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[simsk]

I couldn't find an exact answer to my question.
I'm currently using my 321 with a single Seagate 1TB drive with about 450GB of data on it, in standard configuration.
I intend to add an additional Seagate 1TB drive to use as a second volume within the backup. When I install the drive, how should I proceed in implementing this second volume so as to create an additional volume, without the system trying to combine them into a single volume?
I'd like to know, prior to inserting this drive.
Thanks

[JoeSchmuck]

When you insert the new drive and power up the system, it will prompt you what to do.  Select the option you want.  You should be selecting Standard which will create a new drive called Volume_2.

-Joe

[simsk]

Well now I'm getting a formatting error code of 112. I can't seem to find an answer for it. Does this unit use a proprietary format, or could I not just format it in the PC and transfer back to the 321 for use? I restarted the format process a couple of times with the same result. I know the drive is working, as I pulled from a working system.
Thanks for all the help.

[JoeSchmuck]

Look for others here that have posted error code 112.  You may need to revert to a previous firmware version or use a different drive model.  Again, do a search for 112.

-Joe

[simsk]

My bad. I was performing a full string search..
Thanks

[simsk]

I did downgrade the firmware to 1.02 and it did allow me to format the drive, but after rebooting the device, it doesn't recognize the drive has been formatted, and requires me to rerun the format.
Question, at what point is enough formatting?
Is there a way to force the unit to realize that it is in a usable state?
Or do I need to just purchase another unit?

[JoeSchmuck]

Well clearly it shouldn't be asking you to reformat a second or third time.  Unfortunately I cannot lend much assistance since I've never had that problem.  I think you do need to post which drive model you are having issues with and the firmware it has.  I thought I understood that the Advanced Format drives didn't play nice but again, I'm not sure about that.  I'd have to look into it.

-Joe

[gunrunnerjohn]

I'd be forced to take it out and connect it to a PC and do the manufacturer's low level format and diagnostic on it, then try again.

[simsk]

Well, as luck would have it, the unit FINALLY recognized that the format had completed and acted accordingly. It allowed me to assign a name and move all my data over. Still not sure why I had to format time and again, but, it finally stuck....go figure.
One more question though, as I've downgraded the firmware in order to format the drive, is there any real advantage to installing 1.03 firmware level again?

Thanks for all your help. It is appreciated.

[JoeSchmuck]

Glad you got the format to work.  Very odd that it took a few tries.

Probably not but look at the Firmware 1.03 now available sticky at the top of the DNS-321 page.  It breaks down the features of the 1.03 firmware.

If you do upgrade to 1.03, make sure any data on the NAS is backed up or you can afford to lose it.  The upgrade shouldn't lose any data but you never know.  This is why many of us here say that you should backup all your important data which means, the NAS is not the final backup.  I like using DVDs myself.

-Joe

[gunrunnerjohn]

I agree with the secondary backup, but it would take far too many DVD's to backup all my data.  I use a variety of NAS and USB connected disks for multiple backup copies.

[JoeSchmuck]

I backup the IMPORTANT things to DVD that I cannot replace.  That's about 7 DVDs, however photos are the ones I backup 3 to 4 times a year, but I have all the photos on two computers as well.  Paid software gets a single backup and iTunes gets a backup a few times a year.  If it's on the iPod or my daughters PC, I'm doing good, plus I backup her iPod music as well.

Of the data that I can afford to lose:  The rest of my NAS goes to full backups of the house PCs (Full weekly and Full Monthly backups of 4 PCs) and I have some ripped movies that I can create again if needed.  So long as the PCs are working fine, losing the backup is no big deal.  If I lose both, then I need to build from scratch which does have it's benefits although I don't care to spend that much time rebulding a machine.  Since I got my SSD, everything is fast.

As for how my NAS drives are used, I place backups on both drives (every other month is on a single drive, every other week is on a single drive) so a single drive failure causes no major data loss.  One drive is used for movie files and the other drive is used for any other software I like to keep handy.  This keeps the original software off my SSD.

Anyway, that's how I use my NAS and backup my data.