What to Do When Your NAS Thecus M3800 RAID Array Breaks: Recovery Techniques

Has your NAS Thecus M3800 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?

What to Do When Your NAS Thecus M3800 RAID Array Breaks: Recovery Techniques

Thecus M3800 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 M3800. We’ll walk through the most common causes of failure and demonstrate proven methods to restore files from a lost or degraded RAID array.

What to Do When Your NAS Thecus M3800 RAID Array Breaks: Recovery Techniques

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 Thecus 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 the use of specific data synchronization or replication mechanisms mitigate data loss risks for NAS Thecus M3800 devices?

Yes, the use of specific data synchronization or replication mechanisms can help mitigate data loss risks for NAS Thecus M3800 devices. These mechanisms ensure that data is consistently and accurately replicated or synchronized between multiple devices or locations, reducing the chances of data loss.

Some common mechanisms that can be used include:

  1. RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks): RAID technology combines multiple physical disks into a single logical unit, providing redundancy and fault tolerance. This helps protect against data loss in case of disk failures.
  2. Snapshot Technology: Snapshot technology captures the state of data at a specific point in time. It allows you to revert to a previous snapshot if data is accidentally deleted or becomes corrupted.
  3. Backup and Restore: Regularly backing up data to an external storage device or cloud service ensures that a copy of important data is always available. In case of data loss, you can restore the data from the backup.
  4. Remote Replication: Remote replication involves replicating data from one NAS device to another located in a different physical location. This provides an additional layer of protection against data loss due to disasters or physical damage to the primary device.
  5. Continuous Data Protection (CDP): CDP continuously captures and stores every change made to data, allowing you to restore to any point in time. This minimizes the risk of data loss as you can recover data from any previous state.

By implementing these mechanisms, you can significantly reduce the risk of data loss on NAS Thecus M3800 devices. It is important to regularly monitor and test the synchronization or replication processes to ensure their effectiveness.

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

Although the NAS M3800 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 Thecus M3800. 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 Thecus

How to recover data from a Thecus

M3800 has 3 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

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

NAS supports:

  • EXT3;
  • EXT4;
  • XFS;

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 Thecus M3800 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

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We will be happy to answer your questions!

Comments (3)

  • 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 M3800, feel free to leave a comment!
  • Reuben Duke
    Reuben Duke 14.09.2023 18:43 #
    Can data recovery from a NAS Thecus M3800 device be done if the device is not responding or freezing frequently?
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 14.09.2023 20:00 #

      Yes, data recovery from a NAS device like Thecus M3800 can still be possible even if the device is not responding or freezing frequently. Here are a few steps you can try:

      1. Check the network connection: Ensure that the NAS device is properly connected to the network and that there are no issues with the network itself.
      2. Restart the device: Try restarting the NAS device to see if it resolves the issue. Sometimes, a simple reboot can fix temporary freezes or unresponsiveness.
      3. Access the device through alternative methods: If the device is not responding through the usual web interface, try accessing it through other methods such as SSH (Secure Shell) or FTP (File Transfer Protocol). These alternative methods may provide access to the data even if the web interface is unresponsive.
      4. Connect the hard drives to a computer: If the NAS device is still not responding, you can remove the hard drives from the device and connect them to a computer directly. This can be done by using an external hard drive enclosure or connecting the drives internally to a desktop computer. Once connected, you can attempt to recover the data using data recovery software.
      5. Seek professional help: If the above steps do not work or if you are not comfortable performing the data recovery yourself, it is recommended to contact a professional data recovery service. They have specialized tools and expertise to recover data from malfunctioning NAS devices.

      Remember, it is important to avoid further use of the NAS device once you encounter issues as it may lead to further data loss or damage.

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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 necessary steps to set up remote access to files on the NAS Thecus M3800 from a remote location?

