Even Easier Squeezecenter Install on Buffalo LinkStation Pro and LinkStation Live

[musicexpression]

An update.

After formatting, I tried using your steps to revert back to stock 1.07 firmware failed, no matter what edits I made to the text or boot options files.

My NAS is a LS-CHL, however, on closer inspection, navigation reports a LS-GL (Pro) model instead! I guess that might be expected, as you have mentioned that the JTYMOD firmware is primarily designed to be used on the LS-GL (Pro).

That's maybe why I tried downloading the correct firmware (lschl-107.zip), made the necessary changes (deleted that UPDATED file, edited text file, enabled debug), LSUpdater keeps complaining LS-CHL is not found.

So now, I had downloaded the correct LS-GL firmware (1.15) and was able to revert back to the stock firmware, which is good news to me.

BUT, my model is a LS-CHL now working on a LS-GL firmware, with lesser functionality. How do I "upgrade" back to my original LS-CHL 1.07 firmware?

[TiredLegs]

I don't have an LS-CHL model myself to test it, but it works on the other models:

Log into the LinkStation via Telnet.

Enter this command to open up the boot_options file using the vi text editor:

vi /boot/boot_options

press the [i] keyboard key to enter "edit mode".

Enter this line into the file:

MENU_TIMEOUT=EM

Press the [ESC] key to get out of edit mode
Enter ZZ [Shift-Z, twice in a row] to save and exit the file.

Reboot the LinkStation:

reboot

The LinkStation should reboot to an "emergency mode" state where you can install the stock firmware. You might still need to do it with the edited version number and dates.

[musicexpression]

Still unable to get it to boot into EM mode. My LS-CHL is still stucked in LS-GL firmware....

[musicexpression]

OK, I retried the following as a last resort.

Download both LS-GL and LS-CHL firmware versions.
Since my NAS is recognised by NasNavi as a LS-GL version, let it be. My workaround was to overwrite the common files of the LS-GL with the LS-CHL version:

- hddrootfs.img
- initrd.img
- u-boot.buffalo.updated
- uImage.buffalo

and leave the files of LS-GL intact:

- linkstation_version.txt
- LSUpdater.exe
- lsupdater.ini

The above 3 stock LS-GL files is to fool the installer to still look for my LS-GL device while forcing the LS-CHL img & boot files to the NAS.

I followed the steps in http://forums.buffalotech.com/buffal...thread.id=9309 to force a firmware update to revert back to LS-CHL.

After forcing the firmware upload, the NAS restarts, make the necessary static IP address changes, did whatever changes I can remember, followed by another restart, and viola! NasNavi now correctly reports the LS-CHL device on my home network.

There is a another new problem though, the top LED frequently alternates between violet & blue. NasNavi2 reports this as E22: Error mounting disk2/3/4. Appears it is constantly scanning (& attempt to mount) the other 3 non-existent drive.

Now I am really stumped. What shall I do next?

[morten l]

I'm so happy for the new description "Even Easier Squeezecenter Install on Buffalo LinkStation Pro and LinkStation Live Reply to Thread"
I have now managed to run Squeezecenter on my LinkStation Live version1.
I did try to follow the old setup with FreeLink etc. but it never worked, that was more than a year ago.

Thank's to all who have helped TiredLegs with this.

I even managed to load it to my LinkStation without formating the harddrive. :-)

Morten L

[TiredLegs]

OK, I retried the following as a last resort.

Download both LS-GL and LS-CHL firmware versions.
Since my NAS is recognised by NasNavi as a LS-GL version, let it be. My workaround was to overwrite the common files of the LS-GL with the LS-CHL version:

- hddrootfs.img
- initrd.img
- u-boot.buffalo.updated
- uImage.buffalo

and leave the files of LS-GL intact:

- linkstation_version.txt
- LSUpdater.exe
- lsupdater.ini

The above 3 stock LS-GL files is to fool the installer to still look for my LS-GL device while forcing the LS-CHL img & boot files to the NAS.

