
- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Seagate Exos X 2U12
- 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 Seagate 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 Seagate Exos X 2U12 device's power management settings impact data availability and potential loss?
The power management settings of a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the Seagate Exos X 2U12 can impact data availability and potential loss in the following ways:
- Power Loss: If the power management settings are not properly configured, sudden power loss or unexpected power interruptions can occur. This can lead to data loss or corruption if write operations are interrupted during the power outage. Unsaved data in the cache may also be lost.
- Drive Spin Down: Some NAS devices have a power-saving feature that automatically spins down the hard drives when they are idle for a certain period. While this reduces power consumption, it can increase the time required to access data when the drives need to spin up again. If the drives take too long to spin up, it may impact data availability, especially in scenarios where quick access to data is crucial.
- Sleep Mode: NAS devices often have sleep mode options to save power during extended periods of inactivity. When the NAS is in sleep mode, it may take some time for it to wake up and become available again. This can cause delays or temporary unavailability of data until the NAS fully wakes up and resumes normal operation.
- RAID Rebuild Time: In a NAS with RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configuration, power management settings can impact the time required for RAID rebuilds. If a drive fails and needs to be replaced, the NAS needs to rebuild the data from the remaining drives onto the new drive. If power management settings are too aggressive, it might slow down the rebuild process, increasing the risk of data loss if another drive fails during the rebuild.
- Scheduled Backups: Power management settings may affect scheduled backup processes. If the NAS device is set to power off or enter sleep mode during the backup window, backups may be missed or delayed. This can result in potential data loss if backups are not performed regularly.
To mitigate these risks, it is important to configure the power management settings of a NAS device carefully. It is recommended to balance power-saving features with the need for data availability and ensure that critical data is regularly backed up to minimize the impact of potential data loss.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS Exos X 2U12 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 Seagate Exos X 2U12. 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 Seagate
Exos X 2U12 has 12 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 Seagate Exos X 2U12 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, there are several troubleshooting methods you can try for data recovery from NAS Seagate Exos X 2U12 devices with limited functionality. Here are some steps you can follow:
Remember, attempting data recovery on your own may further damage the device or result in permanent data loss. It's always advisable to consult with professionals in case of critical data loss situations.