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Forum Discussion
Ed_J
Mar 30, 2013Aspirant
RNDP4000 No Network Connection or Boot
Hi,
Just joined the forum.
I've recently purchased a second hand RNDP4000 (diskless) on a spares/repair basis. It was cheap so decided to take the risk. However, I think the Network interface is dead (but that is a first guess). The unit powers up with fan running at full speed (at least it sounds like it). Front display just states "Booting". No network activity lights on either port, nor on GS305 switch it is connected to (same port on router works with another NAS I have, so confident it is ok).
I have tried booting unit without any drives and booting unit with a brand new drive inserted, same result on front display.
Have gone through boot menu and done memory check (2 passes ok), tried to do "Factory Default" and "Tech Support" and get same result on front panel.
So, my questions are:
1. Does this look like a complete Network card failure?
2. If so, is it repairable? (either with spare parts or by canabalising another unit?)
3. Is there anything under any of the other Boot Menu options that I should try to confirm what the fault is?
4. Is it normal for it to not boot if it is just the Network card that has failed?
5. Or, is there no Network connection because it is not booting successfully?
6. How quickly should the unit boot up with no drives or one blank drive?
Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions.
Just joined the forum.
I've recently purchased a second hand RNDP4000 (diskless) on a spares/repair basis. It was cheap so decided to take the risk. However, I think the Network interface is dead (but that is a first guess). The unit powers up with fan running at full speed (at least it sounds like it). Front display just states "Booting". No network activity lights on either port, nor on GS305 switch it is connected to (same port on router works with another NAS I have, so confident it is ok).
I have tried booting unit without any drives and booting unit with a brand new drive inserted, same result on front display.
Have gone through boot menu and done memory check (2 passes ok), tried to do "Factory Default" and "Tech Support" and get same result on front panel.
So, my questions are:
1. Does this look like a complete Network card failure?
2. If so, is it repairable? (either with spare parts or by canabalising another unit?)
3. Is there anything under any of the other Boot Menu options that I should try to confirm what the fault is?
4. Is it normal for it to not boot if it is just the Network card that has failed?
5. Or, is there no Network connection because it is not booting successfully?
6. How quickly should the unit boot up with no drives or one blank drive?
Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions.
7 Replies
- It seems unlikely to be the NIC card, since the unit should boot without being connected to the network. It will not boot diskless.
Try installing RAIDar on a PC, and see if it can discover the NAS. It might give you more status information. http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/20684/ - Ed_JAspirantHi Stephen,
Thanks for the reply. I should have mentioned that I have RAIDar installed and it is unable to find the NAS. I had put this down to there being no active link apparant between the switch and the NAS.
Is there any other diagnostics I can do through the Boot Menu to see why it isn't booting? I'm assuming the new disk is ok. Might try it in PC to be sure. Can the disk be put in any of the 4 bays for it to boot from or do you have to start with Bay 1?
I had presumed the Network link would be present even without the unit booting, so that RAIDar could find it and then it's status can be verified even without disks present. Is that not the case?
Thanks,
Ed. - The link should be active even with no disks installed, and RAIDar should tell you that status.
It shouldn't matter what bay you use, though I have always started with bay 1 myself. Checking the drive would be a good step. Also, how big is the drive? If the firmware is too old, it might not support the larger disk sizes.
There is a USB recovery procedure for the flash which you could attempt. Sometimes it corrupts the eprom (containing the model/serial information), so there is some risk. Though you don't have too many options. - Ed_JAspirantHmmm, definitely not active, so I still think that there is probably a problem with the hardware there.
Will check the drive later, but no reason to suspect it.
I tried each drive bay - same result for each. I noticed there is a green LED on the motherboard that flashes for a few seconds while it starts up, then it goes out and stays out. Any idea if that signifies anything?
The Drive is a 3TB, and there is a label on the back of the NAS that states FW: V4.2.15, so I don't think it is that old, is it?
Have you got a link to the USB recovery procedure, just in case it comes to that? If it does corrupt the EPROM, is that the end of it, or is it still recoverable/usable from there?
Thanks again. - mdgm-ntgrNETGEAR Employee RetiredDid you try booting into tech support mode with no disks installed? Did you try with each NIC on the NAS, different ethernet cables and different ports on your router/switch?
Here are the instructions for USB Boot Recovery: http://home.bott.ca/webserver/?p=166 - Ed_JAspirantHi,
I think I tried Tech Support with no drives, but can't be sure now. It's late! Will try tomorrow if I get the chance.
I haven't tried differnet cables or ports on switch, as I'm confident they work - no problem plugging existing NAS back in with same cable (to same switch port).
Have tried both Network ports on ReadyNAS.
Thanks for the comments, will look at the USB boot in a couple of days.
Cheers (and Happy Easter!). - Ed_JAspirantSo, I tried the USB Boot Recovery. I am now the proud owner of what appears to be a fully functional ReadyNAS 4 Pro! :D
Thanks for your help on this, guys! :)
Now to find some proper disk tray screws..........
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