How to Retrieve Files from RAID Disks if NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-WVH2.0TL/R1 Is Dead

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-WVH2.0TL/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 does a NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-WVH2.0TL/R1 device store and manage data?

The NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-WVH2.0TL/R1 device stores and manages data using a combination of hardware and software components.

1. Hard drives: The device typically comes with pre-installed hard drives, which are used to store data. The TS-WVH2.0TL/R1 model has a storage capacity of 2TB (terabytes).
2. RAID configuration: The device supports various RAID configurations, such as RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, and RAID 10. These configurations determine how data is distributed and protected across multiple hard drives for redundancy and performance.
3. File system: The TeraStation device uses a file system, such as NTFS or EXT4, to organize and manage the stored data. The file system provides a structure for storing and retrieving files and folders.
4. Network connectivity: The device connects to a local area network (LAN) using Ethernet ports. This allows users to access and manage data stored on the TeraStation device from multiple computers or devices on the network.
5. User management: The TeraStation device has built-in user management capabilities, allowing administrators to create user accounts and assign access privileges. This ensures that only authorized users can access specific files or folders.
6. Web-based interface: The device provides a web-based interface that allows users to manage and configure various settings, such as creating shared folders, setting up backups, and monitoring storage usage.
7. Backup and replication: The TeraStation device supports backup and replication features, allowing users to schedule automatic backups of important data to external drives, cloud storage, or other TeraStation devices.
8. Remote access: The device offers remote access capabilities, enabling users to access their data from outside the local network. This can be done through secure protocols like VPN (Virtual Private Network) or by using Buffalo's remote access service.

Overall, the NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS-WVH2.0TL/R1 device combines hardware components, RAID configurations, file systems, network connectivity, user management, and various software features to store and manage data efficiently and securely.

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

Although the NAS TeraStation TS-WVH2.0TL/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 TeraStation TS-WVH2.0TL/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

TeraStation TS-WVH2.0TL/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 TeraStation TS-WVH2.0TL/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