Recovering Data from NAS Synology Diskstation DS106 / DS106e / DS106j RAID Arrays: Strategies for Component Wear Recovery

Has your NAS Synology Diskstation DS106 / DS106e / DS106j suddenly lost its network drive and you’re unsure what to do next? Did the RAID array collapse, making your files inaccessible? Is the device throwing errors during startup? Perhaps you accidentally rebuilt the RAID array or several hard drives failed at the same time?

Recovering Data from NAS Synology Diskstation DS106 / DS106e / DS106j RAID Arrays: Strategies for Component Wear Recovery

Synology Diskstation DS106 / DS106e / DS106j NAS Data Recovery in 2025

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from an Diskstation DS106 / DS106e / DS106j. We’ll walk through the most common causes of failure and demonstrate proven methods to restore files from a lost or degraded RAID array.

Recovering Data from NAS Synology Diskstation DS106 / DS106e / DS106j RAID Arrays: Strategies for Component Wear Recovery

RAID Recovery™ 2.8
Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.
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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 Synology 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 excessive drive spin-down or power-saving settings impact data retrieval in case of failure on NAS Synology Diskstation DS106 / DS106e / DS106j devices?

Excessive drive spin-down or power-saving settings can potentially impact data retrieval in case of failure on NAS Synology Diskstation DS106 / DS106e / DS106j devices.

When drives are set to spin down frequently or enter power-saving modes, they may take longer to respond when accessed, which can lead to delays or timeouts when retrieving data. In case of a failure, such as a drive malfunction or system crash, the delay caused by the spin-up process can further hinder data retrieval.

Additionally, frequent spin-down and spin-up cycles can put additional stress on the drives, potentially increasing the risk of drive failure. It is generally recommended to strike a balance between power-saving settings and the need for quick and reliable data access.

To mitigate these potential issues, you can adjust the power-saving settings on your Synology Diskstation to balance energy efficiency and data accessibility. You can set longer intervals for drive spin-down or consider disabling it altogether if quick data retrieval is a priority. However, keep in mind that disabling power-saving features may increase energy consumption.

It is also crucial to regularly monitor the health of your drives and perform routine backups to ensure data integrity and minimize the impact of potential failures.

How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS Diskstation DS106 / DS106e / DS106j 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:

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.

  4. 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.

    Go to view
    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

Hetman Raid Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Synology Diskstation DS106 / DS106e / DS106j. 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.

Go to view
How to recover data from a Synology

How to recover data from a Synology

Diskstation DS106 / DS106e / DS106j has 1 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

  • Nie wspiera;

NAS supports:

  • FAT, FAT32(External Disk Only);
  • EXT3;

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:

  1. Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.

  2. In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.

  3. 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.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Image Creation Wizard
  4. 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.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Choose a disk or save the image via FTP

Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?

The Synology Diskstation DS106 / DS106e / DS106j network-attached storage keeps DSM (DiskStation Manager) 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

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  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 9.08.2022 12:31 #
    If you want to ask a question about data recovery, from NAS Diskstation DS106 / DS106e / DS106j, feel free to leave a comment!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What are the key features and benefits of using a Synology Diskstation DS106 / DS106e / DS106j as an email server?

    The Synology DiskStation DS106 / DS106e / DS106j can be used as an email server, offering several key features and benefits:

    1. Easy setup and management: The DiskStation comes with a user-friendly web-based interface, making it simple to set up and manage your email server. You can configure email accounts, domains, and security settings without requiring advanced technical knowledge.
    2. Reliable and secure email delivery: The DiskStation ensures reliable email delivery with its built-in SMTP server. It supports various authentication methods, including POP3 before SMTP, SMTP-AUTH, and IP-based authentication. Additionally, it offers SSL/TLS encryption for secure email transmission.
    3. Anti-spam and anti-virus protection: The DiskStation includes built-in anti-spam and anti-virus solutions, such as SpamAssassin and ClamAV. These tools help filter out spam emails and detect and quarantine any potential viruses or malware, ensuring a safer email environment.
    4. Webmail access: With the DiskStation, you can access your emails from anywhere using the included webmail client. This allows you to check, send, and manage your emails conveniently through a web browser, eliminating the need for a dedicated email client.
    5. Mail server collaboration features: The DiskStation supports collaboration features such as shared calendars, contacts, and tasks. This enables multiple users to synchronize and share their schedules and contacts, facilitating efficient teamwork and communication.
    6. Data backup and recovery: The DiskStation offers comprehensive data backup and recovery options for your email server. You can schedule regular backups to external storage devices or cloud services, ensuring that your important emails and data are protected against accidental loss or hardware failures.
    7. Expandable storage capacity: The DiskStation supports the addition of additional hard drives, allowing you to expand the storage capacity of your email server as your needs grow. This scalability ensures that you can accommodate a larger number of email accounts and store a higher volume of emails.
    8. Energy-efficient and cost-effective: The DiskStation is designed to be energy-efficient, consuming minimal power compared to traditional server setups. It also eliminates the need for expensive server hardware, making it a cost-effective solution for small businesses or individuals looking to host their own email server.

