DS-101g+ to DS-107/DSM 2.3-1157 Firmware/1.5TB Drive

[marktaberham]

First of all, many thanks and greetings to the absolute Synology masters who guided me to achieve an awesome upgrade to my venerable DS-101g+; and particular thanks to Herr Goetz.

My original DS-101g+ is now a 'DS-107', running DSM 2.3-1157 firmware and containing a Samsung HD154UI 1.5TB drive; and - so far so good!

I have started a new thread with the thought that I could try and help other DS-101g+ owners to upgrade their device by placing the process described in other various postings with regard to upgrading a DS-101g+ into one place. I will try and describe the steps which I have taken to upgrade my DS-101g+ to a DS-107 with the latest 2.3 firmware and sporting a 1.5TB drive.

Please note - the following method worked for me, but please don't hold me responsible if it all goes badly wrong for you!

First, let me say that my DS-101g+ was already 'upgraded' to be a DS-106 with 2.0.0731 firmware; the reason I wanted to upgrade from this setup was to install a 1.5TB drive with as few problems as possible. As stated on the Synology website, with regard to the Samsung HD154UI 1.5 TB drive which I was to install:

Before installing this hard drive on DS107, DS107e, DS108j, and DS109j, upgrade the firmware to DSM 2.2-0942 and onward with 1TB or smaller capacity hard drive.

I therefore sought to: upgrade my DS-101g+ to be a DS-107, with firmware higher than 2.2-0942.

The outline of this process was:

1. Upgrade the firmware with a drive of 1TB or smaller capacity.
2. Having upgraded the firmware, to replace the smaller drive with the 1.5TB Samsung drive.
3. Copy over the data from the original drive to the new, larger, drive.

[marktaberham]

These are the steps I took:

1. Remove the old drive.
2. Replace with a drive of 1TB or less. I chose not to use the original drive so as to safeguard the data on it.
3. Download the 'dirty hack' 2.026.993 firmware .
4. Upgrade the firmware on my DS-101g+, using the downloaded pat file. As the drive I used was absolutely blank, I used the Synology assistant; it went through the whole install process, including asking for the location of the pat file. The whole process took approximately 10 minutes.
5. Download the official Synology DSM2.3/1157 firmware.
6. Onto the dreaded vi editor!

[marktaberham]

In the various posts describing the editing of the sysyinfo.conf file, I was left bewildered by the use of the 'ssh into the box' and 'use vi to edit it' - and I consider myself computer literate. However, as the guys say, the information is all out there.

So, we now have a DS-101g+ as a DS-106 with the dirty hack firmware, to 2.026.993 standard. To go further, we must edit the synoinfo.conf file.

I used the vi editor crib sheets here and here. I accessed my device for editing using 'Terminal' on an Apple; from a PC I was able to acceess it using Putty for windows. These are the Editing steps which I took:

1. Open Terminal (Applications->Utilities->Terminal).
2. Type:

ssh root@xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (Hit enter key. Note: this must be as 'root', rather than 'Admin' and where xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is the IP address of the synology device, i.e., 192.168.0.100)

At this point you may encounter some gibberish about hacking, imminent death and destruction and be taken back to the prompt, rather than to the Synology device. In the case of the Apple, the easiest step now is to remove the 'known_hosts' file. Assuming your Terminal has opened in the 'user' directory (mine reads: imac:~ mark$, as the user is 'mark'), type (characters to type in bold):

imac:~ mark$ cd .ssh (hit enter key and goes to:)
imac:.ssh mark$ rm known_hosts (hit enter key and goes to:)
imac:.ssh mark$ cd .. (hit enter and goes to:)
imac:~ mark$ ssh root@xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx(hit enter key and goes to:)
The authenticity of host 'xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx)' can't be established.
RSA key fingerprint is a2:8a:9a:22:a1:89:24:a8:6a:84:a2:aa:05:a9:a8:05.
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no)? yes (hit enter key and goes to:)
mark@xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx's password:type in your Synology device password, hit enter key and goes to:

BusyBox v1.1.0 (2010.04.19-13:35+0000) Built-in shell (ash)
Enter 'help' for a list of built-in commands.

DiskStation>

We're in!

