cannot detect USB HDD

[ferdz_33]

hi guys,

been using the wl500gp for about a year now, and just yesterday it can't detect my usb hdd anymore (seagate 250gb 2.5" 5400rpm in a nexstar 3 enclosure).

i've reset the router to default and also installed the latest oleg but still can't detect the drive. (hdd is newly formatted)

i only followed wengi's guide before (don't know anything on linux aside from the tutorial). now,when i turn it back on the 4 LAN & WAN lights is just lit up. is this bricked already or a power supply problem? how will i know that?

logs:

[admin@admin root]$ fdisk /dev/discs/disc0/disc
fdisk: can't open '/dev/discs/disc0/disc'

[admin@admin root]$ df
Filesystem 1K-blocks Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/root 3008 3008 0 100% /
tmpfs 14980 132 14848 1% /tmp

[admin@admin root]$ dmesg
CPU revision is: 00029006
Primary instruction cache 16kB, physically tagged, 2-way, linesize 16 bytes.
Primary data cache 16kB, 2-way, linesize 16 bytes.
Linux version 2.4.37.7 (root@localhost) (gcc version 3.4.6) #5 2009-12-21 21:23:43 MSK
Setting the PFC to its default value
Determined physical RAM map:
memory: 02000000 @ 00000000 (usable)
On node 0 totalpages: 8192
zone(0): 8192 pages.
zone(1): 0 pages.
zone(2): 0 pages.
Kernel command line: root=/dev/mtdblock2 rootfstype=squashfs,ext3 noinitrd init=/linuxrc console=ttyS0,115200
CPU: BCM4704 rev 9 pkg 0 at 264 MHz
Using 132.000 MHz high precision timer.
Calibrating delay loop... 263.78 BogoMIPS
Memory: 29868k/32768k available (1958k kernel code, 2900k reserved, 240k data, 92k init, 0k highmem)
Dentry cache hash table entries: 4096 (order: 3, 32768 bytes)
Inode cache hash table entries: 2048 (order: 2, 16384 bytes)
Mount cache hash table entries: 512 (order: 0, 4096 bytes)
Buffer cache hash table entries: 1024 (order: 0, 4096 bytes)
Page-cache hash table entries: 8192 (order: 3, 32768 bytes)
Checking for 'wait' instruction... unavailable.
POSIX conformance testing by UNIFIX
PCI: Initializing host
PCI: Fixing up bus 0
PCI: Fixing up bridge
PCI: Setting latency timer of device 01:00.0 to 64
PCI: Fixing up bus 1
Linux NET4.0 for Linux 2.4
Based upon Swansea University Computer Society NET3.039
Initializing RT netlink socket
Starting kswapd
Journalled Block Device driver loaded
devfs: v1.12c (20020818) Richard Gooch (rgooch@atnf.csiro.au)
devfs: boot_options: 0x1
NTFS driver v1.1.22 [Flags: R/O]
squashfs: version 3.0 (2006/03/15) Phillip Lougher
pty: 256 Unix98 ptys configured
Serial driver version 5.05c (2001-07-08) with MANY_PORTS SHARE_IRQ SERIAL_PCI enabled
ttyS00 at 0xb8000300 (irq = 3) is a 16550A
ttyS01 at 0xb8000400 (irq = 3) is a 16550A
HDLC line discipline: version $Revision: 3.7 $, maxframe=4096
N_HDLC line discipline registered.
loop: loaded (max 8 devices)
PPP generic driver version 2.4.2
PPP Deflate Compression module registered
PPP BSD Compression module registered
MPPE/MPPC encryption/compression module registered
PPPoL2TP kernel driver, V0.15.1
PPTP driver version 0.8.5-rc1
Physically mapped flash: Found an alias at 0x800000 for the chip at 0x0
Physically mapped flash: Found an alias at 0x1000000 for the chip at 0x0
Physically mapped flash: Found an alias at 0x1800000 for the chip at 0x0
Amd/Fujitsu Extended Query Table v1.3 at 0x0040
Flash Id: Vendor: 0x0001 Device: 0x007e
number of CFI chips: 1
cfi_cmdset_0002: Disabling fast programming due to code brokenness.
Flash device: 0x800000 at 0x1c000000
Physically mapped flash: squashfs filesystem found at block 967
Creating 5 MTD partitions on "Physically mapped flash":
0x00000000-0x00040000 : "boot"
0x00040000-0x007f0000 : "linux"
0x000f1e08-0x007f0000 : "rootfs"
0x007f0000-0x00800000 : "nvram"
0x003e0000-0x007f0000 : "flashfs"
sflash: found no supported devices
Initializing Cryptographic API
IPv6 v0.8 for NET4.0
IPv6 over IPv4 tunneling driver
NET4: Linux TCP/IP 1.0 for NET4.0