    To set up remote access to files on the Thecus M3800 NAS from a remote location, follow these necessary steps:

    1. Connect the NAS to your local network: Ensure that the Thecus M3800 NAS is connected to your local network via an Ethernet cable and powered on.
    2. Configure network settings: Access the NAS administration interface by entering its IP address in a web browser. Go to the network settings section and configure the necessary network settings, such as obtaining an IP address automatically or setting a static IP.
    3. Set up port forwarding: Access your router's administration interface and configure port forwarding for the NAS. Open the required ports (e.g., TCP port 80 for HTTP or TCP port 443 for HTTPS) and forward them to the NAS's IP address.
    4. Enable remote access: In the NAS administration interface, enable remote access or remote login functionality. This setting may be found in the network or remote access section of the NAS settings.
    5. Configure dynamic DNS (DDNS): If your internet service provider assigns you a dynamic IP address, consider setting up a DDNS service. This allows you to access your NAS using a domain name instead of the changing IP address. Many NAS devices, including Thecus, support popular DDNS services like DynDNS or No-IP.
    6. Set up VPN (optional): For enhanced security, consider setting up a virtual private network (VPN) on your NAS. A VPN allows you to securely access your NAS files over the internet by creating an encrypted tunnel between your remote device and the NAS.
    7. Configure user accounts and permissions: Create user accounts on the NAS and set up appropriate permissions for remote access. Define which folders or files each user can access remotely.
    8. Install and configure remote access software: Install the necessary remote access software on your remote device, such as Thecus Connect or FTP/SFTP client software. Configure the software with the NAS's IP address or domain name and the appropriate login credentials.
    9. Test remote access: After completing the above steps, test remote access by connecting to the NAS from a remote location using the configured software. Verify that you can access and manage your files on the Thecus M3800 NAS.

    Note: The specific steps and options may vary slightly depending on the firmware version of the Thecus M3800 NAS and your network setup. It's recommended to refer to the NAS's user manual or consult Thecus support for detailed instructions.

  • Which protocols or methods can be used to securely access files on the NAS Thecus M3800 from a remote location?

    There are several protocols and methods that can be used to securely access files on the NAS Thecus M3800 from a remote location:

    1. Virtual Private Network (VPN): Setting up a VPN connection allows you to access the NAS securely by creating a secure and encrypted tunnel between your device and the NAS.
    2. Secure FTP (SFTP): SFTP is a secure file transfer protocol that uses SSH to provide secure file access and transfer. It encrypts the data during transmission, ensuring secure remote access to files on the NAS.
    3. Secure Shell (SSH): SSH allows secure remote login and file transfer. By enabling SSH on the NAS, you can use SSH clients to securely access and transfer files.
    4. WebDAV: WebDAV (Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning) is a protocol that allows remote file management over the internet. It can provide secure access to files on the NAS using HTTPS encryption.
    5. Remote Access Services: Some NAS devices, including Thecus M3800, offer remote access services that allow secure access to files through a web interface or dedicated mobile apps. These services often utilize secure connections and authentication mechanisms to ensure data security.

    Note: It is important to ensure that proper security measures are in place, such as strong passwords, firewall configurations, and keeping the NAS firmware up to date, to enhance the overall security of remote file access.

  • Are there any specific network or firewall configurations required to access files on the NAS Thecus M3800 remotely?

    To access files on Thecus M3800 NAS remotely, you may need to configure your network and firewall settings accordingly. Here are some steps you can follow:

    1. Port Forwarding: Set up port forwarding on your router to allow incoming connections to the NAS. By default, Thecus M3800 uses port 80 for HTTP and port 443 for HTTPS. You may need to forward these ports to the internal IP address of the NAS.
    2. Dynamic DNS: If your ISP assigns you a dynamic IP address, consider setting up Dynamic DNS (DDNS) on your router or NAS. DDNS allows you to access your NAS using a hostname instead of the changing IP address.
    3. Firewall Configuration: Ensure that your firewall allows incoming connections on the necessary ports (e.g., port 80 and 443). You may need to create specific rules to allow traffic to the NAS.
    4. VPN: Consider setting up a Virtual Private Network (VPN) on your router or NAS. VPN provides a secure and encrypted connection to access your NAS remotely. This can be an additional layer of security.
    5. HTTPS/SSL: Enable HTTPS/SSL on your NAS to secure the remote connection. This will encrypt the data transmitted between your device and the NAS.
    6. User Access Control: Configure user access control on the NAS to ensure that only authorized users can access the files remotely. Set up usernames, passwords, and permissions for each user.

    It's important to consult the user manual or documentation provided by Thecus for specific instructions on configuring remote access for the M3800 NAS, as the steps may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and specific settings of your device.