BlackArmor NAS Network Storage Server

[the-hedge]

I have a Black Armor NAS 110 originally set up with Windows XP. I want to rebuild the drive with a FAT32 file system to use with my new iMac running Snow Leopard 10.6.4. I have already backed up the files. I just don't know how to make the rebuild. Is there a procedure that I am missing? Would appreciate help, Thanks.

[RAsg]

Hello,

The NAS 110 can't be rebuilt with a FAT32 file system.

[the-hedge]

The documentation says PC or Mac. I don't mind starting from scratch. Surely, I have some options to make use of this hard drive. Any ideas?

[RAsg]

Hello,

Originally you stated, "BlackArmor NAS 110".

A NAS is (network attached storage).  It isn't a hard drive but it has a hard drive in it.

The NAS 110 is meant to be connected to a router and used on the network. It runs a Linux operating system, so you can't change that to FAT32.

Maybe you meant you have a BlackArmor WS110 or PS110.  These are external hard drives.

BlackArmor NAS User Guide
http://www.seagate.com/staticfiles/blackarmor/userguides/BlackArmorNAS110UserGuide.pdf

[the-hedge]

Hello,

Yes. Confirmed, the device is indeed a NAS 110 Centralized Network Storage. All I want to do is to write to the drive with my Mac. The user guide seems to imply this capability,

e.g.

System Requirements

Any computer that will be used to access your BlackArmor NAS 110 server must meet these requirements:

• A Microsoft Windows® or Apple Macintosh® computer running one of these operating systems:

• Windows XP or Windows Vista®, with the latest Service Pack installed

• Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later

Setup Steps for Administrators

Installing the BlackArmor NAS 110 Server and Software

Before you begin:

• Ensure that your computer meets the requirements listed on page 8.

Connecting to the Server

To connect to your BlackArmor NAS 110 server:

1. Double-click the BlackArmor Discovery icon on your desktop (Windows) or in your Applications folder (Mac).

   All I really want to do is to gain write access to the device with the Mac. I only assumed FAT32 based on reading other threads in this forum. I don't care how it happens so long as it does so.

   Can I simply access the device with a PC and format the device to a clean state? 

[afagolf]

You still don't seem to get it. This is not an external hard drive that you re-format to Mac file system. It is network storge, i.e., network shares in Windows-speak. Sorry, don't know what Mac calls it. You connect it to your LAN via a wire to your router or switch, sorry no wi-fi. It is not connected to your computer. When connected to your LAN, you should be able to browse your network resources and "see" the shares available on the device. It comes pre-formatted with a share called "Public" and another called "Download". You can, of course, add/modify/delete these shares using the web-based interface and configure the shares any way you want. Determine the IP address of your NAS 110 and point your browser to it. The default login is "admin".

[the-hedge]

 All i want to do is

WRITE

to the device with the Mac. I don't care about the format so long as i can

WRITE FILES TO THE DEVICE.

I can access it, copy files from it, but cannot WRITE files to it. That is all i want. 

[RAsg]

Hello,

If you are running 10.6.4 you shouldn't have write access issues to shares on the NAS with regular files.

One poster said he had trouble in 10.6.4 with certain items. His statement:

On the Snow Leopard machines, I've narrowed the issue down to 

folders that contain custom backgrounds (in the Finder), or 

those files that are in fact "packages" - such as an iPhoto 

library, Application or iWork (Pages, Keynote or Numbers) 

document.  Single files have so far been fine

It may be best that you contact Seagate Support.  1-800-SEAGATE.  Have the NAS serial number and its MAC address ready.  They will register your NAS then and you will get some free phone support. They may can help with the issue.

[solstace]

Ah good, so someone from Seagate *is* looking at my posts.  Thanks RAsg.  Are you going to suggest I do the same for my issues too, or are they common enough for someone on your side of the fence to take this on themselves on my/our behalf?

Some regular files do seem to get stuck with Error -36 or similar notifications if I copy through the finder.  I've resorted to using muCommander to copy stuff across from the affected Snow Leopard machines and all has been fine so far, provided the file names are valid for SMB/FAT32 rules.  

Another workaround I found for my iPhoto copying woes was to create a sparse bundle disk image of appropriate size (formatted as Apple on the NAS over SMB/CIFS, mount the disk image in Snow Leopard and copy that way.

[RAsg]

Hello,

I am reporting it. I duplicated it and yes some files do have trouble.  At least 10.6.4 resolved the worst part of it when nothing would go across unless you zipped the files up first.