on the new one opposed to 55Mbps on the old unit)

[chr15b]

I got a brand new one from Scan yesterday too and cannot get the thing to power up

bought this on a recommendation, but think it's going to go back for a refund

[mnorth]

OK, I have now proved to my satisfaction the power up issue is directly linked to the cr1220 battery. Each of the units are now working properly as soon as I replaced the battery with a new one.

So, if you have a power up problem check the battery. My average life is 8-10 weeks, rather than the 3-5 years which is the shelf-life of the battery.

I will monitor the life span of the batteries from new and also now post a support request direct to Thecus regarding this issue - if I get a reply I will post it here.

[SteveP]

I'm awaiting the return of my unit from repair with this same issue. Did you try powering up with no battery in place?

[mnorth]

With no battery in place I get the same problem as outlined above - the power button does not work, if you fiddle with the power connector you can sometimes get it to turn on, but then the power button does not allow you to turn it off again - and if you turn it off via the web browser the hard drive powers down, but the fan and light remains on.

So far as I can tell there is no configuration data lost as when I replaced the battery it had retained its configuration

SO FAR NO REPLY FROM THECUS SUPPORT ABOUT THIS ISSUE!

[arthurleung]

Originally Posted by mnorth

With no battery in place I get the same problem as outlined above - the power button does not work, if you fiddle with the power connector you can sometimes get it to turn on, but then the power button does not allow you to turn it off again - and if you turn it off via the web browser the hard drive powers down, but the fan and light remains on.

So far as I can tell there is no configuration data lost as when I replaced the battery it had retained its configuration

SO FAR NO REPLY FROM THECUS SUPPORT ABOUT THIS ISSUE!

I just powered down my unit and found the exact same symptom. I press the power down button and found my harddrives powerered down but NOT the unit itself.

EDIT: The unit won't power on again :S
EDIT2: Very interesting, I pulled the battery off, give it a few rub, then put it back to the unit (with power connected) and the unit jump-started itself!

[nutter998]

I've ordered some new cr1220 cells off that well known auction site, only £2.24 for 10, I'll post if that solves the problem. Will have a few spare then in case it happens again . . . and again . . . and again!

[mnorth]

Well, I just got a reply from Thecus support. They suggest I return the units for exchange under warranty. No acknoweldgement of a common and reoccurring fault. So, if you have the same problem - do post your exoeriences here!

Cudos to Thecus for responding quickly however.....

[Iammer]

Oh well, I´m happy again.

I have changed the batterie and everything is working fine. Nothing lost.

[arthurleung]

Originally Posted by mnorth

Well, I just got a reply from Thecus support. They suggest I return the units for exchange under warranty. No acknoweldgement of a common and reoccurring fault. So, if you have the same problem - do post your exoeriences here!

Cudos to Thecus for responding quickly however.....

The thing is, even after you exchange it you still get screwed by the problem.
The N299 unit I got under RMA from SCAN have probably sit in the warehouse for months, hence the battery situation occur even on a brand new unit. Not to mention it cost me almost a tenner to ship back...