Extracting Data from a RAID Disk When NAS TerraMaster T9-423 is Not Launching: Step-by-Step Guide

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS TerraMaster T9-423
• 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.

How can a NAS TerraMaster T9-423 device's power management settings impact data availability and potential loss?

The power management settings of a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device like the TerraMaster T9-423 can impact data availability and potential loss in the following ways:

1. Sleep Mode: NAS devices often have a sleep mode that automatically powers down the hard drives after a certain period of inactivity. While this can save power, it can also lead to delays when accessing data as the drives need to spin up again. If a user tries to access data during this spin-up time, it can result in slower performance and reduced availability.
2. Power Loss: If the NAS device experiences a sudden power loss or is improperly shut down, it can result in data loss or corruption. This is especially true if there are any pending write operations that haven't been completed. Power management settings that control how the NAS device handles power loss, such as ensuring proper shutdown procedures or using battery backup solutions, can help mitigate the risk of data loss.
3. Scheduled Power On/Off: Some NAS devices allow users to schedule automatic power on/off times. While this can be convenient for saving power during off-peak hours, it can also impact data availability if users need access to the NAS during the scheduled off time. It's important to consider the operational needs of the NAS and schedule power on/off times accordingly to minimize any potential data unavailability.
4. RAID Rebuild: If the NAS device is configured with a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) setup and a drive fails, the power management settings can affect how quickly the RAID array rebuilds itself. Delaying or limiting the resources dedicated to the rebuild process can increase the time it takes to restore data redundancy, leaving the system vulnerable to potential data loss if another drive fails during this period.
5. Network Connectivity: Power management settings can also impact network connectivity, especially if the NAS device enters sleep mode or powers down during periods of inactivity. This can result in temporary unavailability of data until the NAS wakes up or powers on again, causing potential disruptions in accessing files or services.

To minimize the impact of power management settings on data availability and potential loss, it's essential to strike a balance between power-saving measures and ensuring quick and reliable access to data. Regular backups, proper shutdown procedures, appropriate RAID configurations, and understanding the operational needs of the NAS can help mitigate any risks associated with power management settings.

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

Although the NAS T9-423 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 T9-423. 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

T9-423 has 9 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 50;
• RAID 60;
• 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 T9-423 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