Practical Steps to Extract Data from a RAID Disk if NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN202 Does Not Boot

Has your NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN202 suddenly lost its network drive and you’re unsure what to do next? Did the RAID array collapse, making your files inaccessible? Is the device throwing errors during startup? Perhaps you accidentally rebuilt the RAID array or several hard drives failed at the same time?

Practical Steps to Extract Data from a RAID Disk if NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN202 Does Not Boot

Netgear ReadyNAS RN202 NAS Data Recovery in 2026

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from an ReadyNAS RN202. We’ll walk through the most common causes of failure and demonstrate proven methods to restore files from a lost or degraded RAID array.

Practical Steps to Extract Data from a RAID Disk if NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN202 Does Not Boot

RAID Recovery™ 2.8
Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.
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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.

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

Although the NAS ReadyNAS RN202 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.

    Go to view
    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

Hetman Raid Recovery

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

Go to view
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;

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.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Image Creation Wizard
  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.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Choose a disk or save the image via FTP

Where Are the User’s Files Actually 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.

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

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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.