n2200 dropping out of mediaserver

Hi,

I've been struggling with my new N2200 for a while.

It won't stay on my mediaserver when it's idle. I have a ps3 for streaming with the N2200.

For a few minutes it stay connected then it drops and the N2200 mediaserver get the status "stopped". When i activate the mediaserver then the status running appears (as expected). If i use the ps3 to stream video from the nas, the nas mediaserver keeps running. But when i don't use the ps3 streaming, the nas will drop its mediaserver ánd the mediaserver stops.

Have anyone the same problem and the solution for it.

Help anyone? :help:

The media server actually switches from enabled to disabled? Sounds like a firmware issue. Have you tried a reinstall?

I've updated the Fw but the problem still exist.

Hello,

any solution yet?

I have the same problem with my N0204 (seems to be the same SW) and streaming to my PS3

best regards
Bernd

Hi,

Same problem with the N2200 (3.00.07E version) but no solution.
When I disable then enable the media server it shows 'Running'. This reverts to 'Stop' after a few minutes. Sent a ticket to Thecus Support- no reply and from Ultimate Storage where I bought it from but no reply.
I've noticed a firmware update (3.00.07F) on the Thecus website but on the release notes it does not mention the fixing of the media server but states the USB backup will stop working!!!!
I'll probably update the firmware and cross my fingers. Will post back what happens.

Updated firmware to 3.00.07F and guess what........Media server doesn't run at all. Things are getting better and better. Lets see how long Thecus take to reply to my ticket.

GST

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Extra-Titanian

The media server actually switches from enabled to disabled? Sounds like a firmware issue. Have you tried a reinstall?

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I got exactly the same problem with my N2200 and mys PS3 :

I launch media server, I can access music without any problem but only during some minutes (around 5) ... then suddendly, I got a message on the PS3 screen "DLNA error ..." and I can't read my music anymore but still I can browse the hard drive content !!!!

I by now didn't succeed in reading any avi/mkv/mp4 files as I can't see them in the folders when I browse the N2200 with my PS3 : it simply says "No files in folder".

I checked the statuts of the media server service on the N2200 and it switched to stop !!!
I can't share any folders, boxes are all unchecked, and when I click on a box to sahre the folder, it still tells me "Folder shared succesfully" but the media server is still stopped (by the way, the box doesn't get checked).

I noticed that stopping (then applying) and then launching again (then applying again) the media server service allows the PS3 to read music back but as I said earlier, it only works for some minutes.

Can anybody help us with that issues ?
Please ??

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MadGstiK

... then suddendly, I got a message on the PS3 screen "DLNA error ..." and I can't read my music anymore ...

---

To be more precise:
"DLNA protocol Error 2101"

Anyway, i snooped around to find any fix or answer to this problem and it seems that there may be a way to replace the embedded media server in th N2200 with "TwonkyMedia". This comes as a module BUT for now, I can't find any version for the N2200 specifically. There are several versions for other Thecus products but nothing yet for the N2200.

I was thinking about trying to install a module NOT designed for the N2200 (such as TwonkyMedia module for Thecus N3200 or M3800) but I don't know if there's any risk ?

Anyone who may know somethin about that is welcome to help !!

Well, I tried the N2100 TwonkyMedia module but it won't install on the N2200 ...
Now we know that at least ...

Thanks for the suggestion.

I downloaded both 'Twonkymedia' and 'TVersity' trial versions and installed on PC.

They seem to work... that is they act a s a media server and now I can access my media.

Only problem is you have only got 1 month free trial and they are not the easiest programs to use!!

When will Thecus fix their own problem, rather than waiting for us to find solutions to the their problems.

Would you buy a NAS which was advertised as 'Great little NAS from Thecus that does not allow you to access or stream your media!!!'

Thecus where are you!!!

GST

@GST:
Twonky exists as a software for PC, MAC and Linux but this is not what we are looking for. If you need to access datas thru your n2200 via DLNA, you may use "PS3 Media Server". Just share your folders with this soft and any DLNA device will see them on your LAN. BUT, i repeat, this is not what we need. Because you have to let your computer working to allow DLNA devices access your datas.
What we need is a module (lil soft designed especially for the N2200) acting as a Media Server ...
OR a working firmware !!!

