Repairing a Faulty RAID Array on NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-RQS2TSU2/R5 with Multiple Damaged Disks

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-RQS2TSU2/R5
• 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 hardware failure lead to data loss in NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-RQS2TSU2/R5 devices?

Hardware failure in NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-RQS2TSU2/R5 devices can lead to data loss in several ways:

1. Hard disk failure: NAS devices like Buffalo Drive Station consist of multiple hard drives in a RAID configuration. If one or more hard drives fail, it can result in data loss or corruption. The RAID system may not be able to rebuild the data if the failed drive is not replaced promptly.
2. Power supply failure: A malfunctioning power supply can cause sudden power surges or outages, leading to data loss or corruption. It can result in improper shutdowns or voltage fluctuations that impact the integrity of the stored data.
3. Controller failure: The controller is responsible for managing the data flow between the hard drives and the network. If the controller fails, it can prevent access to the data or cause data corruption.
4. Firmware corruption: Firmware is the software embedded in the NAS device that controls its operations. If the firmware becomes corrupted due to hardware failure, it can lead to data loss or make the device inaccessible.
5. Overheating: NAS devices generate heat during operation, and if the cooling system fails or is inadequate, it can cause the hard drives to overheat. Overheating can lead to data loss or drive failure.
6. Physical damage: Accidental drops, impacts, or exposure to extreme temperatures or moisture can physically damage the NAS device and its components, resulting in data loss.

To mitigate the risk of data loss due to hardware failure, it is crucial to regularly back up the data stored on the NAS device to an external storage medium or a cloud-based backup service. Additionally, monitoring the health of the hardware components, ensuring proper cooling and ventilation, and promptly replacing failed or malfunctioning hardware can help minimize the chances of data loss.

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

Although the NAS Drive Station HD-RQS2TSU2/R5 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 Drive Station HD-RQS2TSU2/R5. 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

Drive Station HD-RQS2TSU2/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;

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 Drive Station HD-RQS2TSU2/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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison