- 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.
How can file system corruption impact data integrity on NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-W2.0TIU2/R1 devices?
File system corruption can have various impacts on data integrity on NAS Buffalo DriveStation HD-W2.0TIU2/R1 devices. Some potential impacts include:
- Data loss: File system corruption can lead to the loss of data stored on the NAS device. This can occur if the corruption affects critical file system structures or if it causes data to become inaccessible or unreadable.
- Data corruption: Corruption in the file system can result in data becoming corrupted or modified unintentionally. This can lead to errors, inconsistencies, and incorrect data being stored on the device.
- Inability to access data: File system corruption can make it difficult or impossible to access data stored on the NAS device. This can prevent users from retrieving important files and can disrupt normal operations.
- Slow performance: Corruption in the file system can cause the NAS device to slow down or become unresponsive. This can impact data integrity by making it difficult to perform tasks that require reading or writing data.
- File system errors: Corrupted file systems can generate error messages and warnings when attempting to access or modify files. These errors can indicate potential data integrity issues and may require manual intervention to resolve.
To mitigate the impact of file system corruption on data integrity, it is recommended to regularly perform backups of important data stored on the NAS device. Additionally, running regular file system checks and performing maintenance tasks, such as disk checks and repairs, can help identify and resolve file system corruption issues before they cause significant data integrity problems.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS Drive Station HD-W2.0TIU2/R1 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:
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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.
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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.
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Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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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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Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo Drive Station HD-W2.0TIU2/R1. 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-W2.0TIU2/R1 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:
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Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
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Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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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.
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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-W2.0TIU2/R1 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 |
Data recovery from a NAS Buffalo Drive Station HD-W2.0TIU2/R1 device can be challenging if the device is experiencing hardware failure. However, it is possible to recover data in some cases depending on the extent of the hardware failure.
If the issue is limited to a failed power supply or a malfunctioning enclosure, it may be possible to remove the hard drives from the device and connect them to a different computer or a compatible enclosure to retrieve the data.
However, if the hard drives themselves are damaged or experiencing mechanical failure, the data recovery process becomes more complex. In such cases, it is recommended to seek the assistance of professional data recovery services. These services have specialized equipment and expertise to recover data from damaged or failing hard drives.
It is important to note that attempting DIY data recovery methods on a failing device can potentially worsen the situation and lead to permanent data loss. Therefore, it is advisable to consult with a professional data recovery service for the best chance of recovering your data.