Difference between revisions of "Re-installing your Bubba Server / Bubba2 / B3"

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 This information is also available in the users manual for these products. The below information is a bit more extensive and also contains some extra tips. It is valid for Bubba Server, B2 and Excito B3 (aka B1, B2, B3).   
 This information is also available in the users manual for these products. The below information is a bit more extensive and also contains some extra tips. It is valid for Bubba Server, B2 and Excito B3 (aka B1, B2, B3).   


Please let me know of any remarks or clarifications I have left out, thanks! 
Please let me know of any remarks or clarifications I have left out, thanks!   


<br>  
<br>  
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#Press the rear button whlie applying power.  
#Press the rear button whlie applying power.  
#When you see the front lamp blinking - release the button.  
#When you see the front lamp blinking - release the button.  
#Wait while B1 is formatting the disk and installing the system. Note that this takes some time - actual time depends on disk size. You can see the activty by watching the USB stick lamp and the hard drive light (visible through the top vents).&nbsp;
#Wait while B1 is formatting the disk and installing the system. Note that this takes some time - actual time depends on disk size. You can see the activty by watching the USB stick lamp and the hard drive light (visible through the top vents).&nbsp;  
#When done, B1 automatically boots. When booted, the front LED becomes solid lit.
#When done, B1 automatically boots. When booted, the front LED becomes solid lit.  
#All done!<br>
#All done!<br>


Line 33: Line 33:
#Download the install image from [http://www.excito.com/content/manuals-and-other-downloads here].  
#Download the install image from [http://www.excito.com/content/manuals-and-other-downloads here].  
#Unzip the file to the USB-stick root. Now, the USB stick should have a folder named 'install' in the root.  
#Unzip the file to the USB-stick root. Now, the USB stick should have a folder named 'install' in the root.  
#Shut down your B2 and remove power (unplug the power cable from B2).
#Shut down your B2 and remove power (unplug the power cable from B2).  
#Unplug any external disks you may have connected, as well as other USB sticks or gadgets.
#Unplug any external disks you may have connected, as well as other USB sticks or gadgets.  
#Insert the USB stick in any of the USB ports.  
#Insert the USB stick in any of the USB ports.  
#Press the rear button whlie applying power.
#Press the rear button whlie applying power.  
#When you see the front lamp beginning to blink release the button.  
#When you see the front lamp beginning to blink release the button.  
#First, the front lamp blinks at two blinks per second (2 Hz). After some time (within 30 seconds), the blink should increase to 4 Hz. If it doesn't - remove power and try again - sometimes a few tries are required.&nbsp;
#First, the front lamp blinks at two blinks per second (2 Hz). After some time (within 30 seconds), the blink should increase to 4 Hz. If it doesn't - remove power and try again - sometimes a few tries are required.&nbsp;  
#Wait while B2 is formatting the disk and installing the system. Note that this takes some time - approximately 15-20 minutes with 1 TB disk. You can see the activty by watching the USB stick lamp.
#Wait while B2 is formatting the disk and installing the system. Note that this takes some time - approximately 15-20 minutes with 1 TB disk. You can see the activty by watching the USB stick lamp.  
#When done, B3 automatically boots (front LED blinking at 1 Hz during boot). When booted, the front LED becomes solid lit.
#When done, B3 automatically boots (front LED blinking at 1 Hz during boot). When booted, the front LED becomes solid lit.  
#All done!
#All done!


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Relax. There is an option that can be set of - not formatting the hard drive and keeping your user data while still re-installing your system  
Relax. There is an option that can be set of - not formatting the hard drive and keeping your user data while still re-installing your system  


Follow steps 1 and 2 above. Then edit the file bubba.cfg with a text editor. (Note: Do NOT use windows notepad, it messes up the file, if on windows use for example [http://www.contexteditor.org/ ConText]).&nbsp;
Follow steps 1 and 2 above. Then edit the file bubba.cfg with a text editor. (Note: Do NOT use windows notepad, it messes up the file, if on windows use for example [http://www.contexteditor.org/ ConText]).&nbsp;  


Change the lines  
Change the lines  
Line 72: Line 72:


"PARTITION = 1"
"PARTITION = 1"
</pre>
</pre>  
to  
to  
<pre>"FORMAT = 0"
<pre>"FORMAT = 0"
Line 79: Line 79:


"PARTITION = 0"
"PARTITION = 0"
</pre>
..and save the file. Then continue at step 3 above. The system will now re-install the system partition (hence all your settings etc. will be removed, but all user data (everything under /home) is not touched.&nbsp;
= Using the install stick as a rescue system (B2 and B3 only)  =
Forgot your root password? Locked yourself out while fiddling with ssh settings? No worries, there is a way to get back in control without having to reinstall:<br>
Follow steps 1 and 2 above. Then edit the file bubba.cfg with a text editor. (Note: Do NOT use windows notepad, it messes up the file, if on windows use for example [http://www.contexteditor.org/ ConText]). <br>
Change the line
<pre>"DO_INSTALL&nbsp;=&nbsp;1"</pre>
to<br>
<pre>"DO_INSTALL = 0"
</pre>  
</pre>  
..and save the file. Then continue at step 3 above. The system will now halt without installing anything and start an ssh service. It will also start a DHCP client and obtain an IP from a DHCP server on your network, on the WAN port. Now you can use ssh to connect to your B3 regardless of how destroyed your original system is (you now actually connects to a Linux system running from the USB stick). Login using username 'root' and password 'excito'. Use mount and chroot to gain access to the original file system and perform the rescue operations you need.&nbsp;
<br> ..and save the file. Then continue at step 3 above. The system will now re-install the system partition (hence all your settings etc. will be removed, but all user data (everything under /home) is not touched.&nbsp;  
 
