I Dont Want to Raid

rmvotano wrote:
I was a little disappointed that there wasnt enough big clear warnings in the user manual either so you know sticking a drive in will wipe everything

It is explained clearly in the hardware manual for the NV+ v1 on page 26 (current as at 30th Nov 2011). It's also found in the manuals for the NV+ v2. See http://www.readynas.com/docs
It is also explained in the FAQ: http://www.readynas.com/kb/faq/boot/can_i_use_the_disk_s_that_were_previously_used_in_a_pc_or_mac

It is strongly recommended to read the manuals and preferably the FAQ as well, before you use your ReadyNAS.

In any case data stored on a single device is not backed up.

rmvotano wrote:
I have set up my first 2TB WD drive to work without raiding. But everytime I insert a 1TB WD new drive, it isnt found. or it comes up dead. or it wipes everything on that drive to merge with the 2TB.

What version of RAIDiator are you running? If not already running the latest please update to this.

I presume you are using the default X-RAID? You want to use Flex-RAID.

To use Flex-RAID, you need to:
1. Backup all data
2. Verify Backup is good
3. Upgrade to latest RAIDiator if haven't already
4. Do a factory default (http://www.readynas.com/kb/faq/boot/how_do_i_use_the_boot_menu)
5. Using RAIDar (http://www.readynas.com/downloads) find the NAS, click setup and choose Flex-RAID. On the new NV+ v2 there is a new JBOD option (if you have the v2 select this option as it will create a separate volume for each disk).
6. If you don't have the NV+ v2 delete the volume automatically created and create RAID-0 volumes (one per disk). That way if one disk fails only the data on that disk is lost.
7. Restore data from backup

For more information see Configuring Your ReadyNAS for Flex-RAID

rmvotano wrote:
All I want is a hot-swappable central media server that I can put in hard drives already full of data, without having the NAS NV+ so all that fiddling in the back ground. Is this possible? If so, how can I set this up?

You're contradicting yourself without realising it there. Hot-swapping is IT terminology primarily refers to replacing failed components while the system is running (The ReadyNAS 3200, 3100 and 4200 have dual-redundant hot-swappable power supplies. On these systems if one power supply fails it can be replaced without needing to turn the NAS off). In the case of hard drives it also applies to replacing a low capacity disk with a higher capacity disk. Hot-swapping is the one way swap removing a failed or no longer wanted component with a new component.

The ReadyNAS needs to wipe the disks. The OS is stored on the disks in a separate partition to your data. Even if you're not using RAID for the data partitions you will be for the OS one.

You should also have a read of this article: Preventing Catastrophic Data Loss.

Also look at these excellent posts by the General: http://www.readynas.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=27855&p=154032&#p154032
http://www.readynas.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=26952&p=148849&#p148849
http://www.readynas.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=272981#p272981

Drives are simply not designed to be treated in the way you suggest. You can put a drive in a USB enclosure and transfer the data to the NAS that way. Or put the drive in a PC/connect it to a PC and transfer it over your network.

Welcome to the forum!

Haha thanks for the bruatlly honest and clear reply. Ill admit to being quite rookie on this and certainly would like to have know about those manuals. All i got with the box was a small ten steps to setting up your drive pamphlet. Ill go back through everything exactly as you suggest and hopefully have four separate hard drives for media storage.