Hi, I'm on a ReadyNAS pro 6 Business Edition running 4.2.30 I'm looking to backup all my data (about 2.2TB) worth so I can then install OS6 on the NAS.I purchased a WD Passport 4TB USB drive to do this.I'm having issues with what I would have assumed should be a fairly straightforward procedure. When I insert the USB into my ReadyNAS and navigate in Frontview to Volumes>USB Storage, I see this. Device Part. Description Used Size FS SpeedWD My Passport 25E2 [Partition 1] 0 MB 196 MB FAT 480 So it thinks the drive is only 196MB? Its empty, its been erased numerous times, in OSX it shows there are 4TB free and only 1 partition. If I try to start a backup proedure, after a few seonds it fails and says the drive is full....obviously the 196MB. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

FAT has some severe file size limits, which you will are very likely to run into if you have video files on the NAS. NTFS is best, since it lets you read the backup on both your Mac and your windows PC. Another option is to get the Paragon ExtFS software for your mac, and then format the drive with that. Ext is a linux format, so the NAS will understand it. But you still probably need to unpartition the disk, and I don't know what OSX tools there are for that.

Forum Discussion

proteinnerd

Aspirant

Aug 16, 2017

Solved

ReadyNAS Pro 6 USB Backup to WD Passport help needed

Hi,

I'm on a ReadyNAS pro 6 Business Edition running 4.2.30

I'm looking to backup all my data (about 2.2TB) worth so I can then install OS6 on the NAS.

I purchased a WD Passport 4TB USB drive to do this.

I'm having issues with what I would have assumed should be a fairly straightforward procedure.

When I insert the USB into my ReadyNAS and navigate in Frontview to Volumes>USB Storage, I see this.

Device Part. Description Used Size FS Speed

WD My Passport 25E2 [Partition 1] 0 MB 196 MB FAT 480

So it thinks the drive is only 196MB? Its empty, its been erased numerous times, in OSX it shows there are 4TB free and only 1 partition. If I try to start a backup proedure, after a few seonds it fails and says the drive is full....obviously the 196MB.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

ReadyNAS Backup

StephenB
Aug 17, 2017
FAT has some severe file size limits, which you will are very likely to run into if you have video files on the NAS.

NTFS is best, since it lets you read the backup on both your Mac and your windows PC.

Another option is to get the Paragon ExtFS software for your mac, and then format the drive with that. Ext is a linux format, so the NAS will understand it. But you still probably need to unpartition the disk, and I don't know what OSX tools there are for that.

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StephenB
Guru - Experienced User
Aug 16, 2017
I think your passport has two partitions. You certainly don't want to use the FAT file system for your backup.

Do you have access to a Windows PC? I don't know what formatting tools are available on OSX.
- proteinnerd
  Aspirant
  Aug 17, 2017
  Hi,
  
  I have a work laptop running Windows 7 but its pretty locked down and I dont have any admin rights. I'll see if I can use that to Format the drive. Which format would be better than FAT?
  - StephenB
    Guru - Experienced User
    Aug 17, 2017
    FAT has some severe file size limits, which you will are very likely to run into if you have video files on the NAS.
    
    NTFS is best, since it lets you read the backup on both your Mac and your windows PC.
    
    Another option is to get the Paragon ExtFS software for your mac, and then format the drive with that. Ext is a linux format, so the NAS will understand it. But you still probably need to unpartition the disk, and I don't know what OSX tools there are for that.