<u>Caution</u>: If you forget to edit the config file, your B2/B3 will be completely re-formatted and re-installed and all user data lost.&nbsp;  
 


= Using the install stick as a manual rescue system =


This last guide was actually already posted to the wiki [http://wiki.excito.org/wiki/index.php/Rescue_System here]. Thanks [http://wiki.excito.org/wiki/index.php/User:Andreas_Gohr Andreas Gohr].&nbsp;
Read the excellent guide [http://wiki.excito.org/wiki/index.php/Rescue_System here]. Thanks [http://wiki.excito.org/wiki/index.php/User:Andreas_Gohr Andreas Gohr].&nbsp;

Revision as of 07:02, 29 September 2011

 This information is also available in the users manual for these products. The below information is a bit more extensive and also contains some extra tips. It is valid for Bubba Server, B2 and Excito B3 (aka B1, B2, B3). 

Please let me know of any remarks or clarifications I have left out, thanks! 


Why?

A complete re-install can be needed for several reasons - you messed something up while playing around; you have upgraded your hard drive etc. The solution is easy - restore your B3 to factory state by following these instructions. 


How?

B1

You need an USB stick, with minimum 256 MB free. Do like this:

  1. Download the install image from here.
  2. Unzip the file to the USB-stick root. Now, the USB stick should have a folder named 'install' in the root.
  3. Shut down your B1 and remove power (unplug the power cable from B3).
  4. Insert the USB stick in any of the USB ports.
  5. Press the rear button whlie applying power.
  6. When you see the front lamp blinking - release the button.
  7. Wait while B1 is formatting the disk and installing the system. Note that this takes some time - actual time depends on disk size. You can see the activty by watching the USB stick lamp and the hard drive light (visible through the top vents). 
  8. When done, B1 automatically boots. When booted, the front LED becomes solid lit.
  9. All done!

B2

You need an USB stick, with minimum 512 MB free. Do like this:

  1. Download the install image from here.
  2. Unzip the file to the USB-stick root. Now, the USB stick should have a folder named 'install' in the root.
  3. Shut down your B2 and remove power (unplug the power cable from B2).
  4. Unplug any external disks you may have connected, as well as other USB sticks or gadgets.
  5. Insert the USB stick in any of the USB ports.
  6. Press the rear button whlie applying power.
  7. When you see the front lamp beginning to blink release the button.
  8. First, the front lamp blinks at two blinks per second (2 Hz). After some time (within 30 seconds), the blink should increase to 4 Hz. If it doesn't - remove power and try again - sometimes a few tries are required. 
  9. Wait while B2 is formatting the disk and installing the system. Note that this takes some time - approximately 15-20 minutes with 1 TB disk. You can see the activty by watching the USB stick lamp.
  10. When done, B3 automatically boots (front LED blinking at 1 Hz during boot). When booted, the front LED becomes solid lit.
  11. All done!

B3

You need an USB stick, with minimum 512 MB free. Do like this: 

  1. Download the install image from here
  2. Unzip the file to the USB-stick root. Now, the USB stick should have a folder named 'install' in the root. 
  3. Shut down your B3 and remove power (unplug the power cable from B3).
  4. Unplug any external disks you may have connected, as well as other USB sticks or gadgets.
  5. Insert the USB stick in any of the USB ports. 
  6. Press the rear button whlie applying power.
  7. When you see the front lamp turning green - release the button. 
  8. Wait while B3 is formatting the disk and installing the system. Note that this takes some time - approximately 10-15 minutes with 1 TB disk. You can see the activty by watching the USB stick lamp and the hard drive light (visible through the Kensington lock hole).
  9. When done, B3 automatically boots (front LED turning purple). When booted, the front LED turns blue. 
  10. All done!


What if I don't want to delete all my user data? 

Relax. There is an option that can be set of - not formatting the hard drive and keeping your user data while still re-installing your system

Follow steps 1 and 2 above. Then edit the file bubba.cfg with a text editor. (Note: Do NOT use windows notepad, it messes up the file, if on windows use for example ConText). 

Change the lines

"FORMAT = 1"

and

"PARTITION = 1"

to

"FORMAT = 0"

and

"PARTITION = 0"


..and save the file. Then continue at step 3 above. The system will now re-install the system partition (hence all your settings etc. will be removed, but all user data (everything under /home) is not touched. 

Using the install stick as a manual rescue system

Read the excellent guide here. Thanks Andreas Gohr