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Forum Discussion
ReadyNas Duo stuck on "system starting up"
I desperately need some help. I bought a used ReadyNAS Duo today. After struggling with the password, I eventually got in, but I couldn’t do much besides changing the password. I wasn’t able to upload files, create folders, or perform any other tasks.
I decided to try a factory reset, but that seems to have been a mistake. According to Google, I was supposed to turn it off, hold down the reset button, turn it on, and only release the reset when all LEDs were on, after which I could cycle with the backup. However, every time I tried, only the LED for disk 2 lit up.
I repeatedly forced it to shut down by removing the power cable because it didn’t make any sense. I also discovered that to access the admin page, I had to use an old browser, as newer browsers wouldn’t work for some reason.
Now, when I start up the NAS, it just says “System starting up” and has been stuck like this for a long time. I only have one HDD installed, and when I checked it on my main PC, it appeared fine, but it was completely empty. Could this be related to the issue?
Can someone please help me and tell me what to do? It’s very frustrating to have bought something that now seems completely useless.
4 Replies
its a Duo, it says it in the Raidar app, like i said..
its a Duo, it says it in the Raidar app, like i said..
You didn't say anything about RAIDar. And model identification here is tricky - many owners of the original Duo think they have a Duo v2 due to the poor labeling.
I also discovered that to access the admin page, I had to use an old browser, as newer browsers wouldn’t work for some reason.
The issue here is that browsers now require TLS 1.2, and the Duo doesn't support that. You can use current FireFox if you set security.tls.version.min to 1 (browse to about:config and search for the setting)
According to Google, I was supposed to turn it off, hold down the reset button, turn it on, and only release the reset when all LEDs were on, after which I could cycle with the backup.
Not quite. See pages 15-16 here:
Note the original Duo has a limit of 2 TB drives. Almost all desktop-class drives in this size range are now SMR, which is not a good choice for NAS. Best to use a NAS-purposed drive - for example, a Seagate Ironwolf or a WD Red Plus.
I bought a used ReadyNAS Duo today.
Now, when I start up the NAS, it just says “System starting up” and has been stuck like this for a long time.Let's start by confirming the model. ReadNAS 2-bay system models were
- Duo
- Duo v2
- Ultra 2
- Pro 2
- RN102
- RN202
- RN212
- RN312
- RN422
These are quite different, so we need to identify what you have.
It sounds like your system has an LCD screen - is that the case? If so, you must have an RN422, as that is the only one that had such a screen.
If (not) or if you just want to confirm the model, then you can download RAIDar 6.5 from
- https://kb.netgear.com/20684/ReadyNAS-Downloads#raidar
If you need Java, you can download it from
Note that RAIDar won't work on Macs with M-series processors.
its a Duo, it says it in the Raidar app, like i said..
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