Recover Data from RAID5 with 2 Failed Drives

Theo Lucia

Jun 08, 2020 • Filed to: Answer Hard Drive Problems • Proven solutions

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RAID is a visualization technology that is used for the purpose of data storage. It is the abbreviated form of Redundant Array of Independent/Inexpensive Disks. A RAID consists of multiple components of physical disk drives to form a single logical unit. Its purpose is to provide benefits such as performance improvement and data redundancy. The distribution of data among the drives is done in terms of different RAID levels. RAID 5 is the highest level which offers the best protection against drive failures and error. This article discusses how to recover data from RAID 5 with 2 failed drives if it gets corrupted.

Part 1: Why you Need to Recover Data from RAID 5

Although RAID 5 is the most robust level of RAID, it too is prone to corruption and failure. There can be several reasons for this. The following are some of the factors that can result in the failure or corruption of RAID 5 partition.

• Failure of multiple drives at the same time
• Attempting to get back the RAID 5 array online using a failed drive
• Absence of a RAID partition
• Improper configuration of RAID volume
• Controller malfunction
• Unexpected surge of power
• Malware or Viruses attack

Part 2: How to Recover Data from Failed RAID 5 Array

It is possible to recover all of the data from a failed RAID 5 array if you take action quickly and perform a few important tasks. Using the following recovery methods might work:

• Firstly, turn off the PC. You heard it, shut down the PC and stop all the work you are doing. This is necessary because the RAID controller might remain active even after the failure of the RAID drives. It can cause other drives to fail as well by writing on them. Thus, shutting down the system is the right thing to do under these circumstances.
• Organize the software and hardware you will need to recover data from RAID 5 in a single attempt. The things you will need include:
1. A reserve external storage device like NAS or a backup PC having an adequate amount of disk space.
2. Since you need an uninterrupted power supply for performing the recovery process, A UPS is necessary that can provide power for the HDD dock, router, the backup NAS or PC and your own computer system.
3. Another unused PC or external HDD dock where the RAID disks that have failed will be connected to a bootable Windows OS.
4. A dependable software program that can perform RAID 5 data recovery like Wondershare DATA recovery.
• Take apart the RAID array drives and examine each of them individually. Using the checking utilities provided by your drive’s maker, determine the physical integrity of each drive. Don’t try to repair the disks at this stage and simply try to identify which of them have failed.
• Write down the names/numbers and other disk specifications of the failed disks.
• Perform the recovery process on the disks that have failed.

Part 3: RAID 5 Data Recovery using Wondershare Data Recovery

If the method for RAID 5 data recovery mentioned above isn’t successful then you will have to make use of a data recovery tool to get your data back. There are quite a few data recovery tools and software available on the internet. However, most of them are incapable of performing RAID 5 recovery in a safe and secure manner. There is only one software program that can be used to recover data from RAID 5 comprehensively without encountering any issues. The name of that software is Wondershare Raid Data recovery.

Recoverit - The Best Raid Data Recovery Software

• Recover lost or deleted files, photos, audio, music, emails from any storage device effectively, safely and completely.
• Supports data recovery from recycle bin, hard drive, memory card, flash drive, digital camera and camcorders.
• Supports to recover data for sudden deletion, formatting, lost partition, virus attack, system crash under different situations.

Download | WinDownload | Mac

The following is a step-by-step instruction manual that offers you the opportunity to see how you can use Recoverit Data Recovery to recover data from RAID 5.

Step 1 To recover data from RAID 5, you can select the option "External Devices Recovery" to start.

Step 2 Selecting the name of the disk drive from the available list from which you want to recover data.

Step 3 Go to "All-Around Recovery" if quick scan can't get your lost data. The "All-Around Recovery" will deeply search more data from RAID 5.

Step 4 To preview the files that have been recovered by the software and save.

It can prove to be quite a challenge to recover data from RAID 5 with 2 failed drives. However, there are several methods available that can be used for this purpose. There is a chance that these recovery methods might fail, though. In such cases, it is recommended to use a powerful third-party data recovery tool such as Recoverit Data Recovery software.