- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-LB1.5TU3
- 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.
How can RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations impact data loss in NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-LB1.5TU3 devices?
RAID configurations can have a significant impact on data loss in NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-LB1.5TU3 devices. Here are a few ways RAID can affect data loss in these devices:
- RAID 0: This configuration offers no redundancy or fault tolerance. It stripes data across multiple drives for improved performance but does not provide any data protection. If one drive fails in a RAID 0 setup, all the data on the entire array can be lost.
- RAID 1: In this configuration, data is mirrored across multiple drives, providing redundancy. If one drive fails, the data can still be accessed from the remaining drives. RAID 1 reduces the risk of data loss due to drive failure but does not protect against other types of data loss, such as accidental deletion or file corruption.
- RAID 5: This configuration distributes data and parity information across multiple drives. It offers both performance and redundancy. If one drive fails, the data can be reconstructed using the parity information stored on the remaining drives. RAID 5 provides better data protection than RAID 0 or RAID 1 but can still be vulnerable to data loss if multiple drives fail simultaneously.
- RAID 6: Similar to RAID 5, RAID 6 distributes data and double parity information across multiple drives. It can tolerate the failure of two drives simultaneously without losing data. RAID 6 provides higher data protection compared to RAID 5 but requires a minimum of four drives.
It's important to note that while RAID configurations can help protect against certain types of data loss, they are not foolproof. Other factors like human error, power surges, or natural disasters can still result in data loss. Therefore, it is recommended to have regular backups of important data to an external storage device or cloud service to further mitigate the risk of data loss.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS Drive Station HD-LB1.5TU3 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-LB1.5TU3. 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-LB1.5TU3 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-LB1.5TU3 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 |
Data recovery from a NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-LB1.5TU3 device can be challenging if the storage disks have been overwritten or reformatted. When data is overwritten or reformatted, the original data is usually permanently erased or partially overwritten.
However, there is still a possibility of recovering some data depending on the extent of the overwrite or reformatting. It is recommended to immediately stop using the device to avoid further data loss and contact a professional data recovery service.
A data recovery service may be able to use specialized tools and techniques to attempt to recover the overwritten or reformatted data. They can analyze the disk's file system, search for remnants of the original data, and reconstruct the files if possible.
Keep in mind that the success of data recovery in such cases is not guaranteed, and it can be an expensive process. It is always recommended to regularly back up important data to prevent data loss in situations like this.