Bracknell Data Recovery is Bracknell and London’s No.1 RAID 5 recovery specialist, with over 25 years of experience safely restoring data from failed RAID arrays. Our friendly, technical team combines deep expertise and state-of-the-art tools to tackle even the most complex RAID 5 failures, both on physical hardware and in virtualised systems. RAID 5 arrays (striping with distributed parity) are common in both enterprise servers and NAS appliances – they can survive a single disk fault, but multiple drive failures, controller issues or parity corruption put your data at serious risk. We handle RAID 5 recovery for all environments, from small business NAS devices to large virtualised storage clusters.

Services Offered

• Emergency RAID 5 Recovery: 24/7 response for critical failures. Our rapid-response team can intervene before further drives fail, preserving your data.
• Degraded Array Repair: Rebuild or repair partially failed RAID 5 arrays by imaging the good disks and regenerating parity, recovering data without delay.
• Virtual RAID 5 Recovery: Specialized recovery from VMware ESXi and Microsoft Hyper-V systems. We extract and repair virtual disks (VMDK, VHDX), snapshots and datastores on RAID 5 storage.
• NAS & Server RAID Recovery: Data recovery from any RAID 5 hardware – from rackmount servers and SAN controllers (Dell EMC, HPE, NetApp, IBM, etc.) to consumer NAS units (Synology, QNAP, Buffalo, WD My Cloud, Seagate NAS, Drobo, Thecus, LaCie, Netgear, etc.).
• Forensic Imaging & Data Extraction: We perform bit-by-bit imaging of all drives using write-blockers and forensic duplicators, preserving media integrity. Then we carefully extract files, even from severely damaged drives or corrupted file systems.
• File System and Partition Recovery: Repair corrupted file systems (NTFS, ReFS, ext4, XFS, etc.) or lost partitions on RAID 5 volumes. We rebuild directory structures and recover files that standard tools often miss.
• Free Evaluation & No-Fix, No-Fee: We provide a free RAID health diagnosis and a transparent recovery plan. If we can’t recover your data, you pay nothing – our guarantee shows we stand by our expertise.

Supported Systems

We support data recovery from every major RAID system and configuration:

• Hardware RAID Controllers & Servers: Dell EMC (PowerEdge/PERC), HPE (ProLiant/Smart Array), IBM, Lenovo, Fujitsu, Supermicro, LSI/Avago RAID, Intel RAID cards, Areca, Adaptec, Promise and more.
• NAS Appliances & Enclosures: Synology, QNAP, NetApp, Buffalo, WD My Cloud, Seagate NAS, Drobo, Thecus, LaCie, Netgear, Asustor, Zyxel, Buffalo TeraStation and custom JBOD/RAID chassis.
• Software RAID Platforms: Linux MD (mdadm), Windows Storage Spaces, FreeNAS/TrueNAS (ZFS), Apple Xserve RAID, Linux LVM on RAID, Unraid, FreeBSD RAID, and other software-defined RAID configurations.
• Virtualised Environments: VMware ESXi (VMFS/datastores, vSAN), Microsoft Hyper-V (VHDX, failover clusters, CSVs), Citrix Xen, KVM/QEMU and cloud platforms. We recover RAID 5 volumes attached to virtual machines or hypervisor-managed storage pools.
• Drive Manufacturers: We have expertise with drives from Western Digital (WD, HGST), Seagate, Toshiba, Samsung, Hitachi, Crucial, SanDisk, Intel SSDs, Micron, Kingston and all other HDD/SSD brands. Our cleanroom can handle media repairs on any drive model.

