- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS QNAP VS-S2208 Pro+
- 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 insufficient power supply or voltage fluctuations cause data loss on NAS QNAP VS-S2208 Pro+ devices?
Insufficient power supply or voltage fluctuations can potentially cause data loss on NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices, including the QNAP VS-S2208 Pro+. NAS devices rely on stable and uninterrupted power supply to function properly.
Power supply issues can lead to various problems, such as sudden shutdowns, system crashes, or hardware failures. These issues can result in data corruption or loss if the NAS device is not properly protected against power-related problems.
Voltage fluctuations, such as spikes or dips in the electrical supply, can also cause damage to the NAS device and its components. Sudden voltage spikes can overload the hardware, while voltage dips can cause instability and data corruption.
To mitigate the risk of data loss due to power supply issues or voltage fluctuations, it is recommended to:
- Use a high-quality uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to provide a stable power source and protect against power outages.
- Ensure the NAS device is connected to a surge protector to guard against voltage spikes.
- Regularly backup important data to an external storage device or cloud storage to have a redundant copy in case of any data loss event.
- Enable any built-in power management features or settings on the NAS device to optimize power usage and protect against power-related issues.
By taking these precautions, you can minimize the risk of data loss on your QNAP VS-S2208 Pro+ NAS device due to power supply problems or voltage fluctuations.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS VS-S2208 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:
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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.
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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.
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Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.
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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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Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with QNAP VS-S2208 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.
How to recover data from a QNAP
VS-S2208 Pro+ has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 1;
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:
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Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.
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In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.
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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.
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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-S2208 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
| 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 possible to recover data from a physically damaged NAS QNAP VS-S2208 Pro+ device. However, the success of the data recovery process will depend on the extent of the physical damage and the condition of the hard drives inside the NAS.
In order to recover data from a physically damaged NAS, you may need to seek assistance from a professional data recovery service. They have specialized tools and expertise to recover data from damaged storage devices. They can assess the damage, repair or replace any faulty components, and extract the data from the hard drives.
It is important to note that data recovery from physically damaged devices can be a complex and time-consuming process. It is always recommended to regularly backup your data to avoid any potential loss in case of physical damage to your storage device.