How to Create a TOS USB Boot Drive on a Windows PC?
Problem Description
USB Initboot (boot system) consists of programs that configure basic hardware before TOS starts. These programs are stored on a USB flash drive. Unexpected power outages, improper shutdowns, or hardware failures may cause the boot system to malfunction. If your x.86 TNAS device fails to boot normally and cannot be detected even when starting up without any hard drives installed, it is highly likely that the USB Initboot has failed.
Solution
The old method was cumbersome and had a chance of failure. We have replaced it with a simpler method based on your suggestions.
Step 1 — Install Burning Tool
Summary: Prepare the necessary software tools.
balenaEtcher: https://etcher.balena.io/
More Alternatives: https://alternativeto.net/software/rufus/
Step 2 — Prepare the USB Drive
Summary: Ensure you use the correct USB drive and verify its capacity.
Remove the internal USB Initboot drive from the TNAS, or prepare a blank USB drive. Connect the USB drive to your computer and disconnect any other USB drives. Right-click the "Start" button, open "Disk Management," and confirm the capacity of the USB drive.
Step 3 — Download the Image File
Summary: Select the correct image file based on your device model.
USB Initboot Image (TOS 5 Legacy 120MB)
USB Initboot Image (TOS 5 Legacy 60MB)
Applicable Models: F2-220, F2-221, F2-420, F2-421, F4-220, F4-221, F4-420, F4-421, F5-220, F5-221, F5-225, F5-420, F5-421, F5-422, F8-421, F8-422
Note: If your USB drive capacity is less than 120 MB, choose the 60MB version of the image file.
USB Initboot Image (TOS 5 UEFI 120MB)
Applicable Models: F2-223, F2-423, F2-424, F4-223, F4-423, F4-424, F4-424 Pro, T6-423, T9-423, T12-423, U4-423, U8-423, U12-423
USB Initboot Image (TOS 6 Legacy 126MB)
Applicable Models: F2-221, F2-421, F4-221, F5-221, F5-421, F2-422, F4-422, F5-422
(For these 8 models, the BIOS version must be between MAPL0304V16 and MAPL0304V22, or MAPL0303V16 and MAPL0303V22. You can check the BIOS version in TOS Control Panel > General Settings > System > Update > BIOS/InitBoot.)
USB Initboot Image (TOS 6 UEFI 120MB)
Applicable Models: F2-223, F2-423, F2-424, F4-223, F4-423, F4-424, F4-424 Pro, T6-423, T9-423, T12-423, U4-423, U8-423, U12-423, F4-424 Max, F6-424, F6-424 Pro, F6-424 Max, F8 SSD, F8 SSD Plus, U8-500 Plus, T9-500 Pro, T12-500 Pro, U12-500 Plus
Step 4 — Create the Boot Drive
Summary: Use the tool to write the image to the USB drive.
Run the burning tool, select the target image and the target USB drive, and start the creation process.
Step 5 — Test the Boot Drive
Summary: Test whether the newly created boot drive works.
Reconnect the USB drive to the TNAS, ensuring it is the only USB drive connected. Then, start the TNAS without installing any HDDs/SATA SSDs/M.2 SSDs and observe whether the boot system starts successfully.
If it fails, try another USB drive or re-erase the current one.
If the newly created USB Initboot does not work on the TNAS, try using a disk tool to erase the USB drive and try again, or use a different USB drive and retry.