G-RAID 4TB (4th get) power failure ???

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Level 1

4 points

G-RAID 4TB (4th get) power failure ???

Hi,

In need of some advice. G-RAID 4tb (4th Gen) external HDD won't power on. I think the drives are ok (presume or perhaps just wishful thinking) but issue is since it's RAID 0 I can't take the individual drives out to an external doc to copy.

Is there a solution? Is there dual docks that I can use for these drives that will read the RAID 0 and then allow me to transfer all of my files to a new drive?

Sincerely grateful for any help....

Chris

null-OTHER, macOS Sierra (10.12.5)

Posted on Jul 12, 2017 5:18 AM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

158,274 points

Jul 12, 2017 8:52 AM in response to CJC1519

You will probably have better luck getting a potential solution if you contact the manufacturer of your G-RAID HDD.

In the meantime...

As you know in a RAID 0 array, each of the two drives has only half of each file's data. So even if you could read data off one drive, it would be useless. Unfortunately, the exact method data is stored on those two drives is not a RAID standard. Basically just about every RAID controller system has its own "standards." At best, you would need another G-RAID enclosure to put these drives in to have any luck in accessing them.

Another potential option would be third-party software that can mimic the same RAID controller that your G-RAID uses to copy the files to a new drive.

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Answer 2

Jul 12, 2017 3:26 PM in response to CJC1519

This is not easy to do yourself.. If you have important info on the raid that you didn't backup.. (You MUST still backup every single storage device you own). Get a professional service to do it.

Unfortunately the G-Technology stuff is not so reliable.

4tb G-RAID Priority service: 100% Recovered! Recovered in 15 hours! 300 dollar data recovery - YouTube

Their recovery program.. ie none.. does not give much in the way of encouragement.

Data Recovery | G-Technology

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Answer 3

CJC1519 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 17, 2017 5:03 AM in response to CJC1519

Hi,

I appreciate the info... I found it to be really reliable for many years but this power failure issue is just strange. Pretty sure the drives are totally ok (ran DiskWarrior assessment on them days before it wouldn't power on again).

So really what I need help with is how to duplicate the RAID 0 with either external docks or I'm looking to buying a used G-RAID 4TB (4th generation - aka the *exact* same drive) and just swap out the platters...hoping that works.

Don't want to spend a fortune on data recovery yet...think there is a better way.

But thanks again for taking your time to try and help!

-Chris

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Answer 4

Jul 18, 2017 3:05 PM in response to CJC1519

I have hunted around but cannot find details of the type of raid software G-Technology use. My fear is that in setting up disks you alter them in some small way and destroy the chance to even recover the files.

The data recovery people tend to keep their knowhow to themselves.

Did you try a replacement power supply? If the unit is a few years old power supplies never last forever.. and particularly if it simply fails to power on at all then external supply should be replaced.

Is it a dual voltage supply? Single voltage, like 12v ones are simple but dual voltage are a lot harder.

I also tried to find the internal board design to see what kind of electronic power regulators they use but there are so many models it is impossible to see.. but I would at least do basic measurements of power supply during operation and make sure the 12v and 5v lines to the disk are actually working.

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Answer 5

CJC1519 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 18, 2017 8:14 PM in response to Tesserax

Thanks Tesserax! My hope is to buy a used enclosure of the *exact* same model (G-RAID 4tb 4th generation - dual FW 800 ports)...but then again not even sure that would work or just increase chances of corrupting the data. A sticky wicket!

Thank you again for replying and taking the time. Grateful!

-Chris

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Answer 6

CJC1519 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 18, 2017 8:17 PM in response to LaPastenague

Thanks LaPastenague!

I believe it is 12V..it's a brick with a male adapter that plugs into the brick and the drive. (if that makes sense).

Since I can't get the thing to power on at all I have no clue if anything is actually working but I'm almost certain the drives themselves are in great shape..jsut can't access them b/c no power.

Guess I'll try and find a 12V supply that I know works and see if that's the issue...(doubt it though)...

Basically thinking I just try and buy a working used one (of the *exact* same model) and try my luck with that... It's a G-RAID 4tb 4th generation with two Firewire 800 ports and a USB 2.0 (mini I think - definitely not standard USB 2.0)

Thanks again! Grateful for your insights...

-Chris

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Answer 7

Jul 19, 2017 12:12 AM in response to CJC1519

Our experience with swapping raid arrays to different hardware is not so good.. but on something that is more fixed than a normal NAS it might work..

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