How to Repair a RAID Array on NAS Idis DR-1304PC with Several Damaged Disks

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Idis DR-1304PC
• 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 Idis 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 compatibility issues or limitations when connecting NAS Idis DR-1304PC devices to different operating systems or platforms?

The IDIS DR-1304PC NAS devices are designed to be compatible with various operating systems and platforms. However, there may be some limitations or compatibility issues depending on the specific setup and requirements. Here are a few points to consider:

1. Network Protocol: The IDIS DR-1304PC NAS devices typically support standard network protocols like SMB/CIFS (Windows), NFS (Unix/Linux), and AFP (Apple). Ensure that the operating systems or platforms you are connecting from support these protocols.
2. File System: The NAS devices may use specific file systems like NTFS, FAT32, or exFAT. Some operating systems may have limitations in accessing certain file systems. For example, Windows may not support the native file system of a NAS device formatted for macOS.
3. Device Drivers: In some cases, you may need to install specific device drivers or software provided by the NAS manufacturer to ensure proper connectivity and functionality. Check if the necessary drivers are available for the target operating system or platform.
4. Permissions and Authentication: Ensure that the NAS device and the connected operating systems or platforms have compatible authentication mechanisms and user permissions. This is important for accessing and managing files stored on the NAS.
5. Software Integration: If you plan to use specific software or applications to access the NAS devices, verify their compatibility with the target operating systems or platforms. Some software may have limitations or require additional configuration to work with NAS devices.

To ensure seamless compatibility and minimize potential issues, it is advisable to consult the documentation and support resources provided by IDIS or contact their technical support for specific compatibility information related to the DR-1304PC NAS devices.

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

Although the NAS DR-1304PC 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 Idis DR-1304PC. 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 Idis

DR-1304PC has 1 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• None;

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 Idis DR-1304PC 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