- Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?
- How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?
Conventional hard disks keep user’s data by writing it to their surface in a consecutive way, and this is how an entire file is stored on a single hard disk. However, when data is written to a RAID system, a file is divided into several parts. Then these parts are written consecutively to all hard disks within such array. The size of such parts may range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so each file is stored on several hard disks at the same time.
Such approach helps to speed up read and write operations, and it is evident that saving two parts of a file having the size of 1 GB to two hard disks simultaneously is much faster than saving the same 1 GB of data to one hard disk. However, this peculiarity makes file recovery more complicated.
Various RAID levels store information in different ways. Additionally, manufacturers like Seagate also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.
Are there any preventive measures to minimize the risk of data loss on NAS Seagate Black Armor STCT2000200 devices?
Yes, there are several preventive measures you can take to minimize the risk of data loss on NAS Seagate Black Armor STCT2000200 devices. Here are some recommendations:
- Regularly backup your data: Implement a backup strategy to ensure that your important data is regularly backed up to an external storage device or a cloud storage service.
- Use RAID configuration: Configure your NAS device in a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configuration to provide data redundancy and protection against drive failures. This will help minimize the risk of data loss in case of a drive failure.
- Enable data encryption: Enable data encryption on your NAS device to protect your data from unauthorized access. This will ensure that even if the device is stolen or compromised, your data remains secure.
- Implement strong access controls: Set up strong passwords for your NAS device and limit access to authorized users only. Regularly review and update user permissions to ensure that only necessary users have access to your data.
- Keep your firmware up to date: Regularly check for firmware updates for your NAS device and apply them as soon as they are available. Firmware updates often include security patches and bug fixes that can help protect your device from vulnerabilities.
- Implement a robust network security: Secure your network by using strong passwords for your Wi-Fi network, enabling network encryption (WPA2), and implementing a firewall to prevent unauthorized access to your NAS device.
- Monitor your device: Regularly monitor your NAS device for any signs of hardware failure, unusual activity, or unauthorized access. Set up alerts and notifications to stay informed about the health and status of your device.
- Use a reliable power supply: Ensure that your NAS device is connected to a reliable power supply and consider using a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to protect against power surges or outages that could potentially cause data loss.
By following these preventive measures, you can significantly minimize the risk of data loss on your NAS Seagate Black Armor STCT2000200 device.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS Black Armor STCT2000200 can be accessed over the network, you still need to take the hard disks out of the storage device and connect them to a Windows computer. Only in this case will the software be able to scan them properly. Here is what you should do:
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Turn off the storage and disconnect it from the power supply.
WARNING! Before you start taking hard disks out of your NAS device, read the manual carefully. Incorrect actions may damage your network-attached storage and/or the hard disks within the RAID system.
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Take the hard disks out of the NAS one by one, carefully removing them from their slots. Remember that the disks are extremely vulnerable: hitting or dropping them may result in serious physical damage.
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Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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Remove the hard disks and connect them to the computer. In this video, we have explored what ports are used to connect hard disks, and what to do if there are not enough ports or connectors.
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Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Seagate Black Armor STCT2000200. The hard disks that make up the RAID contain technical information about the algorithm used to save files. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery reads this information and puts the damaged array together. Then you can open the disk and save your files. Also, you can recover the files accidentally deleted from the network drive.
How to recover data from a Seagate
Black Armor STCT2000200 has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- JBOD;
NAS supports:
- exFAT, VFAT, FAT 12 / 16 / 32;
- NTFS / ReFS;
- APFS / HFS+;
- Ext2 / 3 / 4 / ReiserFS / XFS / UFS / ZFS / Btrfs;
- VMFS / HikvisionFS;
Safe recovery from disk images
This utility lets you save an entire copy of the disk to file and then work with this image instead of the actual disk. Such feature helps to protect data on the disk from:
- Overwriting during the recovery process;
- Loss resulting from bad sectors;
- User mistakes.
To create an image, do the following:
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Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
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Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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When the image creation wizard starts, you can choose to save the entire disk or select only a part of it. Specify the parameters and click Next.
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At this stage, you need to choose a directory where to save the image. Choose any disk connected to this PC, or save the image by FTP.
Where are user’s files stored?
The Seagate Black Armor STCT2000200 network-attached storage keeps Seagate NAS OS 4 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.
Comparison of software for RAID recovery
| Product | Operating system | License type | RAID controller support | Supported file systems | Virtual RAID controller support | Data recovery from damaged RAID | File preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetman RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DiskInternals RAID Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| R-Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 200 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UFS Explorer RAID Recovery | Windows, Mac, Linux | Paid | Yes, over 1,000 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Windows | Paid | Yes, over 20 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | No | Yes | Yes |
| ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery | Windows | Free | Yes, over 100 controllers | FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Yes, it is possible to recover data from a NAS Seagate Black Armor STCT2000200 device that has suffered a power loss or sudden shutdown. However, the success of data recovery depends on the extent of the damage to the device and the specific circumstances of the power loss or sudden shutdown.
In such cases, it is recommended to contact a professional data recovery service. They have the expertise and specialized tools to recover data from damaged or failed storage devices. It is important to avoid attempting any DIY data recovery methods as they may further damage the device and make data recovery more difficult or even impossible.