RAID recovery begins with the members, their condition and the known layout—not with a promise that a level number guarantees recovery. Preserve the original configuration and avoid initializing, rebuilding or writing to members merely to make an application recognize them. Check independent backups before trying to retrieve files from the array.
Establish what actually failed
Record the controller or NAS, RAID level, member count, original slot order, capacities and incident history. Distinguish deleted files on a readable array from a failed rebuild, missing members or a controller that no longer presents the volume. Each condition changes the recovery task.
Keep original disks and outputs clearly separated. Label physical slots and serial numbers before moving anything. If an image exists, record which member it represents, how it was acquired and any read errors. Do not replace missing information with guesses simply because a program offers editable layout fields.
Choose the relevant level-specific route
| Array | Initial question |
|---|---|
| RAID 0 | Are all required members readable, with the correct order and striping parameters? |
| RAID 1 | Which complete readable member or presented array represents the required version? |
| RAID 5 | Are the members and layout known, and is the available input within the tool’s supported scope? |
| RAID 6 | Is the complete recognized configuration readable, without assuming arbitrary missing-member reconstruction? |
XRecovery’s documented scope includes identifiable, readable RAID 0, 1, 5 and 6 arrays. That does not establish reconstruction of every controller format, unknown layout or incomplete array. Parity redundancy during normal operation is not a guarantee that a particular recovery tool can rebuild the present failed configuration.
What about RAID 10 or JBOD?
For RAID 10 or JBOD, check a recovery route that explicitly supports the actual layout. XRecovery documents support for RAID 0, 1, 5 and 6; this list does not include RAID 10 or JBOD. Preserve mirror pairing, stripe relationships, member identities and configuration exports when those arrangements are involved. An intact backup or the original platform’s authorized file-export route may provide the required content without reconstructing the array in another application.
If a third-party reader is being considered, verify its exact layout support against preserved inputs and validate output to separate storage. Missing members, uncertain mirror pairing or unstable media require a different assessment; a level name is not enough to supply the missing evidence.
Export files without confusing retrieval and repair
Identify the correct virtual volume, inspect representative folders and save recovered files elsewhere. Open the required content and check application dependencies. Correct filenames and a plausible directory tree do not prove every file’s bytes came from the right layout.
Keep the source configuration, tool version, scan choices, errors and output checks together. Successful file export does not mean the original array is safe to rebuild or return to service. Decide that separate task only after protecting the retrieved data and understanding the original failure.
Related reading
Choose the matching RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 or RAID 6 guide. After an interrupted rebuild, use the failed-rebuild preservation route. The member and image record explains configuration evidence; the software-selection guide helps evaluate a suitable tool.
For the next step, see XRecovery scanning, preview and export steps.