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+--- Thread: My head is going to explode with Unraid (/showthread.php?tid=12389)
My head is going to explode with Unraid - Enquiries - 10-15-2025
I love building PCs. I built a server in my home with some parts I had thinking I would set it up to be my "Dropbox" replacement. I have never used/learned linux. I am technical, but not this technical... hardware I am better at. I have watched hours of videos including yours which I really appreciate, but I am going in circles with Unraid. I tried on my own based on videos I watched and failed. I used ChatGPT and have been running around in circles because it clearly doesn't know what it is doing. I am lost and honestly feel really disappointed in all of it. At one point, I was actually in Nextcloud, then I wasn't. So I had the briefest excitement that maybe I would have something that could be my work Dropbox and more. I had hoped to maybe consider hosting my own email, website, and even putting my poersonal photos from my phone on it... blah blah. I just don't know what to do but pay some large fee for Unraid Troubleshooting time which seems ridiculous.
RE: My head is going to explode with Unraid - ed - 10-15-2025
It can be really frustrating when you’ve got the hardware ready and all the ideas lined up, but the setup just refuses to click. You’re doing the right things, watching guides and experimenting, but Unraid can get confusing fast, especially when Docker and networking get involved.
If your goal is to have your own Dropbox-style setup, photo storage, and maybe a few light services, don’t lose hope. You’ve already done the hardest part — getting the system built and running. Now it’s just about picking the right balance of simplicity and control.
You can still use Unraid, but start fresh and keep it simple: one main data share, one cache drive, and just install Nextcloud first. Don’t worry about fancy networking or automation yet. Once that’s solid, then move on to the rest.
If Unraid just feels like too much, you could try TrueNAS SCALE — it’s more structured and easier to follow for beginners. Or even CasaOS, which is very clean and app-focused if you mainly want storage and sync.