
- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Qsan XCubeNAS XN5008T
- 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 Qsan 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.
What data recovery services or software options are available for NAS Qsan XCubeNAS XN5008T devices?
There are several data recovery services and software options available for NAS Qsan XCubeNAS XN5008T devices. Some of the popular ones include:
- Ontrack Data Recovery: Ontrack offers professional data recovery services for various storage devices, including NAS devices like Qsan XCubeNAS XN5008T. They have a team of experts who can assist in recovering lost data from the device.
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: EaseUS provides data recovery software that supports NAS devices. Their Data Recovery Wizard software can help recover accidentally deleted or lost files from Qsan XCubeNAS XN5008T.
- Stellar Data Recovery: Stellar offers data recovery software suitable for NAS devices. Their software supports Qsan XCubeNAS XN5008T and can recover lost or deleted data from the device.
- R-Studio: R-Studio is a powerful data recovery software that supports NAS devices, including Qsan XCubeNAS XN5008T. It can recover data from various file systems and supports advanced recovery options.
- DiskInternals NAS Recovery: DiskInternals provides NAS recovery software that supports Qsan XCubeNAS XN5008T and other NAS devices. It can recover lost or deleted files from NAS storage.
It is important to note that data recovery success may vary depending on the severity of the data loss and the condition of the NAS device. It is recommended to consult with a professional data recovery service if the data is critical and valuable.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS XCubeNAS XN5008T 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 Qsan XCubeNAS XN5008T. 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 Qsan
XCubeNAS XN5008T has 8 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- RAID 5;
- RAID 6;
- RAID 50;
- RAID 60;
- JBOD;
NAS supports:
- exFAT, VFAT, FAT 12 / 16 / 32;
- NTFS / ReFS;
- APFS / HFS+;
- Ext2 / 3 / 4 / ReiserFS / XFS / UFS / ZFS / Btrfs;
- VMFS / HikvisionFS;
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 Qsan XCubeNAS XN5008T network-attached storage keeps SANOS 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 |


It is possible to recover data from a NAS Qsan XCubeNAS XN5008T device even if the device is experiencing frequent disconnections or network errors. However, it may depend on the specific issue causing the disconnections or errors.
If the problem is related to network connectivity, you may try the following steps:
If the frequent disconnections or network errors persist and prevent you from accessing the data on the NAS device, you may need to contact Qsan support for further assistance. They may be able to provide specific troubleshooting steps or advise on data recovery options.
In extreme cases where the NAS device itself is physically damaged or experiencing hardware failures, you may need to consult a professional data recovery service. They specialize in recovering data from damaged storage devices and can help retrieve your data even in challenging situations.