Is it possible to undelete files on Netgear Readynas Ultra2?

[sonicwind1980]

First post

Last week I bought a RNDU2000 NAS, currently it is running two 3Tb hitachi hard drives in RAID0 mode. Problem is I accidently deleted some files (approx 70 movies totalling 750Gb) without setting up recycle bin, and now I can't get them back. I know with normal RAID0 array it is possible to run some third party software which will scan the drives and recover the files, however it seems the Netgear NAS utilises some sort of proprietary RAID array that these third party software do not recognise.

One option is to take the NAS to a data recovery specialist, however these guys charge a premium for their service (something like $600 per drive!) which is way over what the deleted files are worth...

Is there anything else I can do? The hardware are in perfect condition and I haven't copied any new files to the NAS since the files were deleted.

Thanks for reading. As appreciation for your help I am offering a $150 "reward", via paypal, to the person who can provide me with a step by step guide to get the files back that works)

[hddguy]

I think the data probably still is present on your media, but because file system is most likely Journalled recovery from 'Undelete' process will not work. Only identifying data based on its file signature may work.

What data was deleted? What types?

[einstein9]

Another Simple idea to try:

Network MAP the NAS, then Scan it
should get them back

"Think Different" I like this MAC Slogan.

[einstein9]

forgot to mention

try replacing existing Hitachi hdd`s with WD much easier for disaster recovery later
i HATE Hitachi drives really, had bad experience with it

[hddguy]

Network MAP the NAS, then Scan it
should get them back

You cannot treat a mapped network share as a device that can be scanned.

This will not work...

[Cleanroom]

Network MAP the NAS, then Scan it
should get them back

You cannot treat a mapped network share as a device that can be scanned.

This will not work...

I was thinking the same thing...

But it may be possible to use a cross over cable and connect the device directly to your computers NIC. Not sure that method will work to scan either.

The best thing to do is to clone them both, hook up both clones to your computer ( through SATA), rebuild the raid config with the two drives, (with UFS Explorer) then scan for deleted data. I know this is the most extreme method , but it may get your Files back.

Unless someone knows a Deleted file recovery software that will scan a network drive.

[Cris]

The best thing to do is to clone them both, hook up both clones to your computer ( through SATA), rebuild the raid config with the two drives, (with UFS Explorer) then scan for deleted data. I know this is the most extreme method , but it may get your Files back.

This would probably be the safest option.

Unless someone knows a Deleted file recovery software that will scan a network drive.

If the storage device is mapped through iSCSI, then I should think normal file recovery software would work.

"EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free Edition, compatible with Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/2008/Windows 7, can recover lost files due to deletion, format, raw partition, virus attack, system crash etc. from iSCSI drive, external hard drive, hardware RAID, hard drive, USB drive, SD card, memory card, etc."

Note: I have never used this product.

[Cris]

Make sure you find out if your NAS has an Ext3 or Ext4 filesystem, not all recovery products support Ext4 (I don't think EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free Edition does support Ext4).

[einstein9]

some time ago, i was looking for such a UTILITY that does treat USB hdd as a Eth.
and i did found it. do not remember the name exactly but i found it

then

i came up with the vise verse option, and again I FOUND IT

this might be very good also. and for newbies who dono

btw, i remember very well that i got the portable ver. of BOTH mentioned Util. very easy
squeezing my brain to remember the name so far.

and hddguy ur right, i just tried it on mine did not work.

[northwind]

some time ago, i was looking for such a UTILITY that does treat USB hdd as a Eth.
and i did found it. do not remember the name exactly but i found it

I use "USB over ethernet" utility
That's the name

[Alt(R-TT)]

R-Studio supports Ext4. And you may try it before buy.

[sonicwind1980]

Thank you so much for all your suggestions, for a newbie like myself I will try out Rstudio first, will follow up with results soon...

[ReclaiMe]

I recall on a journaled EXT filesystem (ext3 or ext4), there is a requirement like
for a journaling to work, inodes must be zeroed when deletions are committed to the disk. This pretty much eliminates all the chance for easy undelete, leaving only raw scan for a non-fragmented files.

[hddguy]

leaving only raw scan for a non-fragmented files.