HDHomeRun FLEX 4K crashing regularly

[lschwarcz]

Hi Everyone,

I have an HDHomeRun FLEX 4K that I purchased a little over a year ago that's been crashing regularly. This issue started about a month after I bought it.

I've been working with SiliconDust support since then but they have been unable to figure out the cause.

The frequency of crashing is not regular and I have not found any event that could be causing it.

Here are the details of my unit:

Model: HDFX-4K
Firmware: 20231214

In theory, if I select the "Send diagnostic information" box on the System Menu page the unit will send log information to SiliconDust... if it crashes within 7-days of checking that box.

When the system reboots the log file available from http://hdhomerun.local/ just shows the DVR booting up. The system deletes the old log file with each system boot (seems like a poor decision if you ask me).

The tech there said that when it crashes, I could plug my external HD into a Linux system and then access the system log files (the one that does not get deleted) to get the crash information. It turns out there are no log files on the drive after a system crash. I could see all of the directories and recorded shows but no log files.

I've been e-mailing support for over a year now and they don't have any ideas what could be causing this issue. I lasted asked if I should return my unit for an exchange but they said they don't think it's the DVR itself. They did offer to swap it for me but if it's not an issue with the DVR then that seems like a waste of time for both of us.

I last e-mailed them a week ago but they have not replied with any ideas of what to try next.

All I know is that it's not an issue with the HD being full because the last time it crashed the drive was less than half full.

Does anyone out there have any suggestions since the official support group doesn't?

If I've left out any information that would help to diagnose this issue please ask and I'll try to get it.

Thanks in advance!
Larry.

[nickk]

First check the log on the device webpage:
http://hdhomerun.local/log.html

At the top it should say "reset reason". If this says "power on" then the power adapter maxing out and shutting down. If this is the case the first thing to check is that your hard drive is power compliant... suggest posting the make+model of the USB hard drive you are using.

Nick

[lschwarcz]

First check the log on the device webpage:
http://hdhomerun.local/log.html

At the top it should say "reset reason". If this says "power on" then the power adapter maxing out and shutting down. If this is the case the first thing to check is that your hard drive is power compliant... suggest posting the make+model of the USB hard drive you are using.

Nick

Hi Nick,

Thanks for the fast reply! And good idea to give the storage info!

Yes, the "reset reason" was "power on."

My external drive is an HGST 2TB drive in a Rosewill enclosure:

Rosewill RX304-APU3-35B

HGST Ultrastar 3.5-Inch 2TB 7200RPM SATA III 6Gbps 64MB Cache Enterprise Hard Drive with 24x7 Duty Cycle (0F14685)
P/N: H3U20006472SE

The enclosure has its own power supply so I would hope that it's power compliant.

Thanks!
Larry.

[lschwarcz]

First check the log on the device webpage:
http://hdhomerun.local/log.html

At the top it should say "reset reason". If this says "power on" then the power adapter maxing out and shutting down. If this is the case the first thing to check is that your hard drive is power compliant... suggest posting the make+model of the USB hard drive you are using.

Nick

Quick FYI...

I powered the DVR off to get the external drive information. When I plugged it back in the log file has the same "reset reason."

19700101-00:00:01 System: reset reason = power on

Thanks again!
Larry.

[nickk]

The external drive being powered means that isn't the problem.

Drop a quick email to support@silicondust.com - we will send you a new power adapter.

Nick

[signcarver]

I have seen similar caused by a particular power outlet or power strip being used (in some cases one particular outlet in the group on the duplex or strip). I have even seen some UPS's not work correctly when device is on the battery backed up outlets but would work fine on the protection only outlets. In some of these cases replacing the UPS battery would help, others required a different ups.

[lschwarcz]

The external drive being powered means that isn't the problem.

Drop a quick email to support@silicondust.com - we will send you a new power adapter.

Nick

Hi Nick,

I received the new power adapter back in Feb and it seems to be working better but it crashed again recently. Since I don't check it daily I'm not sure when it crashed.

Before I power cycle it is there anything I should check that may give us a clue what's causing this issue?

The support people there kept telling me that when it crashed I could connect the drive to a Linux system and get the system logs but they do not exist. I was able to see all of the recorded TV shows but no log files anywhere that I could find. Perhaps there is some separate partition on the drive separate from the one with the recordings?

Thanks again,
Larry.

[lschwarcz]

Hi Nick,

I received the new power adapter back in Feb and it seems to be working better but it crashed again recently. Since I don't check it daily I'm not sure when it crashed.

Before I power cycle it is there anything I should check that may give us a clue what's causing this issue?

The support people there kept telling me that when it crashed I could connect the drive to a Linux system and get the system logs but they do not exist. I was able to see all of the recorded TV shows but no log files anywhere that I could find. Perhaps there is some separate partition on the drive separate from the one with the recordings?

Thanks again,
Larry.

Hi Nick,

UGH! Never mind. I forgot I've been running a VPN on the computer that I just tried. When I tried to connect from another system it appears that it's up and running fine.

Sorry about the false alarm!

Thanks again!
Larry.