How to Get RAID Data If NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS-WV4.0TL/R1 Device Fails to Turn On

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS-WV4.0TL/R1
• 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 a NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS-WV4.0TL/R1 device's power management settings impact data availability and potential loss?

The power management settings of a NAS Buffalo LinkStation LS-WV4.0TL/R1 device can impact data availability and potential loss in the following ways:

1. Sleep Mode: If the device is set to enter sleep mode after a certain period of inactivity, it can lead to data unavailability during that time. When the NAS is in sleep mode, it may not respond to network requests, and accessing files or services stored on the device may not be possible. This can impact productivity and accessibility to critical data.
2. Drive Spin Down: The NAS device may have an option to spin down the hard drives after a period of inactivity. While this can save power, it can increase the time required to access data when the drives are spun up again. If the NAS is used in a business environment where quick access to data is crucial, this delay can impact productivity.
3. Scheduled Power Off: Some NAS devices allow scheduling a complete power-off during specific hours of the day. While this can save power, it means that the data stored on the NAS will not be accessible during those hours. If important tasks or backups are scheduled during that time, they may be disrupted or delayed, potentially leading to data loss.
4. Power Interruptions: If the NAS device is not connected to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and experiences a sudden power loss or surge, it can result in data loss or corruption. The NAS may not have enough time to complete pending read/write operations or properly shut down, leading to data inconsistencies or even disk failures.

To mitigate the impact of power management settings on data availability and potential loss, it is important to carefully consider the specific needs and use cases of the NAS device. It is recommended to balance power-saving measures with the requirement for continuous data availability. Additionally, using a UPS can help protect the NAS from sudden power disruptions and allow it to gracefully shut down during extended power outages.

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

Although the NAS LinkStation LS-WV4.0TL/R1 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 LinkStation LS-WV4.0TL/R1. 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

LinkStation LS-WV4.0TL/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;

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 LinkStation LS-WV4.0TL/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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison