Data Recovery After Formatting a NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-873AeU RAID Array: What to Expect

Has your NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-873AeU 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?

Data Recovery After Formatting a NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-873AeU RAID Array: What to Expect
Data Recovery Tool

QNAP Turbo Station TS-873AeU 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-873AeU. We’ll walk through the most common causes of failure and demonstrate proven methods to restore files from a lost or degraded RAID array.

Data Recovery After Formatting a NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-873AeU RAID Array: What to Expect

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

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.

Is there a risk of data loss if a NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-873AeU device is physically damaged or stolen?

Yes, there is a risk of data loss if a NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-873AeU device is physically damaged or stolen. If the device is damaged, the hard drives inside may become inaccessible, resulting in potential data loss. Similarly, if the device is stolen, the data stored on the NAS can be compromised.

To mitigate this risk, it is recommended to regularly backup the data from the NAS to an off-site location or cloud storage. This ensures that even if the NAS device is damaged or stolen, the data can still be recovered from the backup. Additionally, implementing security measures such as encryption and strong passwords can help protect the data stored on the NAS in case of theft.

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

Although the NAS Turbo Station TS-873AeU 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-873AeU. 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-873AeU 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.

    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-873AeU 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

Feedback

We will be happy to answer your questions!

Comments (1)

  • 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-873AeU, feel free to leave a comment!
    Reply
Post comment
User
Leave a reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Updated:
  • Evaluations:
  • 3
  • /
  • :
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.

Share

Questions and answers

  • What are the key benefits of adding an additional hard drive to the QNAP Turbo Station TS-873AeU NAS?

    Adding an additional hard drive to the QNAP Turbo Station TS-873AeU NAS offers several key benefits, including:

    1. Increased storage capacity: By adding an extra hard drive, you can expand the overall storage capacity of the NAS. This is particularly useful if you have a growing amount of data that needs to be stored and accessed.
    2. Redundancy and data protection: With an additional hard drive, you can set up various RAID configurations such as RAID 1 (mirroring) or RAID 5 (striping with parity) to protect your data from drive failures. If one drive fails, the data can be rebuilt or recovered from the other drives.
    3. Improved performance: By using multiple hard drives, you can configure the NAS to utilize features like RAID 0 (striping) to improve read and write speeds. This is especially beneficial for tasks that require high data transfer rates, such as media streaming or large file transfers.
    4. Easy data management: The additional hard drive can be used for specific purposes like backup, archiving, or separating different types of data. This allows for better organization and management of your files, making it easier to locate and access data when needed.
    5. Scalability and future-proofing: The ability to add more hard drives to the NAS provides scalability, allowing you to expand the storage capacity as your needs grow. This future-proofing ensures that you won't run out of storage space quickly and can accommodate the increasing demands of your data storage requirements.
    6. Flexibility and versatility: Having an additional hard drive gives you the flexibility to use it for various purposes, such as creating a separate storage pool for different user groups or applications. This versatility allows you to customize the NAS to suit your specific needs and optimize its performance.

    Overall, adding an extra hard drive to the QNAP Turbo Station TS-873AeU NAS enhances its storage capacity, data protection, performance, and flexibility, providing a more robust and efficient storage solution.

  • What factors should be considered when selecting an additional hard drive for the QNAP Turbo Station TS-873AeU NAS?

    When selecting an additional hard drive for the QNAP Turbo Station TS-873AeU NAS, the following factors should be considered:

    1. Compatibility: Ensure that the hard drive is compatible with the QNAP Turbo Station TS-873AeU NAS. Check the NAS manufacturer's website or documentation for a list of compatible hard drives.
    2. Capacity: Determine the storage capacity required based on your needs. Consider factors such as the amount of data you plan to store and the expected growth of your storage needs.
    3. Drive Type: Choose between traditional hard disk drives (HDD) or solid-state drives (SSD). HDDs are more cost-effective for larger storage capacities, while SSDs offer faster performance and are more durable but come at a higher price per gigabyte.
    4. Speed and Performance: Consider the rotational speed (RPM) of the hard drive. Higher RPM drives generally offer faster data transfer rates and better performance. However, SSDs provide significantly faster performance compared to traditional HDDs.
    5. RAID Configuration: If you plan to use the additional hard drive in a RAID configuration, ensure that it is compatible with the RAID level you intend to use. Different RAID levels have specific requirements for drive compatibility and capacities.
    6. Budget: Consider your budget for the additional hard drive. SSDs generally cost more than HDDs, so determine the balance between performance and cost that suits your needs.
    7. Reliability and Warranty: Look for hard drives from reputable manufacturers known for their reliability. Check the warranty period offered by the manufacturer, as longer warranties often indicate greater confidence in the drive's reliability.
    8. Power Consumption: Consider the power consumption of the hard drive, especially if you plan to have multiple drives in the NAS. Lower power consumption can help reduce overall energy costs.
    9. Noise and Heat: Pay attention to the noise and heat generated by the hard drive. Some drives are designed to be quieter and produce less heat, which can be beneficial in a NAS system.
    10. Future Expansion: If you plan to expand your NAS storage in the future, consider the availability and compatibility of additional hard drives for your chosen model.

    It is advisable to consult the QNAP Turbo Station TS-873AeU NAS documentation or reach out to the manufacturer's support for specific recommendations and guidelines regarding compatible hard drives.

  • How does the process of adding an additional hard drive to the QNAP Turbo Station TS-873AeU NAS differ from the initial setup and configuration?

    The process of adding an additional hard drive to the QNAP Turbo Station TS-873AeU NAS differs from the initial setup and configuration in a few ways:

    1. Compatibility: When adding an additional hard drive, you need to ensure that it is compatible with your QNAP NAS model. Check the QNAP website or user manual for a list of supported hard drives.
    2. RAID Configuration: If you are using a RAID configuration (such as RAID 1, RAID 5, or RAID 6), you will need to configure the new hard drive to be part of the existing RAID array. This can usually be done through the QNAP NAS management interface.
    3. Expansion Unit: If your QNAP NAS supports expansion units, you may need to connect the additional hard drive to the expansion unit rather than directly to the NAS. The process of adding the hard drive to the expansion unit may vary depending on the model.
    4. Formatting and Initialization: Once the hard drive is physically connected, you will need to format and initialize it. This can usually be done through the QNAP NAS management interface. Formatting will erase all data on the new hard drive, so ensure you have a backup if necessary.
    5. Storage Pool and Volume: After formatting, you may need to create a new storage pool and volume to make use of the additional hard drive. This will involve selecting the hard drive and configuring the desired settings, such as RAID type, file system, and capacity allocation.
    6. Data Migration: If you want to move existing data to the new hard drive, you can use QNAP's built-in data migration tools to transfer files and folders from one drive to another.

    It is important to follow the specific instructions provided by QNAP for your particular model to ensure a successful addition of the additional hard drive.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Description