A client contacted Belfast Data Recovery after their Dell PowerEdge 2600 RAID 5 array failed following an attempt to attach an external bootable hard drive. The reported issues included:
- The RAID 5 array (three drives) became inaccessible after connecting an external bootable hard drive.
- The server would not boot, showing no operating system or RAID configuration detected.
- Device Manager recognised the system but showed only an empty file, with no folders or data.
- BIOS settings were modified in an attempt to restore access, but the server still would not boot.
- No backup was available, making RAID data recovery the only option.
Since RAID 5 relies on parity to reconstruct data, sudden configuration changes (like adding an external boot drive) can cause RAID metadata corruption, leading to data loss or an unbootable system.
Our Expertise in Dell PowerEdge RAID 5 Recovery
With 25 years of experience, Belfast Data Recovery specializes in:
✔ Recovering data from RAID 5 arrays that have become unbootable due to configuration errors
✔ Rebuilding and repairing RAID metadata to restore missing files
✔ Forensic RAID recovery using Acelabs PC3000, RapidSpar, DFL-SRP, DeepSpar imaging, and Atola Insight Forensic tools
Diagnosis & Recovery Process
Upon receiving the Dell PowerEdge 2600 RAID 5 drives, our engineers conducted a detailed forensic assessment. The key findings included:
- RAID metadata had been modified, likely due to the system detecting a new boot order when the external drive was connected.
- The RAID controller had lost its configuration, causing the array to be misinterpreted as empty.
- The individual hard drives were intact, meaning data recovery was possible.
To successfully recover the client’s lost RAID 5 data, we implemented a multi-step forensic RAID recovery strategy:
Step 1: Drive Cloning & Data Preservation
- Used DeepSpar Disk Imager to create sector-by-sector forensic clones of all RAID drives.
- Applied adaptive read techniques to recover data from sectors affected by logical corruption.
Step 2: RAID 5 Reconstruction & Metadata Repair
- Identified the original RAID 5 parameters (stripe size, disk order, and parity rotation) using Acelabs PC3000 RAID Edition.
- Manually recreated the RAID 5 array without using the server’s RAID controller to avoid further data loss.
Step 3: File System Repair & Data Extraction
- Repaired damaged NTFS file system structures to restore missing directories.
- Extracted and validated all stored files, computer backups, and system logs.
Step 4: Secure Data Transfer & RAID Recovery Assistance
- Conducted final validation checks to confirm all recovered files were intact.
- Successfully transferred the restored data to an external high-performance NAS system, formatted for easy access.
- Provided guidance on how to properly reconnect the RAID 5 system without affecting metadata again.
The Result
We successfully recovered 99.4% of the client’s lost data, including:
✅ All saved files and shared folders from the RAID 5 array
✅ Computer backup images and operating system configurations
✅ Important work documents and personal files stored across multiple computers
The client was able to restore their RAID system and access all lost data, preventing further complications.
Why Choose Belfast Data Recovery for Dell PowerEdge RAID 5 Recovery?
✅ 25 Years of Expertise – Specialists in RAID metadata recovery and Dell PowerEdge systems.
✅ Forensic RAID Reconstruction – Restoring RAID 5 data even after controller failures.
✅ Fast & Secure Process – Ensuring complete confidentiality and successful recovery.
If your Dell PowerEdge RAID 5 system has become unbootable after a configuration change or RAID failure, contact Belfast Data Recovery today for expert RAID data recovery services!