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I removed the disks in my Synology DS213j NAS, and put them into my stationary computer. (I've already saved my data elsewhere in the process). I will be selling the NAS without disks, and expected I had to wipe the device itself somehow. However, when I now log on to the device over my network I get prompted to install harddisks. Does this mean that all personal/private data is on the disks and not on some sort of internal storage on the device?

Is it safe to sell the device without further actions?

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3 Answers 3

Reset to default
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Synology devices store the OS and all its config-data on the hard-drives, with a copy on EACH disk. This is independent of all the data-files you save on the device.
So long as 1 disk remains in the device it will keep all its settings.
When you remove all the drives the system boots from a mini-OS stored in a chip, with a default-config. As soon as there is disk inserted this mini-OS will download a fresh OS and install that on the disk.

So Yes: Disks removed effectively wipes the entire device.

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You should factory reset it before selling it. If you plan on selling with the disks, you'll have to wipe them.

Any login info and configuration information will remain on the device with the disks removed.

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  • Honestly, I'm not sure this is the case. I inserted new disks and followed the wizard instructions. There is no trace of personal information left.
    – André Christoffer Andersen
    Sep 26, 2016 at 20:12
  • If it had you reconfigure the username/password in the wizard then it's safe to sell after running through it once. The only data contained on the device itself is configuration. Everything else was kept on the disks.
    – user186658
    Sep 27, 2016 at 15:33
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As far as data in concerned it's with your disks.

  • UPDATE: DSM loads boot modules and some specific information to RAM. Hence you are able to boot or use the synology assistant and receive the OS version etc when not disks are inserted. To be clear and safe I would recommend resetting the synology box using the steps below.

Think of the DSM as the operating system that lives on the memory chips inside your machine regardless of your disks. So things like network setup user accounts, RAID config and the rest are stored here.

This is to enable you to replace drives without losing the Operating System.

Best way to make ultimately sure is to reset to factory settings your DSM, which you probably have done already by the sounds of it. But just in case use this guide:

For models installed with DSM 2.2-0941 and onward

  • The RESET button on the Synology product has the following functions.
  • To restore the "admin" account to default value.
  • To reset the UI management port to 5000/5001. To reset IP, DNS, gateway, and other net interfaces to DHCP. To disable PPPoE.
  • To disable auto block.
  • To disable firewall rules.
  • To unmount encrypted folders and disable Mount automatically on startup.

  • To remove high-availability cluster.

    Please note that the hard drive will not be formatted, so you don't have to worry about losing data.

Guide: https://www.synology.com/en-uk/knowledgebase/DSM/tutorial/General/How_to_reset_your_Synology_NAS

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  • Cite and quote the relevant information from the guide, your answer by itself, should answer the question. It currently does not. EVERY single one of your answers you submitted in the last hour has appeared in the review queue when I went though it, your answers, were the only answers in the late answers queue. Consider that before you reply to this comment
    – Ramhound
    Nov 10, 2016 at 12:52
  • What? I don't understand what you mean? The answer above I explicitly that the OS boot etc lives in the RAM as well as the disks. To be sure you should reset the device so that it clears the RAM modules of any boot information that may relate to you the install.
    – TheNerdyNerd
    Nov 10, 2016 at 13:07
  • What do I mean: You mention a guide, but when I made the comment, you didn't quote anything from the guide.
    – Ramhound
    Nov 10, 2016 at 14:22
  • Is this a requirement? I thought the steps and if it was read I am sure people would get the exact context it was written in and the information was there.
    – TheNerdyNerd
    Nov 11, 2016 at 9:51
  • Yes; Its required. I shouldn't have to read a third-party website if I want to reset my Synology, after asking how to do it, here at Superuser.
    – Ramhound
    Nov 13, 2016 at 19:47

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