Some more info:

I also own another NAS (Netgear SC101) which I used to share (thanks to the FREEware "PS3 Media Server") on my laptop. My PS3 was working fine with this config but I needed more space so I bought the N2200.

First, I tried to use the N2200's embedded Media Server application to see the content with my PS3. As I said before, it ended up with DLNA protocol Error 2101 causing the Media Server application to stop. Or maybe is it the contrary ? Anyway ...

Then I tried to use PS3 Media Server on my laptop to share the N2200 content but when I do so, it ends in a DLNA protocol Error 2006 !!!

:censored:

... What the hell is wrong with that crappy N2200 ?????

Well, I read somewhere that Thecus was sharing the source code for their additional modules and applications ...

Can't anybody with skills help us ?

That's right. The media software that I installed only lets the N2200 stream to my DLNA reciever when the PC is on. That is of no use to me!!!
I'm still waiting for a reply to my Ticket from last week. I'll give it a few days and then I'm calling Experts in Storage who sold me this damn thing and will send it back.
I'd prefer a solution though!!

GST

Dear all,

The other thread regarding the same Media server issues in the N2200 has some interesting news from Thecus:

http://forums.hexus.net/thecus-care-...ml#post1866880

'Thecus is aware of the media server issues on N2200 and we are at the moment trying our very best to solve these issues with the relevant parties.'

At least they have acknowledged they have a problem!!!

Lets hope they can swiftly fix it otherwise my N2200 is outta here:angst::angst:

GST

I would like to confirm that I have sent back my Thecus 2200 and am waiting for my replacement NAS. I have decided to spen more to hopefully get something that will work!! If your interested I went for the QNAP TS-239 Pro II , which by all accounts is one of the best at £300. We'll have to see.

So goodluck to the rest of you who may still be having problems with the N2200.

GST

Sorry.... I just spotted this thread! I may have a solution, specially if the mediaserver runs for a while then suddenly stops. And it does it over and over whenever you restart it.

What worked for my N0204 was removing "extraneous" files from the media folers. In my case I had a lot of text files, SoundForge's temporary files and peak files and other stuff I had parked in the music folder. I removed those files and... behold, the media server no longer stops.

BTW, the upgrade notes for the 3.0.0.8 clearly stated that the media server was going to be disabled... you just have to re-enable it after the firmware upgrade. At least, that's how it worked for me.

Cheers!

P.S. I will definitely build a Twonky Media module for my N0204 and when it's done I will share it with everyone. But don't hold your breath, my priority right now is findind a way to create a SSH deamon (which is why I was browsing these forums). When that's done, I'll shoot for TM

Hi, I have not yet got SSH working, but I worked out how to create modules.
You may like the ROOTCMD module, it allows you to send commands as root via a web page.
It should work on N0204 as well as N2200, let me know if you have problems.

http://thecus.nas-central.org/wiki/N2200_Module_ROOTCMD

Thats very kind to U but I dont think this will help n2200 users ...

Edit : Nevermind, this may help in fact ... :)

AK has managed to patch the DLM2 btg GUI so it is not so flakey...

http://www.thecusforum.eu/showthread.php?p=10699

Quote:

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Originally Posted by z/Os

P.S. I will definitely build a Twonky Media module for my N0204 and when it's done I will share it with everyone.

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Please z/OS, please make it N2200 compatible !!!!!!

Just a question, would it be easier to build a TwonkyMediaModule for the N2200 or to "convert" a freeware to a "module format" to have it work on the N2200 ?
I was asking cos' I use a freeware as a DLNA server and it would definitely be a great evolution for the N2200 to have it work ...

Thanks again for sharing your knnowledge and your discoveries !!

Peace.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mishav

Hi, I have not yet got SSH working, but I worked out how to create modules.
You may like the ROOTCMD module, it allows you to send commands as root via a web page.
It should work on N0204 as well as N2200, let me know if you have problems.

