Did an array fail with multiple dead disks or did a rebuild go bad or does the RAID controller have lost configurations? We recover all levels of RAID (RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10 etc) from NAS, servers and DAS. First, we create an exact copy of each disk. Then, we will build the RAID array from those exact copies.
If your RAID drops offline or loses a second disk or the rebuild stalls…stop…don’t rebuild, reinitialise or resync. A rebuild will write to the RAID and could potentially over-write some of the data we are trying to recover. In addition, if you force disks back on-line in the wrong order; this will make things even worse. Power down the device (if possible), document the disk sequence (if possible) and contact us. This will be our best opportunity to recover your RAID.
We often recover from RAID failures such as: Multi-Disk Failure, Controller Failure, Configuration Failure, Logical Failure.
We recover all RAID levels & configurations (hardware/sw/NAS) on any controller, from a two-disk mirror to a multi-array server. The method depends on how you set up the RAID, not whether we can help.
RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60 and JBOD · hardware, software (mdadm, Storage Spaces) and fakeRAID · Dell PERC, HP Smart Array, LSI MegaRAID, Adaptec and Areca controllers · Synology, QNAP, NETGEAR, Buffalo and Drobo NAS · servers, DAS and workstations.
RAID recovery involves building an exact replica of the original array without ever writing to your disks. We read-only image every member drive, determine the exact layout that the array used, and virtually reconstruct the volume from the images, so your originals remain safe.
Please tell us about the configuration (RAID level, number of drives) and how it failed. We will send a written quote for assessment, typically less than 48 hours after receiving your information. If possible please label the disk sequence prior to unplugging the device.
We use a “read only” method on an expert tool to make a backup of each disk in the array. We do this even though some of them may be failing. This way, everything that needs to be done will be done to the backups, not your original drives.
If there was a mechanical (head) failure or electronic (board) failure in one of the members of the RAID, we will attempt to fix it enough to image it. If we have to do drive level fixes, we will require 50% of the total price prior to starting those repairs.
We determine how the array was configured (disk order, stripe size, parity rotation & offset), using the images we made, and then create a virtual replica of the array.
Using the virtual replica of the array, we recreate the RAID volume and pull all of your files, databases, VM’s, and shares, taking the most consistent version of the data.
Prior to returning any recovered files or volumes back to you, we verify they can be opened and contain all of the expected content.
We will return your recovered data to you on a brand-new drive/NAS sized for the volume, ready for immediate use.
We recover every RAID type/level/controller, from a mirrored two disk RAID to multi-array servers. Each disk is imaged and rebuilt as a virtual array so your original drives are never put at risk.
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.
Clear tiered pricing for RAID recovery services, with no charge for diagnosis and a written quote prior to starting work.
A sample list of our most recent successful RAID recovery jobs including multiple disk failures, failed rebuilds, dead controller and reconfigurations. Results confirmed, names removed.
Although one of the disks in this RAID had died unnoticed weeks before the second disk died, we still managed to image all six drives and rebuild the RAID so that the customer could recover their entire drive.
Each member of this RAID pair had errors in it but neither was completely dead. Therefore, we were able to repair each member, image them individually, and then rebuild the RAID mirror so that the customer could recover their data.
In this case the rebuild process had partially overwritten the RAID structure and therefore would have made recovering the data from either the old or new version impossible without first imaging all of the drives and rebuilding the original RAID configuration.
The NAS box failed and all the disks were in good condition. Using the array layout we rebuilt the SHR volume from that data.
Since RAID 0 has no redundancy, once a single disk fails it will prevent access to the remaining data on that RAID group. However, we can repair the damaged disk and then image both disks. Afterwards we can rebuild the original RAID 0 stripe set and recover all of the customer’s project files.
Because little additional data had been written since the reinitialisation of the RAID 5 system, we were able to reconstruct the original RAID 5 layout and successfully recover all of the customer’s shares and backup files.
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.
