Steps to Extract Data from a RAID Disk if NAS TerraMaster D5-300 Doesn’t Power On

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS TerraMaster D5-300
• How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
  • Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images
  • Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?
  • RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison

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 TerraMaster 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.

Are there any preventive measures to minimize the risk of data loss on NAS TerraMaster D5-300 devices?

Yes, there are several preventive measures you can take to minimize the risk of data loss on NAS TerraMaster D5-300 devices. Here are some recommendations:

1. Regular backups: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that your data is regularly backed up to an external storage device or cloud storage. This will provide an additional copy of your data in case of any data loss or device failure.
2. RAID configuration: Configure your NAS device in a RAID configuration, such as RAID 1 or RAID 5, which provides data redundancy. This means that even if one drive fails, your data will still be accessible from the remaining drives.
3. Use reliable hard drives: Ensure that you use high-quality and reliable hard drives in your NAS device. Choose drives specifically designed for NAS usage, as they are built to handle continuous operations and have better reliability.
4. Regular firmware updates: Keep your NAS device's firmware up to date. Manufacturers often release firmware updates that include bug fixes, security patches, and performance improvements. Regularly check for updates and apply them as necessary.
5. Implement user access controls: Set up proper user access controls and permissions to restrict unauthorized access to your data. Assign appropriate access rights to different users and regularly review and update these permissions as needed.
6. Protect against power outages: Use a reliable uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to protect your NAS device from sudden power outages. Power outages can cause data corruption or loss, so having a UPS will help prevent such issues.
7. Secure network connection: Ensure that your NAS device is connected to a secure network. Use strong passwords for your network and NAS device login credentials. Consider enabling encryption protocols, such as SSL/TLS, for secure data transfer.
8. Monitor device health: Regularly monitor the health of your NAS device, including hard drive status, temperature, and system logs. Most NAS devices provide monitoring tools or software that can alert you to any potential issues or failures.

By following these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of data loss on your NAS TerraMaster D5-300 device.

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

Although the NAS D5-300 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.

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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with TerraMaster D5-300. 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.

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How to recover data from a TerraMaster

D5-300 has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• Ext2;
• Ext3;
• Ext4;
• Btrfs;

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.

   

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.

   

Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?

The TerraMaster D5-300 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