Example Recovery Cases

• Dell PowerEdge (RAID 5) – Double Disk Failure: A company server lost two drives simultaneously, collapsing the RAID. We imaged the remaining disks, ran RAID parity analysis, and reconstructed the missing data blocks. Despite the second drive failure, our experts salvaged all critical business data.
• Synology NAS – Firmware Update Error: A Synology DiskStation’s RAID 5 volume vanished after a failed firmware upgrade. The NAS would not rebuild. We extracted the disks, decoded the Synology RAID metadata, and manually reconstructed the array. The entire NAS volume was restored with zero data loss.
• VMware ESXi Host – VMFS Datastore Crash: An ESXi host’s RAID 5 (12 TB datastore) became unreadable due to a controller firmware bug. Using specialized VMFS recovery tools on the disk images, we mounted the datastore, located the virtual disks (VMDKs), and recovered dozens of virtual machines without relying on backups.
• Hyper-V Cluster – VHDX Corruption: In a Hyper-V cluster with RAID 5 storage, several virtual machines became unbootable after a storage subsystem failure. We cloned the RAID disks and repaired the damaged sectors. We then repaired and mounted the VHDX files, recovering documents and data from the corrupted virtual drives.
• Custom RAID Enclosure – Controller Crash: A custom-built RAID 5 enclosure lost its controller configuration after a power surge. We bypassed the faulty controller by imaging each drive and using our software to emulate the original RAID 5 layout. All files were recovered as if the controller were still functioning.

Tools and Methods

• Forensic Disk Imaging: Every drive is cloned with hardware write-blockers to prevent further damage. We use industry-standard duplicators (DeepSpar, Tableau, PC-3000, etc.) that remap bad sectors on the fly, ensuring maximum data capture even from failing disks.
• RAID Parity Analysis: Advanced software replicates the RAID 5 XOR parity calculations. This lets us rebuild missing data when drives fail or parity is corrupted. We can fix “write hole” issues by cross-checking data blocks against parity, restoring consistency so the rebuild completes correctly.
• Sector-by-Sector Reconstruction: If RAID metadata or file systems are damaged, our specialists examine raw disk sectors. We recreate missing RAID headers, realign stripes, and piece together fragmented data. This meticulous approach often recovers files that conventional tools miss.
• Virtual Disk Recovery: For VMware/Hyper-V we mount and analyse virtual disk files (VMDK, VHDX) with hypervisor-aware utilities. We can reconstruct RAID arrays inside virtual storage solutions (like VMware vSAN or Windows Storage Spaces) and extract files from the virtual volumes, preserving snapshots and VM configurations whenever possible.
• Cleanroom Disk Repairs: In mechanical failure cases (head crashes, motor faults, PCB failures) we perform disk component repairs in our ISO-6 cleanroom. Swapping head assemblies or circuit boards often enables imaging of drives that would otherwise be unreadable.
• Software & File Recovery: Beyond RAID assembly, we use industry-leading recovery software (e.g. R-Studio, ReclaiMe) and custom scripts to recover data at the file system level. We handle NTFS, ReFS, EXT4, HFS+, XFS and more, as well as encrypted volumes (provided keys are available).
• Data Security: We follow strict forensic procedures. All work is done in our secure UK lab under NDA. Your original media is never harmed in normal operations, and we securely erase any temporary copies. Protecting your privacy and data integrity is as important as the recovery itself.

Why Choose Bracknell Data Recovery

• 25+ Years RAID 5 Expertise: Our engineers specialise in RAID recovery and have tackled thousands of RAID cases. With a quarter-century of experience, we’ve seen every failure mode and every major vendor system (Dell, HPE, Synology, QNAP, NetApp, etc.) – and know how to fix it.
• Secure, Controlled Environment: We operate an ISO-certified cleanroom and use write-blockers on all drives. Your original disks are never risked. We follow strict forensic protocols to protect your data’s integrity at every step.
• No Data, No Fee Guarantee: We stand by our work. If we cannot recover your data, you pay nothing. This risk-free policy demonstrates our confidence and commitment to customer satisfaction.
• Comprehensive Support: From small 2-disk RAID 5 arrays to large 64-disk SAN clusters, our lab has the equipment and expertise. We support every RAID controller and NAS model, plus all software RAID configurations. We also offer remote analysis and on-site assistance for data centres or large installations.
• Fast Turnaround & 24/7 Availability: We know downtime is costly. Our UK-based team (Bracknell/London) offers 24/7 emergency service and keeps you informed throughout. Many cases can be diagnosed and recovered in just a few days, with express options for urgent situations.
• Friendly, Professional Service: We explain technical issues in plain English and offer honest, jargon-free advice. Your success is our priority. Check our testimonials – clients trust our clear communication and care even under stress.

