Hi everyone, I have read numerous threads on the dread OS5 indexing forever problem, but I cannot find anything that mentions my particular problem.
For weeks now, my old OS2 phone app had a really annoying big orange flash across it announcing the fantastic new OS, I tried to ignore it, but finally gave in and jumped through all the hoops with firmware new settings, shiny new phone app etc etc.
Cut a long story short, I got the success email and waited just over 3 days in the indexing nightmare just like you all did.
However now, it seems I get a one shot only peep at my files before the app goes into perpetual buffering which eventually (over 2 hours later) gives me a device offline error (it isn’t of course).
It took me a while to work out that disconnecting then reconnecting power, got me another shot at looking at my files through the app before it does exactly the same routine.
Not only that but when I do get a glimpse of a picture, the quality is potato ish at best.
Anyone else experiencing this?
I need daily access to stored files at home, from my workplace, and refer to schematic drawings that have to have millimetre precision through the app.
I have read that the so called firmware update is irreversible, but has anyone had success going back, because right now that’s what I need to do, otherwise this brick is useless to me.
Any help would be much appreciated!
TIA
@Andy_Starns Have you contacted support?
If not, can you please collect and send your system logs?
How to Collect My Cloud System Logs
Not yet no, I was going to give it a few more days in case indexing had not finished, but I only have about 500GB stored, blue light is solid now and no fan noise.
I kind of need a quick workaround if there is one, but will collect logs and report on Monday.
Thanks for the advice anyway.
Can the device be accessed via a PC?
If so. . . .consider using a VPN connection to your home router such that you can use a standard file explorer to access the files.
Hmmm. 500gb of data? Of course, I went through lots of trial and error before I found the ultimate solution to this problem. The only time I ran into trouble with this solution was for international travel to sketchy countries; where “no access” was the best solution.
Hi @NAS_user, same problem when accessing from PC, one access only, then device offline error.
It’s quite important that I have remote rather than PC access, I won’t go into details but the drawings I work from won’t survive an hour in paper form or more than a few days via a PC at my work station. (I’m a glass engraver and work with lots of water and aluminium oxide sand) mycloud (on OS2) was perfect for popping my phone into a bomb proof case and accessing files from home while at the workshop.
Ah -
Question 1: Is this one of the older MyCloud Gen 2 devices? (single drive unit; 4+ years old?). If so. . . .let’s hope you have a good data backup.
Question 2: Is this an “app” problem or a device problem? If you are accessing from PC, are you accessing via the WD server (using a web browser) or are you trying to access via File Explorer? If you are using the web browser, and WD servers. . .then yes. . .it is likely a “cloud” or “web connectivity” issue. Try access via File Explorer (like, as if you were trying to map the drive). Also, can you access the device dashboard using the web browser (when you are on your home network). If these tests DON’T work. . . then this is a device problem.
Honestly. . .if it is a web connectivity OR a device problem. . .not really sure what you can do. I am not hearing too many (or rather any) success stories with the MyCloud Gen2 devices and OS5.
Can you roll back? For the old MyClouds. . .there is a long and storied history of “debricking” these units. Unlike the more recent NAS boxes, the O/S resides on the HDD. So if the HDD dies. . the device becomes bricked. HOWEVER. . . .if you prowl the OS3 forum, there are a number of people and threads that talk about replacing HDDs and the debricking procedure. (in otherwords. . .if you put in a new HDD. . .it won’t have a functioning OS installed. . .so it is a brick. . . which you can unbrick by installing an OS. . . . . easy peasy). Note: If you start to lose hope. . .you can yank the drive and using magic (involving a USB enclosure and a Linux Reader) you can read the data off the drive.
I have faith this device will eventually work. On OS3. Not sure it can work with OS5 and cloud access enabled.
Word of caution: OS3 is an obsolete OS. The OS3 apps won’t work forever. . so eventually you will need a plan “B”. In a shop environment, I would recommend a tablet in a ToughCase. Something like this
Heck. . .I have even seen crazy people use a MS surface in a field construction environment with those cases.
@NAS_user thanks you, I will take that point by point tomorrow and get back with a reply, thanks for you advice.
The work environment is pretty harsh, remember flip or clam shell phones? We would wear through the hinges on those inside of 4 months back in the day, prescription spectacles are like looking through fog in about 6 months, even just the residue caught in my clothing wears through washing machine pipes in a year! That’s why the files are kept at home while I work 3 miles away.
Thanks for the advice last night @NAS_user
I have had a few minutes downtime to get back to you now
Q1 correct, single bay 2nd gen mycloud definitely over 4 years old.
I do keep very much on top of backing up, 2 copies and the mycloud makes 3, all in different locations, problem is every backup is a WD device, which now concerns me a little.
Q2. Most certainly a cloud issue, dashboard access through web browser, (now no access of course).
Considering the tens of thousands of customers that are in the same boat, I am contemplating jumping ship, not even bothering to unbrick and roll back, I would rather give my loyalty to a brand that knows what they are doing!
You gave me words of wisdom when you said OS3 is already obsolete and won’t last forever (I stayed with windows 7 until the very last point that I couldn’t lol), so all things said, I am shopping soon and need some guidance on a reliable, easy to use NAS system, with remote (app) access so I can get back to working like I do now.
Any pointers greatly appreciated.
ok. . .so it appears you DO have access to the unit; it’s just the WD Servers that are not acting correctly?
That may make things easier.
First. . .your other WD devices. . . .are they NAS units or simple USB hard drives? If they are hard drives. . .I wouldn’t worry any more about it.
Second. . .if you can access the device within your network directly. . .is cloud services enabled both overall and for the share you want remote access to? IF so. . . good. . . then Try to create a fresh user (with a fresh email address) and see if it will start working. IF you do NOT have cloud services enabled. . . . .don’t do it.
Oh - - -hurts my head just thinking about the troubleshooting 
third. . . .are the files personal or confidential? If no. . .then might I just suggest using dropbox or onedrive? You can upload from your NAS, access from all your computers. . .and access from your phone using an app. If they are personal or confidential. . . . then I suggest using a VPN connection to your home network. . .and use a PDF reader on your phone to view the files.
fourth. . . .I hear Synology makes a good software suite. More expensive than WD. . .but better? I do not know how their web software works.
Both WD backups are simple external hard drives, an older 500gb mypassport red & a newer 1TB mypassport portable.
The contents while mostly work related can be personal, sometimes contain logos and images that are tradmarked (we have permission to reproduce on owners behalf) and of course family photos.
I will have to play with direct access tomorrow as the USB lead fairy has paid us a visit and eaten them all.
Whilst I am pretty confident with most things electronic or computerised, the terminology baffles me, so everything needs to be kept quite simple to be honest.
I will persevere with a little while as I cant justify the spend until all is lost, but will certainly have a look at the Synology range.
Thanks again.
Because mine MyCloud was also bricked by os5, and i gave up - i dont want to spend and loose anymore time on this … (Here is place for bad word), i have a feeling that WD should take a look on the team and people responsible for os5. It looks that most users will left WD and buy a synology (or other device), because with this upgrade WD broke people’s devices 
