Intermittent failure to record and/or access the hard drive

[ktag]

Hi, I have had on numerous irregular occasions a failure for my BeyonwizT3 to record.

There appears to be no indication this has occurred until we attempt to access the recorded shows list through the "Media" button. Remember this occurs sporadically, probably once every 6 weeks or so. We record about 3 shows a night Sun-Thu.

Last occurrence was 1/5/17, reset beyonwiz via switch at back of machine and found nothing recorded since Thu 27/4/17. There should have been 1 recording on Thu 27/4 and multiple recordings on 31/4 & 1/5. Note: It did still indicate a recording was to start in the EPG later this day, also leading to my belief that it tries to record but can't find/access the hard drive to record to.

When it occurs this is what we do -
- Select "media", to access a recorded show. The recorded show list does NOT show up, it seems not to show the hard drive. We can maneuver to parent drive etc but no hard drive recordings and no "Movie" folder where all the recordings reside. It does correctly show the size of the hard drive and the correct space available/used.
- From memory, as we tend to skip this step, we ask the machine to reboot through online menu. This then causes a crash to the system. I have attached all recent logs.
- After reboot no change, hence why we tend to skip this step.
- Then we turn the beyonwiz off via switch at back of machine, leave for a short while and turn back on.
- After this all recorded shows are back and accessible BUT at some stage in the recent past recordings had stopped. Presumably unable to find/access hard drive to record to? Read last occurrence notes above.

Can someone please advise how this can be fixed. We have lived with it for too long and I should have done something about it earlier... however, now that my wife has missed the My Kitchen Rules Grand Final, this has risen in priorities at home.

Thanks

[prl]

From looking at the error logs, it looks like a serious problem with the HDD, possibly as the result of a failing or out-of-spec power supply. It seems to not be being mounted in some cases, and to be read-only in others. All of the crashes seem to be linked to a disk I/O error of some sort.

It would be useful if you posted a copy of the system log file from the next time you have the problem. The file is /var/log/messages. It will contain low-level kernel error messages from the HDD drivers (if there are any).

You're also running an older firmware. The new firmware (20170310) has a lot of fixes and improvements that you may find useful. However, I don't think that upgrading will fix the problems you're currently having, and switching to new firmware now might complicate resolving the issue.

[ktag]

Thanks, I have attached the var log messages. If this provides anything?

So the next steps?

[prl]

Thanks, I have attached the var log messages. If this provides anything?

The log isn't showing any major HDD problems, but I need one from when the movies folder can't be accessed normally and before you've tried to resolve the problem. Is that the case for that log?

So the next steps?

I'm still not sure. The log messages shows that the HDD is in need of a filesystem check, but it's probably best to hold off on that, because if it's done when the HDD isn't running properly, it could make things worse rather than better.

[ktag]

The last log I sent was the current var/log/messages folder. The last problem we had was at about 20:00 on 1st May, we tried to access the recordings (movie folder) with no luck, so I rebooted the beyonwiz by switching it off at the back of the machine. It did record a show around 2100 but i am not sure what the other records in the log file indicate.

How long does it hold these log messages for?
Why/what are the records from Jan 1?

[prl]

The last log I sent was the current var/log/messages folder. The last problem we had was at about 20:00 on 1st May, we tried to access the recordings (movie folder) with no luck, so I rebooted the beyonwiz by switching it off at the back of the machine. It did record a show around 2100 but i am not sure what the other records in the log file indicate.

I needed a log from when it was having the problem, so after 1 May 20:00 and before you rebooted.

How long does it hold these log messages for?

As I said, the log messages (indeed, everything inside /var) are cleared on each reboot. Strictly speaking, on each shutdown, since /var/log is in an in-memory file system: /var/log is a soft link to /var/volatile/log.

Why/what are the records from Jan 1?

When the system initially starts, its internal time is set to 0. That corresponds to 00:00:00 1 Jan 1970 UTC, the Unix time epoch. In your local time, that's 10:00:00 1 Jan 1970. The year isn't printed in the log timestamps. About 1 min 25 sec after the kernel starts, ntpdate runs and sets the correct time. After that, the log shows correct time.

[ktag]

Great, thanks for the info. Next time we get an issue I will save the var/log/messages folder before attempting any corrections. And then update this post.

[ktag]

Hi

Not the exact same problem but the BeyonwizT3 crashed on me. Here is the var/logs/messages file before I rebooted. Can you shed any light on why it crashed and could it indicate why we are getting my other problem intermittently?

[MrQuade]

There are a boatload of SATA errors in there. A bad disk or SATA cable (or connection) would be my guess.

[peteru]

I think it's more serious than that. There is also evidence of flash corruption. I'd be more inclined to diagnose this as a failing power supply. If you don't want this problem to get out of hand and cause permanent damage to the rest of the hardware, you should disconnect the T3 from the mains and have it repaired. It will also require a reflash of the firmware from USB.

[ktag]

Ok, my Beyonwiz T3 gave me my intermittent failure again tonight.

When attempting to access the Movies folder (where my recordings are) on the HDD, nothing exists. Although the size of the HDD is detailed along with the free space amount both of which are correct. No matter what/where I look the "Movies" folder does not exist.

Collected the var/log/messages file - attached
crash logs - attached.

My next steps.
Rebooted the Beyonwiz via the on-screen menu.
The result, when attempting to access the Media folder the HDD is not there at all, no indication of size or free space as it does not register.

Rebooted the Beyonwiz via the switch on the rear of the machine.
The result, as has occurred in the past, all is back working as normal. HDD is loaded and "Movies" folder accessible. All recordings exist.


Could you please review the new log files and advise if this helps identify the issue more clearly.

thanks

[MrQuade]

Still boatloads of IO errors. You really should contact Beyonwiz to arrange a repair.

[prl]

What MrQuade said.

The problem isn't necessarily the HDD itself: it might be its cables or a power supply (or something else), but it needs to go in for repair.

The log from /var/log/messages may be useful to Beyonwiz, so hold onto a copy and ask if they want it.