(If using Putty in a Windows environment, accept the option to add to the known users/hosts)

[marktaberham]

To access and edit the synoinfo.conf file (characters to type in bold):

DiskStation> cd .. (hit enter key and goes to:)
DiskStation> cd etc.defaults (and here we go! vi editor here we come....)
DiskStation> vi synoinfo.conf (hit enter key)

The synoinfo.conf file is now brought up for editing in vi. At this stage we are only going to edit the very first line.

unique="synology_powerpc_106"

To enable the Synolgy device to access the 107 firmware we must trick it into believing that it is indeed a 107 version. Follow these actions:
Move the cursor (using the left/right arrows) until it is over the figure 6; press the 'x' key; the 6 will be deleted.
To insert the figure 7 where the 6 had been (assuming the cursor hasn't been moved) press the following keys in the following order (don't type the '->'s, but do type the '*' and ':' and '!'):

* -> i -> 7 -> esc (note, the last key is the 'escape' key)

To save the file:

: -> w (space) synoinfo.conf (hit enter key)

To exit vi:

: -> q -> ! (hit enter key)

To exit the ssh session:

DiskStation> exit(hit enter key)

To exit the Terminal:

imac:~ mark$ exit
logout

The Synology device is now ready for the firmware upgrade. NOTE! Do not reboot at this stage!

[marktaberham]

Now update the Synology device to the latest DS-107 firmware - DSM 2.3-1157 in my case - as normal, via the updating firmware facility in the Synology Disk Manager Web GUI.

This will take, again, about 10 minutes. After updating is complete, we must again access the synoinfo.conf file to change some of the DS-107 parameters to reflect what we actually have in a DS-101g+ device.

So, complete the steps described above to access the Diskstation via ssh, and open the synoinfo.conf file in vi.

NOTE! Do not change or edit the first line of the file:

unique="synology_powerpc_107"

leave it as it is!

Use the up/down arrows to work your way down to the "# VS60 options" (commencing from line 136 in my file). Change the following values using the vi editing methods described above. Note: I found it useful to use the following method: highlight the first character to be erased by using the up/down/left/right keys; delete 'yes' (or whichever value) using the x key; insert text by * -> i -> no (or as required) -> esc. Repeat the process until all values are changed as required. If you forget to use the 'esc' key, when you try and delete further values, you will instead insert xxxx's into the text. If all else fails, hit the 'esc' key, then : -> q -> ! (hit enter key) and you will exit vi with no changes saved; you can then begin the editing process again. I do realise that there are easier methods of using vi for experts, but I wanted to make this as idiot-proof as possible for myself.

[quote]upnpmodelname="DS107" --> "DS106"
supportsystemperature="yes" --> "no"
showtempdesc="yes" --> "no"
synobios="ds107" -->"ds106"
supportdomain="yes" --> "no" (optional)
supportfanctrl="yes" --> "no"
support_auto_poweron="yes" --> "no"
supportSATA="yes" Leave as 'yes'! This is commented as change to 'no' in other posts, but the DS-101g+ has an eSata connection!
support_mtd_serial="yes" --> "no"
surveillance_camera_max="2" --> "1"
esatadiskname="hdc" --> delete

Exit vi, the ssh session and Terminal as described above - and now reboot the DS-101g/DS-107, via the Synology Disk Manager Web GUI.

[marktaberham]

My final step was to replace the drive I used to upgrade my DS-101g+ to a DS-107/DSM 2.3-1157 with my Samsung 1.5TB drive.

Again, the drive was blank, so I used the Synology Assistant to install the DSM 2.3-1157 firmware via the relevant pat file used earlier.

When the install is complete, you must use an ssh session as described above to change the values again to those required as in the previous post (also check that the first line is: unique="synology_powerpc_107"):

upnpmodelname="DS107" --> "DS106"
supportsystemperature="yes" --> "no"
showtempdesc="yes" --> "no"
synobios="ds107" -->"ds106"
supportdomain="yes" --> "no" (optional)
supportfanctrl="yes" --> "no"
support_auto_poweron="yes" --> "no"
supportSATA="yes" Leave as 'yes'! This is commented as change to 'no' in other posts, but the DS-101g+ has an eSata connection!
support_mtd_serial="yes" --> "no"
surveillance_camera_max="2" --> "1"
esatadiskname="hdc" --> delete

and reboot!

At this point I connected my old Synology drive via the eSata connection to copy over my files.

Just as a note, I decided not to venture into the DSM 3.0 firmware environment, as it would appear that upgrading that far is stretching the hardware capabilities of the DS-101g+ beyond what I require from the device.

Once again, thanks to all the Synology masters out there, and I hope these postings help someone to increase the life and usefulness of their DS-101g+.

Cheers,

Mark

[civicsir+]

Hi Mark!