---

Yep, I got it as soon as I spotted it.... that definitely points out the way the Twonky module (and other modules) should be built. Actually I toyed a little with it on friday, but had no time to test it. Thank you anyway for the good job! Unfortunately SSH also needs binaries to be installed (it's not just a shell redirection), so I've gotta figure out a few things... but your ROOTCMD will definitely help me!! :-)

Anyway, the way you built ROOTMCD told me what was wrong in my attempts to build the TwonkyMedia module (path to modules' dir).

Unfortunately *nix isn't exactly my strong point (mainframes are the way I earn my daily bread, as my nick implies), so you'd better not get too excited.... it will take me some time!

Will keep you posted....

NEWS :cool:
Since I can no longer post (have I been too NAUGHTY???), here's what I found about SSH (hope it will help those who are more proficient in UNIX than I am).

There's already an SSH busybox-style included in the firmware (at least in 3.0.0.8)... one has just got to enable it. I didn't try to make it auto-running (no time), but it works pretty fine.

First and foremost: don't to this if you don't know what you're doing.
Second you need ROOTCMD to do this!
a) create the symbolic links for the key generator and the SSH server
ln -s /usr/sbin/dropbearmulti /usr/bin/dropbearkey
ln -s /usr/sbin/dropbearmulti /usr/bin/dropbear
b) create a directory for SSH keys
mkdir -p /usr/local/etc/dropbear
c) create rsa & dss keys
dropbearkey -t dss -f /usr/local/etc/dropbear/dropbear_dss_host_key
dropbearkey -t rsa -f /usr/local/etc/dropbear/dropbear_rsa_host_key
d) launch the ssh daemon
dropbear -r /usr/local/etc/dropbear/dropbear_rsa_host_key -d /usr/local/etc/dropbear/dropbear_dss_host_key&

If you now launch ps, you will see the dropbear process sitting neatly towards the bottom of the list

I've been unable to log-in with "normal" users, so I had to use root. Since I didn't know the password, I reset it using passwd.

After that, I launched PUTTY, connected to my N0204 and was able to log in. Now I can run commands withouth the need for ROOTCMD.
Since I'm flying to LA next week, I'm a quite short of spare time from work... so I really had no time to go further than this. Hopefully some guys around here will be able to exploit my experience and make an SSH module.... otherwise I'll give it a try when I'm back!!!

Cheers folks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MadGstiK

Please z/OS, please make it N2200 compatible !!!!!!

Just a question, would it be easier to build a TwonkyMediaModule for the N2200 or to "convert" a freeware to a "module format" to have it work on the N2200 ?

---

Well, if there's already a module for another ARM based Thecus, it's no big deal.... that's why I'm confident about Twonky: there's a module for N2100/N4100, so having it work for N2200/N0204 it's a matter of changing paths and adding a couple of strings to a file. (BTW... despite appearance, N0204 and N200 are pretty much the same beast).

Otherwise, you have to find somewhere the binaries for ARM (or compile them yourself) and figure out if it works (and that's where SSH comes handy!). Then you can go on and build the module. Basically a module is a collection of scripts that install stuff and then handle various aspects of the NAS ecosystem (what your application should do when it's enable, when it's disabled, at boot time, when it's uninstalled); if you've got instructions on how to make an application run on another machine, it's not over-complicated to work out how to build a module for it (provided you can get your paws on binaries!).

Short answer to your question: no it's the same level of difficulty for both freeware and commercial software. You just need documentation, binaries and some spare time.

BTW if you only need music, Twonky Music Server is free.....

Thanks a lot for your answers !
Sounds a little bit clearer in my head but, as far as i'm concerned, I am not able to help !
I ain't got any programming skills nor do I know Linux !!! I try and try to find solutions trhu forums and users reports but I do not know what to do with the ROOTCMD module !!

BTW, what is the "DLM2 btg GUI" that AK succeeded in patching ?? What is it designed to ?
(sorry if I sound like a newbie ... I am !!!)

Anyway, here is a good news : I've had my server media (half)-working with my PS3 !!!

