How to Access RAID Files When NAS Buffalo CloudStation CS-X2.0 Device Won’t Power On

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo CloudStation CS-X2.0
• How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
  • Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images
  • Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?
  • RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison

Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID

Conventional hard drives store user data by writing it sequentially across the disk surface, which means an entire file is typically located on a single drive. In contrast, when data is written to a RAID array, each file is split into multiple fragments. These fragments are then distributed and written in sequence across all the drives in the array. Depending on the configuration, fragment sizes can range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so every file is physically stored across several disks at once.

This approach significantly increases read and write performance — after all, writing two halves of a 1 GB file to two drives simultaneously is much faster than writing the full 1 GB to a single disk. However, this same mechanism makes file recovery far more complex.

Different RAID levels use different methods to distribute and protect data. On top of that, manufacturers like Buffalo often add their own proprietary structures and variations. As a result, data can be written to disks in many different formats, and each requires a specific approach during recovery.

How can data be recovered from a NAS Buffalo CloudStation CS-X2.0 device after a malfunction or data loss event?

To recover data from a NAS Buffalo CloudStation CS-X2.0 device after a malfunction or data loss event, you can follow these steps:

1. Check the physical connections: Ensure that all cables and connections between the device and the network are secure and functioning properly.
2. Power cycle the device: Turn off the NAS device, unplug the power cord, wait for a few minutes, and then plug it back in. Power cycling can sometimes resolve minor issues and restore functionality.
3. Access the device's web interface: Open a web browser on a computer connected to the same network as the NAS device and enter the device's IP address in the address bar. This will allow you to access the device's management interface.
4. Check the device's status: Once you have accessed the web interface, check the device's status to see if any errors or warnings are displayed. This can help identify the cause of the malfunction or data loss.
5. Perform basic troubleshooting: Follow any troubleshooting steps provided by the device's manufacturer or consult the user manual for guidance. This may include checking for firmware updates, running diagnostics, or resetting the device to factory settings.
6. Contact technical support: If the above steps do not resolve the issue or if you are unable to access the device's web interface, contact the manufacturer's technical support for further assistance. They may be able to provide specific guidance or recommend professional data recovery services.
7. Professional data recovery: If the data loss is severe or the device is physically damaged, you may need to seek professional data recovery services. These experts have specialized tools and techniques to recover data from malfunctioning NAS devices. However, be aware that professional data recovery can be expensive.

Note: It is always recommended to regularly back up your data to a separate storage device or cloud service to prevent data loss in case of device malfunctions or failures.

How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS CloudStation CS-X2.0 can be accessed over the network, you still need to remove its hard disks and connect them directly to a Windows PC. Only then can the recovery software properly scan and analyze the drives. Follow these steps:

1. Power off the NAS and disconnect it from the power source.

   WARNING! Before removing any drives, carefully read the device manual. Improper actions may damage both the NAS enclosure and the hard disks in the RAID array.

2. Remove the hard disks one by one, gently sliding each drive out of its slot. Remember that hard disks are highly sensitive: any impact or drop can cause serious physical damage.

3. Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.

4. Connect the drives to your computer. In this video, we explain which ports you can use to connect hard disks and what to do if your PC does not have enough free connectors.

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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo CloudStation CS-X2.0. Each hard disk in the array contains technical metadata describing how files were written. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery analyzes this metadata, automatically reconstructs the damaged array, and provides access to its contents. After that, you can browse the recovered disk and save your files. The program can also restore files that were accidentally deleted from the network drive.

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How to recover data from a Buffalo

CloudStation CS-X2.0 has 1 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• exFAT, VFAT, FAT 12 / 16 / 32;
• NTFS / ReFS;
• APFS / HFS+;
• Ext2 / 3 / 4 / ReiserFS / XFS / UFS / ZFS / Btrfs;
• VMFS / HikvisionFS;

How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images

This utility allows you to create a complete copy of a disk and work with the disk image instead of the physical drive. This approach helps protect your data from:

• Overwriting during the recovery process;
• Additional data loss caused by bad sectors;
• User errors.

To create a disk image, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.

2. In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.

3. When the Image Creation Wizard opens, select whether you want to save the entire disk or only a specific region. Adjust the settings and click Next.

   

4. Choose the directory where the image will be saved. You may select any available disk connected to your PC or upload the image via FTP.

   

Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?

The Buffalo CloudStation CS-X2.0 network-attached storage keeps OS Linux operating system files on a separate RAID 1 (mirrored) array. Usually, all NAS systems create several volumes on every hard disk, and the first of them takes up to 2 Gb of space. This is where operating system files are stored. Other volumes are united into a RAID array where user’s data is written.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison