
- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS TerraMaster D5-330 D5 Thunderbolt3
- 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 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.
How can a NAS TerraMaster D5-330 D5 Thunderbolt3 device's caching policy impact data loss risks?
The caching policy of a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the TerraMaster D5-330 D5 Thunderbolt3 can impact data loss risks in the following ways:
- Write-back caching: This caching policy allows data to be written to the cache first and then gradually moved to the storage disks in the background. While this improves write performance, there is a risk of data loss if a power outage or system failure occurs before the data is completely written to the disks. In such cases, any data in the cache that has not been written to the disks may be lost.
- Write-through caching: This caching policy immediately writes data to both the cache and the storage disks simultaneously. This reduces the risk of data loss as the data is written to the disks right away. However, it may impact write performance compared to write-back caching.
- No caching: Some NAS devices may allow you to disable caching altogether. In this case, data is written directly to the storage disks without utilizing any cache. While this eliminates the risk of data loss due to cache failure or power outage, it might result in slower write performance compared to caching-enabled configurations.
It's important to note that caching policies are typically configurable on NAS devices, allowing users to choose the option that best suits their needs. However, it's crucial to understand the trade-offs between performance and data loss risks when selecting a caching policy. Additionally, implementing appropriate backup strategies and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems can help mitigate data loss risks regardless of the caching policy chosen.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS D5-330 D5 Thunderbolt3 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 TerraMaster D5-330 D5 Thunderbolt3. 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 TerraMaster
D5-330 D5 Thunderbolt3 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:
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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 TerraMaster D5-330 D5 Thunderbolt3 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 TerraMaster D5-330 D5 Thunderbolt3 device can still be performed even if there are issues with the network interface card or port. The NAS device typically allows for direct connection to a computer via Thunderbolt or USB, bypassing the network interface. This means that even if the network interface is not functioning properly, you can still connect the NAS directly to a computer using Thunderbolt or USB and access the data.