Unofficial ReadyNAS USB Recovery Guide for x86 based Systems - rdynsxtrs/rn4bin GitHub Wiki

originally by dbott, recovered from archive.org

These instructions are for users of the ReadyNAS x86-based NAS devices, such as the ReadyNAS Pro Business and Pioneer Editions, the ReadyNAS NVX Business and Pioneer Editions, the ReadyNAS 2100 and ReadyNAS 3200, who need to perform a USB Boot Recovery.

For the sparc-based units (Duo, NV+, 1100 and predecessors X6/600, NV & 1000s) please use these instructions: http://home.bott.ca/webserver/?p=159

Download the appropriate USB Recovery tool for x86 systems from here:

http://www.readynas.com/download/support/ReadyNAS_x86_USB_Flash_Recovery-4.2.9.zip http://www.readynas.com/download/support/ReadyNAS_x86_USB_Flash_Recovery-4.2.12.zip

Note: according to the developers, you cannot downgrade to 4.2.5 once you have upgraded to 4.2.7 or greater.

Extract the zip file and run the usbrecovery.exe file. The USB drive should be formatted with FAT32:

Once done, power off the NAS, plug in the USB key into the front USB port, power it back up while holding the Backup button in. The LED on the flash drive should blink like crazy for a bit and within about 2 minutes the NAS should automatically shut off.

After that, remove the USB drive and turn the NAS back on. All data & settings should be in tact.

If the NAS does not shut down after 2 minutes or so, try a different USB drive (my 512 MB Corsair didn’t work, but my Sandisk 2 GB did).

After the USB Recovery, you may need to perform a firmware re-installation in the event that the NAS does not boot. Instructions for re-installing the firmware can be found below:

• ReadyNAS 2100
• ReadyNAS Pro & NVX
• ReadyNAS 3200

Brief description of boot sequence

from one of the developers (c3po)

Step 1

After power on, the BIOS will blink the blue power LED at 1Hz

Step 2

It then initializes hardware devices, memory test is indicated by brief blink of disk LED 2 (If memory test fails, disk LED 1 and 2 stay on)

Step 3

After all hardware devices are initialized, it scans the boot devices, this is indicated by brief blink of disk LED 4 (If no boot device found, disk LED 1 and 3 stay on )

Step 4

If BIOS finds bootable device, it passes control to boot device and turns the power LED from blinking to solid on

==>

Boot sequence can be changed by pressing backup button, external USB devices take priority over internal boot device if backup button is pressed. For USB recovery to work, please hold backup button until Step 4: Power LED becomes solid. Continue to press it for 5 more seconds and then release the backup button.

What USB recovery drives does? Boots up via USB and rewrites internal boot device.