Steps to Extract Data from a RAID Disk if NAS TerraMaster U12-322-9100 is Not Starting

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS TerraMaster U12-322-9100
• 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 the NAS TerraMaster U12-322-9100 device's CPU or processing power affect data transfer and potential loss?

The NAS TerraMaster U12-322-9100 device's CPU or processing power can affect data transfer and potential loss in the following ways:

1. Data transfer speed: The CPU's processing power determines how quickly the device can process and transfer data. A more powerful CPU can handle data transfer tasks more efficiently, resulting in faster transfer speeds. Conversely, a slower CPU may bottleneck the data transfer process, leading to slower speeds.
2. Data integrity: During data transfer, the CPU is responsible for tasks like data encryption, compression, and error correction. A powerful CPU can perform these tasks effectively, ensuring data integrity during the transfer process. In contrast, a weaker CPU may struggle to handle these tasks, increasing the chances of data corruption or loss.
3. Network performance: The CPU's processing power also affects the device's ability to handle network traffic and manage multiple simultaneous connections. A powerful CPU can efficiently handle network requests, resulting in smoother data transfer and reduced potential for loss. A weaker CPU may struggle to manage network traffic, leading to slower transfer speeds and increased chances of data loss.
4. RAID performance: The NAS TerraMaster U12-322-9100 device supports various RAID configurations for data redundancy and protection. The CPU's processing power plays a crucial role in RAID performance, including tasks like data parity calculations and RAID rebuilds. A more powerful CPU can handle these tasks quickly and efficiently, reducing the time and potential for data loss during RAID operations.

In summary, the CPU or processing power of the NAS TerraMaster U12-322-9100 device directly impacts data transfer speed, data integrity, network performance, and RAID operations. A more powerful CPU enhances these aspects, reducing the potential for data loss during transfers.

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

Although the NAS U12-322-9100 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 U12-322-9100. 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

U12-322-9100 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:

• 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 U12-322-9100 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