Do now
- Shut down the system safely and stop writes.
- Document drive order, slots and cabling.
- Record errors, RAID level and recent changes.
- Label all member drives clearly and keep them together.
Data loss guidance
RAID failure? Stop rebuilds and write access.
Every automatic repair may change a degraded or inaccessible RAID. Drive order, configuration and all member media must be preserved under control.
Further attempts may worsen damage or change recoverable data.
Immediate precautions
Protect the remaining options.
Avoid
- Starting a rebuild or resync again.
- Randomly replacing or rearranging failed drives.
- Initialising or repairing member drives individually.
- Continuing to use a volume after a failed rebuild.
Possible causes
Similar symptoms can have different causes.
A reliable assessment requires examination of the actual medium.
Multiple-drive failure
A previously weakened second drive may fail completely during operation or rebuild.
Incorrect rebuild
Wrong order, unsuitable replacement drive or read errors may overwrite data structures.
Controller and configuration
Faulty controllers, lost metadata or differing parameters may make an array inaccessible.
File system and encryption
Even with reconstructed RAID geometry, the volume, file system or key material may be damaged.
Professional diagnosis
Isolate the fault before reconstructing data.
Storage technology, damage and data priorities determine the route, not a one-size-fits-all software solution.
01 · Document the complete system
RAID level, drive order, controller, events and previous measures are recorded.
02 · Assess members individually
Each medium is technically assessed before reconstruction is attempted.
03 · Create working images
Where possible, sector images rather than original media are used.
04 · Reconstruct a virtual array
Parameters, order, parity, volume and file system are assembled and verified under control.
Related information
Cologne and nationwide
Assessed in Cologne, accessible from across Germany.
Local cases use an agreed handover route. From across Germany, securely ship your storage medium after registration. International shipments require prior acceptance, transport and return arrangements.
Frequently asked questions
RAID failure? Stop rebuilds and write access.
What should I do first after RAID failure?
Stop writes and shut down safely. Document drive order and error messages.
Should I start a rebuild?
Not without a reliable diagnosis. A rebuild with another damaged drive or incorrect parameters may overwrite data.
Must all drives be sent?
Usually all member drives and configuration information must be available. The exact scope is agreed during intake.
Does DataDoc handle business RAID and NAS cases?
Yes. Business-critical cases can receive priority handling, documented handover and an optional NDA.
Can express collection be arranged across Germany?
A 24/7 express collection can be requested for time-critical cases. Feasibility, timing and costs are agreed in advance.
Switch off and have the case assessed.
Describe the damage for initial guidance and the appropriate handover route.