- 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?
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 risks of data loss due to firmware or software malfunctions in NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-RQS1TSU2/R5 devices?
There are several risks of data loss due to firmware or software malfunctions in NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-RQS1TSU2/R5 devices:
- Corruption of data: Firmware or software malfunctions can result in data corruption, making the files stored on the device inaccessible or unusable.
- Inability to access data: If the firmware or software malfunctions, it may prevent users from accessing their data stored on the NAS device, leading to potential data loss.
- Data integrity issues: Malfunctions can also lead to data integrity issues, where the data stored on the device becomes inconsistent or inaccurate. This can result in loss or corruption of critical information.
- System crashes: Firmware or software malfunctions can cause system crashes or freezes, which can result in data loss if the device is not properly shut down or if the data is being written at the time of the crash.
- Firmware or software updates gone wrong: Updating the firmware or software on the NAS device is essential for security and performance improvements. However, if the update process fails or is interrupted, it can lead to data loss or corruption.
- Hardware compatibility issues: In some cases, firmware or software malfunctions can arise due to compatibility issues with other hardware components or software applications. These compatibility issues can lead to data loss if not resolved promptly.
- User error during firmware or software updates: If users make mistakes during the firmware or software update process, such as selecting the wrong update file or interrupting the process midway, it can result in data loss or device malfunction.
To mitigate these risks, it is crucial to regularly backup data stored on the NAS device, ensure the firmware and software are up to date, and follow proper procedures during firmware or software updates. Additionally, using reliable and tested firmware or software versions can help minimize the chances of malfunctions and potential data loss.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS Drive Station HD-RQS1TSU2/R5 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:
-
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.
-
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.
-
Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
-
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.
Go to view
Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo Drive Station HD-RQS1TSU2/R5. 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.
How to recover data from a Buffalo
Drive Station HD-RQS1TSU2/R5 has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- RAID 5;
- RAID 6;
- 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:
-
Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
-
Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
-
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.
-
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-RQS1TSU2/R5 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
| Product | Operating system | License type | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 200 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 1,000 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Free | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Recovering data from a physically damaged NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-RQS1TSU2/R5 device is possible, but it depends on the extent of the damage. If the hard drives inside the device are intact and only the external casing or connections are damaged, it may be possible to remove the drives and connect them to another computer or NAS device to recover the data.
However, if the internal hard drives are damaged or have suffered a severe impact, the chances of data recovery decrease significantly. In such cases, it is recommended to contact a professional data recovery service as they have specialized tools and expertise to recover data from physically damaged storage devices.