Help Troubleshooting Acer Aspire EasyStore H340 Home Server

cp_techhelp

Hi everyone,

I'm reaching out for assistance with troubleshooting an Acer Aspire EasyStore H340 network-attached storage server, which I'm repairing for a friend.

The server is running Windows Home Server, and the laptop used for accessing it is running Windows 7. We want to figure out a way to use the home server despite it being so old.

Here's a summary of the issues I'm encountering and the steps I've taken so far:

1. Accessing the Console: Unfortunately, we've forgotten the password to access the Windows Home Server console. Attempts to reinstall the client resulted in a network connectivity error.
2. Connection: Despite being on the same network, the tray icon on the Windows 7 laptop indicates that the home server and laptop are not connected. We're unsure why they aren't connecting.
3. Resetting the Server: Following the instructions in the online manual, we attempted to reset the server using a paperclip on the reset button, but it didn't yield any changes or improvements in connectivity.
4. Assessing Indicators: After booting, the System Status indicator turns solid red. The HDD Access indicators for slots 2 and 3 turn red regardless of whether disks are present. The HDD Status indicator doesn't react despite the access indicators turning red.
5. Running Diagnostic Test: We tried to run a diagnostic test using an "annie.gho" file on a USB drive, but it didn't work as expected. The HDD Access indicators didn't flash, and no log file was generated. We’re not exactly sure how to use that file to run the test though, so it could be an error on our part.

Current issues include:
- Lack of access to the home server console due to a forgotten password.
- Inability to establish a connection between the server and the Windows 7 laptop.
- Absence of recovery disks for resetting the server.
- Indicators not responding correctly, particularly the HDD Access indicators.
- The diagnostic test not returning results.

There is currently no data saved on the disks so we’re open to any factory reset type of methods.

If anyone has experience troubleshooting Acer Aspire EasyStore H340 servers or similar NAS devices, I would greatly appreciate any advice or guidance on resolving these issues.

billsey

IIRC, and it's been a looong time since I did anything with WHS, The reset doesn't do a reinstall of the OS, only gets you out of a freeze state. What you might have to do is a reset of the OS, to start fresh, but that might require an OS image, which isn't likely available any longer. Connection doesn't take place without the client being able to authenticate with the server, and to do that you need credentials. It sounds like going in that direction isn't yet warranted, since the drive indicators are pointing to a hardware problem. If both indicators are lighting even when a disk isn't present then there is something going on with the hardware. If there was access to a BIOS on the machine you could probably convert it to an old Linux OS and set it up for actual NAS, but as it sits it's probably a lost cause. :(