Here's what I did:

- Upgraded to 3.00.08 firmware

- Disabled all functions after I have unchecked shared folders in the Media Server options
(this include SMB, NFS, Bonjour, Media Server, UPnP, iTunes server application, print server application ... all of them)

- Restarted the Thecus

- Switched the Media Server (with no shared folders) ON

- Checked the "Movie" folder in

- Switched th Upnp function ON

- Switched the SMB service ON

- Restarted (as I was asked after SMB service started)


And ... TADA !!!! The Media Server works and stays available for my PS3 !!
I can browse movies and stream them w/o any problems !!!
The only problem remaining is taht the Media Server crashes everytime I check the "iTunes music" folder in Media Server options.

It seems like I can't share my music. There are a lot of folders in my iTunes music folder so it may be out of the Thecus Media Server capacities to share all of them. I noticed that when I was using another soft to share my content, the Thecus is not available as long as the iTunes server application is running. But everything goes right if I turn it off.

I think that there is a problem with the music folder and related functions.

By now, I (still) patiently wait for a solution.

And BTW, for those who were wondering about the customer service, you should know I received an answer to my ticket (these are the exact words !!!):

MadGstiK,
This message concerns your ticket #YYB-81xxxx. We have not received any response back in 504 hours, and would like to know if you consider this issue to be resolved. If you have any further questions, simply respond to this e-mail.

Subject: Media Server not working, PS3 can't access files ...
Department: N2200
Priority: Normal
Status: Open

Please note that the ticket will automatically be closed within 72 hours. The ticket will re-open in the case that you send another reply.

Thecus Technology Corp.



Isn't that amazing ????? :censored:
What was I supposed to answer to ??? I don't know !!!
I had no former messages nor infos about my ticket, this is the only message I ever had from the Thecus customer service !!!

talkin bout a care service !!! ... :angst:

Hello MadGstick!
Thanks mate for the procedure. It is (almost) working. No more DLNA errors and I can browse into the folders. Problem is I can not see the files :-(. They are regular .avi and .mp3 files, I can browse every folders there is no files. Might be a user permission issue...
Any clue?

MadGstiK well done on getting the media server working.

Apologies for the cryptic messages.. I'll try to explain.

Quote:

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what is the "DLM2 btg GUI" that AK succeeded in patching ?? What is it designed to ?

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DLM2 is the "Download Manger" module that Thecus offer on their web site, which adds three functions: Bit Torrent client "btg", eMule client, and HTTP client.

btg has two components, one called a "daemon" which runs on the machine quietly in the background. The other is the GUI graphical user interface, which is the web pages.

Thecus have modified the web pages, probably to be compatible with their web server and ajax, but the result is somewhat horrible to use. AK made some fixes so the items on the page do not keep disappearing, and some other fixes. The result is still not perfect, but heaps better.

Quote:

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what to do with the ROOTCMD module

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If you have installed the ROOTCMD module, and want to try it out without damaging anything, try clicking the "Suggestions" checkbox. It should show some commands that you can type in yourself.

Basically, avoid casual use of "rm" (remove files/directories), "ln" (create a link, or shortcut), and be careful of ">" (redirects output to a file, can overwrite files), and "kill" (stop processes running), and "snof" (set NAS on fire) (just kidding!).

Example of linux commands : http://www.debianhelp.co.uk/commands.htm, not all are implemented on the NAS.

@Romano74:

First, you need to place your files in specific folders.
MP3's MUST be in your NAS "iTunes_Music" folder and AVI MUST be in your NAS "Movie" folder.

Concerning users permissions, I used to let free access to my N2200 content (no ACL permissions set up).
Each of my folders were "Public" and "Browseable" (default options in "Share Folder" properties for each folder on the NAS).
I used to access my datas by double clicking on the folders in "My Network Places"

Then I set up ACL permissions to read/write files only after having logged on with a user and a password.
In both cases, I can browse my movies w/o any problem. But no access to my music.

Conclusion: This is not a user permission issue.

