
- Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
- Key Information About the NAS Thecus N4800Eco
- 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 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.
How can a NAS Thecus N4800Eco device's power management settings impact data availability and potential loss?
The power management settings of a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device can have an impact on data availability and potential loss in the following ways:
- Sleep Mode: NAS devices often have a sleep mode feature that allows them to enter a low-power state when not in use. While this can save energy, it can also cause delays when accessing data. If the NAS takes too long to wake up from sleep mode, it can result in slower response times and reduced data availability.
- Drive Spin Down: Some NAS devices offer the option to spin down hard drives when they are idle for a certain period. While this saves power and reduces wear on the drives, it can cause a delay when accessing data as the drives need to spin up again. If the spin-up time is significant, it can impact data availability and user experience.
- Scheduled Power On/Off: NAS devices may have the ability to schedule automatic power on/off cycles. While this can save power during periods of inactivity, it can also lead to data unavailability if the NAS is turned off during critical times. If the NAS is not powered on when needed, users may not be able to access their data, resulting in potential loss.
- Power Interruptions: In regions with unstable power supply, sudden power outages or fluctuations can occur. If the NAS device does not have proper power management features like surge protection or battery backup, it can result in data loss or corruption. Power interruptions during read/write operations can lead to incomplete data transfers or file system errors.
To mitigate the impact of power management settings on data availability and potential loss, it is important to carefully configure and balance power-saving features with the requirements of data accessibility. Regular backups should also be maintained to minimize the risk of data loss in case of power-related issues.
How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
Although the NAS N4800Eco 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 Thecus N4800Eco. 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 Thecus
N4800Eco has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- RAID 5;
- RAID 6;
- RAID 10;
- 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:
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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 Thecus N4800Eco 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 |


If the storage disks of a Thecus N4800Eco NAS device have been accidentally overwritten or reformatted, it may still be possible to recover data from them. However, the success of the recovery process depends on several factors, such as the extent of the overwrite or reformat, the type of file system used, and the actions taken after the data loss occurred.
Here are a few steps you can take to attempt data recovery:
Remember, data recovery from overwritten or reformatted disks is not guaranteed, and the success rate depends on various factors. It is always recommended to regularly backup your important data to avoid such situations in the future.