Use the boot menu to restart or troubleshoot your ReadyNAS storage system. Your storage system has the following boot modes:
- Normal. Initiates a normal boot process, just like booting using the Power button.
- Factory default. Initiates a short disk test that takes approximately 5 minutes. After the disk test, a 10-minute time-out period begins.
WARNING: The factory default reboot process resets the storage system to factory settings, erases all data, resets all defaults, and reformats the disk to X-RAID. -
- If you want to cancel the factory default process, power off the storage system before the 10-minute time-out period ends. The system powers down safely without causing any data loss.
- If you want to reset the system to factory default settings, do not power off your system. After the 10-minute time-out period, the factory default process begins.
- If you want to start the factory default process immediately, press the Backup button during the 10-minute time-out period.
- OS reinstall. Reinstalls the firmware from the internal flash to the disks. The OS reinstall boot mode can be useful when the system crashes and corrupts some configuration files. OS reinstall boot mode also resets some settings on your storage system, such as Internet protocol settings and the administrator password, to defaults.
- Tech support. Boots into a low-level diagnostic mode.
WARNING: Use the tech support boot mode only when instructed to do so by a NETGEAR technical support representative.
- Volume read only. Mounts a volume as read-only. This option can be useful when you are attempting to rescue data off a disk during a disaster recovery.
- Memory test. Performs a memory test. The pass or fail result is reported using the storage system's LEDs. Contact a NETGEAR Technical Support representative to interpret memory test results.
- Test disk. Performs an offline full disk test. This process can take four hours or more, depending on the size of your disks. Any problems are reported in the system logs. For more information about viewing the system logs, see the ReadyNAS OS 6 Software Manual, which is available at http://support.netgear.com/product/ReadyNAS-OS6.
To access the boot menu
- Power off your storage system.
- Using a straightened paper clip, press and hold the Reset button.
- Press the Power button.
The system powers on. - Continue to press the Reset button until the Power button LED, USB and backup status LED, disk 1 LED, and disk 2 LED light.
- Release the Reset button.
- Press the Backup button to scroll through boot mode options.
The storage system shows the boot mode options using the LEDs, as described in the following table:
Boot Mode Status Indicator LEDs Power Disk 1 Disk 2 Backup and USB Boot menu 
Normal 
Factory default OS reinstall Tech support Volume read only Memory test Test disk Legend:
- On:
- Off:
- On:
- Press the Reset button briefly to confirm your boot menu selection.
The system boots in the selected boot mode.
Last Updated:07/07/2025
|
Article ID: 22892