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

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS5800D3208
• 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.

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

Although the NAS TeraStation TS5800D3208 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 TS5800D3208. 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 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;

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 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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison