How to Recover Files from RAID When NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5800D3208 Won’t 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.

Are there any recommended steps to take after detecting or suspecting data loss on a NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5800D3208 device?

If you suspect or detect data loss on a NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5800D3208 device, here are some recommended steps to take:

1. Verify the issue: Confirm that data loss has indeed occurred by checking if files or folders are missing or corrupted. Check if any error messages or notifications are displayed on the device's interface.
2. Assess the extent of data loss: Determine the scope of the data loss. Identify which files or folders are affected and if any backups or redundant copies are available.
3. Avoid further data loss: Stop any ongoing operations or activities that may cause additional data loss. Avoid making any changes or modifications to the NAS device until you have a clear plan of action.
4. Check hardware and connections: Ensure that all physical connections between the NAS device and other devices (such as network cables) are properly connected and functioning. Check for any hardware issues or malfunctions that may be causing the data loss.
5. Restart the NAS device: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve certain issues. Power off the NAS device, wait for a few minutes, and then power it back on. Monitor if the data loss issue persists after the restart.
6. Check disk status: Use the NAS device's management interface to check the status of the hard drives. Look for any signs of disk failure or errors. If a disk is malfunctioning, consider replacing it as soon as possible to prevent further data loss.
7. Review system logs: Examine the system logs or event logs on the NAS device to identify any error messages or warnings that may provide insights into the cause of data loss. This information can help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue.
8. Contact technical support: If you are unable to resolve the data loss issue on your own, reach out to the technical support team of Buffalo or the manufacturer of the NAS device. They can provide further guidance and assistance based on their expertise.
9. Data recovery options: If the data loss is severe and you do not have any backups available, consider seeking professional data recovery services. They may have specialized tools and techniques to recover lost data from the NAS device.

Remember, prevention is always better than cure. Regularly back up your data to avoid data loss situations in the future.

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

Although NAS TeraStation TS5800D3208 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 TS5800D3208. 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 TS5800D3208 has 1 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 50;
• RAID 60;
• 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 TS5800D3208 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