My aging but incredibly reliable ReadyNAS Ultra 2 running two 4TB HDs (RAID1) has stopped responding. It won't turn on. No LED power light. Nothing. I'm a neophyte. I know only enough to be dangerous, but I can only guess that it's a failed internal power supply. Let me know if I'm wrong. My questions: How do I know what part to get? Netgear support for this model has disappeared. There haven't been meaningful updates in years.If I wanted to just kiss this old NAS goodbye and purchase a new NAS, would I be able to use the 2 drives from this unit as is? It's very important to me that I recover the contents. Thank you.

Sandshark wrote: Netgear can assist you in mounting the old volume on the new NAS such that you can copy the data to that backup media. You'll need to get an Intel OS-6 NAS for this (RN300 or better). You don't need help from support if the array isn't damaged: https://kb.netgear.com/29957/ReadyNAS-Migrating-disks-from-RAIDiator-4-2-to-ReadyNAS-OS-6-x86 You could also try connecting one of the disks to a Windows PC (using SATA or a USB adapter/dock). Then install R-linux for Windows (free), and see if that gives you access to your files. https://www.r-studio.com/free-linux-recovery/

ReadyNAS Won't Power On -- Replace?

8 Replies

Marc_V
NETGEAR Employee Retired
May 05, 2020
QuakerWildcat

There are no Internal parts available for any ReadyNAS system so you will most likely have to purchase an old Ultra 2 or a PSU that will be compatible with it. There are threads here on replacing the PSU.

If you are planning to purchase a NAS you can purchase the same old model if available or a new ReadyNAS OS6 system. Provided that your disks are healthy, migration can be done and your existing drives will be used.

Please see:

https://kb.netgear.com/29875/ReadyNAS-Migrating-disks-from-RAIDiator-to-OS-6

HTH

Regards
- StephenB
  Guru
  May 05, 2020
  Your Ultra 2 uses a 12 volt power brick, and not an internal power supply. Replacements for the power brick are readily available for about $30 in the US. One that is advertised to be compatible is here: https://www.amazon.com/MyVolts-adaptor-compatible-Netgear-ReadyNAS/dp/B00KT4GDEE
  
  So you might consider doing a risk-buy of a replacement power brick, and see if that brings your NAS back to life. If the system board in the Ultra has failed, then it might not work.
  
  Marc_V wrote:
  
  If you are planning to purchase a NAS you can purchase the same old model if available
  
  Netgear discontinued the Ultra line in 2013, so if you buy a used model you'd end up with a NAS that is at least 7 years old. If you go that route, you could get any Pro or Ultra model (including 4 bay or 6 bay ones). They can be converted to OS 6 if you like.
  
  Marc_V wrote:
  
  If you are planning to purchase a NAS you can purchase ... a new ReadyNAS OS6 system. Provided that your disks are healthy, migration can be done and your existing drives will be used.
  
  Please see:
  
  https://kb.netgear.com/29875/ReadyNAS-Migrating-disks-from-RAIDiator-to-OS-6
  
  This option requires an x86 NAS, so the RN100 and RN200 series won't work. Also, although Netgear calls this path "Migration", it's really a way to temporarily mount your Ultra disks so you can off-load the data. After that the disks need to be reformatted, and the data restored from backup. So it's not a direct migration - just a way to offload the data.
  - QuakerWildcat
    Aspirant
    May 05, 2020
    Marc_V and especially StephenB I cannot thank you enough for the clear and detailed response about my options. I am ordering a new power supply as step 1 and shopping for a newer Pro or Ultra NAS at the same time. Will report back.