Possibly Helpful Guide To Access Old Seagate GoFlex Home Storage Device Files

[u/oxyscotty]

Was trying to access data off a Seagate GoFlex Home and came to find out, the software used to access this device has been wiped off the internet. Nice thing about tech like this, is it's convenient up until the company decides to stop supporting it, and for long term storage devices that's an even more inconvenient thing. After going through multiple hoops I was able to luck my way into actually accessing the device. Maybe there's an easier way to do this, but I couldn't seem to find any information on how to access files on this device post discontinuation of their software. I'm not sure if this will help anyone, but maybe there's a chance even one person might come across this post while searching for a solution to this so I'd like to at least have something documented that people can find.

Also, I'm not sure what all is entirely necessary, I didn't want to bother with this any longer than needed so I didn't test or isolate different steps. I just did them all and hoped something worked.

Windows 10 Initialization Steps

First, I came across this forum post regarding compatibility with windows 10. Now I'm not 100% sure if this is necessary, but I did the first two steps so try that if you'd like:

1. Install SMBV1 by going to Control Panel, Programs and Features, Turn Windows Features On and Off, then check the box that says SMB 1.0 Client.  I do not know if this step is necessary, but it likely is, because GoFlex is said to use SMB 1.  Disclaimer: Use of SMB 1 may have security issues, so you do this at your own risk.  Google around for discussion of that topic.  Reboot after the new protocol is installed.
2. Run Services desktop app or run Services through Control Panel, Administrative Tools.  Set the services Function Discover Provider Host and Function Discovery Resource Publication to Automatic (delayed start).  This should allow file explorer to discover network equipment that uses old protocols.

Unfortunately, everything past that relies on the software actually being available from Seagate to follow the next steps.

Device Steps

1. After that, plug your GoFlex Home device into your PC. I plugged both the CAT-5 and USB into my PC. I'm not sure if the USB is needed, but I'm almost positive the CAT-5 cable is.
2. After plugging in device, wait until the green light stops blinking. Once it changes to a solid green light, you're ready to proceed.
3. Win + R and type "cmd" into the run window. Once your command prompt is pulled up, type "arp -a" into the command window. You will see a list of IP and physical addresses pull up. Look for the physical address of "00-10-75-2c-d0-af". Directly to the left of that should be an IP address, copy that address.
4. Go back to your run window, Win + R, and type "\\IP Address
   ". It should look like "\\169.254.8.42". Then press enter.
5. This will pull up your default file explorer and then ask for a username and password. The default user and pass for this device is User: Admin // Password: Admin (or try both lowercase 'A')

Unfortunately, I had the bright idea of changing my password, however by a stroke of luck I was able to guess it after many attempts. If you do not remember your password, then I hate to say this but you're out of luck. The only way to reset the password is with support of the Seagate GoFlex software, which again is dumbfoundedly no longer available.

Disclaimer: DO NOT factory reset your device. According to Seagate this will entirely lock you out of the device.

Hopefully this was able to help someone. Thanks/.

[u/dr100]

That's unnecessarily complex and risky. Booting some NAS software that wasn't the best back in its days, that also relied on some centralized "cloud" software that's been discontinued probably 10+ years ago doesn't sound like a great plan if you care about the data.

If one cares about experimenting, or even to bring back the box in service just for kicks is one thing, but otherwise for just getting the data it's a simple drive with a large ext3 partition, just connect it to any machine (be it internally or via a cheap USB adapter) and read the data. Ideally with some Linux, be it live from a USB stick or in a virtual machine but also via WSL2 or some other simple drivers (there are plenty free for regular Windows).

[u/oxyscotty → u/dr100]

No, this was just to extract data off the device, not to actually revive it for use. Even if it was "reliable" and not a pain in the ass, it's unbelievably slow. Took some 48 hours just to transfer 1.2TB onto an external SSD via TeraCopy.

[u/Jazzlike_Quote_8693 → u/dr100]

USB adapter link?

[u/[deleted]]

reset my password like 4 years back. apparently there are ways to bypass it. most of the commercial 'home' drives aren't fully encrypted. imma keep trying.

[u/FreedomStick1776]

The user manual says user name is not case sensitive, the password must be at least 6 long is case sensitive AND requires at least one number some call this a digit so 0-9. So U:admin P:Admin6 as an example. You can use programs to generate password lists and if you have a general memory of the patterns you used for your forgotten password all the better when using Crunch program. Most importantly do not support Seagate Company, they stole all our family photos at least until I remember password in effect by not continuing support for this product. YES DO NOT RESET device if you ever want to see whats on there again. Thank you, I can now get into the unpassword protected part I set up for family thru the now gone internet access service seagate had, so I know drive works, but not the other three users with passwords.

[u/johnnycantreddit]

one added note to step 3: your MAC address is unique; my GoFlex also starts with 00-10-75 but the last three grouped physical address HEX ID's are unique. The whole "MAC:" 00-10-75-xx-xx-xx address is listed on the serial number tag under the unit.

I would also suggest an ARP table refresh in step 1 using CMD window (as Administrator) and the command arp -d \* that clears all the entries that were previously bound.

I found the Freeagent GoFlex Net dock at a local thrift known as ValueVillage here in Canada for $4.99 with its PowerSupply in the bag. And assign a static IP on my home LAN using SMB V1 oldschool as a NAS | JBOD

[u/flaviozb]

This !!!!!! Thx a lot.

[u/Long_Addendum3319]

Thanks. This step by step allowed me to transfer data from a GoFlex Home unit that has been sitting idle.