How to Recover Data from NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-1279U-RP RAID Arrays: Steps for Mechanical and Logical Failures

Has your NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-1279U-RP suddenly lost its network drive and you’re unsure what to do next? Did the RAID array collapse, making your files inaccessible? Is the device throwing errors during startup? Perhaps you accidentally rebuilt the RAID array or several hard drives failed at the same time?

How to Recover Data from NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-1279U-RP RAID Arrays: Steps for Mechanical and Logical Failures

QNAP Turbo Station TS-1279U-RP NAS Data Recovery in 2025

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from an Turbo Station TS-1279U-RP. We’ll walk through the most common causes of failure and demonstrate proven methods to restore files from a lost or degraded RAID array.

How to Recover Data from NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-1279U-RP RAID Arrays: Steps for Mechanical and Logical Failures

RAID Recovery™ 2.8
Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.
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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.

Can accidental deletion or user error cause data loss in NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-1279U-RP devices?

Yes, accidental deletion or user error can cause data loss in NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-1279U-RP devices. Like any other storage device, the data stored on a NAS device can be accidentally deleted or overwritten by a user. It is important to have proper backup and data recovery measures in place to minimize the risk of data loss.

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

Although the NAS Turbo Station TS-1279U-RP 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.

    Go to view
    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

Hetman Raid Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with QNAP Turbo Station TS-1279U-RP. 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.

Go to view
How to recover data from a QNAP

How to recover data from a QNAP

Turbo Station TS-1279U-RP has 12 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

  • RAID 50;
  • RAID 60;
  • RAID 5;
  • RAID 6;
  • 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.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Image Creation Wizard
  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.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Choose a disk or save the image via FTP

Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?

The QNAP Turbo Station TS-1279U-RP 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

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

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  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 9.08.2022 12:31 #
    If you want to ask a question about data recovery, from NAS Turbo Station TS-1279U-RP, feel free to leave a comment!
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Vladimir Artiukh

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.

Oleg Afonin

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 are the different methods available for data backup on the QNAP Turbo Station TS-1279U-RP NAS?

    The QNAP Turbo Station TS-1279U-RP NAS offers several methods for data backup. These include:

    1. External USB Backup: You can connect an external USB storage device to the NAS and use the built-in backup function to copy data from the NAS to the external device.
    2. Rsync: Rsync is a popular data synchronization and backup tool. The QNAP Turbo Station supports Rsync, allowing you to backup data to another remote server or NAS.
    3. Time Machine Backup: If you have Mac computers in your network, the QNAP Turbo Station supports Time Machine backup. You can configure the NAS as a Time Machine target and backup your Mac data wirelessly.
    4. Cloud Backup: QNAP offers various cloud backup options, such as QNAP Cloud Backup Sync, Hybrid Backup Sync, and QNAP NetBak Replicator. These tools allow you to backup your NAS data to popular cloud storage providers like Amazon S3, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Storage, and more.
    5. Snapshot: The QNAP Turbo Station supports snapshot technology, which allows you to take point-in-time snapshots of your data. Snapshots can be used to quickly restore files or folders to a previous state in case of accidental deletion or modification.
    6. NAS-to-NAS Backup: You can set up a remote NAS as a backup destination and use the built-in backup function to schedule regular backups from the QNAP Turbo Station to the remote NAS.
    7. QNAP Remote Replication: This feature allows you to replicate data from one QNAP NAS to another QNAP NAS in real-time or on a schedule. It provides an efficient way to create a backup or disaster recovery solution.

    These are some of the methods available for data backup on the QNAP Turbo Station TS-1279U-RP NAS. The specific options may vary depending on the firmware version and configuration of your NAS.

  • How can I schedule automatic data backups on the QNAP Turbo Station TS-1279U-RP NAS?

    To schedule automatic data backups on the QNAP Turbo Station TS-1279U-RP NAS, you can follow these steps:

    1. Log in to the QNAP Turbo Station web interface by entering the NAS IP address in your web browser.
    2. Enter your admin username and password to log in.
    3. Once logged in, navigate to the "Backup Station" app on the home screen.
    4. In the Backup Station app, click on "Remote Replication" on the left sidebar.
    5. Click on the "Rsync Server" tab.
    6. Enable the Rsync server by checking the box next to "Enable Rsync server."
    7. Set the port number for Rsync (default is 873) or leave it as default.
    8. Configure the shared folders you want to back up. Click on the "Shared Folder" tab.
    9. Click on "Create" to create a new backup task.
    10. Select the source shared folder that you want to back up from the drop-down menu.
    11. Choose the destination NAS or server where you want to store the backup. Enter the IP address or hostname of the destination NAS.
    12. Specify the destination shared folder where you want to store the backup on the destination NAS.
    13. Set the backup schedule by selecting the days and time for the backup to run automatically. You can choose daily, weekly, or monthly schedules.
    14. Configure other backup options such as backup mode, file filter, and advanced settings according to your requirements.
    15. Click on "Apply" to save the backup task settings.

    Once you have completed these steps, the QNAP Turbo Station TS-1279U-RP NAS will automatically perform data backups according to the schedule you set.

  • Are there any specific considerations or best practices to follow when setting up data backup on the QNAP Turbo Station TS-1279U-RP NAS?

    Yes, there are several considerations and best practices to follow when setting up data backup on the QNAP Turbo Station TS-1279U-RP NAS. Here are some of them:

    1. Determine your backup needs: Before setting up data backup, assess your requirements such as the amount of data you want to backup, the frequency of backups, and the retention period for backups.
    2. Use RAID for data protection: The QNAP Turbo Station TS-1279U-RP NAS supports various RAID configurations. It is recommended to use RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) for data protection. RAID provides redundancy and helps protect against data loss in case of a disk failure.
    3. Implement multiple backup strategies: It is advisable to implement multiple backup strategies to ensure data redundancy and availability. This can include local backups, offsite backups, and cloud backups.
    4. Utilize QNAP backup applications: QNAP provides several backup applications like QNAP NetBak Replicator, QNAP Hybrid Backup Sync, and QNAP RTRR (Real-Time Remote Replication). These applications offer different backup methods and features. Choose the appropriate application based on your backup requirements.
    5. Schedule regular backups: Set up a regular backup schedule to ensure that your data is backed up consistently. Determine the frequency of backups based on the criticality of your data and the rate of data changes.
    6. Test and verify backups: Regularly test and verify your backups to ensure their integrity. This can involve restoring a subset of data from backups to confirm that the backup process is working correctly.
    7. Secure backup data: Implement security measures to protect your backup data. This can include encryption, access controls, and offsite storage for disaster recovery purposes.
    8. Monitor backup status: Regularly monitor the backup status and logs to ensure that backups are completing successfully. This helps identify any issues or failures in the backup process.
    9. Plan for disaster recovery: Have a comprehensive disaster recovery plan in place. This should include steps to restore data from backups in case of a major data loss event.
    10. Keep firmware and software up to date: Regularly update the firmware and backup software on your QNAP Turbo Station NAS to ensure you have the latest features, bug fixes, and security patches.

    It is recommended to consult the QNAP documentation, user forums, and support resources for detailed instructions and guidance specific to your QNAP Turbo Station model.