Factory reset without losing data?

peter.major wrote:
The only factory reset I can find says that it deleted the data.

correct.

Is there some way I can factory reset the device without deleting my media share?

unfortunately, there is no supported way to reset without losing data.

there is a post, that I can't find at the moment, that shows how to remount the data volume read only, then delete everything else, then re-install the firmware via boot menu.

this would clear off anything that wasn't stored on the data volume

Otherwise I'm going to have to buy an external hard drive just to reset my device, which seems a bit daft..

unfortunately, yes a backup then restore job is the 'proper' way to get a clean system.

it is possible to remove 1 drive from the device (leaving it NON-REDUNDANT) and use that drive in a usb case/dock to backup to...

but, that is quite risky and it is constantly repeated that raid is never a substitute for backups in any case.

Ok thanks for your advice... I'll search for that post. I did find another post about the "re-install" option off the boot menu but I guess that alone is not what I'm looking for, is it?

boot menu reinstall will reset the network settings, and generally restore any files that may have gotten removed/buggered up by ssh mistakes, however it does not remove any extra stuff you install and most other settings are preserved.

In general it will get you up and going if you (or a bad addon) cause boot or system problems, but it does not 'clean house' so to speak.

The SSH trick isn't recommended, but it's mentioned here: http://www.readynas.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=196365#p196365

yup thats the one, bookmarked it.

it worked for me, when I tried it, but I later full factory defaulted anyway once I had a complete backup