Recovering Data from RAID Disks if NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-IX4.0TL/R5 Won’t Turn On

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.

Are there any recommended steps to take after detecting or suspecting data loss on a NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-IX4.0TL/R5 device?

If you suspect or detect data loss on a NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-IX4.0TL/R5 device, here are some recommended steps to take:

1. Stop using the device: As soon as you suspect data loss, stop using the NAS device to prevent any further damage or overwriting of data.
2. Assess the situation: Determine the extent of the data loss and identify any potential causes. Check if the data loss is limited to specific files or folders or if it affects the entire NAS device.
3. Check hardware and connections: Ensure that all the hardware components of the NAS device are properly connected and functioning. Verify that the network cables, power supply, and hard drives are securely connected.
4. Restart the device: Try restarting the Buffalo TeraStation to see if it resolves any temporary issues. Sometimes, a simple reboot can fix minor glitches.
5. Check for firmware updates: Visit the Buffalo website and check for any available firmware updates for your TeraStation model. Updating the firmware can address known issues and improve device performance.
6. Verify data integrity: Use the built-in RAID management software or utility provided by Buffalo to verify the integrity of the RAID array. Check for any degraded or failed drives and replace them if necessary.
7. Restore from backup: If you have a recent backup of your data, restore it to the NAS device. Ensure that the backup is not corrupted or affected by the same issue that caused the data loss.
8. Contact Buffalo support: If you are unable to recover the data on your own, contact Buffalo support for further assistance. Provide them with all the relevant details and steps you have taken so far.
9. Consult data recovery experts: If the data loss is critical and cannot be recovered through normal means, consider consulting professional data recovery services. They have specialized tools and expertise to recover data from various storage devices.

Remember, it is crucial to have regular backups of your important data to minimize the impact of data loss incidents.

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

Although NAS TeraStation TS-IX4.0TL/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-IX4.0TL/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-IX4.0TL/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-IX4.0TL/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