help recovering data from raid array

[redcoatzygote]

Recently one of the disks in my raid 0 array became a "non-member disk". I looked online and found a solution, which was to re-create the raid array with the exact same settings and then use a program called testdisk to find the partition or something. I did that and restarted my pc, which prompted a windows disk check at boot, which took over 30 hrs to complete. I finally log in, to see that the array i thought i lost was now showing up again under the same name as i had it and it showed the folders that i had in it. The only issue is, the folders all have a little lock next to them and appear empty when i click them. I believe the data must still be on the disk because windows explorer still shows that the disk is 2/3rds full of data, i just cant view any of it.

Would greatly appreciate urgent help on this issue, as i have important files on there that would hurt me to lose. If you nee more detail, ask away.

 

[Promomilia]

1.Stop writing data to the RAID in real time
2.Do not use your usual disk repair programs
3.Find and replace the broken drive
4.Use data recovery systems on the broken drive

5.Recovering data from a broken RAID

Perhaps counter-intuitively, recovering data from a RAID that's fully broken is way easier than recovering data from a RAID with one broken disk. Reconstructing a broken RAID could be a heap like re-formatting AN external exhausting drive: a third-party malicious program is wont to wipe the RAID and re-build its programming fully to induce obviate any computer code corruption. Reconstructing a broken RAID could be a straightforward, repeatable procedure, however it’s important to copy all of your data 1st. tho' it takes time and house, the most reliable thanks to copy your data is to make disk pictures of every of the RAID’s member disks, giving you an even copy of every disk that's simple to revive once the RAID is repaired. you'll then use a 3rd party RAID recovery program to reconfigure the member disks as standalone disks, and restore or reconstruct the info from every one severally. Once the info has been safely reconstructed and protected, you'll take your RAID array to a professional to see whether or not it is safely mounted. If the matter is hardware-based, it's going to be an easy matter of exchange a component; if the problems is with the RAID’s software, once your data is protected you'll strive re-formatting the RAID array. Despite that reconstructing a broken RAID is way easier than repairing a broken drive, it’s still an honest plan to require the RAID to a professional if you have got any doubts: with terabytes of important data at stake, you must forever take into account data recovery 1st, and value second.

 

[S Haran]

It would have been better to make images of your RAID member drives and perform recovery on the images.

I fear the RAID was not assembled correctly and/or the check disk was destructive. Or possibly you have a failing drive. At this point if it is high value data you should seek pro help.

If you want to continue the recovery yourself as a test I would check the SMART status of the drives and if healthy try the companion app to testdisk called photorec to see if it can recover any useful data. What to do next will depend on the photorec results.

 

[redcoatzygote]

It would have been better to make images of your RAID member drives and perform recovery on the images.

I fear the RAID was not assembled correctly and/or the check disk was destructive. Or possibly you have a failing drive. At this point if it is high value data you should seek pro help.

If you want to continue the recovery yourself as a test I would check the SMART status of the drives and if healthy try the companion app to testdisk called photorec to see if it can recover any useful data. What to do next will depend on the photorec results.

Hey thanks for the reply,
I created a disk image of the drive using a program called acronis. I looked at the smart status, and it was good for both drives. I used photorec and it actually recovered over 12000 files, which is definetely a step in the right direction but the issue now is that none of the files have the correct names (all just strings of numbers) and they have just been put into big folders (called recup_dir). Is there any way to get them back into their organised state? it would probably take longer to sift through all this data a reorganize it than it would to just start over.

 

[redcoatzygote]

also, now that i have the image file saved of the disk is it safe to format it and do a fresh install of windows on it? currently running windows on an older hdd and it is very slow.

 

[S Haran]

So you inspected some of the photorec recovered files and they look good. That is a good sign. Now try Testdisk to see if it can recover the filesystem. Or try recovery tools like DMDE, R-Studio, UFSexplorer etc.

To be safe I would not overwrite anything until you have your data recovered.

 

[Perso004]

So, you mean you do get no way to take the lost raid array drive files and folders back yet?
Ok! If so, what you need may some free file recovery software to scan these raid array drives and see whether your data is able to be retrieved back. Many data recovery freeware could be easily searched over the internet, including:
Recuva- free to scan and recover data with fast speed
iCare Data Recovery Free-100% for free to scan and recover hard drive and partition files
Puran File Recovery – free to recover lost data
TestDisk – free to recover hard drive contents with a Dos-like interface
Of course, if necessary, some local data recovery agencies could also be your chances.
Never forget to back up data well again