RAID array recovery for us covers all levels and there are only two that have their own sentence. RAID 0 uses a striping method to divide an array’s data across multiple drives without creating any redundant copy. When one of these striped drives fail they take the entire striped array with them. However, in the lab RAID 0’s recovery is generally good: every single drive, including the failed drive, is copied and then the striped data set is reconstructed in virtual form from those copies. RAID 5 has some redundancy built-in which allows a RAID 5 to continue operating until it suffers another disk failure. That said, during the rebuild process after one disk fails, a second failing drive may fail again while trying to complete the rebuild. Any RAID 5 that is being used and which has suffered a disk failure should immediately be shut off and then have each individual disk copied. Never attempt to rebuild a RAID 5 in place; that can potentially overwrite the valuable data that exists on those disks. Both RAID 6 and RAID 10 are very similar in how they are treated in terms of the recovery process. First, we obtain images of every single drive within the RAID; then we work out the RAID logic using copies of the images; finally we determine the best combination of images to use for our reconstruction.
The most commonly asked question(s) we receive regarding the recovery of a RAID array.
Generally, yes. Once a RAID 5 experiences a second failure of a disk it will go offline because it cannot operate once it has lost two disks. In many cases however, if we were able to image each disk in the RAID, we would likely find that the first disk had failed earlier than the second. Therefore, since we have a copy of what existed on both disks, we can use those images to successfully rebuild the array. Do not allow the system to rebuild itself because that could cause you to lose additional data due to the new writing done to the remaining disks.
Often not, but stop now. One of the most common ways that people experience loss of a RAID array is through a failed rebuild. This occurs simply because once a rebuild begins, any subsequent writing performed by the rebuild will overwrite existing data. We will stop the rebuild process, create a read only image of every disk involved and then utilise those images to recreate the original RAID volume; therefore, unless something happens during the imaging process, a failed rebuild rarely means the end.
Generally, yes. If a controller or NAS unit has become unresponsive or “dead” then it will not result in either permanent damage or loss of the data contained upon the disks. Instead, the data remains intact on the disks and you are simply unable to access it due to loss of control/communication with those disks. We will read the configuration/layout of the RAID directly from the disks themselves, image each disk and then construct a version of the RAID volume independent of the damaged hardware; thusly, it is possible for you to recover your RAID array without needing the original hardware operational.
Yes please send every disk in the array including any that have failed and if you can also label the slot order of these disks. RAID recovery works by rebuilding the array from all members together and even a dead disk may contain data we need to fill in the gaps.
RAID 1 mirror recoveries start at £500 + VAT. Multi-disk arrays (RAID 5, 6, 10, 50 & 60) start at £800 + VAT depending on how many disks there are and how much time is required for the job. Each job will always begin with a free 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.
All levels and controllers (RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60 and JBOD) hardware, software and NAS on Dell, HP, LSI, Adaptec, Areca, Synology, QNAP etc. The method used will depend upon the configuration of your system not whether your data is recoverable or not.
Yes. Synology and QNAP boxes use RAID systems (often SHR or RAID 5). We will recover data from these systems regardless of where the failure occurred. Whether this is with your drives (disks), the volume(s) or the NAS hardware itself we will build the array off the box so having a dead NAS does not prevent you accessing your shares and backups.
Generally yes. After rebuilding the array we then recover whatever is stored on this (VMware and Hyper-V virtual machines, SQL and other databases, shared folders, backups etc.) and ensure that the integrity of each file has been maintained prior to our return of these files to you.
A typical RAID 1 mirror takes approximately 3 to 4 working days; however, multi-drive arrays may require additional time as well as the potential for individual disk repair prior to rebuilding the array. While most free diagnostics are completed within 48 hours, priority can be given to critical business needs.
You can send your disks (all of them) by hand to our Bristol office Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm or send via post. Please use a full insurance service when you are posting them. Please pack all of the disks as tightly as possible, label each disk in the order that they appear in the array. Include your contact details (name, postal address, telephone number and email) so we can quote and book it in prior to any recovery work being carried out.
Yes usually, as long as nothing has been forced. RAID 0 doesn’t have any redundancy; once a single member fails the entire array will stop working, however your data is still stored across all of the individual drives. To recover this, all members need to be imaged. The failed drive needs to be returned to an operational state on the workbench if required. Then, the original stripe set needs to be rebuilt using virtual technology. The main reason why recovery is impossible is because either the array has been reinitialised or the drives have been reused after failing, which prevents an accurate image of the data from being captured.
A free diagnostic service; tiered pricing with prices starting at £800 + VAT for multi-disk arrays; and in most cases you only pay if we recover your data. All RAID levels and controllers recovered including NAS and servers. Begin your recovery today.