There are two relevant things to test here:

1) Can this machine boot any other USB-booting OS - lots of repair software, non-install Linux etc available that can be used to test.

2) Can the unRAID drive be used to boot any other computer.

 

The link you posted indicates that some people failed because the drive itself wasn't properly configured. And some failed because of brand/model of drive. And some failed because the BIOS menu system was too complicated. And some failed because of other USB equipment connected at the same time (such as keyboard/mouse).

OK gents. As pissed as I was last night...and there was something very specific, and time-sensitive I need my array for...I need to put that behind it, and eventually get my data recovered.

 

Let me try to answer some of these questions, so the board can...as it so generously does...point me in the direction of help.

 

One...I've gone back, to my original 512M drive...that worked just fine, for years; to eliminate any variables about the drive. Unfortunately...that means, it doesn't have enough space, to load a clean install of 5.2 or 5.3. I have tried putting, what I think is a good b/u...of 6.5.1 on it; but either...in all the "confusion"...that's changed, or the issue is still the MB booting up to the drive. Because that won't load either.

 

The only time...I've had the BIOS see the USB, in the boot options; is when I loaded that Rufus thing https://rufus.akeo.ie/

 

I was able to f12 into the boot menu, select +hard drives...and see the USB. But then that crashed-out, on a different error (something about array too big)...which I figured, had to do with the whole Rufus thing to begin with (it put a directory on the drive, called CONSOLE; and then I didn't know...if I should remove the unRAID bootable stuff. I didn't, but I don't think Rufus was expecting a 22T partition, lol).

 

Then there's the BIOS; all the things I've read to check for...namely UEFI stuff...I don't see in mine. It's probably called something else; smart-boot, etc. But I'd just be throwing darts at a board. I'll be away today; but will look forward, to any and all ideas...and attacking restore, first thing tomorrow.

 

FYI; I have posted in the Gigabyte forum...but no leads there, so far. Obviously, most of the posts on this issue...are talking about more "traditional" OSs.

Not clear from your response if you have done these:

3 hours ago, pwm said:

There are two relevant things to test here:

1) Can this machine boot any other USB-booting OS - lots of repair software, non-install Linux etc available that can be used to test.

2) Can the unRAID drive be used to boot any other computer.

You're focused very much in on a specific cause that as I've read here seems to suggest it's an inherent fault with gigabyte boards rendering them unable to boot a USB drive.  However unless I'm missing something, you have been booting from this very motherboard with your USB key for a while and this is a new phenomenon.

 

In my mind that doesn't support the hypothesis.

 

Now I know that Unraid recommends at least 1GB, but a fresh install of v6.5.3 weighs in at about 160MB  and you've been running from a 512MB drive for a while, so why not try booting a fresh install. 

 

As long as you don't do anything daft if/when it boots like assigning drives to parity then your data is safe.

18 hours ago, CHBMB said:

You're focused very much in on a specific cause that as I've read here seems to suggest it's an inherent fault with gigabyte boards rendering them unable to boot a USB drive.  However unless I'm missing something, you have been booting from this very motherboard with your USB key for a while and this is a new phenomenon.

 

In my mind that doesn't support the hypothesis.

 

Now I know that Unraid recommends at least 1GB, but a fresh install of v6.5.3 weighs in at about 160MB  and you've been running from a 512MB drive for a while, so why not try booting a fresh install. 

 

As long as you don't do anything daft if/when it boots like assigning drives to parity then your data is safe.

 

I've tried. At least through the Download USB Creator; I keep getting the error

 

Let me try it, "old school"

Edited August 11, 20187 yr by CDLehner

Damn; I feel dumb.

 

I had this line of thinking, all along; but was assuming...the new OS, must not fit on a 512 flash.

 

Should have cleaned the sh*t out of my eyes; and seen, it was only 154M...and that error, was obviously a byproduct of the Creator app.

OK; back to the GUI!

 

Gotta assign drives. I'll Google; am I going to find it?

 

Config dir?

Edited August 11, 20187 yr by CDLehner

11 minutes ago, CDLehner said:

OK; back to the GUI!

 

Gotta assign drives. I'll Google; am I going to find it?

 

Config dir?

 

You did make a backup copy of your configuration directory on the flash drive?

And did you restore this backup to the flash drive after having flashed it with a newer unRAID version?

I'm good. #neveragain ?

 

Running parity. Will marked solved after.

 

Wait...name changed??

Edited August 11, 20187 yr by CDLehner

2 hours ago, CDLehner said:

Wait...name changed??

 

Is this referring to a problem you're still having?  Give us more details if you want more help.

It looks like the name changed. That surprises me. If Config dir holds array; doesn't hold name?

 

I need to make the change. Are their any ramifications?

1 hour ago, CDLehner said:

It looks like the name changed. That surprises me. If Config dir holds array; doesn't hold name?

 

I need to make the change. Are their any ramifications?

 

Do you mean the name of your server? The name is in config/ident.cfg

 

But starting with unRAID 6.4, I think, your server name must conform to NetBIOS naming conventions. Some people had a problem with this. What was your server name?

1 hour ago, trurl said:

 

Do you mean the name of your server? The name is in config/ident.cfg

 

But starting with unRAID 6.4, I think, your server name must conform to NetBIOS naming conventions. Some people had a problem with this. What was your server name?

 

unSERVER

10 hours ago, CDLehner said:

 

I've tried. At least through the Download USB Creator; I keep getting the error

 

Let me try it, "old school"

 

are you sure your dont have more than one partition on that flash drive.  it sure sounds like you have a 512mb partition, and another with the rest of the space.  Windows will only see the 1st partition to format, insert it and use the drive management tool from windows.  it will show you if there is more than one partition.  remove them all, then use the unRAID creator tool.  I have used it, the tool does work

10 hours ago, CDLehner said:

unSERVER

That is exactly the same server name I use. Perhaps you missed copying config/ident.cfg or it was corrupt. In any case, it can be set in the webUI.

In my personal opinion the best thing to do is wipe the drive and format with fat/fat32. Then make the usb using the traditional method.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk