Netgate 6100 - eMMC failed, no serial console output

SineniF

Hi,

I am having problems with my Netgate 6100. Last week the device stopped working and I was able to connect to the serial console to see a bunch of errors being spammed to the console (I can't remember the exact ones but it seemed to indicate an eMMC failure).

I downloaded the installer image and tried to reinstall pfSense in hopes that could fix it, but I couldn't get that to work. I'm not sure if I was doing it wrong, but the screens I saw didn't match the documentation and I was fairly confident it was failed eMMC so I gave up. I'm not sure if I unknowingly corrupted the boot sector but with failing eMMC I may have been doomed to fail.

I now have an SSD that should work (Optane M10, it is B+M key and nvme). When I attempt to connect to the console, I get absolutely no output, nothing like before. I've tried reconnecting, changing port speed & other settings, but nothing works. The cable works with a different switch's console port, so I know the cable is good.

I found this other thread - https://forum.netgate.com/topic/200842/netgate-6100-installation-failure-after-emmc-failure-and-no-console-output
Like in that thread, I only get a single orange LED and the 3 green PWRGD & V3P3A LEDs when applying power.

The power and reset buttons on the side click when pressed. I've tried with and without the installation media and replacement SSD connected and there is no change.

Does anyone know how I can get the console to work so I can try reinstalling pfSense?

Thanks in advance for the help

EDIT:
And for a little extra information, I'm using PuTTY on Windows, the device is several years old, and I don't have a TAC plan.

stephenw10

You got no console output only after installing the NVMe drive?

If you remove it do you see console output again? Have you tried both m.2 slots?

SineniF

@stephenw10 with or without the nvme I get no console output. I was only able to get access to the console the day the eMMC failed, then I turned it off until I got a new boot drive.

I also tested the SSD with my desktop PC so I know the SSD works.

SineniF

@stephenw10 I just now tried the second m.2 slot just to see what happens. No console output that way either. But I don't get anything with both m.2 slots empty so I would have been surprised if that worked.

And a couple of other things:
I'm sure the usb serial cable is connected properly because as soon as I disconnect it on either end, PuTTY shows an error dialog that it couldn't read from the serial port.

I found the original receipt from when I purchased this; I bought it in late 2022 so it's almost 4 years old.

stephenw10

Hmm, well I would try removing the battery to reset the NVRAM. You might also try the RJ45 serial port of you can since that has priority over the USB port. Though that should only happen when it's connected.

Did you save any logs from when it failed? Any of the errors shown on the console?

SineniF

@stephenw10 unfortunately I didn't save any of the logs. I assumed I'd always be able to power it on and see them.

I do have a short snippet from my search history:

got autocmd12 but there is no command

Messages like this were the most common.

I tried removing the CMOS battery, waiting 30 seconds, then reinstalling it and there is no console output.

The only RJ45 serial cable I have ends in an rs232 connector. My computer doesn't have one of those, but my nas does. I could theoretically plug my keyboard and monitor into it if it's worth trying.

SineniF

I spent a while trying to connect over the rj45 serial cable that I have and it didn't work either. There was no output, same as with the usb cable.

stephenw10

Hmm, there may not be much you do then unfortunately. You could open a TAC ticket to see if they have any further options.

SineniF

Okay, I'll check and see if TAC can do anything.

Thanks for the help!

SineniF

If anyone else is in the same situation as me in the future, I got a reply from TAC.

The symptoms I described (only an orange status led, no console access) indicate a mainboard failure that prevents the system from POSTing. A repair with an active warranty would be the only option.

jgatzek

@SineniF I had an issue with the wan and lampposts, they didn’t connect well. Wan port issue: since I had on old biscuit jack that was lose I replaced it, no luck. I then ran a long cable to the internet router on a known working jack, no luck. I used a long professionally made cable, no luck. The port appeared loose, but my work around was to use an old router to boost the Ethernet signal that worked. The lan port was also finicky, so I made a short cable to connect to my seperate switch, works. I was debating returning it due to having it for only a month, but it works. I dis some checking and was told the SG-1100 was discontinued due to port problems and that the other models had better quality ports from independent sources. I love the setup, but wish the first console menu would include an option to restore from backup config. Concerning the console and usb connection, many usb cords are for charging only and don’t pass data….sucks. But the supplied on works ok and you need to find your port # in windows device manager and set the serial speed to 115200. To connect. Other than that I like it.