I'm a very novice user so please take it easy on the terminology and try your best to give me simpler step by step instructions. I have a ReadyNAS duo v 1. Recently, it was making noise, like a loud fan. I decided to turn it off, but the power button did not respond, so I unplugged it. At that time, I popped each of the drives out making sure to plug them back into the slot that they were originally in. Now, when I turn it back on, only disk 1 light is green and the disk 2 light is unlit. Furthermore, I am unable to get RAIDar to detect the ReadyNAS. I don't usually run RAIDar so I'm not sure if this is normal. I read the help if RAIDar is unable to detect and it says to turn off any firewalls and make sure the computer is on the same subnet as the computer. I don't know how to check the subnet.
My configuration is I have a cable modem connected to a router. The ReadyNAS is plugged directly into the router. My computers are all laptops that interconnect wirelessly. I have two on Windows 7 Home Premium with service pack 1 and one on Windows XP ver 5.1 with service pack 3.
So I tried turning it off, no response. Only way to get the NAS to turn off is by unplugging it. Reseated the drives and restarted. Now neither drive light is green. The power light is solid blue. Any help?
If you don't have a backup, you can try Linux Reader in a PC (http://www.diskinternals.com/linux-reader/), and pull the data from disk 1. (power down the NAS before removing drives, etc).
Then you can attempt a factory reset (or delete the partitions on both drives via windows), and see if that brings it back to life. You would need to rebuild the NAS (reinstall add-ons, re-configure, and restore data from backup).
Ok, thanks. I have a backup but it's not recent. I'm ready to move on and I need to get the data off the drive. Thanks for the link. Once I retrieve the drive from the NAS how do I connect it to my laptop? Is there a cable I can buy that will plug into the back of the drive and into one of my USB ports on my laptop? Also, if drive 1 isn't functioning, can I also try drive 2?
I don't think linux reader can access the data on drive 2 on a duo v1. The raid on that unit is hardware accelerated, and there is no normal data partition to access.
With a laptop, you will need an SATA->USB adapter kit (one that includes drive power). They cost about $30 US, and can be found on Amazon and many other on-line sites. Some laptops have eSATA - there you would still need drive power, but you could substitute an sata->esata cable for the USB adapter in the kit.
ok, bought the cable and downloaded the Linux reader. No joy. The reader cannot open the drive. When I plug it in the drive makes a series of swooshing noises (about ten times) then goes silent. What can I do next?
I'll try both those tonight. I noticed on the Disk Internals web link you provided above that there are lots of recovery tools. Is there anything I can do to get the information off either of the drives. I'll be honest, I hadn't backed up the drive for quite a while. I don't understand the mirroring of drive 1 to drive 2 if I can't retrieve the information off of it.
I'm glad you had that one thing to try. I tried diags from Seagate. Drive 1 is dead. I started the NAS with Drive 2 in bay 2 only. IT WORKED!! Downloading information as we speak. After I retrieve all my data, do you suggest I replace both drives (they are almost 5 years old) and start over? Can you recommend a forum or website on how to begin for folks that have limited technical knowledge. I completely forgot how to set it up and the directions that came with the hardware is minimal. Thanks for your help.
Firmware 4.1.5. Currently have about 250 GB of data. Each of the Seagate Barracuda ES.2 drives are 750GB. I don't think I really need more capacity at this time but if one drive failed already do you think I should just replace both and increase to 1 or 2 TB? How do you feel about my current model/firmware of NAS?
If you are running 4.1.5, your firmware is ancient. You'd need to upgrade it to use 2 TB drives. The current version is 4.1.12.
If you do go with 2 TB drives, you'd need to do a factory reset. If you get a 1 TB drive you could simply insert it into slot 1 with the NAS running. You'd only get 750 GB of space until you replace the second drive.
Both Seagate and WDC now have drives that are designed for NAS - you might look at the 2 TB models. They are not on the compatibility list, but I would suggest them anyway (Netgear has not updated the HCL for the older NAS models in quite some time).
As far as the NAS itself goes, I have a duo V1 that I am still using for backup. Its been reliable for me, but newer models like the RN102 or the RN312 are much faster.
Ok, sounds like the no-brainer for me is: 1. upgrade firmware 2. buy a 1TB drive or smaller drive to replace the failed one
I'll worry about more capacity or different NAS when I really need it. One, last question. Can you direct me to a thread or webpage that shows a simpler way to back up my NAS? Currently I copy all the files via my wifi and laptop to an external hard drive. The USB port on the front of the NAS is labeled backup but I've never really known how to use it. Thanks again for all you support.
Thanks for the resource. Also, once I buy the new drive, all I have to do is plug it into bay 1 and it will automatically set itself up and mirror the data in drive 2 to drive 1?
ok, next problem. got the new drive installed. All lights are green. I want to login into the setup from RAIDar so I can upgrade the firmware, but I don't know the password. When I went to https://<ReadyNAS ip_address>/password_recovery I get the following error: Sorry, password recovery information has not been set on this device. Due to security reasons, password recovery is not available. Is there another way to recover the password?
If I do an OS re-install using the system reset switch, I understand I won't lose my data and it will reset my password. Will I have to completely reconfigure my NAS from the beginning or will it remember my original configurations?
An OS reinstall resets the admin password and also resets the IP configuration to use DHCP. All other settings should remain intact.
With a duo you need to be careful not to do a factory reset by mistake (since there is no LCD panel to prompt you). You might want to review the procedure first - the hardware manual has a good description (http://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/ ... 6Dec11.pdf)
