How to recover data from Netgear ReadyNAS RN202 NAS

Is your network drive gone, and you are wondering what to do? Has a RAID system crashed, and your files are no longer accessible? Does your device display an error while booting? Have you accidentally rebuilt your RAID system? Are several hard disks out of order?

How to recover data from NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN202

Netgear ReadyNAS RN202 NAS Data Recovery in 2024

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from ReadyNAS RN202.

How to recover data from NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN202

Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.

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 Netgear 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 natural disasters such as floods or fires result in data loss for NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN202 devices?

Yes, natural disasters such as floods or fires can result in data loss for NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN202 devices. If the device is physically damaged or destroyed, the data stored on it may become inaccessible or irretrievable. Additionally, water damage or exposure to extreme heat can cause the internal components and storage drives to fail, leading to data loss. It is always recommended to have backups of important data stored on NAS devices to mitigate the risk of data loss in such situations.

How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS ReadyNAS RN202 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:

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

  4. 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.

    Go to view
    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

Hetman Raid Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Netgear ReadyNAS RN202. 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.

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How to recover data from a Netgear

How to recover data from a Netgear

ReadyNAS RN202 has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

  • RAID 0;
  • X-RAID;
  • RAID 1;
  • JBOD;

NAS supports:

  • Ext2;
  • Ext3;
  • Ext4;
  • Btrfs;

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:

  1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

  2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu ToolsSave Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

  3. 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.

    Hetman Raid Recovery: Image Creation Wizard
  4. 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.

    Hetman Raid Recovery: hoose any disk connected to this PC, or save the image by FTP

Where are user’s files stored?

The Netgear ReadyNAS RN202 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.

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

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Comments (3)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 9.08.2022 12:31 #
    If you want to ask a question about data recovery, from NAS ReadyNAS RN202, feel free to leave a comment!
  • Andrew Clay
    Andrew Clay 11.09.2023 13:44 #
    Is it possible to recover data from a NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN202 device that has been physically damaged due to a power surge?
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 11.09.2023 13:59 #

      It is possible to recover data from a physically damaged NAS device, but the success of the recovery depends on the extent of the damage. In the case of a power surge, the internal components of the NAS device may be affected, including the hard drives where the data is stored.

      If the damage is limited to the power supply or other non-critical components, it may be possible to repair or replace those parts and recover the data. However, if the hard drives themselves are damaged, data recovery becomes more challenging.

      In such cases, it is recommended to consult a professional data recovery service. They have specialized tools and expertise to recover data from damaged storage devices. Keep in mind that data recovery can be a complex and expensive process, and there is no guarantee of success.

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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • How can the NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN202 be used to copy data from different devices such as computers, smartphones, and external hard drives?

    The NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN202 can be used to copy data from different devices such as computers, smartphones, and external hard drives by following these steps:

    1. Connect the NAS to your local network using an Ethernet cable.
    2. Power on the NAS and wait for it to boot up.
    3. Install the ReadyNAS OS software on your computer by following the instructions provided with the NAS.
    4. Once the software is installed, open the ReadyNAS Admin Page by entering the NAS IP address in a web browser.
    5. Log in to the admin page using the default username and password (usually "admin" and "password").
    6. Once logged in, navigate to the "Shares" or "File Sharing" section of the admin page.
    7. Create a new share or folder where you want to copy the data from different devices.
    8. On your computer, locate the data you want to copy and drag it to the newly created share or folder on the NAS.
    9. To copy data from a smartphone or tablet, install a file manager app that supports network file transfer. Open the app, locate the data you want to copy, and select the NAS as the destination.
    10. To copy data from an external hard drive, connect the drive to your computer. Open the file manager, locate the data on the external drive, and drag it to the NAS share or folder.

    Note: The NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN202 may have slight variations in the user interface and steps depending on the firmware version. It is recommended to refer to the user manual or Netgear support documentation for specific instructions related to your device.

  • What are the steps involved in setting up the NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN202 to copy data from multiple devices simultaneously?

    To set up the NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN202 to copy data from multiple devices simultaneously, you can follow these steps:

    1. Connect the ReadyNAS to your network: Plug in the power adapter, connect the Ethernet cable from your router to the NAS, and power it on.
    2. Access the ReadyNAS admin interface: Open a web browser on a computer connected to the same network and enter the IP address of the NAS (you can find it in the router's connected devices list or use the default IP address, usually 192.168.1.101).
    3. Log in to the admin interface: Enter the default username and password (admin and password), or the credentials you set during initial setup.
    4. Set up user accounts: Create user accounts for each device you want to connect to the NAS. Go to the "Users & Groups" section and click on "Add" to create a new user. Repeat this step for each device.
    5. Create shared folders: In the admin interface, go to the "Shares" section and click on "Add." Assign a name to the shared folder and select the users who have access to it. Repeat this step for each shared folder you want to create.
    6. Configure backup settings: Go to the "Backup" section and click on "Add." Select the source device from the list of available devices and choose the destination shared folder on the NAS. Set the backup schedule and any other desired settings. Repeat this step for each device you want to back up.
    7. Enable simultaneous backups: By default, the ReadyNAS supports simultaneous backups. However, you can check the "Enable simultaneous backups" option in the backup settings to ensure multiple devices can back up simultaneously.
    8. Save the settings: After configuring all the backup settings, click on "Apply" or "Save" to save the changes.
    9. Install backup software on devices: To initiate backups from each device, you may need to install backup software or configure the built-in backup functionality. Consult the documentation or support resources for each device to set up backups to a network location.
    10. Test the backups: Once the backups are set up, verify that each device is successfully backing up to the ReadyNAS by checking the backup logs or accessing the shared folders on the NAS.

    Note: The exact steps may vary slightly depending on the firmware version of the ReadyNAS and the devices you are backing up. It is recommended to refer to the user manual or Netgear support resources for detailed instructions specific to your device.

  • Are there any limitations or compatibility issues when using the NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN202 to copy data from devices running different operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, and Android?

    The NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN202 is compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. It supports various file transfer protocols like SMB, AFP, and FTP, which are widely supported by different operating systems. This allows for easy copying of data between devices running different operating systems.

    However, there might be some limitations or compatibility issues to consider:

    1. File System Compatibility: The ReadyNAS RN202 supports multiple file systems like NTFS, FAT32, ext3, ext4, etc. While Windows and macOS can read and write to NTFS and FAT32, Linux may require additional software to write to NTFS partitions. It's important to ensure that the file systems used on the devices are compatible for seamless data copying.
    2. File Naming Limitations: Different operating systems have different restrictions on file naming conventions. For example, Windows doesn't allow certain characters like / : * ? " < > | in file names, while macOS has its own limitations. It's important to ensure that the file names are compatible across all devices to avoid any issues during data copying.
    3. User Permissions: The NAS may have its own user permission settings, and it's important to configure them correctly to ensure access and copying of data from different operating systems. Users may need to set up appropriate permissions and access rights for different devices to ensure seamless data copying.
    4. Application Compatibility: Some applications or software may have limitations when accessing or copying data from a NAS. It's advisable to check the compatibility of the applications being used on different operating systems with the NAS device.

    Overall, while the ReadyNAS RN202 is designed to be compatible with multiple operating systems, it's important to be aware of any limitations or compatibility issues specific to the devices and file systems being used.

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