- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-673 / TS-673A / TS-677
- 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.
Can the type of file system used on NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-673 / TS-673A / TS-677 devices affect data loss risks?
Yes, the type of file system used on NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-673 / TS-673A / TS-677 devices can affect data loss risks. The file system is responsible for organizing and managing data on the NAS device, and different file systems have different features and capabilities.
Some file systems, such as NTFS (Windows) and HFS+ (Mac), have built-in features like journaling, which helps protect against data loss in the event of power outages or system crashes. These file systems are generally considered more robust and less prone to data corruption.
On the other hand, file systems like FAT32 and exFAT are more susceptible to data loss risks. They lack advanced features like journaling and may be more prone to file system errors or corruption.
Additionally, the choice of file system can also affect compatibility with different operating systems. For example, if you primarily use Windows computers, using the NTFS file system on the NAS device would be a more suitable choice.
In summary, choosing a file system with robust features and compatibility can help mitigate data loss risks on NAS QNAP Turbo Station devices.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS Turbo Station TS-673 / TS-673A / TS-677 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:
-
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.
-
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.
-
Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
-
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
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-673 / TS-673A / TS-677. 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-673 / TS-673A / TS-677 has 6 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 5;
- RAID 6;
- RAID 10;
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- JBOD;
NAS supports:
- ZFS;
- 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:
-
Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
-
In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
-
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.
-
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-673 / TS-673A / TS-677 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 |
Yes, data recovery from encrypted NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-673 / TS-673A / TS-677 devices typically requires specific encryption keys or passwords. These devices use encryption to protect the data stored on them, and without the correct keys or passwords, it is not possible to access the encrypted data.
During the initial setup of the NAS, users are prompted to set an encryption password or key. This password or key is used to encrypt and decrypt the data on the device. It is crucial to remember this password or key, as it is required for data recovery.
If the encryption password or key is lost or forgotten, it can be extremely challenging to recover the data. QNAP provides some recovery options, such as the ability to export and backup encryption keys, but these options must be set up and utilized before the password or key is lost.
In case of a lost password or key, it is recommended to contact QNAP support for assistance. They may be able to provide guidance or solutions for data recovery, but it is important to note that without the correct password or key, data recovery may not be possible.