
- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-CE2.0TIU2
- How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
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.
Are there any recommended practices for regular testing and validation of data backups to prevent potential loss on NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-CE2.0TIU2 devices?
Yes, there are recommended practices for regular testing and validation of data backups to prevent potential loss on NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-CE2.0TIU2 devices. Here are some key practices to consider:
- Regular Backup Schedule: Set up a regular backup schedule to ensure that your data is backed up consistently. This can be done daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on your needs.
- Multiple Backup Locations: It's advisable to have multiple backup locations to safeguard against potential loss. Consider backing up your data to an external hard drive, cloud storage, or another NAS device.
- Automated Backup Software: Utilize backup software that supports automated backups. This will ensure that your data is backed up regularly without manual intervention.
- Verify Backup Integrity: After each backup, verify the integrity of the backup data. This can be done by performing a test restore of a small subset of files to ensure that the backup is functioning correctly.
- Regular Data Restoration Testing: Periodically test the restoration process by restoring a subset of files from the backup. This will help ensure that your backup is reliable and that you can recover your data when needed.
- Monitor Backup Status: Keep an eye on the backup status and logs provided by the NAS Buffalo Drive Station or any backup software you are using. This will help you identify any issues or failures in the backup process.
- Offsite Backup: Consider storing a copy of your backups offsite to protect against physical damage or theft. This can be done by using cloud storage or regularly rotating backup drives to an offsite location.
- Keep Backup Software Up to Date: Regularly update your backup software and firmware on the NAS Buffalo Drive Station to ensure you have the latest features, bug fixes, and security patches.
- Document Backup Procedures: Maintain documentation of your backup procedures, including the schedule, locations, and restoration steps. This will help ensure consistency and enable others to follow the process if required.
By following these recommended practices, you can minimize the risk of data loss and increase the reliability of your backups on NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-CE2.0TIU2 devices.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS Drive Station HD-CE2.0TIU2 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:
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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.
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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.
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Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
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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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Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo Drive Station HD-CE2.0TIU2. 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.
How to recover data from a Buffalo
Drive Station HD-CE2.0TIU2 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:
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Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
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In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
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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.

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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 Drive Station HD-CE2.0TIU2 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
| Product | Operating system | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows, Linux, MacOS | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 10 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |


To prevent data recovery from a NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-CE2.0TIU2 device in the future, you can take the following measures:
By following these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of data recovery from your NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-CE2.0TIU2 device.