You’ve got a failed rebuild, a NAS that won’t boot, a crashed volume or you’ve accidentally deleted some of your shares? We recover ALL brands of NAS (Synology, QNAP and the rest), including SHR and Btrfs as well as ext4. We create an exact copy of EVERY disk in your NAS and then we build your volume back from those copies on our bench. So, with a dead NAS there’s still NO reason for your data to be lost.
If your NAS displays a crashed/degraded volume; if one of its disks fails or it simply won’t boot: STOP IT NOW! Don’t allow it to perform any repairs/rebuild/resync operations. Any rebuild operation writes to the disks, potentially overwriting the very data that we require to recover and putting the disks into a Windows PC will cause them to be offered to format. Switch off the NAS and document the disk(s) that come out of each bay. Then call us. The first attempt at recovery is always going to be the safest.
These are the types of NAS failures that we most frequently recover data from: volume failures, hardware failures, rebuild failures and logical failures.
We can recover all NAS devices including but not limited to: Synology, QNAP, WD, Netgear and Buffalo, all levels of RAID configurations, SHR, Btrfs & ext4 file systems from single two-bay NAS units up to multi-bay units in racks. There are different recovery methods depending upon the brand of NAS device you own, not whether we can help.
Synology (DSM, SHR, Btrfs), QNAP (QTS), WD My Cloud, NETGEAR ReadyNAS, Buffalo TeraStation, Asustor, TerraMaster and Drobo · RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10 and SHR · ext4 and Btrfs · 2-bay, 4-bay, 8-bay and rack units, plus expansion bays.
NAS recovery involves extracting your files from the disks rather than the unit. The NAS stores all its data within a Linux RAID volume which Windows is unable to see therefore we will image each disk, rebuild the array and file structure then recover your shares independent of the NAS.
Please tell us the details of your NAS: manufacturer, number of bays, RAID configuration, what happened, etc. We will review and provide you a written quotation (usually within 48 hours). If possible, please indicate which disk was located in each bay.
Once we have this information, we create an exact replica (read-only) of all disks associated with your NAS using specialised equipment, even those that may be failing. This way, all our work takes place on copies of the original media; your disks remain untouched.
When a physical/electronic failure occurs at the disk level, we perform repairs (swapping heads, rebuilding the board) such that we may image the disk. The cost of these types of repairs requires a 50% deposit upfront.
Next, we rebuild the RAID or SHR volume layer, then the LVM layer, and finally the ext4 or Btrfs file system that the NAS used, exactly how it originally configured them, off the box.
After the volume has been restored, we pull out your shared folders/files/photos/backups/virtual machines/snapshots/etc. from the reconstructed volume; using the most consistent copy available of your data.
Before returning your shares & files back to you, we ensure they are accessible and complete.
We will return your recovered data to you on a brand-new drive/NAS sized for the volume, ready for immediate use.
In addition, since we rebuild every NAS (Synology/QNAP/Western Digital/NETGEAR/etc.) by creating an exact image of each disk and restoring the RAID or SHR volume layer off the box; there’s never a reason why a failed NAS should lose any of its shares.
Tell us what happened and we will get back to you, usually within one working day.
We will be in touch shortly. For anything urgent, call 0117 332 1137.
We provide transparent, tiered pricing for NAS recovery (with a complimentary diagnostic and a written quotation prior to commencing).
Recent snapshots of NAS recovery from crashed volumes, dead NAS units, failed rebuilds and changes in configuration. Results verified. Names have been removed.
A hard drive had failed and the Btrfs file system was damaged. We captured images of all four drives, assembled the SHR array and recovered all files on the shares.
The NAS unit was dead however all of the disks were good. We rebuilt the RAID 5 volume using the disks and all data was recovered.
Both disks were still somewhat alive. Each was repaired and its image created, and subsequently the mirror was rebuilt so that family photos could be recovered.
Although the build process had partially written over the existing volume, all disks were imaged. Then an attempt was made to create the same layout as when the NAS unit was originally built with the goal being to recover it.
Although the NAS unit itself was no longer working, there was still one disk which was healthy. The entire Linux-based volume on this disk was copied off it and all data was recovered.
Due to little new data having been added, we were able to create a copy of the original SHR array. With this completed we successfully restored all of the shares along with all backup data.
True client testimonials from our two-decade archive.
We had a Qnap Raid 5 eight disk system. Two of the hard disk failed, we replaced disks and attempted a rebuild. After rebuild completed system would not start. We had business critical accounts, SQL Database and Exchange Database on Qnap server. Bristol Data Recovery provided us with reassurance from the start that they could recover the data. They got the system in on Thursday and we downloaded the SQL and Exchange files from them on Sunday afternoon so all staff could work as normal on Monday. 1st class customer service.
I run a small photography business and our Drobo 5N Raid 5 External NAS system stopped working last week. We contacted Drobo support but they could not do anything. You guys recovered all our clients data within 4 days and backed up the 8tb of data onto 2 external drives. Great expertise and good communication.
