
- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS-CH640L
- 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 the number of drives in a NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS-CH640L device's RAID array impact data recovery and potential loss?
The number of drives in a RAID array can impact data recovery and potential loss in a NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS-CH640L device in the following ways:
- Data redundancy: RAID arrays are designed to provide redundancy by distributing data across multiple drives. The more drives in the array, the higher the level of redundancy, which helps protect against data loss. For example, in a RAID 1 (mirroring) configuration with two drives, if one drive fails, the other drive still contains a complete copy of the data. However, if there are more drives in the array, such as in RAID 5 or RAID 6 configurations, the array can tolerate multiple drive failures without losing data.
- Performance: The number of drives can also impact the performance of the RAID array. In general, more drives can provide higher read and write speeds, allowing for faster data access. However, the performance improvement may not be linear with the number of drives, and other factors like the RAID level and the NAS device's hardware capabilities also play a role.
- Rebuild time: When a drive fails in a RAID array, the data from the failed drive needs to be rebuilt onto a new drive to restore redundancy. The time required to rebuild the array depends on the size of the drives and the amount of data stored. With a larger number of drives, the rebuild time can be longer, increasing the vulnerability to potential data loss during the rebuild process. If another drive fails during the rebuild, it can lead to data loss.
- Probability of drive failure: The more drives in a RAID array, the higher the probability of drive failure. Each drive has a certain failure rate, and as the number of drives increases, so does the likelihood of at least one drive failing. This increases the risk of data loss if the array is not properly protected or regularly backed up.
In summary, having more drives in a RAID array can provide higher data redundancy and potentially better performance. However, it also increases the complexity of data recovery and the risk of data loss during drive failures or rebuild processes. It is important to regularly back up the data and ensure proper maintenance and monitoring of the NAS device to mitigate these risks.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS LinkStation LS-CH640L 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:
-
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.
-
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.
-
Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
-
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.
Go to view
Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo LinkStation LS-CH640L. 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
LinkStation LS-CH640L 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:
-
Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
-
In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
-
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.

-
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 LinkStation LS-CH640L 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 |


It is possible to recover data from a NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS-CH640L device even if the device is experiencing frequent disconnections or network errors. However, the process may vary depending on the specific issue causing the disconnections or errors.
Here are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially recover data from the device:
Remember to always backup your important data regularly to avoid data loss in the future.