Know How... 79

Learn how to rescue your data from a dying hard drive, and answering viewer questions about using a USB Drive FreeNAS.

Check out transcript here.

Quick Tip: Flashing your FreeNAS

There have been questions about using a USB Flash Drive as the home of the FreeNAS OS. There are two reasons why I prefer to use them.

1. Since FreeNAS will only use 2GB of space, and because the OS drive will NOT be usable for anything but the OS, a hard drive or SSD would be a massive waste of space.
2. Since FreeNAS does not write much to the USB Flash Drive, a Flash Drive will last longer than a rotating drive.

To mount your flash drive inside the case, you'll need a USB Header.

Plug it into your motherboard, plug your usb flash drive into the adapter, and secure it in your case.

** You MAY need to disconnect one of the existing USB cables in order to free up a Motherboard USB header.

Hard Drive Rescue

If you have a hard drive that dies and takes your data with you, follow these steps.

1. Don't Panic
2. Evaluate - Is the drive under Warranty? What's on the Drive? Do I have backups?
3. Troubleshoot & Triage - Switch cables, power plugs, computers // Are the platters rotating? Can it be detected?
4. Software Tools
5. Swap the Logic Boards
6. Freeze the drive!

Swap the Logic Boards

• Logic boards are not universal, you NEED to find a drive that is the same make, model and manufacturing batch.
• Swap the boards and test if the drive is now visible to the computer.

Freeze the Drive!

• Make a drive burrito
• Freeze the burrito for 24 hours
• Connect the drive burrito to your computer

If ANY of these methods work, make sure to copy your data IMMEDIATELY. Assume that the drive is dying and that this will be your last chance to access that data.

Premise Wiring

Cutting and terminating your own cables is a skill that EVERY geek should have. Not only will you save money on cables, but having the ability to properly terminate your cables will allow you to wire your home/office professionally. If you use the T568B standard, you ensure that future geeks will be able to repair or rewire your cable legacy.

Tools

• Snips
• Wire Stripper
• Crimper
• Cable Tester
• Punchdown Tool

Supplies

• Cat 5e or Cat 6 cable
• Keystone Jacks
• Gang Boxes
• Punchdown Patch Panel
• Cable Heads

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• Transcripts: Know How 79 (Transcript)