    Overall, using a Synology DiskStation DS106 / DS106e / DS106j as an email server offers a reliable, secure, and feature-rich solution for managing your emails, providing flexibility, convenience, and control over your email communication.

  • How does the Synology Diskstation DS106 / DS106e / DS106j compare to other email server solutions in terms of performance, reliability, and ease of use?

    The Synology Diskstation DS106, DS106e, and DS106j are network-attached storage (NAS) devices that offer email server functionality. When comparing them to other email server solutions in terms of performance, reliability, and ease of use, here are some considerations:

    1. Performance: The performance of the Diskstation DS106 series can vary depending on the specific model and hardware specifications. Generally, these models are designed for home or small office use, so they may not offer the same level of performance as dedicated email server solutions. However, they can still handle basic email server tasks for small user groups.
    2. Reliability: Synology NAS devices are known for their reliability and stability. They typically have robust hardware and a solid operating system (DiskStation Manager) that provides regular updates and security patches. However, as with any hardware-based solution, there is always a risk of hardware failure, so it is recommended to have proper backup and redundancy measures in place.
    3. Ease of Use: Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) provides a user-friendly interface that simplifies the setup and management of the email server. DSM offers a range of features and applications, including a Mail Server package, which allows users to easily configure and manage email accounts, domains, and settings. The intuitive DSM interface makes it accessible for users with varying levels of technical expertise.

    Overall, the Synology Diskstation DS106 series can be a suitable email server solution for small-scale deployments or home use. However, for larger organizations or those with higher performance and reliability requirements, dedicated email server solutions may be more appropriate. It is recommended to evaluate specific needs and compare the features, scalability, and support options of different email server solutions before making a decision.

  • What are the steps involved in setting up and configuring the Synology Diskstation DS106 / DS106e / DS106j as an email server?

    Setting up and configuring the Synology Diskstation DS106 / DS106e / DS106j as an email server typically involves the following steps:

    1. Connect the Diskstation to your network and power it on. Ensure that it is connected to the internet.
    2. Open a web browser and enter the Diskstation's IP address in the address bar. This will take you to the Diskstation's web interface.
    3. Log in to the Diskstation using your administrator credentials.
    4. Navigate to the Control Panel and open the "Mail" application.
    5. In the Mail application, click on the "SMTP" tab and enable the SMTP server. Configure the SMTP settings according to your requirements. You may need to specify the domain name, port number, authentication settings, etc.
    6. Next, click on the "POP3/IMAP" tab and enable the POP3/IMAP server. Configure the settings for POP3 and IMAP protocols as per your needs. You may need to specify the port numbers, SSL/TLS settings, etc.
    7. Configure the email accounts for your users by clicking on the "User" tab. Add new users or edit existing users to assign them email accounts.
    8. Set up email aliases, distribution lists, and other email-related settings as required.
    9. Configure the DNS settings for your domain to point the MX (Mail Exchanger) records to your Diskstation's IP address. This step ensures that emails sent to your domain are routed to your Diskstation.
    10. Test the email server by sending and receiving emails using your configured email accounts.
    11. Optionally, you can set up additional features like spam filtering, antivirus scanning, email forwarding, etc., depending on your requirements.

    It is important to note that the specific steps and options may vary slightly depending on the model and firmware version of your Diskstation. It is recommended to refer to the official documentation or user manual provided by Synology for detailed instructions specific to your device.