Need help! Anyone in Houston, TX

[TxAgs911]

Hey all, I'm prepared to be BBQed with my questions. Yes, I have read a ton of posts. Yes, I have searched for my problem.

Here goes:
Asus H87i-Plus mobo
Celeron Processor, Crucial Sport RAM 8GB
Basically, its this setup - http://blog.brianmoses.net/2014/01/diy-nas-2014-edition.html

Ok, no flaming me for using a non-ecc RAM on a ZFS setup. I knew the risk going in.

System has been running smooth for over 9 months. I have 2-2TB drive setup as a RAID Mirror using a ZFS data set. This was feeding iTunes and photoshop.

Randomly about 2 weeks ago, the system started acting funny. It wouldn't connect, then it would. Sometimes it would drop out during the middle of file transfers. I suspected the USB and burned a new one.

Now.....nothing works. I can't get FreeNAS to boot at all with the new USB (nor the old). I suspected some hardware issues, so I replaced the Mobo and the power supply. No change. Mobo is now the Asus H97i.

I absolutely must get this data off the drives. Any suggestions? Anyone local that can help? I'm in Houston.

I'm absolutely at my wits end!

I really want to stay with an ITX system as I love the Fractal Node 304 box I have. It fits perfectly in my book case. If you have any suggestions for hardware, please let me know as well.

Thanks in advance,

Jason

 

[mjws00]

Not near Houston. But at least you've given it an effort. I won't lecture on ECC, and a server motherboard... ITX limits you to few choices, but they are out there.

Easiest path is. 9.2.1.9 burn an ISO and install to a known good USB. Seems to give the least hassle. Personally I've never had a problem getting the .img to boot. But ymmv.

You need to post exact errors. Where does the process fail? Is the USB not detected? Are you falling out to a kernel prompt? Are you getting one of the 9.3 boot issues? A picture of the screen will do, or if it's simple... type it. I'd fall back to 9.2.1.9 if possible, as it eliminates all the messiness 9.3 is causing. We need a pool and data, worry about the latest and greatest later.

Disconnect all the drives and then getting a usb to boot is step one. If you can't pull that off, throw in a spare ssd or hdd, and get the board to boot. You need proof of life and an OS. If you've updated your pool to 9.3, then you'll have to fight that battle.

Hopefully you've ruled out the hardware a little. No harm in booting a FreeBSD LiveCD or USB. Linux or Windows should be forgiving and let you at least confirm mobo options and function. Start at the top and just go one step at a time.

If you feed us enough data, someone will have some ideas.

 

[sremick]

As for better hardware options, my build (see my sig) uses a Node 304 case.