Steps to Extract Data from a RAID Disk if NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN3130 Doesn’t Power Up

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN3130
• 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 software updates and patches enhance the security and stability of NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN3130 devices?

Regular software updates and patches can enhance the security and stability of NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN3130 devices in the following ways:

1. Security Fixes: Software updates and patches often include security fixes that address vulnerabilities and exploits discovered in the system. By regularly updating the software, you ensure that any known security issues are patched, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches.
2. Bug Fixes: Updates and patches also address software bugs and stability issues. These fixes can improve the overall performance and reliability of the NAS device, ensuring smooth operation and minimizing the risk of crashes or system failures.
3. Compatibility Updates: Software updates may include compatibility updates to ensure that the NAS device remains compatible with the latest operating systems, network protocols, and hardware. This helps to maintain seamless integration with other devices and systems in your network, reducing potential compatibility issues.
4. New Features and Functionality: Updates may introduce new features and functionality to the NAS device, enhancing its capabilities and usability. However, it is important to carefully review and evaluate these new features to ensure they align with your security and operational requirements.
5. Security Best Practices: Software updates and patches often incorporate security best practices and industry standards. By keeping your NAS device up to date, you benefit from the latest security measures implemented by the manufacturer, reducing the risk of security breaches and ensuring compliance with security standards.

To maximize the security and stability benefits of software updates and patches, it is recommended to:

• Enable automatic updates or regularly check for updates from the manufacturer's website.
• Keep track of security advisories and notifications from Netgear regarding vulnerabilities and patches.
• Test updates in a controlled environment before deploying them to production systems.
• Regularly back up your data to ensure data integrity during the update process.
• Follow proper update procedures provided by Netgear, including any required pre-update or post-update steps.

By following these practices and keeping your NAS device up to date, you can enhance its security and stability, ensuring the protection of your data and the smooth operation of your network storage.

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

Although the NAS ReadyNAS RN3130 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

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Netgear ReadyNAS RN3130. 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

ReadyNAS RN3130 has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• X-RAID;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• 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 RN3130 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