Avoiding Data Loss on NAS WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 and Recovering Deleted Files: Ultimate Guide

Set up RAID on ⭐ NAS to prevent data loss and recover deleted files from backup copies.

Avoiding Data Loss on NAS WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 and Recovering Deleted Files: Ultimate Guide

WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 NAS Data Recovery in 2024

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from My Cloud Mirror Gen2.

Avoiding Data Loss on NAS WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 and Recovering Deleted Files: Ultimate Guide

RAID Recovery™ 2.6
Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.
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Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?

Conventional hard disks keep user’s data by writing it to their surface in a consecutive way, and this is how an entire file is stored on a single hard disk. However, when data is written to a RAID system, a file is divided into several parts. Then these parts are written consecutively to all hard disks within such array. The size of such parts may range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so each file is stored on several hard disks at the same time.

Such approach helps to speed up read and write operations, and it is evident that saving two parts of a file having the size of 1 GB to two hard disks simultaneously is much faster than saving the same 1 GB of data to one hard disk. However, this peculiarity makes file recovery more complicated.

Various RAID levels store information in different ways. Additionally, manufacturers like WD also introduce some modifications to this process, and that is why data can be written to hard disk in a wide variety of ways.

What is a NAS WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 (Network Attached Storage) device?

The WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 is a network attached storage (NAS) device manufactured by Western Digital. It is designed to provide a centralized storage solution for homes and small businesses, allowing users to store, access, and share their digital content across multiple devices and platforms.

The device comes with two hard drive bays, allowing for data redundancy through RAID 1 configuration. This means that data is automatically mirrored onto both drives, ensuring that if one drive fails, the data can still be accessed from the other drive.

The WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 connects to the local network via Ethernet and can be accessed wirelessly by computers, smartphones, and tablets using the My Cloud mobile app or through a web browser. It also supports media streaming to compatible devices, such as smart TVs or gaming consoles, allowing users to enjoy their multimedia content without the need for a dedicated media server.

Overall, the WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 provides a convenient and secure way to store and access digital content, making it an ideal solution for individuals or small businesses that require centralized storage and data protection.

How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?

Although NAS My Cloud Mirror Gen2 can be accessed over the network, you still need to take the hard disks out of the storage device and connect them to a Windows computer. Only in this case will the software be able to scan them properly. Here is what you should do:

  1. Turn off the storage and disconnect it from the power supply.

    WARNING! Before you start taking hard disks out of your NAS device, read the manual carefully. Incorrect actions may damage your network-attached storage and/or the hard disks within the RAID system.

  2. Take the hard disks out of the NAS one by one, carefully removing them from their slots. Remember that the disks are extremely vulnerable: hitting or dropping them may result in serious physical damage.

  3. Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.

  4. Remove the hard disks and connect them to the computer. In this video, we have explored what ports are used to connect hard disks, and what to do if there are not enough ports or connectors.

    Go to view
    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery

Hetman Raid Recovery

This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2. The hard disks that make up the RAID contain technical information about the algorithm used to save files. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery reads this information and puts the damaged array together. Then you can open the disk and save your files. Also, you can recover the files accidentally deleted from the network drive.

Go to view
How to recover data from a WD

How to recover data from a WD

My Cloud Mirror Gen2 has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

  • RAID 0;
  • RAID 1;
  • JBOD;

NAS supports:

  • Ext2;
  • Ext3;
  • Ext4;

Safe recovery from disk images

This utility lets you save an entire copy of the disk to file and then work with this image instead of the actual disk. Such feature helps to protect data on the disk from:

  • Overwriting during the recovery process;
  • Loss resulting from bad sectors;
  • User mistakes.

To create an image, do the following:

  1. Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.

  2. Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu ToolsSave Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.

  3. When the image creation wizard starts, you can choose to save the entire disk or select only a part of it. Specify the parameters and click Next.

    Hetman Raid Recovery: Image Creation Wizard
  4. At this stage, you need to choose a directory where to save the image. Choose any disk connected to this PC, or save the image by FTP.

    Hetman Raid Recovery: hoose any disk connected to this PC, or save the image by FTP

Where are user’s files stored?

The WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 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.

Comparison of software for RAID recovery

Product Operating system License type RAID controller support Supported file systems Virtual RAID controller support Data recovery from damaged RAID File preview
Hetman RAID Recovery Windows Paid Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
DiskInternals RAID Recovery Windows Paid Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ No Yes Yes
R-Studio Windows, Mac, Linux Paid Yes, over 200 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery Windows, Mac, Linux Paid Yes, over 1,000 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
EaseUS Data Recovery Windows Paid Yes, over 20 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ No Yes Yes
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery Windows Free Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes

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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 My Cloud Mirror Gen2, feel free to leave a comment!
  • Uriah Upton
    Uriah Upton 12.09.2023 09:56 #
    Are there any specific techniques used in data recovery from NAS WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 devices with RAID configurations?
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 12.09.2023 11:00 #

      Yes, there are specific techniques used in data recovery from NAS WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 devices with RAID configurations. Here are some common techniques:

      1. Rebuilding RAID Array: If one of the drives in the RAID array fails, you can replace the faulty drive with a new one and rebuild the RAID array. The device will automatically sync the data from the remaining drives to the new drive.
      2. RAID Data Recovery Software: There are specialized data recovery software tools available that can help recover data from RAID configurations. These tools can analyze the RAID metadata and reconstruct the data even if multiple drives have failed.
      3. Professional Data Recovery Services: In cases where the RAID array is severely damaged or multiple drives have failed, it is recommended to seek the help of professional data recovery services. These experts have the necessary tools and expertise to recover data from complex RAID configurations.
      4. Clone the Drives: In some cases, it may be necessary to clone the drives before attempting any data recovery. This ensures that the original drives are preserved and any recovery attempts can be made on the cloned copies, minimizing the risk of further data loss.

