N40L flashing cursor - Suspect USB - No config backup

[iceman71]

Hello everyone,

New forum user here. Firstly thanks for everyones time and assistance.

I was running NAS4Free on my Dell Microserver N40Lwith 4 disks and 1 extra one instead of a CD drive. My boot drive was an Micro SD card in a usb reader.

All was working fine, but now when I turn it on, it gets to
Checking NVRAM
The screen goes blank and I just get a flashing cursor.
I have a second NAS and I think the next bit is an attempt to boot from the USB drive - so I 'think' it's that which is failing.
The USB drive cannot be read in another computer.
I've tried checking boot order has USB highest - but it does not seem to get past the flashing cursor.

In terms of data, I am a numpty. OK so it has photos of my family from the last like 10 years.
In my defence, this data sits across 2 volumes MIRRORED so I know the data in in tact mirrored across two disks, so while I am a stupid boy for not being able to access it, I know the data should be safe. I just can't access it !!
I also do not seem to have a backup of my config file as I am an idiot (as stated !!)

I've heard that I can 'clear configuration information before importing disks' or something. I had ZFS file systems on it. 2 were striped and 1 was mirrored.

Am I right in saying that I need to create a new USB stick with a NAS4FREE image on it?
My second working NAS indicates that it is running 10.3.0.3, so I would guess that I was running that on my problem NAS, but I cannot be sure?
Does that matter? Do I just boot a fresh copy of 10.3.0.3 and then insert it in, boot it?

I'm a bit nervous about the steps after that and the order in which I do them. I know I must not format my existing data drives obviously.
Can anyone help me with the precise steps please?

My missus will castrate me if I overwrite that data !!!

I feel so dumb. Geez. I'm an IT technician too - Oh my god. What a horrible place to be. I'm soo sorry. What an idiot!

Thanks for any help.

I'm crying right now !!

Thanks

[iceman71]

Sorry - It's an HP N40L - Not a dell - not that it matters probably !!

[iceman71]

Other NAS is running 10.3.0.3 - Pilingitam (revision 2964)

[iceman71]

Hmm- I see that I cannot download 2964 anymore.
Does that mean I'd have to start with
https://sourceforge.net/projects/nas4fr ... .0.3.4529/
??

Thanks - Sorry for dumb questions.

[raulfg3]

Hmm- I see that I cannot download 2964 anymore.
Does that mean I'd have to start with
https://sourceforge.net/projects/nas4fr ... .0.3.4529/
??

Thanks - Sorry for dumb questions.

NO.

this version is for ARM. your HP Proliant is an Intel/AMD system.

please confirm if is a x64 capable ssystem.

if yes, you can install latest N4F version: https://sourceforge.net/projects/nas4fr ... .0.4.5065/

if not, you need to search forum to find any old x86 version.