- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS LaCie 4 Quadra USB 3.0 (LAC9000319U / LAC9000351U / LAC9000330EK / LAC9000505U / LAC9000509EK)
- 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 LaCie 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 shutdown or unclean system reboots lead to data loss on NAS LaCie 4 Quadra USB 3.0 (LAC9000319U / LAC9000351U / LAC9000330EK / LAC9000505U / LAC9000509EK) devices?
Improper shutdown or unclean system reboots can potentially lead to data loss on any storage device, including NAS devices like the LaCie 4 Quadra USB 3.0. When a system is not shut down properly, there is a risk of data corruption or file system errors. These issues can result in the loss of data or make it inaccessible.
To minimize the risk of data loss, it is important to follow proper shutdown procedures and ensure that the NAS device is not abruptly powered off. Most NAS devices have built-in mechanisms to protect against data loss, such as journaling file systems or RAID configurations, but they are not foolproof.
It is always recommended to properly shut down the NAS device using the appropriate software or interface provided by the manufacturer. This allows the system to complete any pending read/write operations and ensure data integrity. Additionally, regular backups of important data should be maintained to mitigate the impact of any potential data loss.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS 4 Quadra USB 3.0 (LAC9000319U / LAC9000351U / LAC9000330EK / LAC9000505U / LAC9000509EK) 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 LaCie 4 Quadra USB 3.0 (LAC9000319U / LAC9000351U / LAC9000330EK / LAC9000505U / LAC9000509EK). 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 LaCie
4 Quadra USB 3.0 (LAC9000319U / LAC9000351U / LAC9000330EK / LAC9000505U / LAC9000509EK) 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 LaCie 4 Quadra USB 3.0 (LAC9000319U / LAC9000351U / LAC9000330EK / LAC9000505U / LAC9000509EK) network-attached storage keeps LaCie NAS OS 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, data recovery from a NAS LaCie 4 Quadra USB 3.0 device can be possible even if the disks have been reformatted. However, the success of data recovery depends on various factors such as the extent of formatting, the type of formatting performed, and whether any new data has been written to the disks after formatting.
If the disks have been quick-formatted or only the file system has been deleted, it may be easier to recover the data. In such cases, specialized data recovery software or professional data recovery services can be used to scan the disks and recover the lost files.
However, if the disks have been fully formatted or overwritten with new data, the chances of successful recovery may be lower. In such cases, it is recommended to seek professional data recovery services that have specialized tools and expertise to recover data from formatted disks.
It is important to note that attempting data recovery on your own or using unreliable software can potentially cause further damage to the disks and make data recovery more difficult or even impossible.