      It is important to note that data recovery from RAID configurations can be a complex process, and it is always recommended to have a backup of your important data to avoid any potential loss.

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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

  • How do I access the settings menu on the WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 NAS?

    To access the settings menu on the WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 NAS, follow these steps:

    1. Connect your computer to the same network as the NAS.
    2. Open a web browser on your computer.
    3. In the address bar, type the IP address of your WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 NAS. You can find the IP address by checking your router's connected devices list or using the WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 discovery tool.
    4. Press Enter to load the WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 web interface.
    5. On the login page, enter your username and password. The default username is "admin" and the default password is "admin" or "password." If you have changed these credentials, use the updated ones.
    6. Click on the "Sign In" button.
    7. Once logged in, you will be on the Dashboard. From here, you can access various settings.
    8. To access the settings menu, click on the gear icon located at the top-right corner of the web interface. This will open the settings menu.
    9. In the settings menu, you can configure various options related to your WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 NAS, including network settings, user management, shares, backups, and more.

    Note: The exact layout and options in the settings menu may vary slightly depending on the firmware version of your WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 NAS.

  • What are the available options and configurations within the settings menu of the WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 NAS?

    The settings menu of the WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 NAS offers various options and configurations. Some of the available settings include:

    1. General Settings:
      • Device Name: Allows you to change the name of your NAS device.
      • Language: Lets you choose the language for the user interface.
      • Time: Allows you to set the time and date on the NAS.
      • Firmware Update: Enables you to check for and install firmware updates.
    2. Network Settings:
      • Network Mode: Allows you to choose between DHCP (automatic IP assignment) or Static IP.
      • Port Forwarding: Lets you configure port forwarding for remote access.
      • Cloud Access: Enables or disables remote access to your NAS.
      • Dynamic DNS: Allows you to set up a dynamic DNS service for easy remote access.
    3. Shares:
      • Create New Share: Lets you create new shared folders on your NAS.
      • Edit Share: Allows you to modify the settings of existing shared folders.
      • Quota: Allows you to set storage quotas for specific users or groups.
    4. Users:
      • Add User: Lets you create new user accounts with different access privileges.
      • Edit User: Allows you to modify the settings of existing user accounts.
      • User Groups: Lets you create user groups and assign permissions to them.
    5. Cloud Access:
      • Cloud Access: Enables or disables remote access to your NAS via the My Cloud app or web portal.
      • Cloud Devices: Shows the list of devices connected to your NAS through cloud access.
      • Media Streaming: Allows you to enable or disable media streaming to connected devices.
    6. Backup:
      • USB Backup: Lets you configure automatic backups from USB drives connected to the NAS.
      • Remote Backup: Allows you to set up remote backups to another My Cloud device or a remote server.
      • Safepoints: Lets you create and manage safepoints for backing up the entire NAS.
    7. Storage:
      • RAID: Allows you to configure the RAID level (RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD) for your drives.
      • Disk Status: Shows the status of the drives, including health and available space.
      • Disk Sleep: Lets you configure the sleep timer for the hard drives.

    These are some of the available options and configurations within the settings menu of the WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 NAS. The exact options may vary depending on the firmware version and any additional features or apps installed on the device.

  • Can I customize the network and security settings on the WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 NAS, and if so, how?

    Yes, you can customize the network and security settings on the WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 NAS. Here's how you can do it:

    1. Connect your WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 NAS to your network and power it on.
    2. Open a web browser on your computer and enter the IP address of the NAS in the address bar. The default IP address is usually "http://192.168.1.1" or "http://wdmycloudmirror.local".
    3. You will be prompted to enter the username and password for the NAS. The default username is "admin" and the default password is "admin" or "password". If you have changed these credentials, enter the appropriate ones.
    4. Once logged in, you will be taken to the dashboard of the WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 NAS.
    5. To customize network settings, click on the "Settings" tab or icon. Look for options related to network configuration, such as IP address, DNS settings, DHCP, etc. You can modify these settings according to your requirements.
    6. To customize security settings, look for options like user management, access control, firewall settings, etc. These settings allow you to control user access, set up permissions, and configure security features.
    7. Make the necessary changes to the network and security settings, and click on "Apply" or "Save" to save the changes.
    8. It is recommended to consult the user manual or documentation provided by WD for detailed instructions on customizing specific settings on your specific model of the WD My Cloud Mirror Gen2 NAS.

    Note: Modifying network and security settings can have an impact on the functionality and accessibility of the NAS. It is important to understand the implications of the changes you make and ensure that you have proper knowledge and understanding of network and security configurations.

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