RAID data recovery is different from standard data recovery processes as the RAID storage architecture uses a unique and complex method of storing and extracting data. RAID data recovery can be for any of the RAID levels including RAID 0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10. Recovery is usually required due to technical errors such as:

• Faulty hard disk
• Faulty controllers
• Data overwritten
• Application/software corruption
• Reformatting

RAID recovery generally requires reconstruction of all RAID storage arrays to original or last known good settings and configuration. The individual/software must know the RAID configuration at the hardware, software and firmware level to successfully retrieve data. Identifying the correct RAID array is an essential part of the RAID recovery process.

Before you start your RAID recovery

Consider the following:

• If one of the member disks of RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 5E or RAID 0+1 is physically damaged(produces unusual sounds, e.g. clicking or repeated spin-up and spin-down sounds), don’t use this disk for recovery.
• If you cannot avoid using a physically damaged disk, say, for RAID 0 recovery, try to create the disk image file – use Create disk image under Disks on the toolbar in ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery software.
• If you have a hardware RAID, you should
  1. Clearly label the member disks, the cables, and the controller ports, so that the original setup can be reassembled if need be.
  2. Disconnect the array member disks from the RAID controller and then attach them as separate/standalone disks to a non-RAID controller. ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovey needs to access the disks separately to be able to reconstruct RAID parameters.
• If you plan to recover data once the RAID parameters are restored, prepare a free disk spaceequal to the amount of data which you are going to recover.

How to recover RAID

1.  install, and launch ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery software.
2. If it is needed, open or create disk image files of the member disks using the Disks button.
3. Decide on the type of your array
   • For RAID 0 select a minimum of two devices from the list and click Start RAID 0.
   • For RAID 5, select all the available member disks and click Start RAID 5. Minimum of two disks is required. ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery software can recover RAID 5 with one disk missing.
   • For RAID 0+1, 1+0, RAID 5E or RAID 6, select all the available member disks and pick the appropriate RAID type under Other RAIDs.
4. Wait until the program completes detecting the parameters. It can take from a couple of minutes to several hours (learn why). The process completes when either Scan progress or Confidence is completely filled. Note that Scan progress always grows while Confidence may decrease.
5. At the step all the parameters have been already restored. Then you can select:
   • Run ReclaiMe to recover data. If ReclaiMe File Recovery software has been already installed on the computer, then it is launched in RAID recovery mode and displays the partitions on the array. If you do not have ReclaiMe, you will be offered to down-load ReclaiMe File Recovery software.
   • Save layout to the XML file. Save the recovered array parameters to the file in XML format. Note that you can open this file in ReclaiMe File Recovery software and start to recover data off the array using ReclaiMe RAID recovery mode.
   • Use with other data recovery software. Provides step-by-step instructions on how to transfer the recovered parameters to certain well-known data recovery tools. Note that the instructions are created for each particular case of RAID and you should follow them exactly. Should the need arise, the instructions can be copied to the clipboard using Copy to the clipboard button.