[Help] Safest way to upgrade from TOS from 5.0.176-0027 (F5-221)

[ftwig]

So far it has taken me a few days to get the NAS up and running, this includeding:
• Wiping my old NAS drives with diskpart ‘clean all’ (which took a long time) as initial install failed at 90%
• Downloading TOS_X642.0_5.0.176_00227_2210111430.ins and installing with this as second attempt also hung at 90%
• Being asked to upgrade TOS shortly after it rebooted, which left me unable to log in (the update hung at 0% for over 40 mins)
• Finaly deleting all the partitions (thank God I did not need to do another clean all) and got a working NAS

That was all around 2 whole days and today I’ve been copying data to the nas (have not upgraded TOS). As you can imagine I am verry nervus about doing another TOS update but want to partly for security reasons and partly as I want to use a TERRAMASTER USB 2.5G USB 3 adapter to increase access speed.

So what do people recommend. Allow the relevant versions to be downloaded in NAS GUI or download versions manually. The later seems better but exactly what path/which upgrades should I do and what version to end with (don’t want to use any beta software).

If I end up trying to use a wrong version with it stop me?

All advice greatly received, it’s been a very frustrating few days.

Ben

PS I think the reason the initial update hung may have been because it was preparing the BTRFS volume (which tool over 6 hours) but it did recommend I upgraded very quickly and did not suggest I waited for volume to build.

[TMzethar]

Please check the BIOS version of F5-221 or provide its SN code. Earlier batches of F5-221 products only support up to TOS 5.1.145, while later batches can support up to the latest TOS 6.0.783.

Since you have already completed data backup and formatted the HDD, you can directly use the following simplest method.
Disconnect the power, open the F5-221, and remove the built-in USB drive from the motherboard.
Based on the highest TOS version your F5-221 can support, select the corresponding USB boot image, burn it to the built-in USB drive (choose Legacy type).
viewtopic.php?t=6433
After burning the built-in USB drive, put it back into the NAS motherboard, assemble it properly, and then start the F5-221 without a disk to launch the TOS installation guide process.

[snevans5941]

If your unit supports it, I’d avoid jumping versions manually. Just upgrade step-by-step via the NAS GUI to the latest stable (non-beta) version it offers. That’s usually the safest path. And yes, if you try to install an incompatible TOS version, it should block it — but I’d definitely confirm your BIOS batch first as suggested above.

[breathhalyard]

Hi Admin, I've just finished setting up my F5-221 NAS with TOS 5.0.176-0027 and I'm a little worried about upgrading. Should I upgrade step-by-step via the NAS GUI or manually download the latest USB bootable version? Also, how can I ensure that the device won't allow the installation of an incompatible TOS version? Thanks in advance!

[MikeZhang]

Please go to TOS control panel>system to check if your BIOS version is between V16 and V22, and under control panel>overview>"/", check if it's 8GB partition.
If both yes, you may follow our instruction to flash USB initboot for TOS6 and install TOS again.
If BIOS version doesn't meet requirement, it doesn't support TOS6.
If partition is not 8GB, please back up then format your hard drives also flash initboot so that you can install TOS6.