custom readynas

[prometheus]

Anyone ever tried ripping the guts out of a readynas and replacing them with something a little unusual and running windows
Hope the modz dont tell me off for asking this but i thought it was an interesting idea.

[PapaBear]

No, but when one looks at this logically, one is forced to as WHY?

If you want low powered Windows box, you can certainly buy one cheaper than bastardizing a ReadyNAS. If you are using an old (assuming non-functional) NV+, there isn't an x-86 based MB that I know of that would even come close to fitting. They you are still lacking connectors for a display, and mouse and keyboard. I can buy a cheap new case on line for around $30, add $30 for a PSU and that basically is what you would be avoiding by such a "customization". Looking Newegg, one can put together case, PSU, LGA 1155 MB, Celeron LGA 1155 CPU, 2x1GB memory and DVD burner for less than $200, and you don't have to have pieces outside the case because they won't fit.

I have "customized" regular PC cases in the past, and discovered it is less time intensive and messy to just buy a case that works.

[prometheus]

i know what your saying it just seemed like an interesting idea, i already have an ultra 4 and love the design and build quality of the box and if im honest a matching box next door to it appeals to me sad huh
As an engineer the idea of stripping the guts out and replacing it interests me but i suppose finding a faulty readynas is gonna be hard, maybe a project for the future.

[PapaBear]

I agree with you on the build quality of the ReadyNAS. Of course you can get that build quality in some of the PC desktop cases today, you just have to spend several hundred dollars for the case.

[prometheus]

maybe netgear should produce and ITX case based on the same design as there readynas boxes.

Like that going to happen

[PapaBear]

Unfortunately, they would be in a very crowded field of expensive well made cases. While the case is great, to me, the greatest benefit is the MB, OS and support (including this forum). Those would both be missing in a case only product. There is an old saying about never competing with a man in his own field. I would prefer they keep doing what they are doing and keep doing it well rather than dilute their resources with a product outside their core. Infrant when purchased by Netgear was a great add into their core business - Networking products. A generic case, no matter how well made would not be.

The major computer manufacturers used to have great cases, but no longer. In late 2006 I purchased an HP Media Center and had it on the computer table, but with the cables running down in front instead of in back. (I was doing the initial setup before putting it under the table.) I left to get something in another room and my Doberman got under the table to check things out and when he came out got tangled in the cables and pulled the two day old computer off the table and it hit the floor. I heard the crash and it had hit the floor on one edge. I figured at the very least it was going to be warped, but no, the only damage was a slight scratch on the bezel. It was also about twice as heavy as the ones now. The problem for a generic case, is that once you have everything in it and it buttoned up, you don't really mess with it for a long while. My newest build is in a $50 case that serves me just as well as the $200 case I used on my previous build (neither came with PSU). I would not have bought the high end case, except it was on sale for half price.

[prometheus]

I suppose whatever i build is going to be tucked away anyways, i may still do it but it depends what turns up in the future
I agree netgear taking on Infrant was one of the best moves Netgear ever made esp keeping on there team who are a great bunch and i look forward to buying more readynas products, which i have to say is more than i can say about the rest of there support structure

[PapaBear]

Yeah, my original ReadyNAS is an Infrant NV+ purchased in May/June 2007 just months before the buy out. I was very concerned because most of these buy outs do not turn out well for their customers. However, other than an immediate $100 price increase, on the NV+ and the additon of the "Netgear" name on the front panel, one would be hard pressed to tell the post acquisition units from the earlier ones. Since then they have expanded the models greatly, but kept the quality. My NV+ now shares it's perch with two NVX units purchased last summer and fall. In there continuing expansion and upgrading, the 32 bit NVX units are now 64 bit Ultra 4/Ultra 4 Plus or Pro 4 units. I am more than pleased with the performance of all three of my units. Interestingly enough, I no longer have a single active PC that was in place when I installed the NV+. Only one of the desktops is still in the house, and it is in a closet. The NV+ just keeps chugging along.