So, I have an older NSA325 that has been working - well, OK, but I decided I'd like to install a better OS on it. I found the instructions at https://archlinuxarm.org/platforms/armv5/zyxel-nsa325 and followed them to the letter. I should add that this is after connecting the serial port to Putty on a Windows7 computer via a 3v3 converter, using a baud rate of 115200b/s. I've used a newly formatted 2GB USB stick, formatted as FAT, and uncompressed the following files ( 'nsa310_check_file_C0'; 'salted_md5sum_3x0'; 'usb_key_func.sh' and 'usb_key_func.sh.2') from the recommended file 'nsa325-alarm.tar.gz' directly on to the USB stick. I've also copied the file 'ArchLinuxARM-kirkwood-latest.tar.gz' as 'rootfs.tgz' on to the USB drive, again exactly as recommended. I have a brand spanking new and unused ie straight from the wrapper! Seagate 2TB 'Ironwolf' NAS HDD installed in the LH slot - the one furthest away from the buttons. I use the RH (closest to the case side) back USB slot for my USB stick. When I power up, I see all the messages on the putty screen - and so clearly, everything appears to be working. Except it isn't!
The device boots with various messages - eg Marvell U-Boot 1.1.4 etc - and soon shows 'booting the kernel. Linux version 2.6.31.3' which I guess is the embedded system. It continues with a long screed about various issues, all of which sound perfectly acceptable until it gets to '$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'W')ARNING: No valid partition on HDD or no HDD plugged in
'. OK, I'd expect that - the HDD is unformatted, as requested. It then says: