NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
Solved
Upgrading ReadyNAS Pioneer Pro
Hello all, I have an older ReadyNAS Pioneer Pro (RNDP600E ?) running the older Radiator 4.2.x... I'm in the process of upgrading both hardware and software, I know this is all unsupported. - I ju...
The steps are
(Optionally) make sure the latest BIOS is installed before you do the conversion. To do this you install http://www.readynas.com/download/addons/x86/4.2/BIOS_Update_Package_0.5-x86.bin as an add-on and reboot the NAS. Do this after you backup the NAS. This isn't necessary, but if you so want to update the bios it is easiest to do it prior to conversion (and you should do it before you upgrade the processor).
There is some information on RAM upgrades here: https://community.netgear.com/t5/New-ReadyNAS-Users-General/Memory-upgrade-for-ReadyNAS-Pro-6/m-p/1072954#M20197 Though 4GB modules are expensive. If you already have 4 GB, then I suggest leaving it as it is.
Basic instructions for the conversion itself are
- BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP
- Upload PREPR4TOR6_0.1-x86.bin as an add-on using the ReadyNAS web gui, but do not reboot afterwards (avoids the need to do manual factory resets)
- Upload R4toR6_6.9.5.bin using the ReadyNAS web gui firmware update
- After you upload the addon+firmware and reboot, it will update the firmware and start a factory default.
- Go through the setup process on the converted NAS
- Update the NAS to the current OS 6 (check for updates will work).
- Restore files from the backup.
Netgear won't provide paid support on a converted NAS (or one with a processor upgrade), so that is one consideration. There is a small risk that the process could fail, and if that were to happen it might not be possible to get the NAS running again.
The steps are
(Optionally) make sure the latest BIOS is installed before you do the conversion. To do this you install http://www.readynas.com/download/addons/x86/4.2/BIOS_Update_Package_0.5-x86.bin as an add-on and reboot the NAS. Do this after you backup the NAS. This isn't necessary, but if you so want to update the bios it is easiest to do it prior to conversion (and you should do it before you upgrade the processor).
There is some information on RAM upgrades here: https://community.netgear.com/t5/New-ReadyNAS-Users-General/Memory-upgrade-for-ReadyNAS-Pro-6/m-p/1072954#M20197 Though 4GB modules are expensive. If you already have 4 GB, then I suggest leaving it as it is.
Basic instructions for the conversion itself are
- BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP
- Upload PREPR4TOR6_0.1-x86.bin as an add-on using the ReadyNAS web gui, but do not reboot afterwards (avoids the need to do manual factory resets)
- Upload R4toR6_6.9.5.bin using the ReadyNAS web gui firmware update
- After you upload the addon+firmware and reboot, it will update the firmware and start a factory default.
- Go through the setup process on the converted NAS
- Update the NAS to the current OS 6 (check for updates will work).
- Restore files from the backup.
Netgear won't provide paid support on a converted NAS (or one with a processor upgrade), so that is one consideration. There is a small risk that the process could fail, and if that were to happen it might not be possible to get the NAS running again.
StephenB Thanks so much for the clear explanation, recommendations and links! Really excellent.
I'm moving this week but will hopefully get around to this during the weekend. I'll swing back and post how things went so others benefit.
Again, many thanks!
The max memory is 8GB, which requires two 4GB 2Rx8 (aka "low density") DIMMs. Since OSes for consumer systems of the day were 32-bit and limited to 4GB of RAM, they are not available at the low price you can find 2GB sticks. Unless you plan to do some really heavy duty transcoding or something, you are unlikely to see much improvement going from 4GB to 8GB.
FYI, though your new processor is capable of running at a higher FSB speed, the motherboard is limited to 800MHz. Still, you'll notice quite a boost with the E7600 over the original Pentium.
Sandshark Thanks for the great info. I just opened up the box this morning and I did upgrade to 4GB sometime in the past. I did manage to source 8GB (4GB x 2) sticks that are compatible, but it's around $90 USD. So I'm on the fence about getting them.
On another note, I'm considering just upgrading the 2TB x6 drives I have installed since I'm doing a hardware refresh anyway. I got one of the Seagate Exos 16TB drives for a new tower I built, and I'm toying with the idea of just getting 6 of them to swap out the NAS drives. If I run RAID 5 it would be about 80TB of usable space (96TB raw).
https://www.newegg.com/seagate-exos-x16-st16000nm001g-16tb/p/1Z4-002P-015K6?Item=1Z4-002P-015K6
Has anyone tried these or drives at this size? Curious if it's compatible.
Many thanks!
StephenB I followed your directions and it went really smoothly... The only strange thing I noticed was during the addon + firmware stage it said on the front panel at some point during the process "Err: Could not properly extract", but then went on and seemed to upgrade everything fine. Not sure if that is normal behavior or not?
Otherwise, it seems perfect.
On another note, I did manage to find some second hand RAM in the 2x 4GB variety so I got them, it's the Patriot brand which others have reported good, I'll report back once I test them.
I've installed the RAM and now I'm trying to get the heat sync off, it's a real bear. I loosened all for spring screws but it is really stuck on there... I'm trying to hold the screw mounts and gently twich back and forth hoping it will pop off but no luck so far... I read other had troubles with this too. Is it a bad idea to drip a little alcohol through the heatsink grill and hope it hits the paste to make it easier to remove?
I remember reading someone else tried dental floss but I'm not even sure where the actual contact is between the sink and the processor.
Any pointers here most welcome!
Run the NAS for a bit to warm up the CPU and see if that helps. You could stop the fan from spinning for a short period to speed that up. I don't recall there being any holes through which alcohol would reach the paste. I have replaced the CPU on three units, and just remember having to twist rather hard.
Sandshark Humm... I just came back from doing what you mentioned... I disconnected the fan and ran it hot and then shut down and tried to wiggle...
I then pushed the little clips and removed the fan from the heat sink altogether... Now there is just a black plastic mount, the heat sink and the metal plate that is attached to the 4 arms that have the screws with springs... Just to be clear, the metal mount w/ the four screw sits on top of the processor correct?
When I unscrew the four screws that made a pop sound which I'm assuming means I've completely unscrewed them... I've been twisting back and for on the 4 screw and trying to put my fingers under the heat sink w/o the fan and lift up... All of that doesn't seem to even budge this thing...
Should I just try to put a little more force of the the 4 screw twisting?
Many thanks!!!
NETGEAR Academy
Boost your skills with the Netgear Academy - Get trained, certified and stay ahead with the latest Netgear technology!
Join Us!
