How to Retrieve Files from a RAID Disk if NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-H4.0TGL/R5 Fails to Start

Contents

• 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?
  • Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • Safe recovery from disk images
  • Where are user’s files stored?
  • Comparison of software for RAID recovery

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 RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations impact data loss in NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-H4.0TGL/R5 devices?

RAID configurations in NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-H4.0TGL/R5 devices can have a significant impact on data loss prevention. Here are some ways RAID configurations can affect data loss:

1. Redundancy: RAID configurations, such as RAID 1, RAID 5, or RAID 6, provide redundancy by storing data across multiple disks. This redundancy ensures that if one disk fails, the data can still be accessed from the remaining disks. This helps to prevent data loss in case of disk failures.
2. Fault tolerance: RAID configurations with parity, such as RAID 5 or RAID 6, can tolerate the failure of one or more disks without losing data. Parity information is distributed across the disks, allowing for data reconstruction even if a disk fails. This fault tolerance helps to minimize the risk of data loss.
3. Hot spare: Some RAID configurations, like RAID 5 or RAID 6, support the use of a hot spare disk. A hot spare is an extra disk that remains idle until a disk failure occurs. When a disk fails, the hot spare automatically takes its place, reducing the downtime and minimizing the risk of data loss.
4. Rebuild process: In the event of a disk failure, RAID configurations initiate a rebuild process to reconstruct the lost data using parity information or data redundancy. This process automatically occurs in the background, ensuring that the system remains operational and minimizing the risk of data loss.

However, it's important to note that RAID configurations do not provide complete protection against all types of data loss. They primarily protect against disk failures but cannot prevent data loss due to other factors like accidental deletion, file corruption, or multiple disk failures within a short time frame.

To ensure comprehensive data protection, it is recommended to combine RAID configurations with regular backups to separate storage devices or cloud services. This way, even if a catastrophic event occurs, such as a fire or theft, the data can still be recovered from the backups.

How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS TeraStation TS-H4.0TGL/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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

4. 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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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo TeraStation TS-H4.0TGL/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.

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How to recover data from a Buffalo

TeraStation TS-H4.0TGL/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:

1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

3. 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.

   

4. 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 TeraStation TS-H4.0TGL/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