NAS
step-by-step guides
Q: How can NAS and Windows coexist on the same device
There are two primary methods:
1. Virtual Machine: Run both systems simultaneously within a virtual machine.
Note: GPU acceleration is typically unavailable for the OS in this setup.
2. Dual Boot: Install both systems on separate storage drives. This requires restarting the device to switch between operating systems. Simply add an extra SSD for the second OS.
Q: [N5/N5 Pro Desktop NAS] Windows Control Software won't open
Download and install the vc_redist package as specified in the user manual（https://support.minisforum.com/）.
Q: When trying to configure mechanical hard drives (HDDs) for RAID in the N5 BIOS, the RAID option only shows NVMe SSDs and not the HDDs.
The BIOS of the N5 only supports hardware RAID configuration for NVMe SSDs. Therefore, when you enable the RAID option in BIOS, only NVMe drives will be listed.
To create a RAID array using mechanical hard drives (HDDs) , you must configure it within the NAS operating system after it has booted.
Q: N5 / N5 Pro Desktop NAS cannot install Windows or Linux using an HDD
The standard installer will only target the primary M.2 SSD. To install onto a different drive (like an HDD), you must use a Windows PE to boot and manually select the target drive during setup.
Need Further Assistance?
If you've tried the troubleshooting steps above and your issue persists, don't worry—we're here to help.
Submit a repair request and we'll take it from there:
1. Our customer service team will review your case.
2. A technical assessment will determine if repair is possible.
3. We'll guide you through the next steps—whether it's repair, return, or exchange.