How to Avoid Losing Data on NAS WD My Cloud PR4100 and Recover Deleted Files

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS WD My Cloud PR4100
• 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 WD 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 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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 Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS My Cloud PR4100 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 WD My Cloud PR4100. 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 WD

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;

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 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.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison