When a Network Attached Storage system (NAS) fails then there may well be many years of stored files, backups, photos etc. lost. However, very often the data is still recoverable. It is simply that the array needs rebuilding properly, off the box. This can happen because either of the hard drives fail before the NAS has had enough redundancy to cope with their loss. We recover data from all NAS systems including but not limited to: Synology, QNAP, WD My Cloud, NETGEAR and others from across Belfast and Northern Ireland, in-house.
Following a NAS failure it is natural to want to ‘fix’ it. However, when you try to ‘rebuild’, ‘reset’ or insert a disk into a Windows PC to ‘check’ it, you risk destroying recoverable data. Rebuilding onto a failing disk or Windows attempting to format/reinitialise a NAS disk is probably the most common reason why people lose data permanently. Do not attempt to rebuild onto a failing disk or allow Windows to offer to initialise a NAS disk. Simply switch off the NAS, and ensure no changes are made to the disks. Also ensure you make note of how each disk is connected i.e. which bays it is in.
NAS failure is a spectrum of possibilities; it may be as simple as one box being dead to an entire broken array or just a bad rebuild. Most of what we do here is recovery from these types of problems.
We will recover all NAS brands on all RAID levels and file systems used by them.
All other models of NAS as well: Synology, QNAP, WD My Cloud, NETGEAR, Buffalo, Asustor, TerraMaster etc., using SHR, Btrfs, ext4, JBOD and RAID 1, 5, 6 and 10 (mdadm & LVM) and various others, from small 2 bay units to large multibay arrays.
Really NAS recovery is just RAID recovery with an additional file system layer. We read each individual disk separately; figure out how your real RAID array looks; and rebuild it in virtual form prior to recovering your data. Nothing we do is EVER written back to your original disks.
After you provide us with your disks, we run diagnostics to see how healthy each disk is; identify the RAID level/file system; determine which part of the RAID failed first/what failed next; and create a written quote for you.
If any disk fails, we will either repair or image that disk first, regardless of whether it be a head failure, a board failure or a firmware issue, so that during the time when we are working on recovering your data, none of those disks have been put through any type of stress.
Once each of your disks has been copied (as a read-only image) all further work will be completed using the copy as opposed to your originals. Thus your original disks will remain unchanged in their configuration.
The virtual reconstruction of the RAID (which could have been SHR, Btrfs, ext4, etc., at whatever RAID level) along with the identification of the correct disk sequence and block/parity information from the images, allows us to create a new virtual disk that accurately represents your disks prior to failure.
Using this new virtual disk we repair the file system and retrieve your shares, folders and files. These items will be organised and named.
Prior to returning any recovered data to you we check to ensure the recovered data can open and function correctly. We will also allow you to review the results of our recovery efforts prior to transferring the data.
The recovered data will be provided to you either through a new, fresh drive (which will be equal to the amount of data recovered), or via secure transfer method, depending upon how best suited for you.
We can restore NAS systems made by any manufacturer, such as Synology or QNAP, including a NAS system that has been hit with ransomware, is no longer accessible, is missing information from an SHR rebuild failure, or is completely down (dead). This includes restoring the data stored on your NAS system from image copies of your hard disk drives. These are always non-destructive reads, and will not physically damage any part of the original disk.
Give us some information regarding what happened to cause this issue, and an engineer will contact you. Usually within a single business day.
We will get back to you soon. If it is urgent, call 028 9002 0144.
The initial step is a no-cost diagnostic service. Once this process is complete, we send you a fixed price quote. Pricing for NAS restoration typically begins at £500 + VAT. Our prices for recovering NAS data cover all types of arrays, including two-bay mirrored systems through multi-bay RAID configurations. Larger multi-bay RAID configurations require individual pricing quotes based on each project's specific needs. However, in most cases you only pay if we recover your data. When hard drives require physical repairs, a 50% deposit may be requested to allow us to purchase replacement parts and to compensate for the cost of labour during the repair phase. The remaining 50% is due only after successful recovery of your lost data.
Representative examples of various NAS devices we have recovered with different types of failures. Configuration and results are represented as well, but customer information remains confidential.
The two disks fell out and then the Btrfs filesystem was dismounted. So we made an image of each of the six disks; created a virtual SHR-2 array from those images; and were able to recover the shares completely.
Rebuilding RAID 6 onto one of the weaker disks failed. We made an image of the good disks; rebuilt the RAID 6 from these images; and were able to recover the data.
Both disks were damaged, one mechanically and the other with bad sectors. We restored and imaged each, then rebuilt the mirror and got back their files.
The update destroyed the boot functionality on this box, but did leave the disks intact. We imaged them, built the RAID 5 off the box and retrieved everything.
The box was dead, however both mirrored disks were good. We extracted them, built the RAID 1 from the two and recovered the household's data.
A new pool had been created, yet some of the previous data remained under it. We restored the original SHR format, and recovered most of their files.
Send or drop off your item for a free diagnostic check with a description of the issue. One of our engineers will review the item, then provide you a written quote prior to doing any repairs.
