
- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Rasilient Pixel Stor PS390
- 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 Rasilient 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 the use of deduplication or compression technologies impact data loss risks on NAS Rasilient Pixel Stor PS390 devices?
The use of deduplication or compression technologies on NAS Rasilient Pixel Stor PS390 devices can potentially impact data loss risks in the following ways:
- Deduplication: Deduplication eliminates redundant data by storing only unique data blocks and creating references to them. This can reduce the storage footprint and optimize storage capacity. However, if there are any issues with the deduplication process, such as data corruption or errors in the deduplication algorithm, it can potentially lead to data loss. Additionally, if the deduplication system fails or the metadata referencing the unique data blocks gets lost, it may result in the loss of access to the deduplicated data.
- Compression: Compression reduces the size of data by encoding it in a more efficient manner. While compression can save storage space, it introduces the risk of data loss if the compression algorithm used is not reliable. If the compressed data becomes corrupted or the decompression process fails, it can result in the loss of the original uncompressed data.
It is important to note that the impact of deduplication or compression on data loss risks can vary depending on the implementation, the quality of the technology used, and the specific circumstances of the NAS device. It is recommended to carefully evaluate and test the deduplication or compression technologies before implementing them to mitigate any potential data loss risks. Additionally, having proper backup and disaster recovery strategies in place is crucial to minimize the impact of data loss in case of any unforeseen issues.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS Pixel Stor PS390 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 Rasilient Pixel Stor PS390. 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 Rasilient
Pixel Stor PS390 has 90 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 Rasilient Pixel Stor PS390 network-attached storage keeps OS Linux 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, data recovery from a NAS Rasilient Pixel Stor PS390 device can still be possible even if there are issues with the motherboard or system board. In such cases, a professional data recovery service may be required. They have specialized tools and expertise to recover data from faulty NAS devices.
The data recovery process typically involves removing the hard drives from the faulty NAS device and connecting them to a compatible system or specialized data recovery equipment. By bypassing the faulty motherboard or system board, the data recovery service can attempt to access and retrieve the data from the hard drives.
It's important to note that the success of data recovery depends on the extent of the motherboard or system board damage and the condition of the hard drives. It is recommended to consult with a professional data recovery service to assess the situation and determine the best course of action.