I am preparing to move my current unRaid server to a new configuration as it is several years old now. I would like to replace the flash drive and conventional wisdom tells me to wait until everything is up and running well with the new configuration before doing so.

 

So my question is this: what is the proper way to replace the flash drive? I assume I need to move a current backup of the current flash drive to the new one, but is there a registration process involved too?

 

Also is there a guide for moving an unRaid server to new hardware?

Here is the section in the Manual about replacing the flash drive:

 

    https://docs.unraid.net/unraid-os/manual/changing-the-flash-device/

 

1 hour ago, dchamb said:

Also is there a guide for moving an unRaid server to new hardware?

Not that I am aware of.  Unraid in its basic configuration is fairly hardware agnostic.  However, once you are using VM's, you will probably have to change things if you are passing hardware through to the VM.  (If you pass hardware through to a Docker, the same warning will apply.  Much less likely with a Docker but I would bet there are a few Dockers which do use passed-through devices.)

 

OH, make screenshots of the tabs for disk assignments, network setup, Docker, plugins setups, etc.  If you do, you will never need them...   👿

 

If you need more help, please provide more details about what you currently have and what you are doing with your present setup.  Then tell us what you would be proposing to do with the new setup. 

This video should help you migrating to a new server.

My PC that has the data will not load from the USB flash drive.  I do not have a backup of the USB. What can I do?

8 minutes ago, Raidseeker said:

My PC that has the data will not load from the USB flash drive.  I do not have a backup of the USB. What can I do?

You may gone this item to be useful from the online documentation accessible via the ‘Manual’ link at the bottom of the GUI or the DOCS link at the top of each forum page.

Yesterday i've spend like 2h running up and down to get server working with new USB 3.0 from Backup (my current is only 2gb USB2.0)

Thought via app Unraid USB Creator 1.0.1 will be few min tasks.

Tried:

Sandisk Ultra Fit 32GB

ADATA UV128 / 32GB

Both are not able to boot into unRAID even in Bios they are the 1st ones, but strangely original USB2.0 have 2 boot options Normal and UEFI

After reading boards , guides...seems like I'm not the 1st one having this issue

People were suggesting running Unraid USB Creator as admin and then also "make_bootable.bat" also as admin, non of it was working :(

Changing USB ports 3.0 to 2.0 and such...no luck

Then i've found some older Wintec 16GB USB2.0 and was working right away, even with 2 boot options Normal and UEFI

Based on the USB 2.0 vs 3.0 notes, does 3.0 even worth to try (different brand) to get faster read/write speeds?

As price for 16-32GB is around 4-7e, no real price difference USB2 vs 3

Boot Issues | Unraid Docs

Boot Issues | Unraid Docs

Preparing the flash device

Where they state:

Boot failure

The following are some actions that can be taken to try and identify the cause of a boot failure:

1. If possible use a USB 2.0 port in preference to a USB 3.0 one as they seem to be more reliable for booting purposes. In addition USB 2.0 drives also seem less prone to failure than USB 3.0 ones. Many modern motherboards no longer have USB 2.0 ports directly exposed but there is normally a USB 2.0 header on the motherboard that can be used via an appropriate adapter.

   • USB 3.0 does work with no problems for many people

   • After initial load Unraid runs from RAM so gains no significant performance advantage from using USB 3.0.

   • USB 2.0 drives tend to run cooler than USB 3.0 ones which probably explains why they tend to last longer.

   • USB 2.0 drives are typically cheaper than USB 3.0 ones- so why pay more if not needed

2 minutes ago, killeriq said:

does 3.0 even worth to try (different brand) to get faster read/write speeds?

No, typically there's not a measurable difference, also USB 2.0 flash drives tend to be more reliable.

6 minutes ago, JorgeB said:

No, typically there's not a measurable difference, also USB 2.0 flash drives tend to be more reliable.

Ok, so i should just migrate to the 16GB USB2.0 which was working and don't bother with getting new USB3.0 different brand?

As I was like postponing it for some time, but now I need to always erase PREVIOUS folder to have space to do update (its old USB 2.GB :D )

So i said to my self lets update to latest, faster USB3.0 to have peace for next few years ...

5 minutes ago, killeriq said:

So i said to my self lets update to latest, faster USB3.0 to have peace for next few years ...

Have you tried using the Manual Method with the new drives - in my experience that often works when the USB Creator tool does not. Even when using the Manual method it may be worth using Rufus to do the formatting of the drive.

13 minutes ago, itimpi said:

Have you tried using the Manual Method with the new drives - in my experience that often works when the USB Creator tool does not.

Will try , if is there any difference...

But I thought such simple process just works and it's few mins task , very naive from me ➗

EDIT:

Tried even 7.1.4 zip unpacked to USB, then make bootable and not booting again.

Even different setting in Bios, no luck.

Very strange

Edited July 4, 20251 yr by killeriq