HD failure - please advise

A disk of the same capacity or greater on the compatibility list would be fine. Note you need to be running 4.2.16 or later if you wish to use a 3TB disk.

What brand do you wish to use?

There is no reason to make the drives identical. The NAS handles mixed drives with no issues.

The first step is to make a backup. Install the new disk by hot-swapping it (after the backup completes).

Personally I recommend the WD Red 2 TB drive (WD20EFRX). It costs a bit more, but is tuned for NAS (and supported by both Netgear and WDC for NAS).

Hi all,

Thanks for the swift replies!!
I am running 4.2.22 so am good to go.
Did a backup job from the nas to external USB - assume it's ok....... (job just completed; incremental backup).
Would rather do a cold swap (scared!);
So do I literally; once the new drive arrives.
Locate the dead one. plug in the new and then power on?

Is it really that simple? ; just let it re-sync and sort it's life out! :?

The hot swap is (in my opinion) actually somewhat safer, as the NAS detects the drive removal and insertion, and doesn't have to figure out that you are inserting a new drive. Also it means that you don't have to boot the NAS again. However, a cold swap of a blank disk should also work.

Replacement is that simple - though of course things can go wrong, which is why you want the backup updated first.

Thanks again.
So how can I confirm with 100% certainty that the external usb backup is correct?
Can I do a 'verify' against the nas???

Cheers

Ordered a WD Red 2 TB drive (WD20EFRX) :D

markhula wrote:
Thanks again. So how can I confirm with 100% certainty that the external usb backup is correct? Can I do a 'verify' against the nas??? Cheers

I don't think there is a way to verify, though it would be a nice feature.

If you have enough space on your PC you could make a second copy (at least of the critical data) while you are waiting for your new disk.

:shock: :shock: :shock:

Verify would be nice!
Well!; I have effectively 2 copies (the external USB and the remaining raid drive) so assume it's all ok.
Will wait for the new HD; cold swap it and see how it goes.

thanks to all.

Hi all,

Well; new drive arrived and installed (did a hot swap in the end as I felt brave).
Nas doesn't seem to do a lot. I was expecting something in the log about recognising a new drive or something.
Nothing!. Still just blinking the light and raidar still lists drive as dead. How long does it need before it jumps into action?? :-)

thanks

Rebooted NAS.
It now seems to be working!
So much for the hot swap!!!! LOL!