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This issue arose on a Seagate Wireless Plus 1TB Mobile Storage device. This is a 1TB portable drive that can create it’s own wireless network as well as act as a relay to an existing wireless network (allowing you to access the hard drive’s media as well as the Internet). It includes a battery for use on the move.

This is a fairly technical article posted primarily due to the lack of relevant information on the Internet for resolving this issue.

Model / Part Numbers

Model 1AYBA2
Part Number: 1FPBM1-570
Model Number: STCK1000300
Family: WIRELESS PLUS

Symptoms

• The Seagate Media app for Apple iPad could not find the device on the network.
• When connecting to the wireless network, it automatically opens a website (172.25.0.1) for the hard drive and displays the error:
  • “Database initializing. Please try again after few seconds”
• Can’t access settings page on website. http://172.25.0.1/#settings/settings.html
  • The device firmware version is listed on this now inaccessible page
• Battery Gauge shows 0%
• Database icon shows 0% – Stage 2 – Cataloging media

Background Research

• https://www.facebook.com/seagate/posts/10151360341373125
  • Different product but suggested a firmware upgrade resolved his issues
• http://blog.johnjcamilleri.com/2011/07/disappearing-seagate-goflex-home-minidlna-dlna-upnp-server/
  • Different product – Broken DLNA service
• Seagate Troubleshooting page – http://knowledge.seagate.com/articles/en_US/FAQ/005696en?language=en_US
  • Nothing addresses this issue

Steps Taken to Find a Resolution

1.  Is there a firmware upgrade available?
   • Using the Seagate download drivers facility where you enter the model / part number indicates that there is no firmware upgrade available.
2. Ran Chkdsk from Windows
   • Some unused index entries and unused security descriptors were found, but this did not resolve the issue
3. Is there an SSH service running as indicated from the background research performed?
   • No. There only ports / services open are:
     • 23/tcp open telnet
     • 53/tcp open domain dnsmasq 2.45
     • 80/tcp open http lighttpd 1.4.30
     • 139/tcp open netbios-ssn Samba smbd 3.X (workgroup: WORKGROUP)
     • 443/tcp open http lighttpd 1.4.30
     • 445/tcp open netbios-ssn Samba smbd 3.X (workgroup: WORKGROUP)
     • 8200/tcp open trivnet1? (MiniDLNA)
4. How does the Telnet service work?
   • According to this article: http://www.hackseagatesatellite.com/wordpress/2013/05/25/how-to-downgrade-the-wireless-plus-firmware/
     • Server address: 172.25.0.1
     • Username: root
     • Password: goflex
5. Is the DLNA service broken?
   • After telnetting to the device and running:
     • /usr/bin/minidlna-server status
   • Nothing was returned.
   • Restarting the minidlna-server service does not resolve the issue.
   • In summary, it appears as though the DLNA service is in fact broken.
6. Does a factory reset resolve the issue?
   • No, including removing all files and formatting the drive.
7. Can Seagate support be of assistance / Is a firmware update actually available?
   • Seagate support advised that there was firmware upgrade/s available for this device and provided the following information:
     • As we discussed over the phone, here are links for update firmware.
     • Please check the current firmware version first and then update firmware version by version.
     • Please make sure that your important data is backed up before you update firmware the hard drive.
     • 2.1.0.014 – http://www.seagate.com/support/downloads/item/wireless-plus-firmware-2.1-master-dl
       • This page provides a download of the v2.1 firmware.
     • 2.2.0.005 – http://www.seagate.com/support/downloads/item/wireless-plus-2.2-firmware-master-dl/
       • This link does not work – It results in a 404 error.
     • 2.3.0.013 (most latest version) – http://knowledge.seagate.com/articles/en_US/FAQ/005943en?language=en_US
       • This FAQ page details how when the Seagate drive is put into relay wireless mode, the drive will automatically download new firmware when available and automatically apply the new firmware upon the next power-on of the Seagate drive.
8. The resolution
   • Check the current version of firmware installed by viewing the following file (replacing X with the drive letter of your Seagate drive):
     • X:\.GoFlexData\log\Scanner.log
   • In this case the version installed was v2.0.0.055
   • Copy the v2.1.0.014 firmware file that you download from here to the root of the Seagate drive when connected to your PC by the USB cable.
   • Turn off the Seagate drive. Disconnect the USB cable and then turn the Seagate drive back on.
   • Wait for the blue LED stops flashing the firmware upgrade should be complete.
   • This resolves the Database Initializing issue.
   • To continue updating to the latest version of firmware, log into the web interface and connect the Seagate drive to your existing wireless network (in relay mode) following the instructions here (same as the link above for v2.3.0.013)
   • The drive will then download the v2.2.0.005 firmware and apply after the next reboot of the Seagate drive and then repeat once again to apply the v2.3.0.013 firmware.

In summary, whilst the cause of the initial issue is not certain, updating the firmware successfully resolves this issue.