Steps to Restore a NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-CX500U2 RAID Array with Multiple Disk Failures

Contents

• Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?
• How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?

Conventional hard disks keep user’s data by writing it to their surface in a consecutive way, and this is how an entire file is stored on a single hard disk. However, when data is written to a RAID system, a file is divided into several parts. Then these parts are written consecutively to all hard disks within such array. The size of such parts may range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so each file is stored on several hard disks at the same time.

Such approach helps to speed up read and write operations, and it is evident that saving two parts of a file having the size of 1 GB to two hard disks simultaneously is much faster than saving the same 1 GB of data to one hard disk. However, this peculiarity makes file recovery more complicated.

Various RAID levels store information in different ways. Additionally, manufacturers like Buffalo also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.

What are the common causes of data loss in NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-CX500U2 devices?

There are several common causes of data loss in NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-CX500U2 devices. These include:

1. Hardware failure: The hard drive inside the NAS device can fail due to various reasons such as mechanical issues, electrical problems, or manufacturing defects. This can result in data loss if the drive becomes inaccessible or unreadable.
2. Power surges or outages: Sudden power surges or power outages can cause damage to the NAS device and the connected hard drive. It can lead to data corruption or even complete loss of data if the drive gets damaged.
3. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete important files or folders from the NAS device, resulting in data loss. This can happen due to human error or mistakenly deleting files thinking they are no longer needed.
4. File system corruption: The file system of the NAS device can get corrupted due to various reasons like improper shutdowns, software bugs, or malware infections. This can make the data stored on the device inaccessible or unreadable.
5. Virus or malware attacks: NAS devices are not immune to virus or malware attacks. If the device gets infected, it can lead to data loss or data corruption. The malware can delete or modify files, making them unusable.
6. Physical damage: Physical damage to the NAS device, such as dropping it or exposing it to extreme temperatures or water, can result in data loss. The hard drive inside can get damaged, leading to data inaccessibility.
7. Firmware or software issues: Problems with the firmware or software of the NAS device can cause data loss. This can happen due to software bugs, compatibility issues, or failed firmware updates.

It is important to regularly backup your data to minimize the risk of data loss and consider implementing data recovery solutions to recover lost data in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS Drive Station HD-CX500U2 can be accessed over the network, you still need to take the hard disks out of the storage device and connect them to a Windows computer. Only in this case will the software be able to scan them properly. Here is what you should do:

1. Turn off the storage and disconnect it from the power supply.

   WARNING! Before you start taking hard disks out of your NAS device, read the manual carefully. Incorrect actions may damage your network-attached storage and/or the hard disks within the RAID system.

2. Take the hard disks out of the NAS one by one, carefully removing them from their slots. Remember that the disks are extremely vulnerable: hitting or dropping them may result in serious physical damage.

3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

4. Remove the hard disks and connect them to the computer. In this video, we have explored what ports are used to connect hard disks, and what to do if there are not enough ports or connectors.

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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo Drive Station HD-CX500U2. The hard disks that make up the RAID contain technical information about the algorithm used to save files. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery reads this information and puts the damaged array together. Then you can open the disk and save your files. Also, you can recover the files accidentally deleted from the network drive.

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How to recover data from a Buffalo

Drive Station HD-CX500U2 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;

Safe recovery from disk images

This utility lets you save an entire copy of the disk to file and then work with this image instead of the actual disk. Such feature helps to protect data on the disk from:

• Overwriting during the recovery process;
• Loss resulting from bad sectors;
• User mistakes.

To create an image, do the following:

1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

3. When the image creation wizard starts, you can choose to save the entire disk or select only a part of it. Specify the parameters and click Next.

   

4. At this stage, you need to choose a directory where to save the image. Choose any disk connected to this PC, or save the image by FTP.

   

Where are user’s files stored?

The Buffalo Drive Station HD-CX500U2 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.

Comparison of software for RAID recovery