ReadyNAS Duo - factory reset jammed?

Another approach to a factory reset is to delete the partitions on both drives with a PC. Then reinstall them into the NAS and power it up.

Thanks - but unfortunately I only have a mac and can't see the ReadyNAS any more with "Finder" - should I pull the power cord and try again?

Try holding down the power button to shut it down.

If you can delete the partitions on Mac, then that would be good. This link suggests that you can do that. http://macs.about.com/od/applications/s ... size_5.htm

Tried the power button but that didn't work. I pulled the cord, rebooted, and nothing seemed to have changed, and nothing reported in the log... unfortunately I cannot see the ReadyNAS using the disc utility, although I can see it fine with "Finder"... should I try "Perform Factory Default" from Frontview?

You can access Frontview? And see shares in Finder?

So (a) what is frontview reporting for volume status and disk status
(b) Are you seeing an empty volume with Finder?

Thanks..
(a) It appears to be reporting two hard drives as before with 927 gb allocated per drive
(b) No, it is not empty, no files appear to have been removed whatsoever by the failed factory reset.

ok. Did you also check the SMART stats?

What are you wanting to accomplish with the factory reset?

I just checked the SMART stats and it says status is OK. I don't really know how to read this but there are no reallocated sectors for either drive.

I do have access issues deleting some files with Finder from the ReadyNAS (I am asked for the mac system password and when i supply it, it still refuses to delete - it says I don't have permission to delete some files).

This is partly why my objective is to reformat the drives and wipe them clean, and start again, but also because I will probably give this particular device with both drives to a friend (I have another larger capacity ReadyNAS that I am keeping.)

Thanks and appreciate any suggestions..

Ok. On the permissions issue, you might try checking the box labeled "Set ownership and permission for existing files and folders in this share to the above settings. This option is useful in cases where you are changing security levels and need to workaround file access problems." on the advanced options tab for the share (then click apply).

If you are giving the duo away with the disks, then the frontview option for factory reset would be fine. It would reformat everything, and you'd end up with factory settings. If you keep the disks, then there is no need to do anything, as all the settings and data are kept on the drives.

Thanks for all the help and the issue is now resolved.
Just in case anyone else has the same problem this is what happened:
I ran the "factory reset" from Frontview and about 30 minutes later the NAS appeared to complete its reset cycle, going from making a lot of noise to being near silent.
RAIDAar then said the NAS was resynching and this took about 5 hours to complete for the 2x 1tb discs (a time and percentage estimate was indicated throughout).
During this process RAIDar showed a yellow light at the far left of the status, the volume light blinked green, as did the second disc light. All lights are now green.
When complete, I was able to log in to Frontview using the default password “netgear1” and user name “admin”.
I can now access the ReadyNAS through Finder and the discs do appear to have been successfully wiped.
The whole process took around 5.5 hours.