
- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Lenovo EMC px4-300r
- 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.
Are there any compatibility issues that can result in data loss for NAS Lenovo EMC px4-300r devices?
There can be several compatibility issues that could potentially result in data loss for NAS Lenovo EMC px4-300r devices. Some possible issues include:
- Incompatible firmware or software updates: If the NAS device is not updated with the latest firmware or software versions compatible with the hardware, it could lead to data loss or corruption.
- Incompatible hard drives: Using incompatible or unsupported hard drives in the NAS device could result in data loss. It is important to ensure that the hard drives are compatible with the device and meet the recommended specifications.
- Network compatibility issues: If the NAS device is not properly configured or connected to the network, it could result in data loss. Network issues such as incorrect IP settings, firewall restrictions, or network interruptions can cause data loss or corruption.
- Power supply or hardware compatibility: Incompatibility between the power supply or other hardware components can lead to data loss. Faulty power supply or incompatible hardware can cause the device to malfunction and result in data loss.
To minimize the risk of data loss, it is recommended to regularly update the firmware and software, use compatible hard drives, ensure proper network configuration, and use compatible power supply and hardware components. Additionally, implementing regular data backups is crucial to mitigate potential data loss risks.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS EMC px4-300r 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 px4-300r. 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 px4-300r 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 px4-300r 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 |


The Lenovo EMC px4-300r network-attached storage (NAS) device supports various encryption methods that can affect data recovery. One of the primary encryption methods used in this device is AES (Advanced Encryption Standard). AES is a widely adopted encryption algorithm that provides strong security for data at rest.
When data is encrypted using AES or any other encryption method on the NAS device, it becomes unreadable without the encryption key. If the encryption key is lost or forgotten, data recovery can become extremely difficult or even impossible. This is because the encryption key is required to decrypt the data and make it accessible again.
It is important to ensure that you have proper backup mechanisms in place and securely store the encryption key to avoid data loss. Without the encryption key, recovering encrypted data from the Lenovo EMC px4-300r NAS device may require specialized tools and techniques, which can be time-consuming and costly.
Therefore, it is crucial to maintain a secure backup strategy and securely store the encryption key to minimize the risk of data loss and facilitate data recovery in case of any unforeseen circumstances.