Practical Steps for Accessing Files on a RAID Disk Without an Accessible NAS Uniview DE1824-V2

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Uniview DE1824-V2
• 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 Uniview 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.

Are there any recommended steps to take after detecting or suspecting data loss on a NAS Uniview DE1824-V2 device?

If you suspect or detect data loss on a NAS Uniview DE1824-V2 device, here are some recommended steps to take:

1. Verify the issue: Ensure that the data loss is indeed occurring and not due to any temporary or network-related problems. Check if other devices can access the data on the NAS, and try accessing the data from different devices or network connections.
2. Isolate the NAS: If possible, disconnect the NAS from the network to prevent any further data loss or potential overwriting of data.
3. Contact technical support: Reach out to the technical support team of Uniview or the manufacturer of the NAS device for assistance. They may be able to guide you through troubleshooting steps or provide specific instructions based on your situation.
4. Check hardware and connections: Inspect the NAS device for any physical damage or loose connections. Ensure that all cables are properly connected and there are no signs of hardware failure.
5. Check for backups: If you have a backup solution in place, verify if you can restore the lost data from the backup. This is why regular backups are crucial for data protection.
6. Run data recovery software: If you don't have a backup, you may consider using data recovery software specifically designed for NAS devices. These tools can help recover lost or deleted files from the NAS storage.
7. Seek professional data recovery services: If the data loss is critical or you are unable to recover the data with software tools, you might need to consult professional data recovery services. They have specialized equipment and expertise to recover data from faulty or damaged storage devices.
8. Prevent future data loss: Once you have resolved the data loss issue, take appropriate steps to prevent it from happening again. This includes implementing regular backups, ensuring the NAS device is properly maintained, and following best practices for data storage and security.

Remember, it is essential to consult with technical support or professionals who specialize in data recovery for your specific NAS device to ensure you take the most appropriate steps for your situation.

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

Although the NAS DE1824-V2 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 Uniview DE1824-V2. 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 Uniview

DE1824-V2 has 24 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

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

NAS supports:

• exFAT, VFAT, FAT 12 / 16 / 32;
• NTFS / ReFS;
• APFS / HFS+;
• Ext2 / 3 / 4 / ReiserFS / XFS / UFS / ZFS / Btrfs;
• VMFS / HikvisionFS;

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 Uniview DE1824-V2 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