I followed the steps in http://forums.buffalotech.com/buffal...thread.id=9309 to force a firmware update to revert back to LS-CHL.

After forcing the firmware upload, the NAS restarts, make the necessary static IP address changes, did whatever changes I can remember, followed by another restart, and viola! NasNavi now correctly reports the LS-CHL device on my home network.

There is a another new problem though, the top LED frequently alternates between violet & blue. NasNavi2 reports this as E22: Error mounting disk2/3/4. Appears it is constantly scanning (& attempt to mount) the other 3 non-existent drive.

Now I am really stumped. What shall I do next?

That type of file substitution was going to be my next suggestion. Glad you were able to make it work. However, the Error mounting disk2/3/4 seems like it loaded the firmware for a LinkStation Quad, rather than a LinkStation Live. Perhaps that is related to loading the new u-boot file, which I would not have recommended. You might want to post in the Buffalo forum for a solution to the error.

[musicexpression]

OK, yet another update. I was thinking of running to the service center to get it fixed, started deleting off my MP3/Sharedfiles and the SC (/opt...) files, did an erase of the HDD. Rebooted and the alternating violet/blue lights went away and showed a steady blue LED instead.

Hence I saved a trip down to the service centre.

For those who own this LSLive (LS-CHL model), AND taken the earlier steps of using step 1B (http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=57224) and wish to revert back to stock firmware, please take note of this potential problem. To clarify, the alternating violet/blue light happens:

- AFTER force-upgrading from LS-GL to LS-CHL, and

- BEFORE applying TiredLegs's instructions show in this first page

I therefore conclude there is nothing wrong with his steps involved.

So if LS-CHL users have this problem, please get it fixed by doing a system/HDD init and complete erase of the HDD before proceeding further.

Also, take note that the rear 3-way switch should be set to the ON position, rather than AUTO (powersave mode) position.

I found that the NAS goes to sleep after a period of inactivity, and the SC is unable to wake up the NAS at all. A scheduled shutdown (accessible in the Web UI) is a better choice.

Thanks to TiredLegs all for the tips/tricks.

[u415270]

The installation appears to have gone well, although I didn't understand all the commands or the messages !!
I started slimserver and went to login using :9000 IP access and straight away it asks me for a username and password - I have tried the linkstation admin password I have but it is rejected - what password / user is it looking for.

Right figured out that my user access for the linkstation works, but I just get to the buffalo web access page that lists all the files on the machine. There is no sign of slimserver ? Are there any checks that anyone can suggest. I feared this would not be as simple as I hoped - all help gladly received - only bought the squeezebox on the great support offered hear.

[TiredLegs]

The installation appears to have gone well, although I didn't understand all the commands or the messages !!
I started slimserver and went to login using :9000 IP access and straight away it asks me for a username and password - I have tried the linkstation admin password I have but it is rejected - what password / user is it looking for.

It's perfectly fine not to understand the commands and messages, as long as you enter them exactly as instructed. I don't even understand all of them.

The first setup screen that appears at :9000 is asking for your SqueezeNetwork account information. If you don't already have a SqueezeNetwork account, just clip "Skip" in the lower right. You can set that up anytime later.

Basically, SqueezeNetwork lets you listen to Internet radio stations by using a remotely located server operated by Slim Devices. At any given time, a Squeezebox can be connected either to a SqueezeCenter server on your local network (i.e. the LinkStation you just loaded SqueezeCenter onto), or to SqueezeNetwork, but not both at the same time.

You can sign up for a free SqueezeNetwork account at www.squeezenetwork.com.

For more info on SqueezeNetwork, see http://wiki.slimdevices.com/index.php/SqueezeNetwork.

[TiredLegs]

Right figured out that my user access for the linkstation works, but I just get to the buffalo web access page that lists all the files on the machine. There is no sign of slimserver ? Are there any checks that anyone can suggest. I feared this would not be as simple as I hoped - all help gladly received - only bought the squeezebox on the great support offered hear.

If you followed the instructions for setting the IP address, you would find SqueezeCenter at http://192.168.1.130:9000, as you apparently did before.