Synology DS1512chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Boot failures from a defective DOM chip are the most frequently reported issue. Numerous commenters describe the same symptom: a continuously blinking blue light and repeated boot cycling, most often traced to a failed DOM (Disk On Module) chip rather than the drives themselves. Users across different threads mention swapping the DOM, reprogramming it, or replacing the onboard controller after a power outage or over time. One person mentions the fault reaching Australia and helping them save a 10-disk RAID array, showing how widespread this specific failure pattern is among long-term owners of this unit.

Power supply and capacitor quality concerns compound the reliability worries. Beyond the DOM, several users found hardware-level faults tied to the power supply, including a visibly bulged capacitor and a dead CMOS cell on the motherboard. One person speculated their power supply itself was bad after a boot failure, while another criticized Seasonic for switching to cheap capacitors instead of the brand's usual quality parts. Another commenter simply asked why boards look burnt, suggesting these capacitor and power issues are a recurring theme for some units.

RAID flexibility and network throughput satisfy some users despite the hardware complaints. Interest in the unit's storage flexibility appears in questions about expanding SHR-1 or RAID 5 arrays with additional drives without data loss, and one commenter called the unit's design professional and nice-looking. Another explained that the DS1512+ can handle full gigabit ethernet speeds, though bottlenecks often come from a user's router or network card rather than the NAS itself. Repair costs and no-drives-included pricing around $900 were still noted as drawbacks.