Get a quote for work on your NAS through the form, or by calling us, before you post or drop it off. Step one is getting those disks to our Belfast bench. If possible, take the disks out of your NAS (labelled in bay order); if that isn’t an option, send your NAS with them still inside. Be sure to wrap everything and include your contact information so we know who to contact once we receive your items, then send them to us by post. The diagnostics are free of charge, and when we complete your diagnostic, we will give you a written quotation prior to touching any sectors.
Sending it? The use of a tracked, insured delivery method would be recommended. Alternatively, dropping it off can also be done Monday to Friday, 9am–5:30pm; no prior booking required but do ensure that all items are packed accordingly.
Still waiting to send something? Please complete the form describing the failure/fault in your own words and one of our engineers will get back to you with a quotation based upon your individual circumstances.
We will get back to you soon. If it is urgent, call 028 9002 0144.
We receive many enquiries regarding NAS recovery.
Usually not. If you see “Volume Crashed” on your NAS screen, it generally doesn’t mean your files are lost. In the event that the NAS displays “Volume Crashed”, it indicates that either your NAS array’s metadata (or) your Btrfs file system has been compromised. We will image every disk in your NAS, rebuild your SHR or RAID array off the box, and repair your file system so you may access your data. Do NOT allow your NAS to repair/restore/recreate the volume before sending us your data.
Yes, and most times this is a relatively easy process. Most of the time when a box fails, the individual disks within are still intact. Since we read each disk individually outside of your NAS, we are able to rebuild your array and provide you with your data without needing to repair your failed unit.
Don't do it. NAS disks contain Linux-based file systems & RAID formats that Windows cannot access. As such, Windows will prompt you to initialise/format those disks; if you click "yes" this could result in an unrepairable loss of the disk array. In addition, with multi-disk NAS solutions, no one disk contains a full copy of the data. Send all disks as they were found.
Yes, please. We want ALL of them, in the same order that they are configured if possible. This is because each disk in a RAID configuration contains pieces of the same information (data), therefore we require all of the drives to restore/rebuild the data. Unless we have specifically requested otherwise, you do NOT normally have to send us the entire NAS unit.
The cost for recovering data from a NAS system depends upon how many bays are in the mirror/RAID configuration. A two-bay mirror configuration and a three-disk RAID 5 configuration will both start at £500 + VAT. Larger configurations will be priced based upon the number of disks and size of the RAID, and will also be quoted on an individual basis once the free diagnostic has been completed. In most cases, you would only pay if we recover your data. If one or more disks are damaged enough to require physical repair, a deposit covering the cost of replacement parts and/or bench time may be required prior to commencing repairs, but the balance will only be charged should we successfully recover your data.
Yes, on most jobs you would only pay if we recover your data. However, there are some exceptions. For example, when repairing damaged disks individually a deposit may be taken to cover the cost of new parts and labour. Should we fail to recover your data then the balance would not be charged. Prior to starting work on any job, we clearly identify whether or not a deposit will apply.
Virtually all of them: Synology, QNAP, WD My Cloud, NETGEAR, Buffalo, Asustor, TerraMaster, etc. as well as using virtually every file system (SHR, Btrfs, ext4) as well as every RAID configuration type (two-bay through to large multi-bay configurations).
We can try, within reasonable limits. We often find that we can recover your backup(s), snapshot(s), and any other files that were unaffected by the ransomware attack. Regardless, we will always search for these files first. Unfortunately however, if the ransomware attack has actually encrypted specific files, it's unlikely that we will ever be able to decrypt those files without access to the encryption key. Further, we would never recommend paying the ransom demanded.
Yes, NAS rebuilds are one of our most common tasks. Even though a rebuild might have failed or damaged the array, we can often still recover the files because we first create an exact copy of all disks when they arrive at our facility. Afterwards, we build the array back together, using the good parts of the damaged rebuild.
NAS recovery takes typically 5 to 10 working days, which depends on how many disks there are, their sizes and if some require us to physically repair them. Usually, diagnosis will finish in 48 hours; also, most businesses with urgent case requirements can be given priority.
Disks may either be brought into Cromac Square (Monday to Friday from 9am to 5:30pm) or sent via insured courier. Please ensure that you label each disk with its corresponding bay number, that no two disks can be touching while in transit and include your contact information. Upon receipt, we will enter this as a new item for review, complete the complimentary diagnostic test and provide you with written pricing.
All those that arrive in our office in Northern Ireland: Synology DiskStation, QNAP, Buffalo LinkStation and TeraStation, Netgear ReadyNAS, WD My Cloud, D-Link ShareCenter, LaCie and Iomega etc. While what badge the device has is somewhat important, what ultimately matters is what operating system is under the hood: most are Linux RAID (mdadm/LVM) or a modified version provided by the vendor and each individual disk in the array will be copied prior to any logic associated with the array being manipulated.
Complimentary diagnostics, fixed written pricing from £500 + VAT, and in most cases you only pay if we recover your data. Every type of NAS we've ever seen is supported in house at our location in Belfast. Don't rebuild or reset. Just turn off your NAS and ship us the disks.