NAS QNAP NVR-104P RAID Arrays: Mechanical and Logical Failures Recovery Techniques

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS QNAP NVR-104P
• 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.

How can hardware failure lead to data loss in NAS QNAP NVR-104P devices?

Hardware failure in NAS QNAP NVR-104P devices can lead to data loss in several ways:

1. Hard Drive Failure: The NAS device uses one or more hard drives to store data. If a hard drive fails, it can result in the loss of all the data stored on that drive. This can happen due to mechanical issues, firmware corruption, or other factors.
2. Power Supply Failure: A faulty power supply can cause sudden power surges or outages, which can result in data loss or corruption. Power supply failure can also damage other components of the NAS device, leading to further data loss.
3. RAID Controller Failure: Many NAS devices, including the QNAP NVR-104P, use RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) technology to improve data redundancy and performance. If the RAID controller fails, it can result in the loss of data or make it inaccessible.
4. Network Interface Card (NIC) Failure: The NIC connects the NAS device to the network, allowing data transfer. If the NIC fails, it can lead to data loss as the device may not be able to communicate with other devices or backup data.
5. Firmware or Software Corruption: Firmware or software issues can cause data corruption or loss. This can occur due to bugs, compatibility issues, or improper updates. If the firmware or software becomes corrupted, it may not be able to access or retrieve the data stored on the NAS device.
6. Overheating: NAS devices generate heat during operation, and if not properly cooled, it can lead to overheating. Overheating can cause damage to the internal components, including hard drives, which can result in data loss.

To minimize the risk of data loss due to hardware failure, it is important to regularly backup data from the NAS device to an external storage or cloud-based backup solution. Additionally, monitoring the health of the hardware components, keeping the device in a cool and ventilated environment, and ensuring firmware and software updates are performed regularly can help prevent or mitigate data loss.

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

Although the NAS NVR-104P 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 NVR-104P. 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

NVR-104P has 1 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• Q-RAID 1;

NAS supports:

• 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 NVR-104P 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