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Turn everything on

Use this guide when you arrive home, after a trip, or when someone asks you to "turn the tech back on."

What you are turning on

  1. Modem / router (UniFi Dream Machine SE) — internet and Wi‑Fi
  2. NAS (TrueNAS box) — storage and streaming apps
  3. Windows PC — desktop computer for browsing

Wait between steps. Rushing causes "nothing works" problems that fix themselves if you wait five minutes.

Step 1 — Modem and router

  1. Find the UniFi Dream Machine SE — a small box, often near the NBN connection point.
  2. Check the power cable is firmly plugged in at the wall and at the back of the unit.
  3. If it has a power switch, turn it on.
  4. Wait 3–5 minutes. You should see steady lights (not all flashing forever).
  5. On a phone, open Settings → Wi‑Fi. You should see the home network name. If you need the password, see UniFi Wi‑Fi basics.

If Wi‑Fi never appears: go to When internet is broken.

Step 2 — NAS (TrueNAS)

  1. Find the Ugreen DXP 8800 NAS — a larger black box, usually on a shelf or desk.
  2. Press the power button once. Fans may spin up; that is normal.
  3. Wait 5–10 minutes for it to fully boot. The NAS runs movies, music, and many websites in the background.
  4. Optional check: on the Windows PC (once it is on), open a browser and go to dsm.saxobroko.com. A login page means the NAS is awake.

Do not press buttons on the NAS screen about "format" or "reset" unless a technical person told you to.

More about the NAS: TrueNAS basics.

Step 3 — Windows PC

  1. Sit at the Windows 11 desktop at 192.168.2.200.
  2. Press the power button on the PC case or wake it from sleep.
  3. Log in with your Windows password (or fingerprint if set up).
  4. Wait until the desktop fully loads — taskbar at the bottom, no spinning circle forever.
  5. Open a browser and try dash.saxobroko.com or any normal website like google.com.

More about the PC: Windows PC basics.

Quick checklist

Step Device Wait time How to know it worked
1 UniFi router 3–5 min Wi‑Fi network visible on phone
2 TrueNAS NAS 5–10 min dsm.saxobroko.com loads (may need login)
3 Windows PC 1–2 min Desktop ready, browser opens sites

Troubleshooting

"I turned everything on but nothing works"

  1. Confirm Step 1 finished first — no internet means nothing else will work well.
  2. Wait another 10 minutes. NAS and apps need time after boot.
  3. Try When internet is broken.

"Websites work on Wi‑Fi but not on mobile data away from home"

That is often the cloudflared tunnel or Australia-only access. See Restart cloudflared.

"Drive A: is missing on the PC"

The A: drive is media from the NAS. After a reboot it sometimes needs remapping. Ask someone technical, or see Windows network drive in the server docs.

"Jellyfin says server unavailable"

NAS may still be booting, or Jellyfin needs a moment. Wait 10 minutes, then see When media won't play.

Turning everything off (rare)

Usually you leave everything running. If you must shut down for a storm or long absence:

  1. Shut down Windows properly: Start menu → Power → Shut down.
  2. NAS: use the TrueNAS web UI to shut down if you can; otherwise hold the power button only if instructed by someone who knows the setup.
  3. Router last — or leave the router on if only the PC and NAS are off.

After a full power-off, follow this guide again in order when power returns. See also Power outage recovery.