How to Extract Data from a RAID Disk When NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN102 is Not Starting

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN102
• How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
  • Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images
  • Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?
  • RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison

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 Netgear 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 regular data verification or checksum processes help maintain data integrity on NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN102 devices?

Regular data verification or checksum processes can help maintain data integrity on NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN102 devices by ensuring that the data stored on the device remains unchanged and accurate over time. Here's how these processes can help:

1. Data Verification: Regular data verification involves comparing the stored data with a known reference or backup to check for any discrepancies or errors. This process can be performed manually or automated using software tools. By regularly verifying the data, any potential corruption or data loss can be identified and addressed promptly.
2. Checksum Processes: Checksums are a mathematical algorithm that generates a unique value for a file or data set. By calculating and storing checksums for each file or data block on the ReadyNAS RN102, you can periodically compare these checksums to ensure the data's integrity. If the checksums do not match, it indicates that the data has been altered or corrupted.

Benefits of Regular Data Verification and Checksum Processes:

a. Detecting Data Corruption: Regular verification and checksum processes help identify any data corruption or changes that may have occurred due to hardware failures, software errors, or other factors. By detecting these issues early on, you can take appropriate measures to recover or restore the data.

b. Ensuring Data Accuracy: By comparing stored data with known references or checksums, you can ensure that the data remains accurate and unchanged. This is particularly important for critical data that must be preserved in its original form.

c. Preventing Silent Data Corruption: Silent data corruption refers to the scenario where data gets corrupted without any visible signs or error messages. Regular data verification and checksum processes can help uncover such silent corruption and prevent it from going undetected for an extended period.

d. Facilitating Data Recovery: In case of any data loss or corruption, having regular data verification and checksum processes in place can aid in the recovery process. By comparing the corrupted data with the known references or checksums, you can identify the extent of the damage and potentially recover the lost or corrupted data from backups or redundant copies.

Overall, regular data verification and checksum processes provide an extra layer of protection and assurance for maintaining data integrity on NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN102 devices.

How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS ReadyNAS RN102 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.

4. 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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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Netgear ReadyNAS RN102. 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.

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How to recover data from a Netgear

ReadyNAS RN102 has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• X-RAID;
• RAID 1;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• Ext2;
• Ext3;
• Ext4;
• Btrfs;

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:

1. Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.

2. In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.

3. 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.

   

4. 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 Netgear ReadyNAS RN102 network-attached storage keeps OS Linux 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