IP Protocols: ICMP, UDP, TCP, IGMP
IP: routing cache hash table of 4096 buckets, 32Kbytes
TCP: Hash tables configured (established 2048 bind 4096)
Linux IP multicast router 0.06 plus PIM-SM
ip_conntrack version 2.1 (5953 buckets, 11906 max) - 328 bytes per conntrack
ip_conntrack_pptp version 1.9 loaded
ip_nat_pptp version 1.5 loaded
ip_tables: (C) 2000-2002 Netfilter core team
ipt_time loading
NET4: Unix domain sockets 1.0/SMP for Linux NET4.0.
ip6_tables: (C) 2000-2002 Netfilter core team
registering ipv6 mark target
NET4: Ethernet Bridge 008 for NET4.0
802.1Q VLAN Support v1.8 Ben Greear <greearb@candelatech.com>
All bugs added by David S. Miller <davem@redhat.com>
VFS: Mounted root (squashfs filesystem) readonly.
Mounted devfs on /dev
Freeing unused kernel memory: 92k freed
Algorithmics/MIPS FPU Emulator v1.5
PCI: Setting latency timer of device 00:01.0 to 64
eth0: Broadcom BCM47xx 10/100 Mbps Ethernet Controller 4.150.10.29
PCI: Setting latency timer of device 00:02.0 to 64
unregister_netdevice: device eth1/81072a00 never was registered
PCI: Setting latency timer of device 01:02.0 to 64
PCI: Enabling device 01:02.0 (0004 -> 0006)
eth1: Broadcom BCM4318 802.11 Wireless Controller 4.150.10.29
vlan0: add 33:33:00:00:00:01 mcast address to master interface
vlan0: add 33:33:ff:91:84:fe mcast address to master interface
vlan0: dev_set_promiscuity(master, 1)
device eth0 entered promiscuous mode
device vlan0 entered promiscuous mode
device eth1 entered promiscuous mode
eth1: attempt to add interface with same source address.
br0: port 2(eth1) entering learning state
br0: port 1(vlan0) entering learning state
br0: port 2(eth1) entering forwarding state
br0: topology change detected, propagating
br0: port 1(vlan0) entering forwarding state
br0: topology change detected, propagating
usb.c: registered new driver usbdevfs
usb.c: registered new driver hub
usb-uhci.c: $Revision: 1.275 $ time 21:25:35 Dec 21 2009
usb-uhci.c: High bandwidth mode enabled
PCI: Enabling device 01:03.0 (0000 -> 0001)
UHCI: Enabling VIA 6212 workarounds
usb-uhci.c: USB UHCI at I/O 0x100, IRQ 12
usb-uhci.c: Detected 2 ports
usb.c: new USB bus registered, assigned bus number 1
hub.c: USB hub found
hub.c: 2 ports detected
PCI: Enabling device 01:03.1 (0000 -> 0001)
UHCI: Enabling VIA 6212 workarounds
usb-uhci.c: USB UHCI at I/O 0x120, IRQ 12
usb-uhci.c: Detected 2 ports
usb.c: new USB bus registered, assigned bus number 2
hub.c: USB hub found
hub.c: 2 ports detected
usb-uhci.c: v1.275:USB Universal Host Controller Interface driver
PCI: Enabling device 01:03.2 (0000 -> 0002)
ehci_hcd 01:03.2: PCI device 1106:3104
ehci_hcd 01:03.2: irq 12, pci mem c01a1000
usb.c: new USB bus registered, assigned bus number 3
EHCI: Enabling VIA 6212 workarounds
ehci_hcd 01:03.2: USB 2.0 enabled, EHCI 1.00, driver 10 Dec 2004/2.4
hub.c: USB hub found
hub.c: 4 ports detected
usb.c: registered new driver usblp
printer.c: v0.13: USB Printer Device Class driver
usb.c: registered new driver audio
audio.c: v1.0.1:USB Audio Class driver
SCSI subsystem driver Revision: 1.00
Initializing USB Mass Storage driver...
usb.c: registered new driver usb-storage
USB Mass Storage support registered.
vlan1: Setting MAC address to 00 1b fc 91 84 fe.
VLAN (vlan1): Underlying device (eth0) has same MAC, not checking promiscious mode.
vlan1: add 33:33:00:00:00:01 mcast address to master interface
vlan1: add 33:33:ff:91:84:fe mcast address to master interface
vlan0: add 33:33:00:00:00:02 mcast address to master interface
vlan0: add 33:33:ff:00:00:00 mcast address to master interface
vlan1: add 33:33:00:00:00:02 mcast address to master interface
vlan1: add 33:33:ff:00:00:00 mcast address to master interface
vlan1: add 01:00:5e:00:00:01 mcast address to master interface
hub.c: new USB device 01:03.2-1, assigned address 2
usb.c: USB device 2 (vend/prod 0x13fd/0x160f) is not claimed by any active driver.