BTW, if you wish to set up users permissions, you need to first create a user, set up a password for that user and then go to "Shared Folders".
There, you need to set up permissions individually for each folder:
Highlight the folder you want to configure, hit the "Modify" button, change "Browseable" to "Yes" and "Public" to "No".
Finally, highlight again the folder you just configured and click on ACL in the upper right corner of the action toolbar (that is not available while your folder is "Public") and simply drag the user from the left row to the extreme right row (for full acces : read/write).

Here will come a new challenge : you must type in the password EVERYTIME you restart your computer to access the NAS content !!!! No way to have your password being remembered by windows ... such a pity ...
Good thing is that you just need to type it in once for all folders.
(I connected every folder on the N2200 as a Network Drive to have them appear in my workstation continuously)


Anyway, what kind of device are you using to acces your NAS ? Is it a PS3 ?
In that case, you should know that you need to choose the category you want to browse in the PS3 menu (by pushing "left" or "right" on your PS3 controller's left stick), for example "Music", then go down on the N2200 icon (assuming you can see it here) and finally select "Folder" to have your content being displayed as it is shown in windows explorer.
I f you try to acces music files while you are in the "Pictures" PS3 menu, you won't be able to see any MP3 nor AVI files.

Hope this will help. Please let me know.



@Mishav:

Thanks a lot for your explanations. I will try that ROOTCMD as soon as I understand a little bit more the Linux environment ... always been a Win user so I feel like i'm all alone in front of my screen everytime I try to use a Linux distribution !!! (very frustrating by the way !!!)
I'm presently desperately trying to have a Slax distribution to work with WPA wifi network ... it's been a dozen of days (and still counting) that i'm working on it with no success (even with drivers and modules build up directly in the tar.gz on the Slax website !!!)

Finally, many thanks for the media server stuff but I really think that this is due to the new firmware improvements. As I don't own anymore previous firmwares, I just can't tell if this would work with 3.00.07f and/or 3.00.07e firmware versions.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mishav

Basically, avoid casual use of "rm" (remove files/directories), "ln" (create a link, or shortcut), and be careful of ">" (redirects output to a file, can overwrite files), and "kill" (stop processes running), and "snof" (set NAS on fire) (just kidding!).

---

Well ... I just tried the "SNOF" command but it seems like there's a firmware error !!!!!!!! :mrgreen:

Some more informations :

UPNP is not working !
(I can see the N2200 with my Freebox but I get an error when I try to browse it)

iTunes server application is not working !
(I can see the N2200 in iTunes but I get an error when I try to sync it)

Webdisk features are not working !
(I can log in thru the web page but I get an error when the web interface loads and I can't see my files)

Damn ... I think i'll stop testing things on this N2200 ... It's definitely too exhausting !!!

Hi MadGstick!

I have not changed the user permissions. The NAS works with default parameters. I have checked the permissions with the ROOTCMD module and all folders/files are rwx so no problem on this side.

Music files are indeed in "iTunes_Music" folder while .AVI files are in "Movie" folder. Still I can not see them.

I have used my TV set (that is DLNA capable), my PS3 and a DLNA client running on my laptop but no joy! I can see the folders and browse into them but I can not see the files. For each DLNA client I have, I used the correct category to browse (Music for music, Video for Movies...)

I can not understand what is wrong here... And the tech support is not answering to my ticket updates.

Romano,

This is weird ... I just don't know what's happening. Can you see folders that are into your "iTunes_music" or "Movie" folders and browse them too ?

e.g. : Let's say you have a "Horror" and a "Comedy" folder in your NAS "Movie" folder.
Can you see them ? Or can you just see the root folder ?


Edit: For some obscure reasons, I cannot post anymore on this thread so I'll just edit in here ...

@Romano:

This is very strange !! I have no ideas.
It seems like your folders are "Browseable" but not "Public" so that you can see them but not their content.
Have a look in the "Shared Folders" properties maybe ...

I do see all folders that are in my iTunes_music (one folder per artist) and movies (hd, not hd...). I cannot see files in the folders and subfolders

@z/Os: thanls for the SSH procedure. It works on my N2200! However I can not reset root password. How did you do that? Passwd is expecting user inputs that can not be given trhough ROOTCMD module.


@MadGstiK: still does not work.... No problem with properties I think...