[C200] Prob of long time to boot with HDD

[flobrux]

After four months without any prob, my C200 has a strange prob.
At the boot time, my c200 stays with the logo "Popcorn hour Loading..." in 10 or 15 minutes

After this boot time, no other issue, everything works perfectly.
If I remove hhd (internal 3.5, formated in ext3 standard, used from beginning without any prob), it's ok.
I try others tests (as to stop all nmt app or to desinstall others all app or disconnect network, to install the last firmware, etc...), the boot time is still very long with hdd.
My hhd is a Western Digital Caviar Green S-ATA - 1500 Go with 1/3 free space.

Thanks beforehand if you have a idea (without to re-format).
What is the method to check all steps in boot time to identify where is this prob ?

(If it exists a post about the same question, I'm sorry but I already read many posts without to find a solution )

[produde]

(03-22-2010 02:00 PM)flobrux Wrote:  After four months without any prob, my C200 has a strange prob.
At the boot time, my c200 stays with the logo "Popcorn hour Loading..." in 10 or 15 minutes

After this boot time, no other issue, everything works perfectly.
If I remove hhd (internal 3.5, formated in ext3 standard, used from beginning without any prob), it's ok.
I try others tests (as to stop all nmt app or to desinstall others all app or disconnect network, to install the last firmware, etc...), the boot time is still very long with hdd.
My hhd is a Western Digital Caviar Green S-ATA - 1500 Go with 1/3 free space.

Thanks beforehand if you have a idea (without to re-format).
What is the method to check all steps in boot time to identify where is this prob ?

(If it exists a post about the same question, I'm sorry but I already read many posts without to find a solution )

If you upgraded to the latest software, then this is probably the case as I have the same issue now...

[Miaz]

Hello,
some time ago, I had problems with lengthened boot time because of special signs ( ) ; in folder names, big quantity of folders (mp3 archive) und wrong settings of WLAN module.

see:
http://www.networkedmediatank.com/showth...?tid=35190

Now, I only have a small folder structure on my internal 2,5'' HD EXT3 and have formatted the 3,5'' HD with NTFS for my mp3-Archive.
And it works.
Boot time now is about 55 s - also with the current firmware.

But I don't know whether this could solve your problem.

[flobrux]

Thanks Miaz. But it'snt ok in my case.

1/ After to check each folder in my hhd, no special sign in folder names...

2/ I don't think to have many mp3 folder and I didn't copy new mp3 since last months, but I tried this idea.
After reduce (by delete 50%) the quantity of folders and reduce names, no change on boot delay..

3/ I don't understand your idea of "wrong setting of WLAN". ( in case of options \ network \ Mode \ wireless is on and router/WLAN is off, boot time increases 45 seconds Solution: switch WLAN on before starting Popcorn / or set Network option to wired mode.). Where is this option ?

4/ is-it a result of new firmware ? I don't think that.

Next weekend, I will try with a internal 2.5"HD, it's a other solution but expensive...
Thanks

[Miaz]

Hi flobrux,
to check whether this is a problem of the new firmware:
--> install again the firmware from January.
This should be no problem, because also former firmwares are on the Popcorn server.

Unfortunately, I do not have another idea.

Regarding 3: I mean, both devices must be enabled. Popcorn = WLAN on - and your router must have WLAN on.
I think, in case of router WLAN = off, the Popcorn tries to connect, but can not find the router.

[flobrux]

Firmware from January = same prob. I think that the origin of problem comes from ext3 partition. But I don't know the methods to verify ext3 hdd. (And I don't have a linux pc at home)
I'll order a 2.5 disk and will install apps on this future hdd. CU next week

[oceanos]

It seems I have the same problem of long boot times.
I had to reboot today for the first time in a long time and the c-200 seems to hang forever at the initial Popcorn Hour boot screen.
Anyone know what is going on?

[halfelite]

Take the drive out of the popcorn hour. Download gparted live. burn it to a cd connected the pch drive to your pc and boot the gparted live cd. It will let you check the ext3 partions.

