- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-233
- 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 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 data fragmentation impact the read and write speeds, and potential data loss on NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-233 devices?
Data fragmentation can have several impacts on read and write speeds, as well as potential data loss on NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-233 devices. Here are the main ways it can affect the device:
- Reduced Read and Write Speeds: When data is fragmented, it is scattered across different areas of the storage media. This can lead to increased seek times, as the device needs to access multiple locations to retrieve or write the fragmented data. As a result, read and write speeds can be significantly slower compared to when data is stored contiguously.
- Increased Disk I/O: Fragmentation can also increase the number of disk input/output (I/O) operations required to access the data. This can overload the disk subsystem, leading to slower performance and increased latency. The more fragmented the data, the more disk I/O operations are needed, further impacting read and write speeds.
- Data Loss and Corruption: Fragmentation increases the risk of data loss and corruption. If a file is fragmented and one of the fragments becomes corrupted or lost, it can render the entire file inaccessible. Additionally, if the file system metadata (such as the file allocation table) becomes fragmented, it can lead to data inconsistencies and potential data loss.
- Increased Wear and Tear on Storage Media: Fragmentation can cause additional wear and tear on the storage media. When data is fragmented, the read/write heads of the hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) need to move more frequently, increasing mechanical stress. This can potentially shorten the lifespan of the storage media and increase the chances of hardware failure.
To mitigate these impacts, it is recommended to regularly defragment the storage on NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-233 devices. Defragmentation rearranges the fragmented data to store it contiguously, improving read and write speeds and reducing the risk of data loss. Additionally, implementing regular backups and RAID configurations can help protect against potential data loss.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS Turbo Station TS-233 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 QNAP Turbo Station TS-233. 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 QNAP
Turbo Station TS-233 has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- JBOD;
NAS supports:
- EXT4;
- EXT3;
- 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:
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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 QNAP Turbo Station TS-233 network-attached storage keeps QTS 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 |
