RAID Array Recovery on NAS QNAP TS-h1290FX: What to Do When It Breaks and How to Recover It

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS QNAP TS-h1290FX
• 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 regular software updates and patches enhance the security and stability of NAS QNAP TS-h1290FX devices?

Regular software updates and patches can enhance the security and stability of NAS QNAP TS-h1290FX devices in the following ways:

1. Security Fixes: Updates and patches often include security fixes that address vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the device's operating system and applications. By regularly updating the software, you ensure that any known security issues are patched, reducing the risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, or malware infections.
2. Bug Fixes: Updates and patches also address software bugs and glitches that may affect the stability and performance of the NAS device. These fixes can improve the overall reliability and smooth functioning of the device, reducing the chances of crashes, errors, or data corruption.
3. Vulnerability Mitigation: With each software update, developers often address newly discovered vulnerabilities or weaknesses in the system. By promptly applying these updates, you protect your NAS device from potential exploits and attacks that could compromise its security.
4. New Features and Enhancements: Software updates may introduce new features, functionality improvements, or performance optimizations. These updates can enhance the overall user experience, provide additional security features, or increase the device's efficiency and productivity.
5. Compatibility: Regular updates ensure that your NAS device remains compatible with the latest hardware, software, and networking standards. This compatibility helps in maintaining a secure and stable environment, as outdated software may have compatibility issues or lack support for newer security protocols.
6. Firmware Updates: In addition to software updates, firmware updates specifically target the device's hardware components, including the NAS controller, network interfaces, and storage drives. These updates can improve performance, fix hardware-related issues, and address security vulnerabilities specific to the NAS device itself.

To ensure the security and stability of your NAS QNAP TS-h1290FX device, it is recommended to enable automatic updates or regularly check for updates manually. Additionally, it is essential to review the release notes provided by QNAP for each update to understand the changes and potential impact on your device's functionality.

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

Although the NAS TS-h1290FX 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 TS-h1290FX. 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

TS-h1290FX has 12 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 50;
• RAID 60;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 10;
• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• JBOD;

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 TS-h1290FX 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