
- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Lenovo EMC px4-300d
- 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 Lenovo 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 hardware failure lead to data loss in NAS Lenovo EMC px4-300d devices?
Hardware failure in NAS Lenovo EMC px4-300d devices can lead to data loss in several ways:
- Hard drive failure: The px4-300d typically uses multiple hard drives in a RAID configuration for data redundancy. If one or more hard drives fail, it can result in data loss or corruption. The failure of a single drive can lead to the loss of data stored on that particular drive, while the failure of multiple drives can result in complete data loss.
- Power supply failure: If the power supply unit in the px4-300d fails, it can cause the device to shut down unexpectedly. This sudden power loss can lead to data corruption or loss, especially if any write operations were in progress at the time of the failure.
- Controller failure: The controller in the NAS device is responsible for managing data flow between the hard drives and the network. If the controller fails, it can result in data loss or inaccessibility. The failure of the controller can prevent the device from properly reading or writing data, leading to potential data loss.
- Fan failure: The px4-300d has built-in cooling fans to prevent overheating of the internal components. If a fan fails or malfunctions, it can lead to excessive heat buildup, which can damage the hard drives or other components. This can result in data loss or corruption.
- Network failure: If there is a network failure or connectivity issue with the px4-300d, it can lead to data loss. For example, if the device loses network connectivity while writing or transferring data, it may result in incomplete or corrupted files.
It is important to regularly back up data stored on the px4-300d to minimize the risk of data loss in case of hardware failure. Additionally, implementing a RAID configuration and regularly monitoring the health of the hardware components can help detect and mitigate the risk of data loss.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS EMC px4-300d 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 Lenovo EMC px4-300d. 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 Lenovo
EMC px4-300d 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 Lenovo EMC px4-300d network-attached storage keeps LifeLine 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 device that has been affected by a virus or malware infection. However, the success of data recovery depends on various factors such as the severity of the infection, the type of virus or malware, and the extent of damage caused to the data.
Here are a few steps you can take to attempt data recovery from an infected NAS device:
Remember to take preventive measures to protect your NAS device from future infections. This includes keeping the device's firmware up to date, using strong passwords, regularly scanning for viruses or malware, and implementing security best practices.