Recover data and/or config files (faulty OS SSD)

[Yulaiho]

Hello, I'm new here.
I've been searching for a solution to a problem for one day now, reading countless topics on this forum and elsewhere. I might be dumb enough to not find an answer to a common problem, but the fact I don't know how Linux-based systems work, the chances of getting something by myself are pretty slim. Sorry in advance.

1. One year ago I set up the small NAS to store some personal data and work data that I usually work on on my Windows PC.
2. I installed TrueNAS (I believe version 12) and everything ran smoothly for one year. I haven’t unfortunately backed up any keys or exported any pools or anything. I unfortunately don't know the name of the pool, though in such cases I tend to leave the names and the settings as default (don't need anything specific nor complicated).
3. A couple of days ago the SSD where TrueNAS is installed became faulty. It’s a S.M.A.R.T. error which is recognized in the POST process when I turn up the machine.
4. Currently, when I turn it on, it gives that error, I enter the BIOS, I exit, and it still loads the main menu of TrueNAS
4b. I've disabled the SMART check from the BIOS, and it of course still loads the TrueNAS main menu.
5. If I try to boot it normally (or in safe mode), it gives me an error:

error 1 lba 33555512
failed to clear pad2 area of primary vdev
/
FreeBSD/x86 boot
Default: boot-pool/ROOT/default:/boot-zfsloader
boot:

and then

Solaris: NOTICE: Cannot find the pool label for 'boot-pool'
Mounting from zfs:boot-pool/ROOT/default failed with error 5.

Loader variables:
vfs.root.mountfrom=zfs:boot-pool/ROOT/default

It is very likely that I can't find a proper answer because I don't know the language used. If so, I'm sorry if I couldn't find an answer myself and "needed" to open this thread.

Bonus point: Yesterday I took away that faulty SSD, replaced it with a new one. Installed TrueNAS 13 via USB successfully. When I try to create the pool, of course it doesn’t let me import anything because I had not exported anything before. I’m afraid that if I create a new pool, it will need to format the storage drives.

Questions:
1. Is there a way to export the pools from this situation (maybe from console?), so that I can go on with the new SSD with its fresh installation, and import the pool from there?
2. Is there a way to connect the faulty SSD somewhere to manually extract the config files needed to recover that pool?

Any help is much appreciated. Thank you so much.

 

[danb35]

I’m afraid that if I create a new pool, it will need to format the storage drives.

You're correct. Do not create a new pool.

When I try to create the pool, of course it doesn’t let me import anything because I had not exported anything before.

This doesn't sound right, though. What happens if you run zpool import at the shell? What about zpool status?

 

[Yulaiho]

I will not do anything with the new SSD for now, got it.

How do I access the shell? Sorry. I can access a shell from the bootable USB, by choosing [1] Install and then [2] Shell.
In that case, with "import" I get:

pool: mypool
id: [numbers]
state: ONLINE
status: The pool was last accessed by another system.
action: The pool can be imported using its name or numeric identifier and the '-f' flag.
see config: mypool ONLINE mirror-0 ONL...e and working, but not imported? Could it be?

 

[Yulaiho]

I don't know why it cropped the message like this.
I meant:

config: mypool ONLINE
mirror-0 ONLINE
gptid/-numbers here- ONLINE
gptid/-slightly different numbers here- ONLINE

So, it appears the pool is there AND online too! I should "just" import it, right? How can I do that? Sorry, I don't want to mess this one up. Thanks

 

[danb35]

I should "just" import it, right?

Correct. You should be able to do that through the GUI. Go to Storage -> Pools -> Add and select Import an existing pool, then click Next. You should be able to select your pool and import it that way.

 

[Yulaiho]

The only problem is that it doesn't actually work. I can only access the shell through the installation process via USB bootable drive.
I've tried the

zpool import -f

line and it seemed to work. I rebooted and it gave the same error:

Solaris: NOTICE: Cannot find the pool label for 'boot-pool'
Mounting from zfs:boot-pool/ROOT/default failed with error 5.

Now, anyway, it's resilvering. I'll let it finish and try to start it up again (I guess?). Still 4 hours to go.


Question: if I "export" the pool via shell (I believe I can do it with the command "zpool export"), can I turn the machine off, switch the faulty SSD with the new one (where TrueNAS has been successfully installed and works), and import from there? Or: where does the export take place? Not in the same SSD where the OS is?
Because if that's possible, it might be (too) easy.

Last resort, just in case I can't fix it: can I connect the drives to anything else to manually backup some data?
Thank you for the patience.