How to Recover Data from NAS QNAP HS-264 RAID Arrays: Recognizing Mechanical and Logical Failures

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS QNAP HS-264
• 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 QNAP 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.

Are there any known limitations or performance bottlenecks that can increase data loss risks for NAS QNAP HS-264 devices?

There are several known limitations and performance bottlenecks that can increase data loss risks for QNAP HS-264 devices:

1. Hardware failure: Like any electronic device, QNAP HS-264 devices can experience hardware failures, such as hard drive failures or power supply issues, which can result in data loss if not properly addressed.
2. RAID rebuild: If you are using a RAID configuration on your QNAP device and one of the drives fails, the device will initiate a RAID rebuild process to restore data redundancy. During this rebuild process, if another drive fails or encounters errors, it can lead to data loss.
3. Network issues: NAS devices rely on network connectivity to access and transfer data. If there are network issues, such as intermittent connectivity or high latency, it can lead to data loss or corruption during file transfers.
4. Insufficient backup strategy: Relying solely on a NAS device for data storage without implementing a proper backup strategy can increase the risk of data loss. Accidental deletions, file corruptions, or other unexpected events can result in permanent data loss without a backup in place.
5. Firmware or software bugs: Like any software-based system, QNAP NAS devices may have firmware or software bugs that can lead to data loss. It is crucial to keep the device's firmware and software up to date to minimize the risk of such issues.
6. User error: Human error, such as accidental deletions, misconfigurations, or improper handling of the device, can also result in data loss. It is important to educate users about best practices and provide proper training to minimize the risk of user-related data loss.

To mitigate these risks, it is recommended to implement a comprehensive backup strategy, regularly update firmware and software, monitor the device's health and performance, and ensure proper network connectivity and hardware maintenance.

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

Although the NAS HS-264 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 QNAP HS-264. 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 QNAP

HS-264 has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 1;

NAS supports:

• ZFS;
• EXT4;
• EXT3;
• exFAT;
• FAT32 (External Disk Only);
• NTFS (External Disk Only);
• HFS+ (External Disk Read Only);

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 QNAP HS-264 network-attached storage keeps QTS (QuTS hero) 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