[wengi]

Hi,

has the hdd an external power supply?
Does the hdd work connected to a normal PC?
How can it be bricked if you have a boot log? Or is the log an old one?

wengi

[avberk]

If you disconnect the harddisk and power on the asus, does the asus work?

[EdP]

I second that. Probably it's just insufficient power.
Connect the USB drive's power supply.

The Asus power supply is only just about enough for the router and sometimes not even that. If you have a better power supply that has the right voltage and polarity you could try that (at your own risk).

[al37919]

The Asus power supply is only just about enough for the router and sometimes not even that.

asus power supply outputs enough power to work with 2.5" hdd, however, on 5V usb outputs are sitting 0.5 A self-recoverable fuses (such design is compliant with usb specs). If you short them or replace with the ones rated at higher current you can supply your hdd from the asus PSU. Alternatively, you can attach you hdd to both usb outputs by special cable --- this will double current available for your needs.

[ferdz_33]

Hi,

has the hdd an external power supply?
Does the hdd work connected to a normal PC?
How can it be bricked if you have a boot log? Or is the log an old one?

wengi

1. no it does not have its own power. just a USB Y-cable
2. yes, it works fine using e-sata and USB on a PC
3. i got the log a few minutes before it went bonkers (now, it just gives me the 4 LAN & WAN lights ON)

If you disconnect the harddisk and power on the asus, does the asus work?

see #3 above.

I second that. Probably it's just insufficient power.
Connect the USB drive's power supply.

The Asus power supply is only just about enough for the router and sometimes not even that. If you have a better power supply that has the right voltage and polarity you could try that (at your own risk).

thanks. i'm currently looking for one. will something that outputs 3A be good enough with the hdd on?

asus power supply outputs enough power to work with 2.5" hdd, however, on 5V usb outputs are sitting 0.5 A self-recoverable fuses (such design is compliant with usb specs). If you short them or replace with the ones rated at higher current you can supply your hdd from the asus PSU. Alternatively, you can attach you hdd to both usb outputs by special cable --- this will double current available for your needs.

yes. i always connect both the USB cable (see the cable below) to the 2 hubs at the back of the router and it was working flawlessly before.

here's the cable i'm using:


btw, i just opened the power supply and there's a bloated capacitor there.
i'm still looking for the guide on how to fix it but most likely i'll just go and buy a new one. if anyone knows the fix (just a link will do) its greatly appreciated.

[al37919]

just replace capacitor --- a lot of PSUs failed with the same symptoms and can be easily repaired.
http://wl500g.info/showthread.php?t=21515
there was also an English thread I just cant find it quickly.

now, it just gives me the 4 LAN & WAN lights ON

this is clear indication of what you have already discovered

[EdP]

Such a shame that Asus has used bad capacitors in such quantities. Asus should take responsibility and send you a new psu if it were up to me.
Anyway, for your storage issue, just get a usb drive that has its own power supply.

[ferdz_33]

thanks again to everyone. its working now. got myself another power supply with 3A output