Steps to Extract Data from a RAID Disk if NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN528X Doesn’t Power On

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN528X
• 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 the number of drives in a NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN528X device's RAID array impact data recovery and potential loss?

The number of drives in a NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN528X device's RAID array can have a significant impact on data recovery and potential loss. Here are a few factors to consider:

1. Redundancy: RAID arrays are designed to provide redundancy by distributing data across multiple drives. The more drives in the array, the higher the level of redundancy. For example, a RAID 1 (mirroring) with two drives will have a complete copy of data on each drive, while a RAID 5 with four drives can tolerate the failure of one drive without data loss. So, having more drives in the array generally increases the chances of recovering data in case of drive failure.
2. Rebuild time: When a drive fails in a RAID array, the data needs to be rebuilt onto a replacement drive. The time required for this rebuild process increases with the number of drives in the array. During the rebuild process, the remaining drives are under heavy stress, and if another drive fails during this time, it can lead to data loss. So, larger RAID arrays with more drives have a longer rebuild time and a higher risk of potential data loss during the rebuild process.
3. Probability of drive failure: As the number of drives increases in a RAID array, the probability of drive failure also increases. Each drive has a certain failure rate, and with more drives, the overall failure rate of the array becomes higher. This means there is a greater chance of experiencing a drive failure, leading to potential data loss.
4. Impact of multiple drive failures: In larger RAID arrays with more drives, the risk of multiple drive failures happening simultaneously or in close succession is higher. If multiple drives fail before the failed drives are replaced and rebuilt, it can result in complete data loss. This is especially true for RAID levels with lower redundancy, such as RAID 5 or RAID 6. So, the more drives in the array, the greater the risk of multiple drive failures and potential data loss.

Overall, while having more drives in a NAS Netgear ReadyNAS RN528X device's RAID array can provide higher storage capacity and redundancy, it also increases the complexity and risk of data loss. It is crucial to have a proper backup strategy in place, regardless of the number of drives in the array, to mitigate the potential impact of drive failures and ensure data recovery options are available.

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

Although the NAS ReadyNAS RN528X 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 RN528X. 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 RN528X has 8 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• X-RAID;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 50;
• RAID 60;
• 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 RN528X 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