Recovering from RAID Array Format on NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-853U-RP: Steps for Data Recovery

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-853U-RP
• 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 data be recovered from a NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-853U-RP device after a malfunction or data loss event?

To recover data from a NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-853U-RP device after a malfunction or data loss event, you can follow these steps:

1. Identify the cause of the malfunction: Determine if the issue is due to a hardware failure, software corruption, or accidental data deletion. This will help you choose the appropriate recovery method.
2. Contact technical support: Reach out to QNAP technical support for assistance. They may be able to guide you through the recovery process or provide specific instructions based on the issue you are facing.
3. Check the device status: If the device is still accessible and functional, log in to the QNAP web interface and check the device status. Look for any error messages or warnings that could indicate the cause of the data loss.
4. Restore from backups: If you have regular backups of your data, you can restore the lost files from these backups. QNAP NAS devices often have built-in backup features that allow you to schedule regular backups to external storage or cloud services.
5. Use data recovery software: If the data loss is due to accidental deletion or software corruption, you can try using data recovery software. Connect the NAS drives to a computer and use a reliable data recovery tool specifically designed for NAS devices. These tools can scan the drives for deleted or lost files and help you recover them.
6. Contact professional data recovery services: If the data loss is due to a hardware failure, such as a failed drive or RAID array, it is recommended to contact professional data recovery services. These experts have specialized tools and techniques to recover data from faulty NAS devices. However, keep in mind that professional data recovery services can be expensive.
7. Prevent further data loss: After recovering the data or during the recovery process, it is crucial to prevent further data loss. Ensure you have a reliable backup strategy in place, regularly update the firmware of your NAS device, and take necessary precautions to protect your data from future incidents.

Note: It is always recommended to consult with QNAP technical support or a professional data recovery service before attempting any recovery methods to avoid further data damage or loss.

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

Although the NAS Turbo Station TS-853U-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

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-853U-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

Turbo Station TS-853U-RP has 8 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.

   

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 Turbo Station TS-853U-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