
- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Instek NR5400-4U
- 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 Instek 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 can regular software updates and patches enhance the security and stability of NAS Instek NR5400-4U devices?
Regular software updates and patches can enhance the security and stability of NAS Instek NR5400-4U devices in the following ways:
- Security Vulnerability Fixes: Updates and patches often include fixes for known security vulnerabilities. By applying these updates, you ensure that any identified security weaknesses in the device's software are addressed, reducing the risk of exploitation by potential attackers.
- Bug Fixes and Stability Improvements: Updates and patches also address software bugs and stability issues. By installing these updates, you can resolve any existing issues that may impact the device's performance, stability, or functionality. This helps to ensure that the device operates smoothly and reliably.
- Compatibility with New Technologies: Software updates and patches often introduce compatibility with new technologies or protocols. By keeping your device up to date, you can take advantage of the latest advancements and ensure that your device remains compatible with other systems and devices in your network.
- Improved Security Features: Updates and patches may introduce new security features or enhancements to existing ones. These updates can provide additional layers of protection against emerging threats and help to strengthen the overall security posture of the device.
- Compliance with Industry Standards: Regular updates and patches help to ensure that your device remains compliant with industry standards and regulations. Compliance is essential for organizations that handle sensitive data, as it helps to meet security and privacy requirements.
- Protection Against Exploits: Cybercriminals constantly discover new vulnerabilities and develop exploits. Regular updates and patches help to protect against these exploits by patching known vulnerabilities and reducing the attack surface of the device.
To ensure the security and stability of your NAS Instek NR5400-4U device, it is crucial to regularly check for updates and patches provided by the manufacturer. Additionally, it is recommended to follow best practices such as using strong passwords, enabling firewalls, and implementing proper access controls to further enhance device security.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS NR5400-4U 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:
-
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.
-
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.
-
Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
-
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.
Go to view
Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Instek NR5400-4U. 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 Instek
NR5400-4U has 24 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:
-
Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
-
In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
-
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.

-
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 Instek NR5400-4U 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 |


It is possible to recover deleted files from a NAS Instek NR5400-4U device, but it depends on several factors.
If the files were recently deleted, there is a higher chance of recovery as they may still be present in the device's recycle bin or trash folder. In such cases, you can simply restore the files from there.
If the files were permanently deleted or the recycle bin was emptied, the chances of recovery are lower. However, it may still be possible to recover the files using specialized data recovery software or by contacting a professional data recovery service.
It is important to note that attempting to recover deleted files from a NAS device can be complex and may require technical expertise. It is recommended to consult with a professional or the manufacturer's support team for guidance and assistance in such situations.