Steps to Recover Your NAS QNAP VS-12140U-RP Pro RAID Array: Recovery Steps When It Fails to Start

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS QNAP VS-12140U-RP Pro
• 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 a NAS QNAP VS-12140U-RP Pro device's power management settings impact data availability and potential loss?

The power management settings on a NAS QNAP VS-12140U-RP Pro device can impact data availability and potential loss in several ways:

1. Power loss during data operations: If the power management settings are not properly configured, sudden power loss or unexpected shutdowns can occur during data operations such as file transfers or disk operations. This can lead to data corruption or loss, as the device may not have enough time to complete the necessary write operations before shutting down.
2. Disk spin-down: Some power management settings allow for disk spin-down or standby mode when the disks are not in use. While this can save power, it can also introduce latency when accessing data. If a disk is in spin-down mode and a request is made to access data stored on it, there will be a delay as the disk spins up and becomes ready. This can impact data availability and overall system performance.
3. Scheduled power on/off: Power management settings may allow for scheduled power on/off operations. If the device is set to power off during certain times, it may not be accessible or available for data access during those periods. This can impact data availability, especially if the device is needed for continuous access or if critical operations are scheduled during the power-off periods.
4. RAID rebuild and disk health monitoring: Power management settings can impact the ability of the NAS device to monitor disk health and perform RAID rebuild operations. If the device is set to power off or enter a low-power state too frequently, it may not be able to perform regular disk health checks or detect failing disks in a timely manner. This can increase the risk of data loss if a disk fails and the RAID array is not rebuilt promptly.

To mitigate the potential impact on data availability and loss, it is important to configure the power management settings of a NAS device carefully. This includes ensuring that sufficient backup power or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is available to prevent sudden power loss, setting appropriate spin-down times for disks to balance power savings with performance needs, and scheduling power on/off operations to minimize disruption to data access. Regular monitoring of disk health and proactive replacement of failing disks is also crucial to prevent data loss.

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

Although the NAS VS-12140U-RP Pro 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.

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   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 VS-12140U-RP Pro. 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.

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How to recover data from a QNAP

VS-12140U-RP Pro has 12 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:

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 VS-12140U-RP Pro 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