This is a great summary you have made for the hack. I have a 101G+ with FW 460. How do i get this to 731? Do you have a dirty hack .PAT for this?

thanks,

[marktaberham]

Hi Civicsir+,

It was some time ago when I did that step, but I believe that it was the process descibed here, in the 3rd post (courtesy of Jekyll):

Hi All,

What you have to do is:

1) Download 7zip, & install it...
2) Download the DS101g+ and the DS106 firmwares
3) Open the DS101G+ firmware with 7zip
3) once unzipped right click on the file 'VERSION' then open or edit it.
4) Scroll across to: unique="synology_powerpc_101g+_1hd" highlight & copy it!.. close 'VERSION' & 7zip

Once you have completed this steps you'll need to do the same with the 106 firmware by pasting the unique name over the unique="synology_powerpc_106"
After this the system will be recognised as a DS106, so any further updates dont need modifying

I modified 2.0-640 then grabbed 731.. it's quite fast, 266mhz with 64mb ram is as good as the 07 models... runs my peer to peer, audio, records IP cams (i can help you modify the system to take more IP cams) and is a back up unit for my 407... performs very well and the DS101G+ will also work with terrabyte drives

I think the system could be maybe modified to an 07 model.. seems syn used the freescale MPC8241 on a lot of systems.
an example would be the DS107 it contains the same freescale MPC8241 (603e core), amount of ram, ethernet hardware and esata...

I have not looked too far into it to be honest... not had the time recently...

Hope this helps

EDIT: The usual warnings apply, You may KILL your device, No warranty (i think your DS101g+ is over a year old now)

As you can see, it is a much easier step than going from the 106 to the 107.

The Synology ftp site has the vast majority of the firmware required. You must use the version required (101+g, 106, 107, etc) to upgrade the firmware on the particular model, from whatever Diskstation 'model you have tricked it into being.

Good luck!

[jazzman7411]

OOPS!!! Made a mistake!!!

Set unique="synology_powerpc_107" to 106e insted!!!

So I'm running 107 Version: DSM 3.0-1354 on my 101g+ with model as 106e

Any suggestions on setting it as 107?!?!?!?

TIA

J

[goetz]

Hi,
edit /usr/etc.default/synoinfo.conf and change unique to 107.
Do not reboot before that!

Regards Goetz

[garryk]

OOPS!!! Made a mistake!!!

Set unique="synology_powerpc_107" to 106e insted!!!

So I'm running 107 Version: DSM 3.0-1354 on my 101g+ with model as 106e

Any suggestions on setting it as 107?!?!?!?

TIA

J

Thanks, marktaberham, for your summary, very helpful.

I'm about to do an upgrade to DSM2.3 too. (I've already been running DSM2.2-0959 on my 101g+ for 9 months or more).

Jazzman7411, you seem to have gone one step further and upgraded to DSM3.0-1354 on your DSM-101g+ in spite of Mark's hesitations? How did it go for you? Is it all running well from a performance perspective? (presuming/hoping you have managed to fix your problem with the unique="synology_powerpc_107" set incorrectly to 106e)?

(As you've probably figured out, the 101g+ has a 64bit memory bus and 64MB RAM with it's Freescale mpc8241 processor, which makes it more like a DS106/107 than a DS106e/107e (which have only 32MB and 32bit bus), according to http://forum.synology.com/wiki/index.ph ... y_NAS_have).

Does anyone else have a comment about the likely performance of a 101g+ running DSM3.0? I think I read somewhere you need to make sure the available disk space in the system partition is sufficient before trying to upgrade. But once loaded, how will it perform? Is the processor upto it, or is it not worth going there?
Cheers,

Garry

[willi3008]

Hi,

I exactly updated my DS101g+ as descriped by Mark in the above howto and by Jekyll in other posts in this forum. Thank you all for the clear and exhaustif instructions which were verry apreciated! Everything worked fine so far. I'm running 107 Version: DSM 3.0-1354 on my DS101g+ because I wanted to use my WD20EADS. The issue now is that the WD20EADS is heating verry much, up to 52°C. The fan was almost all the time running in verry noisy high speed untill it stopped working. Fortunately I have got a new one from the Synology Customer Support.
Does anybody has an idea where this heating issue come from? Do I have to downgrade to DSM 2.3-1157 FW to solve the issue?

Regards
Willi

[cptrico]

Hi All,

I used this wonderfull guide and easilly updated my DS-101g+ to DSM 2.3-1157. I was trying to go further and try the DSM 3.1 on it, since it wanted to have the VPN Center funktionality. But I get the message all the time that there is not ebough space on the device for the update. I have tried to format the drive(500GB) and then try again, but it still fails. How did you guys update to 3.x on your DS-101g+ and are it working properly with the old hardware that is in the DS-101g+

Thanks in advance.

CptRico

[goetz]

Hi,
first there is no VPN Center package for our old powerpc platform.
About your space problem, remove disk, delete all partitions and install disk again.

Regards Goetz

[cptrico]

Hi Goetz,

No VPN package just thought I needed to be running Version 3.1 to have it. Sad..

Maybe it is more prefered then to have the DS101g+ on a lower firmware or is it working just fine with DSM_DS107_1613.pat(3.1)), anyone knows ? I am trying to install it as we speak

Thanks again for those easy to use guides out there to still get some usage of this great old hardware.

Best
Cptrico