- Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?
- How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?
Conventional hard disks keep user’s data by writing it to their surface in a consecutive way, and this is how an entire file is stored on a single hard disk. However, when data is written to a RAID system, a file is divided into several parts. Then these parts are written consecutively to all hard disks within such array. The size of such parts may range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so each file is stored on several hard disks at the same time.
Such approach helps to speed up read and write operations, and it is evident that saving two parts of a file having the size of 1 GB to two hard disks simultaneously is much faster than saving the same 1 GB of data to one hard disk. However, this peculiarity makes file recovery more complicated.
Various RAID levels store information in different ways. Additionally, manufacturers like LaCie also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.
Can the type of file system used on NAS LaCie d2 Professional (STHA10000800 / STHA20000800 / STHA18000800 / STHA16000800 / STHA14000800 / STHA8000800 / STHA4000800 / STHA6000800) devices affect data loss risks?
Yes, the type of file system used on NAS LaCie d2 Professional devices can affect data loss risks. The file system is responsible for organizing and managing data on the storage device. Different file systems have different features and capabilities, which can impact data integrity and recovery.
For example, some file systems like NTFS (Windows) and APFS (Apple) have built-in features like journaling, which helps protect against data loss in the event of power outages or system crashes. These file systems keep track of changes to the file system structure, allowing for easier recovery and minimizing the risk of data corruption.
On the other hand, file systems like FAT32 (older Windows) or exFAT (compatible with multiple operating systems) may not have robust data protection mechanisms. They are more susceptible to data corruption or loss due to improper ejection, power failures, or other unexpected events.
It's important to choose a file system that aligns with your needs and operating system compatibility. Additionally, regularly backing up data and implementing proper data protection measures, such as redundant storage or RAID configurations, can further mitigate data loss risks.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS d2 Professional (STHA10000800 / STHA20000800 / STHA18000800 / STHA16000800 / STHA14000800 / STHA8000800 / STHA4000800 / STHA6000800) can be accessed over the network, you still need to take the hard disks out of the storage device and connect them to a Windows computer. Only in this case will the software be able to scan them properly. Here is what you should do:
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Turn off the storage and disconnect it from the power supply.
WARNING! Before you start taking hard disks out of your NAS device, read the manual carefully. Incorrect actions may damage your network-attached storage and/or the hard disks within the RAID system.
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Take the hard disks out of the NAS one by one, carefully removing them from their slots. Remember that the disks are extremely vulnerable: hitting or dropping them may result in serious physical damage.
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Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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Remove the hard disks and connect them to the computer. In this video, we have explored what ports are used to connect hard disks, and what to do if there are not enough ports or connectors.
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Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with LaCie d2 Professional (STHA10000800 / STHA20000800 / STHA18000800 / STHA16000800 / STHA14000800 / STHA8000800 / STHA4000800 / STHA6000800). The hard disks that make up the RAID contain technical information about the algorithm used to save files. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery reads this information and puts the damaged array together. Then you can open the disk and save your files. Also, you can recover the files accidentally deleted from the network drive.
How to recover data from a LaCie
d2 Professional (STHA10000800 / STHA20000800 / STHA18000800 / STHA16000800 / STHA14000800 / STHA8000800 / STHA4000800 / STHA6000800) has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- JBOD;
NAS supports:
- exFAT, VFAT, FAT 12 / 16 / 32;
- NTFS / ReFS;
- APFS / HFS+;
- Ext2 / 3 / 4 / ReiserFS / XFS / UFS / ZFS / Btrfs;
- VMFS / HikvisionFS;
Safe recovery from disk images
This utility lets you save an entire copy of the disk to file and then work with this image instead of the actual disk. Such feature helps to protect data on the disk from:
- Overwriting during the recovery process;
- Loss resulting from bad sectors;
- User mistakes.
To create an image, do the following:
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Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
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Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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When the image creation wizard starts, you can choose to save the entire disk or select only a part of it. Specify the parameters and click Next.
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At this stage, you need to choose a directory where to save the image. Choose any disk connected to this PC, or save the image by FTP.
Where are user’s files stored?
The LaCie d2 Professional (STHA10000800 / STHA20000800 / STHA18000800 / STHA16000800 / STHA14000800 / STHA8000800 / STHA4000800 / STHA6000800) 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.
Comparison of software for RAID recovery
| Product | Operating system | License type | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 200 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 1,000 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Free | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
It is possible to recover data from a NAS LaCie d2 Professional device that has been affected by a power supply or voltage fluctuation issue, but it depends on the extent of the damage.
If the power supply or voltage fluctuation has caused physical damage to the hard drive or other components of the NAS device, it may be necessary to send it to a professional data recovery service. They have specialized tools and expertise to recover data from damaged storage devices.
However, if the damage is limited to the power supply unit or other external components, it may be possible to replace those parts and retrieve the data without professional assistance. In such cases, you can try connecting the hard drive to a different power supply or NAS enclosure to see if it is still functional.
It is always recommended to have regular backups of your important data to avoid data loss in case of any hardware failures or accidents.