ReadyNAS Pro rebooting and resyncing, with file copy hangups and other issues

mdgm,

Thanks for your prompt diagnosis.

Earlier, memory testing passed 4 rounds with no errors.  I also unseated and re-seated the cards in their slots.

That's a lot of work to test 6 disks, especially given the strong possibility of CPU/Motherboard issues.

Manufacturers replace models often, and previous models become hard to get.  Also, with the discontinued models that are still available for purchase, sometimes you think you are buying a new disk, but the vendor is selling you a refurbished one.  Sigh.

Over the life of this NAS, I have gone from 1tb -> 2tb -> 4tb drives.  I began to mix drive models and sizes soon after acquiring the NAS. It was the most practical way to go forward as drives failed, prices fell for larger drives, and I needed a larger volume.  Maybe not ideal, but the NAS seemed to work OK until about a year ago.

When the capacity first reached ~10% remaining free space, it started having problems with file copy operations about the same time.  I deleted and/or off-loaded enough files to create ~20% free space.  Then, the NAS began running fast and smooth, without hangups.  This could be a coincidence, but it seemed a cause & effect at the time.

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I will gve this thread a few more days.  

Otherwise, I think my solution is going to be:

- Acquire a new NAS with 4 x 4tb identical drives.  

- Restore from existing the NAS if possible because it seems stable for read operations of any size, just not write operations.  

Btw, what does this say about the current problem(s)? 

- If the existing NAS is not stable enough for this task, I have a full backup across 3 USB drives, and will use a fan to keep them cool during the restore to a new NAS.

- Then, I will start fresh with this ReadyNAS, using only the 2 x 4tb drives.  If it seems to operate reliably again, I will add two more identical 4tb drives to it, providing a mirror backup to the primary, new NAS.

- The existing USB drives will be kept offsite and periodically updated once a month or so.   I should already be doing this!

Questions:  

1.) Should I (can I?) connect the two NAS units with an eSata cable for fastest transfer?

2.) Should I (can I?) I run OS6 on the ReadyNAS Pro?

Thanks again,

Ear-Relevant