
- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Promise Vess A2200
- How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
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 Promise 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 a NAS Promise Vess A2200 device's power management settings impact data availability and potential loss?
The power management settings on a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the Promise Vess A2200 can impact data availability and potential loss in several ways:
- Power-saving modes: NAS devices often have power-saving modes that can spin down the hard drives or put them to sleep when not in use. While this can reduce power consumption, it can also lead to delays in accessing data. If a drive takes too long to spin up, it may cause a delay or even a failure in retrieving data, impacting data availability.
- Scheduled power-off: Some NAS devices allow users to schedule automatic power-off during specific periods of low usage, such as overnight or on weekends. While this can save power, it means that the data stored on the NAS will be inaccessible during those times, potentially impacting data availability.
- Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): Power management settings can also include integration with an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). A UPS provides backup power in case of a power outage, allowing the NAS to continue running. If the power management settings are not properly configured to utilize the UPS, a sudden power loss can lead to data loss or corruption.
- RAID rebuilds: The Promise Vess A2200 supports various RAID configurations for data redundancy. In the event of a drive failure, the NAS will initiate a RAID rebuild process to restore data integrity. Power management settings that cause frequent power interruptions or shutdowns can interrupt or delay the rebuild process, increasing the risk of data loss.
- Data backup and synchronization: Power management settings can impact scheduled backups or synchronization processes. If the NAS powers off or enters a power-saving mode during scheduled backup or synchronization, it may result in incomplete or failed data transfers, potentially leading to data loss or inconsistencies.
It is crucial to configure the power management settings on a NAS device carefully, taking into consideration the balance between power savings and data availability. Regular backups, UPS integration, and proper configuration of power-saving features can help mitigate the risks of data loss and ensure data availability.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS Vess A2200 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:
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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.
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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.
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Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
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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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Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Promise Vess A2200. 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.
How to recover data from a Promise
Vess A2200 has 6 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- RAID 1E;
- RAID 3;
- RAID 5;
- RAID 6;
- JBOD;
NAS supports:
- exFAT, VFAT, FAT 12 / 16 / 32;
- NTFS / ReFS;
- APFS / HFS+;
- Ext2 / 3 / 4 / ReiserFS / XFS / UFS / ZFS / Btrfs;
- VMFS / HikvisionFS;
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:
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Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
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In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
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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.

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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 Promise Vess A2200 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 |


Yes, there are several troubleshooting methods that can be attempted for data recovery from NAS Promise Vess A2200 devices with limited functionality. Here are a few steps you can try:
Note: It's important to remember that attempting data recovery on your own can be risky, especially if you're not familiar with the process. If the data on the NAS device is critical and you're unsure about performing the recovery yourself, it's recommended to seek professional assistance from a data recovery service.