How to recover data from Promise Pegasus J2-512G 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?

Promise Pegasus J2-512G NAS Data Recovery in 2024

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from Pegasus J2-512G.

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 Promise also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.

Are there any recommended steps to take after detecting or suspecting data loss on a NAS Promise Pegasus J2-512G device?

If you suspect or detect data loss on a NAS Promise Pegasus J2-512G device, here are some recommended steps to take:

  1. Stop using the device: As soon as you suspect data loss, stop using the NAS device immediately. Continued use can potentially overwrite the lost data, making it harder or impossible to recover.
  2. Check connections and power supply: Ensure that all cables and connections are secure and functioning properly. Sometimes, data loss can occur due to loose connections or power supply issues.
  3. Restart the device: Try restarting the NAS device to see if it resolves any temporary issues that might have caused data loss.
  4. Check for software or firmware updates: Visit the manufacturer's website and check for any available software or firmware updates for your NAS device. Sometimes, data loss issues can be resolved by updating to the latest version.
  5. Contact technical support: Reach out to Promise Technology's technical support team for assistance. They can provide guidance specific to your device and help troubleshoot the data loss issue.
  6. Consider data recovery services: If the data loss is severe or if you are unable to recover the data on your own, you may need to consider professional data recovery services. These services specialize in recovering data from various storage devices, including NAS devices. Contact a reputable data recovery service provider and inquire about their process and pricing.

Remember, it's crucial to have a backup strategy in place to prevent data loss in the future. Regularly backing up your data to separate storage devices or cloud services can help protect your important files and minimize the impact of any potential data loss incidents.

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

Although NAS Pegasus J2-512G 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.

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Promise Pegasus J2-512G. 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.

Pegasus J2-512G has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

  • RAID 0;
  • RAID 1;
  • JBOD;

NAS supports:

  • exFAT, VFAT, FAT 12 / 16 / 32;
  • NTFS / ReFS;
  • APFS / HFS+;
  • Ext2 / 3 / 4 / ReiserFS / XFS / UFS / ZFS / Btrfs;
  • VMFS / HikvisionFS;

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.

  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.

Where are user’s files stored?

The Promise Pegasus J2-512G 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) #

  • If you want to ask a question about data recovery, from NAS Pegasus J2-512G, feel free to leave a comment!

  • Richie Moore 7.09.2023 07:42 #

    What are the steps involved in data recovery from NAS Promise Pegasus J2-512G?

    • Hetman Software 7.09.2023 08:00 #

      The steps involved in data recovery from a NAS Promise Pegasus J2-512G are as follows:

      1. Disconnect the NAS: If you suspect data loss or corruption, it is important to disconnect the NAS from the power source and avoid any further use to prevent overwriting or damaging the data.
      2. Contact a professional data recovery service: NAS devices often require specialized knowledge and tools to recover data. Contact a professional data recovery service that has experience in dealing with NAS devices and can handle the specific model, such as Promise Pegasus J2-512G.
      3. Evaluation and diagnosis: The data recovery service will evaluate the extent of the data loss and diagnose the possible causes. They may ask for details about the NAS, the type of data loss, and any recent changes or events that could have led to the issue.
      4. Physical repair (if necessary): If the data loss is due to physical damage to the NAS, the data recovery service may need to repair or replace damaged components. This step is critical to ensure that the data can be accessed and recovered.
      5. Data extraction: Once the NAS is repaired (if needed), the data recovery service will extract the data from the device. They will use specialized tools and techniques to access the data and recover it safely.
      6. Data recovery process: The actual data recovery process may involve various methods, such as scanning the device for lost or deleted files, repairing corrupted files or file systems, and reconstructing data from damaged sectors.
      7. Data verification and integrity check: After the data recovery process, the recovered data is verified to ensure its integrity and completeness. The data recovery service will perform checks and tests to ensure that the recovered files are usable and accurate.
      8. Data transfer and delivery: Once the data is successfully recovered and verified, the data recovery service will transfer the recovered files to a secure storage medium, such as an external hard drive or cloud storage. They will then deliver the recovered data to you in the desired format.

      It is important to note that data recovery from a NAS device can be a complex and delicate process. It is recommended to seek professional help from a reputable data recovery service to maximize the chances of successful recovery and minimize the risk of further data loss.

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.

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

What security measures does the NAS Promise Pegasus J2-512G employ to ensure file access security?

The NAS Promise Pegasus J2-512G is a portable RAID storage device designed for Mac users. While it provides data protection and redundancy through RAID technology, it does not have built-in security measures for file access security.

However, to ensure file access security, you can implement additional measures such as:

  1. User authentication: Set up strong passwords and user accounts to restrict access to the device. Assign different permission levels to users based on their roles and responsibilities.
  2. Network security: Connect the NAS device to a secure network and configure firewalls, routers, and other security measures to protect against unauthorized access.
  3. Encryption: Enable encryption on the NAS device to protect the stored data. This can be done at the file level or by using whole-disk encryption.
  4. Secure remote access: If you need to access the files remotely, use secure protocols like VPN (Virtual Private Network) or SSH (Secure Shell) to establish a secure connection.
  5. Regular firmware updates: Keep the device's firmware up to date to ensure that any security vulnerabilities are patched.
  6. Backup and disaster recovery: Implement regular backups of your data to protect against data loss or corruption. This can be done by using additional storage devices or cloud-based backup solutions.

It's important to note that while the NAS Promise Pegasus J2-512G provides storage and data redundancy, it's primarily a hardware solution and may not have advanced security features typically found in dedicated network-attached storage (NAS) devices.

Can the NAS Promise Pegasus J2-512G support encryption for files stored on the device? If so, what encryption methods are available?

Yes, the Promise Pegasus J2-512G supports encryption for files stored on the device. It offers hardware-based AES 256-bit encryption to ensure data security. This encryption method is widely recognized as highly secure and is commonly used for protecting sensitive information.

How does the NAS Promise Pegasus J2-512G handle user authentication and access control to prevent unauthorized access to files?

The NAS Promise Pegasus J2-512G is a hardware-based storage device and does not have built-in user authentication or access control features. It is primarily designed as a high-performance storage solution for Mac computers and does not provide advanced security features like user authentication or access control.

To prevent unauthorized access to files stored on the NAS, it is recommended to implement security measures at the network level or by using additional software solutions. This can include setting up a secure network environment with firewalls and secure access controls, implementing user authentication protocols like username/password or two-factor authentication, and using encryption technologies to protect the data stored on the NAS.

Additionally, it is important to regularly update the firmware of the NAS device to ensure any security vulnerabilities are addressed. It is also advisable to follow best practices for data security, such as regularly backing up data, using strong passwords, and restricting access to authorized users only.