Reset Buffalo TeraStation PRO Model TS-RHTGL/R5 Password

Have a Buffalo TeraStation PRO Model TS-RHTGL/R5 and lost your password? Me too, here’s how I reset the web interface login without losing all my data. The steps will probably be similar on other TeraStation models, but I think the default user credentials might be different (username ‘Administrator’ vs. ‘admin’, etc). The TeraStation this was tested on is a TS-RHTGL/R5 running firmware version 1.30. Make a note of your device’s existing IP address. After I reset mine it switched to DHCP configuration. This isn’t a big deal (provided you have a DHCP server) as the new IP address is easily found through the LCD status window on the TeraStation. Luckily the majority (all?) other configuration details: NTP, SMTP, email address, Active Directory settings, etc appear to have been preserved. Before following these instructions you might want to start with trying the default login credentials:

Username: admin
Password: password

Remove the Bezel

In order to reset the password you’ll need to remove the front bezel. If you are lucky enough to know where your key is or had the foresight to leave your TeraStation unlocked you can skip ahead.

As expected the tubular lock (Also called Chicago or Ace lock) that keeps the face secured to the TeraStation is a cheap one. It has a smaller diameter than common tubular locks and only appears to have 4 pins vs. the more typical 7 or 8 pin varieties. After trying destroying several disposable pens I was able to find one that would work as a make-shift pick for this purpose. Instead of using the exterior shaft of the pen like the infamous Kryptonite bike lock exploit, the smaller diameter of this lock requires a smaller diameter bit of soft plastic. You might be thinking:

“Locks aren’t designed to have all the pins pushed to maximum depths in order to be unlocked, they require specific depths for each pin position and hence a specific key”.

Normally you would be correct, but as I said, this is a very cheap lock. After trying several disposable pens I ended up using a “BiC SOFT Feel Med.” which worked great. Disassemble the pen and remove the ink cartridge and comfort grip from the business-end of the pen. The backside of the piece we are interested in (circled in red below) is a good fit for the diameter of the lock. I was able to lock and unlock the TeraStation several times with this bit of plastic with little effort.

Reset the Password

Now that the bezel is off, look at underside of the display panel on the left-hand side. Press and hold the red button until the display reads “SYSTEM Initializing”. The TeraStation will start beeping, the beeps will continue for 30 or 40 seconds.


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13 responses to “Reset Buffalo TeraStation PRO Model TS-RHTGL/R5 Password”

  1. PJ Avatar
    PJ

    Thank you for posting this hint. I also lost my terastation key and was able to open the door by your methods.

  2. Gabriele Avatar
    Gabriele

    Lol, brilliant. I was trying all office pens. Your “key” works very well!

  3. KaKTy3 Avatar
    KaKTy3

    Thanks you so much for posting this!

    Had to replace a failed drive earlier this week and couldn’t for the life of me figure out where the key could be (our TS Pro is over 6 years old) — this worked like a charm, although I had to use a different pen: PaperMate FlexiGrip Ultra 1.0M (available from Ryman’s in the UK) 😉

    1. Chris Avatar
      Chris

      Even though I wrote this post hoping it would be of service to someone, I’m always suprised when it is. Thanks for the information on an alternative pen, hopefully this will aid someone else in a similar bind. Cheers!

  4. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    if you contact BuffaloTech directly by phone, they will send you a replacement key. mine took about 1.5 weeks to arrive.

    1. Chris Avatar
      Chris

      Good to know, thanks for the tip.

  5. Another Chris Avatar
    Another Chris

    Nice post! Same issue trying to open the bezel and having no “good” pen at hand I just cut off a piece of sturdy cat7 cable that was lying around. Worked like magic (and completely ruined my previous amazement upon seeing your video

    1. Chris Avatar
      Chris

      Wow, that truly is a terrible lock. Thanks for the tip Chris.

  6. Peter Devoy Avatar
    Peter Devoy

    Without a pen, the lock on the TerraStation PRO (not the rackmount) can be bypassed by undoing the screws at the back and again on the back to take the cover off. Then the chassis for the front panel can be unscrewed to access the bays. Careful not to touch the big fat capacitors.

  7. Dick Avatar
    Dick

    pen didn’t work, straw disn’t work, cat 7 didn’t work. Going to try the .40 caliber next.

  8. Josh Avatar
    Josh

    I didn’t have either of those pens around – but the posterior side of the plastic part of the zebra F-301 pen worked great also.

  9. Josh Avatar
    Josh

    Also, Buffalo told me they would not replace my key. Perhaps my old Terrastation is just too old now.

  10. Ibrahim Avatar
    Ibrahim

    is there any firmware for this model which supports iscsi

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