Send us your device for a no-obligation free diagnostic and let us know what went wrong. One of our engineers will inspect it and confirm your exact quote in writing prior to doing any work.
To get started with recovering your data, first get your device to us. Wrap it securely, write your contact details on a slip of paper inside the package, include a brief description of what happened and post it to us. After running a complimentary diagnostic we will write to you confirming the exact price prior to starting work.
Do you want to post the device to us? We highly recommend using a trackable postal service with insurance. Would you prefer to deliver it yourself? That’s fine too. Our office hours for accepting deliveries are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm. Please make sure to wrap the device as described previously.
Need some additional information regarding our data recovery services? Fill out the form and provide further detail about your problem and one of our engineers will review it and offer you a personalised quote.
We’ll be in touch shortly. For anything urgent, call 0117 332 1137.
The most common questions that we receive regarding recovering a NAS unit.
Typically no. Crashing typically indicates that a hard drive has dropped out or the Btrfs or ext4 file system was corrupted. However, the data is usually still intact. We copy every single hard drive, put the SHR or RAID back together again and then restore (repair) the volume to get access to your shared files. Do NOT allow the NAS to attempt repairs or rebuilds before sending it to us.
Typically yes. A NAS that will not boot, has nearly always failed at the box (this could be either the motherboard or the power supply) but in both cases, the disks within are okay. When you ship the drives to us, we will rebuild the volume from those drives outside of the NAS and recover your files without needing the NAS to function.
NO, please do not try. Your NAS stores its files on a Linux RAID volume that uses either an ext4 or Btrfs file system. Windows cannot read these types of file systems and will prompt you to initialise or format the disk which would destroy your data. Please just bring the disks to us and we will build your volume correctly.
YES PLEASE: send ALL disks (including the one(s) that failed) and if possible indicate where they were located when installed in the NAS. Data recovery from a NAS works by putting ALL disks into a single pool and recovering your data as best as we can from all disks; even a dead disk may contain missing pieces of data that help complete the full picture.
For two-bay mirroring type recovery: Prices begin at £500 + VAT. Recovery for multi-bay NAS’s (RAID 5, 6 & 10 and SHR) prices also begin at £500 + VAT, based on number of disks and work required. All work starts with a complimentary diagnostic and a written quote, and in most cases you only pay if we recover your data.
Most often yes. However, when there is need for a drive-level repair, we require a 50% deposit prior to performing the repair work. And, you are only required to pay the remaining 50% after successful recovery of your data. This protects you in case we are unable to successfully recover your data.
Every brand: Synology, QNAP, WD, Netgear, Buffalo, Asustor, TerraMaster, Drobo and others; every RAID configuration and SHR; every file system type, ext4 & Btrfs. The recovery method varies based upon the make and model of the NAS, however, whether the data can be recovered does not vary.
Sometimes. NAS units are commonly targeted by ransomware. Where there are still unencrypted files; snapshots; or previous versions of the same file, it may be possible to recover these. If the ransomware has totally encrypted all data on the volume, this requires special care, please contact us about this individually and do not make any payments until you have spoken with us first.
Generally yes. NAS unit failures resulting in loss occur mostly when a user performs a rebuild operation because rebuild operations write data directly to the disks. As such, we always create an exact copy of each disk read-only prior to attempting a rebuild operation. Then we use these copies to recreate the original SHR or RAID configuration. Therefore, failure during a rebuild will rarely result in total loss.
Most two-drive NAS units require 3 to 4 working days to complete while multi-bay NAS units can take longer to complete than a single hard drive depending upon how many disks are being recovered and if any of the individual disks require drive-level repairs before proceeding with the larger job. Our complimentary diagnostics are generally completed within 48 hours of receipt. Business-critical cases can usually be expedited.
Please physically remove the disks from the NAS itself and send only the disks to us. We do not remove drives from NAS or RAID systems. Clearly label each disk indicating what bay it was originally located in. Also, pack them tightly enough so that they cannot rattle around inside the package. There are two ways to deliver your disks to us: (a) You may bring them into our office in Bristol Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm. (b) Alternatively, you can post them to us with full insurance coverage. In addition to sending us your disks, also include your name, postal address, telephone number and email address so that we can book them in and provide you with a written quote before starting any actual work.
Just about all of them that arrive in the UK: Synology DiskStations; QNAP; Buffalo LinkStations & TeraStations; Netgear ReadyNASs; WD My Clouds; D-Link ShareCenters; LaCies; Iomegas etc. The important thing is not the manufacturer’s logo but rather what operating system is running under the hood. Most manufacturers run either a custom version of Linux RAID using mdadm/LVM or one of its variants, and therefore we image every single member disk before touching the RAID or SHR layering.
Complimentary diagnostic review, tiered price structure starting at £500 + VAT per NAS for multi-disk systems and in most cases you only pay if we recover your data; successful restoration of all types of NAS (Synology, QNAP and others) off the box. Start your recovery today.