- Why can’t ordinary software tools restore files from RAID?
- How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
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.
How can user training or education help in minimizing data loss incidents on NAS WD My Cloud PR4100 devices?
User training or education can help in minimizing data loss incidents on NAS WD My Cloud PR4100 devices in the following ways:
- Understanding device functionality: Proper training can help users understand how the device works, its features, and limitations. This knowledge can prevent accidental data loss due to incorrect usage or misconfiguration.
- Backup best practices: Educating users about the importance of regular backups and implementing proper backup strategies can minimize the impact of data loss incidents. Users should be trained on how to set up automatic backups, schedule regular backups, and verify the integrity of backup data.
- Security awareness: Users should be educated about the importance of strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and following security best practices. This can prevent unauthorized access to the device and reduce the risk of data loss due to security breaches.
- Firmware updates and patches: Users should be trained on the importance of keeping the device's firmware up to date. Regular updates and patches often include security fixes and bug resolutions that can reduce the chances of data loss incidents.
- Data recovery procedures: Users should be educated on the steps to follow in case of data loss incidents. This may include understanding how to use data recovery software, contacting professional data recovery services, or restoring data from backups.
- Network security: Users should be trained on network security practices, such as securing Wi-Fi networks, avoiding suspicious links or downloads, and being cautious about phishing attempts. This can prevent unauthorized access to the NAS device and protect data from being compromised.
- Regular maintenance and monitoring: Users should be educated on the importance of regular device maintenance, such as monitoring disk health, checking for errors, and performing routine maintenance tasks. This can help identify potential issues early on and prevent data loss incidents.
Overall, user training and education can empower users to make informed decisions, follow best practices, and take necessary precautions to minimize data loss incidents on NAS WD My Cloud PR4100 devices.
How to take hard disks out of the NAS and connect them to a PC?
Although NAS My Cloud PR4100 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:
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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.
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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.
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Make sure to mark each hard disk in accordance with how they were installed inside the NAS.
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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.
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Restoring data with Hetman RAID Recovery
This program recovers data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with WD My Cloud PR4100. 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.
My Cloud PR4100 has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:
- RAID 0;
- RAID 1;
- RAID 5;
- RAID 6;
- RAID 10;
- 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:
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Make sure that you have enough free space to save the image. The image file size usually equals the disk size.
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Select the disk in the main window, and choose from the menu Tools – Save Disk. You can select multiple disks to be saved.
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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.
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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.
Where are user’s files stored?
The WD My Cloud PR4100 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 |
Yes, there are several error codes or messages that may indicate the need for data recovery from a WD My Cloud PR4100 NAS device. Some of the common ones include:
If you encounter any of these error codes or messages, it is recommended to immediately stop using the NAS and seek professional data recovery services to minimize the risk of further data loss.