
- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS6400RN1604
- How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
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.
Can improper network configuration or firewall settings result in data loss on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS6400RN1604 devices?
Improper network configuration or firewall settings can potentially result in data loss on NAS Buffalo TeraStation TS6400RN1604 devices. Here are a few scenarios where this could happen:
- Inadequate access permissions: If the network configuration or firewall settings are not properly configured to allow the necessary access permissions for the NAS device, users may not be able to access or modify the data stored on it. This can lead to data loss if important files cannot be retrieved or modified.
- Blocked network ports: NAS devices often use specific network ports for communication and file transfer. If these ports are blocked by the firewall settings, it can prevent the NAS from functioning correctly, resulting in data loss or limited access to the stored data.
- Incomplete backups: Network configuration issues or firewall settings that prevent proper communication between the NAS device and backup solutions can result in incomplete or failed backups. In such cases, if data is lost or corrupted on the NAS, there may not be a recent backup available to restore from.
- Data corruption during transfer: Improper network configuration or firewall settings can cause data corruption during file transfers to or from the NAS device. This can result in files becoming unreadable or damaged, leading to data loss.
To mitigate these risks, it is important to ensure that the network configuration and firewall settings are properly configured to allow appropriate access to the NAS device. Regular backups should also be performed and verified to ensure data can be recovered in case of any issues.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS TeraStation TS6400RN1604 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:
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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.
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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.
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Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
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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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Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Buffalo TeraStation TS6400RN1604. 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.
How to recover data from a Buffalo
TeraStation TS6400RN1604 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;
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:
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Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
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In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
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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.

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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 TS6400RN1604 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
| Product | Operating system | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows, Linux, MacOS | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 10 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |


Yes, the Buffalo TeraStation TS6400RN1604 NAS devices support various RAID configurations and levels that may impact data recovery. The TeraStation TS6400RN1604 supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and JBOD (Just a Bunch of Disks).
RAID 0 does not provide any redundancy and data striping is used across multiple drives, which means that if one drive fails, all data may be lost, making data recovery difficult.
RAID 1 mirrors data across two drives, providing redundancy. If one drive fails, the other drive still contains a complete copy of the data, making data recovery easier.
RAID 5 uses data striping with parity across multiple drives, providing both redundancy and performance. If one drive fails, the data can be rebuilt using the parity information stored on the remaining drives.
RAID 6 is similar to RAID 5 but with double parity, allowing for the simultaneous failure of up to two drives without data loss. Data recovery is possible by rebuilding the failed drives using the parity information.
RAID 10 combines both mirroring and striping, providing redundancy and performance benefits. It requires a minimum of four drives and can sustain the failure of one or more drives depending on the configuration.
JBOD is not a RAID level but rather a configuration where each drive is treated as an individual disk, resulting in no data redundancy or striping. The lack of redundancy makes data recovery challenging if a drive fails.
It is important to note that while RAID configurations can provide some level of data protection, they are not a substitute for regular backups. In case of data loss or multiple drive failures, professional data recovery services may be required.