
- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS QNAP TVS-972XU-RP
- 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.
Are there any recommended practices for protecting NAS QNAP TVS-972XU-RP devices against physical theft or unauthorized access that can lead to data loss?
Yes, there are several recommended practices to protect QNAP TVS-972XU-RP devices against physical theft or unauthorized access:
- Secure physical location: Place the NAS device in a secure and locked room or cabinet to prevent unauthorized physical access.
- Strong passwords: Set strong and unique passwords for all user accounts, including the administrator account. Avoid using default or easily guessable passwords.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA for all user accounts to add an extra layer of security. This ensures that even if someone obtains the password, they would still need the second factor (e.g., a mobile app or SMS code) to access the device.
- Regular firmware updates: Keep the NAS firmware up to date with the latest security patches and bug fixes. QNAP regularly releases firmware updates that address vulnerabilities and enhance security.
- Disable unnecessary services: Disable any unnecessary services or features on the NAS device to reduce the attack surface. Only enable the services that are required for your specific needs.
- Network segregation: Place the NAS device on a separate network or VLAN to isolate it from other devices. This helps prevent unauthorized access to the NAS through compromised devices on the network.
- Firewall and network security: Configure a firewall to restrict access to the NAS, allowing only necessary ports and protocols. Additionally, consider implementing network security measures like intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) or network access control (NAC) solutions.
- Data encryption: Enable encryption for sensitive data stored on the NAS. QNAP provides options for encrypting shared folders or using full-disk encryption to protect data at rest.
- Regular backups: Implement a robust backup strategy to ensure data can be restored in case of theft or data loss. Regularly backup data to an offsite location or cloud storage to minimize the impact of physical theft.
- Physical security measures: Use physical security measures like surveillance cameras, alarms, and access control systems to protect the physical environment where the NAS is located.
By following these recommended practices, you can significantly enhance the security of your QNAP TVS-972XU-RP device and protect it against physical theft or unauthorized access.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS TVS-972XU-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:
-
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 TVS-972XU-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.
How to recover data from a QNAP
TVS-972XU-RP has 9 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 50;
- RAID 60;
- RAID 6;
- RAID 5;
- 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:
-
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 TVS-972XU-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 |


Yes, it is highly recommended to have a backup of the data on your QNAP TVS-972XU-RP NAS before attempting any data recovery. This is because the data recovery process itself can be complex and there is always a risk of further data loss or damage to the existing data. Having a backup ensures that you have a copy of your important data that can be easily restored in case anything goes wrong during the recovery process.