ReadyNAS Duo V1 - Boot Problem (Power LED off)

Ok... I resolved this matter successfully. It turned to be two separate things.

First, the power LED is broken. So, it never goes on. This can be resolved sometimes later if needed.

Second, if the system is booting (going through all the stages described in my original post) and dies at the end, this indicates that a problem is not the SoDIMM (as I suspected) but corrupted OS files. So, I decided to reinstall OS. This process is very simple and it took me about 5 min.

The tricky part was to determine the version of my ReadyNAS Duo unit.  There are 2 labels on my unit contradicting each other. One white big label with serial number and model number RND2110-100NAS indicates version 1 (where 100NAS means v1), and second silver label says NETGEAR RND2110 v2. The second label has misleading “v2” pointing to version2. In my case the unit is version 1 and the back panel layout confirms it.

So, to reinstall OS on Netgear Duo version 1, I did the followings…

• Start with the power off unit
• Push and hold the reset button on the back panel, meantime
• Push power button on front panel
• Wait until both green disks LEDs flash
• Release reset button (on back panel)
• Let the system re-install OS (it will take about 5 min)
• System will reboot itself when done

When system rebooted, the RAIDar software shows the unit status as “Healthy” and the firmware as “4.1.13”. At this I was able to access my files over Windows Explorer. It made me happy again.

The next step was to try to communicate with the unit via web console called “Frontview”. This turned to be a problem at the beginning. I was aware that the OS reinstall resets credentials to a login “admin” and password:  “netgear1”.  However, I tried them but I was not able to log in to the Frontview. I rebooted the unit manually, sill no success with logging in. I left the system running over night. Next day, to my surprise, I was able to access Frontview without problem.  Happy again.

Now using Frontview, I was able to verify my setting and as a matter of fact almost all values (as pre-install values)  were there correct with exception of “IPv4 assignment” and “Speed/Duplex mode” on the “Network > Interfaces” page. I adjusted these and changed my admin password.

Next I decided to upgrade the firmware to the latest one - 4.1.15. For this purpose, I used a feature located on “System > Update” page. The upgrade went perfectly. Now, back in business…

This morning, I received a memory chip - Crucial 1GB DDR-333MHz, PC2700, 200-PIN SODIMM 2.5V CL=2.5 Unbuffered Non-ECC (CT12864X335), ordered at the point I suspected the SoDIMM to be defected. I plugged it in the place of original Apacer 256MB SOD PC3200 CL3. The unit booted without any problem. I tested it by accessing files and using web console. My Duo “flies” now.

I re-tested unit by rebooting it couple times and …  it keeps working. The speed is noticeable faster than before (with 256MB). I can experience it loading and surfing the Frontview – web console and well accessing files.

Good deal overall and a good experience I want share with other who may be interested.