[oceanos]

Thanks for your reply. I am not familiar with gparted. To what effect shall I check the ext3 partitions? Is this an indication of a problem with my HD ?

[oceanos]

Update:
After countless reboots and endless waiting for the main menu I gave up.
I turned the c-200 off from the back overnight and when I turned it on in the afternoon the unit booted up immediately and movies seem to be working fine off the internal hard drive.
However, one thing new I noticed is that when I select the hard drive icon from the main menu I get a list of three devices as follows:
01 No Disc
02 SATA DISK A3
03 SATA DISK A4

I used to simply get the audio / pictures / video menu.
Now I went into the 03 SATA DISK A4 and then got the Audio / Pictures / Video menu, selected video and played my movies.
Can anyone enlighten me as to why I now see this extra menu screen and what it means?
Many thanks.

[Willem53]

(03-22-2010 02:00 PM)flobrux Wrote:  After four months without any prob, my C200 has a strange prob.
At the boot time, my c200 stays with the logo "Popcorn hour Loading..." in 10 or 15 minutes

After this boot time, no other issue, everything works perfectly.
If I remove hhd (internal 3.5, formated in ext3 standard, used from beginning without any prob), it's ok.
I try others tests (as to stop all nmt app or to desinstall others all app or disconnect network, to install the last firmware, etc...), the boot time is still very long with hdd.
My hhd is a Western Digital Caviar Green S-ATA - 1500 Go with 1/3 free space.

Thanks beforehand if you have a idea (without to re-format).
What is the method to check all steps in boot time to identify where is this prob ?

(If it exists a post about the same question, I'm sorry but I already read many posts without to find a solution )

did you try swapping the SATA connector?
it could also be a filesystem or a disksector error.... that needs repairing Gparted has the Linux equivalent of CHKDSK that could fix your issue.
also the System file partition could be full or hold a broken file that does not belong there.
or... you have used torrent or NZBget and have to many unfinished downloads and you need to clean up the download folder.
or... some CSI installed application needs a checkup.
or... there are video/audio files in the root of the SHARE folder.
or... ect..

[oceanos]

Following up again: Although the internal HD of the c-200 seems to be working well and I can watch movies, it seems that the NMT applications are not being recognized any more as I cannot connect to the internal hard drive from my network. Is there anyway to reinstall the the NMT apps without formatting my hard drive (which is rather full of media) ?

[Willem53]

(04-09-2010 03:04 AM)oceanos Wrote:  Following up again: Although the internal HD of the c-200 seems to be working well and I can watch movies, it seems that the NMT applications are not being recognized any more as I cannot connect to the internal hard drive from my network. Is there anyway to reinstall the the NMT apps without formatting my hard drive (which is rather full of media) ?

yes you can reinstall/upgrade without formatting.
try to stop an start the SMB service first... as app files being broken is the most unlikely reason for these issues.

[oceanos]

How do I stop and start the SMB service?
The NMT Apps menu item under options is no longer there.

[flobrux]

Willem53, Thanks for this list of possible reasons.

1/ Check with Gparted Live 0.5.2.1 to verify first (apps), second (for blueray) ans 4th partitions (my data). No error on sector. And always same issue in my C200 : a very long boot time.
1b/ same problem with a swap of sata connector

2/ I install a new 2.5 disk without my data hdd inserted in C200. It's ok : short boot time before et after installation of mnt apps.
2b/ But when I insert the second disk (3.5 in front) : a very long boot time again.

Next step : to copy a half of video files from 3.5 HHD (1Tb) to 2.5 HDD (500Gb) and after, to modify all partitions of 3.5'HDD.
Also, I will compare the first partitions (apps nmt) between my 3,5 hhd and my 2.5 hdd because i feel it's strange to have a huge difference about used size with the same version of nmt apps. Perhaps a rest of CSI package.

Next week, I will post the results of my tests.