
- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS LaCie d2 Thunderbolt 3 (STFY6000400 / STFY8000400 / STFY10000400)
- 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.
How can data fragmentation impact the read and write speeds, and potential data loss on NAS LaCie d2 Thunderbolt 3 (STFY6000400 / STFY8000400 / STFY10000400) devices?
Data fragmentation can have a significant impact on read and write speeds, as well as potential data loss, on NAS LaCie d2 Thunderbolt 3 devices. Here's how:
- Read and Write Speeds: Data fragmentation refers to the scattering of file data across different physical locations on a storage device. When files are fragmented, the read and write heads of the hard drive need to move to multiple locations to retrieve or store the data. This results in increased seek time and decreased overall performance, leading to slower read and write speeds on the NAS device.
- Data Loss: Fragmentation can also increase the risk of data loss. When files are fragmented, there is a higher chance of data corruption or errors occurring during the read or write process. If a file is partially overwritten or becomes inaccessible due to fragmentation, it can result in data loss or file corruption.
To mitigate the impact of data fragmentation on NAS LaCie d2 Thunderbolt 3 devices, you can take the following measures:
- Regular Defragmentation: Perform regular defragmentation on the NAS device to consolidate fragmented files and optimize data placement. This process rearranges the fragmented files, reducing seek time and improving read and write speeds.
- File System Optimization: Choose a file system that handles fragmentation efficiently. The choice of file system can impact fragmentation levels and overall performance. For example, the NTFS file system used in Windows has built-in defragmentation capabilities, while other file systems like exFAT may require third-party tools.
- Proper File Organization: Maintain proper file organization and avoid excessive file fragmentation. This can be achieved by avoiding frequent file deletions and ensuring files are stored in contiguous blocks whenever possible.
- Regular Backup: Implement a regular backup strategy to protect against potential data loss. By backing up your data to an external storage device or cloud storage, you can mitigate the risk of permanent data loss due to fragmentation or other issues.
Remember to consult the manufacturer's guidelines and recommendations specific to your LaCie d2 Thunderbolt 3 device for optimal performance and data management.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS d2 Thunderbolt 3 (STFY6000400 / STFY8000400 / STFY10000400) 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 LaCie d2 Thunderbolt 3 (STFY6000400 / STFY8000400 / STFY10000400). 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
d2 Thunderbolt 3 (STFY6000400 / STFY8000400 / STFY10000400) 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;
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 LaCie d2 Thunderbolt 3 (STFY6000400 / STFY8000400 / STFY10000400) 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, it is possible to recover data from a NAS LaCie d2 Thunderbolt 3 device that has undergone a system update or software upgrade. However, it depends on the specific circumstances and the extent of the changes made during the update or upgrade.
If the update or upgrade process did not involve any data loss or corruption, you should be able to access and retrieve your data normally after the update is completed. In this case, there is no need for data recovery.
However, if the update or upgrade process resulted in data loss, data corruption, or any other issues that prevent you from accessing your data, you may need to employ data recovery methods or seek professional assistance.
Data recovery from a NAS device typically involves specialized techniques and software tools. It is recommended to consult with a professional data recovery service provider who has experience with NAS devices and can assess the situation to determine the best course of action for data recovery.