RAID Array Recovery on NAS Thecus N8800: What to Do When It Breaks Down

Has your NAS Thecus N8800 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?

RAID Array Recovery on NAS Thecus N8800: What to Do When It Breaks Down

Thecus N8800 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 N8800. We’ll walk through the most common causes of failure and demonstrate proven methods to restore files from a lost or degraded RAID array.

RAID Array Recovery on NAS Thecus N8800: What to Do When It Breaks Down

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 inadequate cooling or high ambient temperatures impact data loss risks for NAS Thecus N8800 devices?

Yes, inadequate cooling or high ambient temperatures can impact data loss risks for NAS Thecus N8800 devices. NAS devices generate heat during operation, and if they are not adequately cooled, the internal components can overheat, leading to potential hardware failures and data loss. High ambient temperatures can exacerbate this problem by increasing the overall temperature inside the NAS enclosure.

When the internal temperature of a NAS device rises, it can cause the hard drives to operate at higher temperatures as well. Excessive heat can reduce the lifespan of hard drives and increase the likelihood of data corruption or complete drive failure. Additionally, high temperatures can also affect other components of the NAS, such as the power supply or motherboard, increasing the risk of system instability and potential data loss.

To mitigate these risks, it is important to ensure proper cooling for NAS devices. This can be done by placing the NAS in a well-ventilated area, using fans or additional cooling solutions, and regularly cleaning the dust or debris that may accumulate on the device's cooling components. Additionally, monitoring the temperature of the NAS and taking appropriate actions, such as shutting down or reducing system load during periods of high ambient temperatures, can help prevent overheating and potential data loss.

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

Although the NAS N8800 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 N8800. 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

N8800 has 8 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

  • RAID 0;
  • RAID 1;
  • RAID 5;
  • RAID 6;
  • RAID 50;
  • RAID 60;
  • 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:

  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 N8800 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 N8800, feel free to leave a comment!
  • Hudson Beale
    Hudson Beale 14.09.2023 14:47 #
    Can data recovery from a NAS Thecus N8800 device be done if the storage disks have bad sectors?
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 14.09.2023 15:00 #

      Yes, data recovery from a NAS Thecus N8800 device can be done even if the storage disks have bad sectors. However, the process may be more complex and time-consuming compared to recovering data from disks without bad sectors.

      In such cases, it is recommended to seek the assistance of professional data recovery services. These experts have specialized tools and techniques to recover data from disks with bad sectors. They can often repair or bypass the damaged areas of the disk to retrieve the data.

      It is important to note that attempting DIY data recovery on disks with bad sectors can potentially cause further damage and make the recovery process more difficult or even impossible.

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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 different file access levels available on the Thecus N8800 NAS system?

    The Thecus N8800 NAS system offers the following file access levels:

    1. Administrator: The highest level of access with full control over all system settings, including creating and managing user accounts, shared folders, and permissions.
    2. User: Standard user level with access to shared folders and files based on the permissions granted by the administrator. Users can create, modify, and delete files within their assigned folders.
    3. Guest: Limited access level that allows read-only access to shared folders and files. Guests cannot make any changes or modifications.
    4. Public: A special access level that allows unrestricted access to specific shared folders and files. Public folders are accessible to all users without the need for authentication.
    5. Group: Users can be assigned to specific groups, and group-level access can be configured for shared folders and files. This allows for easier management of permissions by assigning access to entire groups rather than individual users.

    These access levels can be customized and combined to create more granular access controls based on specific user requirements.

  • How can the file access levels be configured and managed on the Thecus N8800 NAS?

    The file access levels on Thecus N8800 NAS can be configured and managed through the following steps:

    1. Log in to the Thecus NAS web interface using the admin credentials.
    2. Once logged in, navigate to the "Access Rights Management" section.
    3. In the "Access Rights Management" section, you will find options to manage different aspects of file access, such as users, groups, and shared folders.
    4. To configure user access levels, go to the "User" tab and click on "Add" to create a new user or select an existing user to modify their access level.
    5. In the user settings, you can assign specific folders and set their access permissions (read, write, execute) for each folder.
    6. To configure group access levels, go to the "Group" tab and click on "Add" to create a new group or select an existing group to modify their access level.
    7. In the group settings, you can assign specific folders and set their access permissions for each folder. You can also add users to the group.
    8. To configure shared folder access levels, go to the "Shared Folder" tab and click on "Add" to create a new shared folder or select an existing shared folder to modify its access level.
    9. In the shared folder settings, you can set the access permissions for different users and groups. You can choose read-only, read/write, or no access for each user or group.
    10. After configuring the access levels, click on "Apply" or "Save" to save the changes.

    By following these steps, you can configure and manage file access levels on the Thecus N8800 NAS.

  • What are the security implications and considerations when setting file access levels on the Thecus N8800 NAS?

    When setting file access levels on Thecus N8800 NAS, there are several security implications and considerations to keep in mind:

    1. User Authentication: Ensure that strong passwords are used for user accounts and enforce regular password changes. This helps prevent unauthorized access to the NAS.
    2. User Permissions: Assign appropriate access levels to users based on their roles and responsibilities. Only grant necessary permissions to prevent unauthorized users from accessing sensitive files.
    3. Group Permissions: Utilize group permissions to simplify user management and ensure consistent access levels for users with similar roles or responsibilities.
    4. Access Control Lists (ACLs): Use ACLs to define fine-grained permissions for individual files and folders. This allows for more granular control over access rights.
    5. Guest Access: Disable guest access if it is not required. Guest accounts often have limited or no authentication, making them potential security risks.
    6. Encryption: Enable encryption for sensitive files and folders. This ensures that even if the NAS is compromised, the data remains protected.
    7. Firewall and Network Segmentation: Configure the NAS to operate behind a firewall and separate it from the public internet. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access from external sources.
    8. Regular Firmware Updates: Keep the NAS firmware up to date to address any security vulnerabilities that may be discovered over time.
    9. Backup and Disaster Recovery: Implement regular backups of critical data stored on the NAS to mitigate the risk of data loss due to hardware failure, accidental deletion, or ransomware attacks.
    10. Physical Security: Protect the NAS physically by placing it in a secure location. Limit physical access to authorized personnel only.
    11. Logging and Monitoring: Enable logging and monitoring features on the NAS to track access attempts, detect any suspicious activities, and respond promptly to potential security incidents.

    By considering these security implications and implementing appropriate measures, the file access levels on Thecus N8800 NAS can be set in a way that ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the stored data.