QNAP TS-212P dissasembly, cleanup, ...

I got NAS QNAP TS-212P from a friend and today is dissasembly, cleanup, thermal paste replacement and more on the agenda. This is slow NAS but for basic network share, FTP and similar is good enough. NAS is short for Network Attached Storage.

Dissasembly

(Click on the individual step or triangle to hide or show the details (images, info, …))

Step 1: Remove the two screws in the back

In my case those screws were missing so this part was skipped.

Step 2: Top part of the case pull to front and away

Step 3: Disconnect fan and 2 SATA connectors and cut the zip-tie holding fan wires

Step 4: Unscrew all screws holding disk drives on both sides and remove them

Bottom disk drive when unscrewed slide it towards the forward and then remove it.

Step 5: Unscrew 4 screws holding disks cage and motherboard in the case

Step 6: Unscrew fan and remove it

Step 7: Peel away metal tape just enough that motherboard can be taken out and remove the motherboard

To take off the cooler, continue reading below.

Thermal paste replacement

For this I used paper towel, isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and if the old paste is dry and hard which paper towel and IPA is not enough use some plastic to scrape it all off BUT DO NOT USE METAL because it damages the cooler!

If the thermal paste is soft and not dry probably you do not need to replace it.

(Click on the individual step or triangle to hide or show the details (images, info, …))

Step 1: With pliers squize and push out both plastic clips holding the cooler

Step 2: On the cooler and processor remove old thermal paste (if it is dry and hard)

First put on the surface or paper towel IPA and then clean the old thermal paste off. Do NOT touch cleaned area with your fingers!

If it is too dry and hard take some plastic (like old credit card for example) and scrape it off first and later clean it with IPA and towel.

Step 3: Put pea size thermal paste on the processor or cooler and attach the cooler back to the motherboard

What is next?

You probably want to change the coin battery CR2032 and replacement battery must be the same model! Best way is to check it’s voltage (V) with the multimeter (set do direct current (DC)) and make sure it is at least 3-3,1V and if lower than that replace it with new one.

Now when all is done just put it back together but in reverse order until that point. Now just connect the power adapter and network cable to turn on and use the device. When you see green light is near STATUS in front of the device that means that device is fully booted up and you will be notified with first beep when you power on the device and second beep when it is fully booted up and ready (green status light).

Reseting the QNAP NAS

There are several ways to reset the NAS. You can manually do it outside in the back of the device with the RESET button or when logged in to the NAS from it’s settings.

If you want other reset options, check the Resources section.

(Click on the individual step or triangle to hide or show the details (images, info, …))

RESET button in the hole on the back side of the device

When the device is turned on and running with green light near the STATUS in front of the device take something thin like tooth pick or something na push and hold the RESET button inside the hole for the:

• 3 seconds for partial reset

  The NAS beeps once to indicate a successful reset and data remains intact.

  The following settings are restored to default:

  • Admin password: Reset to default or first MAC address. See here.
  • Security level: Set to Low (allows all connections)
  • Service binding: All NAS services available on all interfaces
  • System port: Set to 8080
  • Network (TCP/IP) settings: Switched to DHCP, disables Jumbo Frame and VLANs Port Trunking set to Active Backup (on dual LAN models)

• 10 seconds for full reset

  One beep is at 3 seconds and second one at 10 seconds. Data on the drives remains intact.

  • All shared folders are deleted.
  • All system settings are restored to default.

Login with QFinder Pro (download, install, run, scan)

Let’s download, install and run the program.

(Click on the individual step or triangle to hide or show the details (images, info, …))

Step 1: Open the web page for the QFinder Pro and left mouse button click on the Download blue button

https://www.qnap.com/en/software/qfinder-pro

You can also search it in your search engine like Google and open the result

Step 2: Scrool down and left mouse button on the correct installation download button, I have Windows OS so we will click Download (.exe)

Step 3: Open veb browser downloads and left mouse button click on the downloaded file to open it

If User Account Controll (UAC) window shows left mouse button click on the Yes button.

Step 4: Left mouse button click on the OK button

Step 5: Left mouse button click on the Next, Install and Finish buttons to complete the installation

During the installation with left mouse button click you can check or uncheck checkboxes for aditionall options.

Step 6: First time program asks for the region, just left mouse button click on the OK button

If Windows gives you alerts about the program just confirm it all. Also to check or uncheck checkboxes left mouse button click them.

Step 7: If program shows you error that no devices found left mouse button click on the OK button

This can happen if device is not started, device IP network address is not correct, not connected to same network as your computer, …

Step 8: Left mouse button click on the refresh button to scan network for the NAS device

Step 9: To open Login page for your NAS device right mouse button click on the NAS device in the results and then left mouse button click on the Login button

Step 10: Left mouse button click on the Login button

Step 11: Fill out the credentials and then left mouse button click on the Login button

Default username and passoword values:

 admin

And now you can start configuring your NAS device, enjoy :)

Resources

• QNAP
• How do I reset my NAS settings?
• QFinder Pro

Video version

(26.12.2025, 18:00 / 06:00 PM, timezone: CET / UTC+1 / GMT+1)