Common RAID 5 Failure Scenarios (Top 20 Faults)

• Single Disk Failure: One drive has failed. We image the remaining drives and use the RAID’s parity blocks to mathematically rebuild the missing data. Quick replacement of the failed disk usually restores the array without data loss.
• Second Disk Failure: Two drives fail (especially during a rebuild). Even though RAID 5 normally collapses, we attempt recovery by leveraging any intact data. Our experts manually reconstruct striped data using the remaining drives’ parity, often recovering many files despite two missing disks.
• Controller or Backplane Failure: The RAID controller or backplane has failed. We remove the drives, image them individually, then simulate the RAID in our lab using known settings – bypassing the faulty hardware. Your data is reassembled exactly as it was on the original array.
• Drive Firmware/PCB Corruption: A drive’s firmware or circuit board is corrupted. In our lab we replace the PCB or reprogram the firmware (e.g. adaptives, translation tables) to regain access. We then image the repaired drive and proceed with the recovery.
• Bad Sectors/Physical Damage: Drives with surface defects or damage. We use advanced imagers to clone surviving data, remapping or skipping bad areas. We then recover the remaining data from the RAID parity.
• Human Error – Rebuild Overwrite: A wrong drive was replaced or the array was accidentally reinitialised. If the array’s metadata was overwritten, we reverse-engineer the original layout by analysing data patterns and reconstructing the array parameters before recovering the files.
• RAID Metadata Loss: The array configuration is missing or corrupt (no controller info). We examine each disk’s metadata and search for RAID signature patterns to determine stripe size, order and parity position. With this information, we rebuild the array from the raw images.
• Parity Mismatch (“Write Hole”): A power loss or crash during a write caused parity to go out of sync. We detect and correct these mismatches by cross-checking all drives: matching data blocks to fix parity errors, then allowing the rebuild to complete with consistent data.
• Failed RAID Rebuild: A rebuild was started but stopped (due to power loss or another failure). We image all disks as-is, then reconstruct the correct data order in our lab to finish the job, rather than letting the array rebuild fail further.
• Striping/Offset Errors: Drives were re-inserted in the wrong order or with incorrect stripe settings (e.g. after controller swap). We identify the correct sequence and stripe geometry by analysing the disk contents, then realign the disks and recover the array.
• Incompatible Replacement Disk: A new drive of the wrong type (sector size or firmware) was used. We instead use our images of the original drives, identify the mismatch, and rebuild the array with the correct geometry, so the bad replacement does not impede recovery.
• Multiple Disk Failures: More than two drives fail. This is very severe. We image any remaining drives and attempt sector-wise recovery. Using any partial data and parity available, we salvage as many files as possible, even if some are permanently lost.
• Controller Firmware Bug: A RAID controller’s buggy firmware caused data corruption. We often downgrade or change controllers in our lab, or completely bypass them, and rebuild the array from the raw disk images to avoid the bug.
• Power Surge/Outage Damage: Electrical events can fry multiple drives or controllers. We replace/repair damaged components and image the drives. The surviving data and parity is then used to restore your files.
• Scrambled or Mixed Drives: Drives have been moved to a different enclosure or RAID level (often seen in DIY setups). We analyse the disk content to identify the correct array, then reconstruct the original RAID 5 layout.
• File System Corruption: The RAID rebuilds but the file system is corrupt (e.g. NTFS corruption after a crash). We rebuild the RAID and then repair the file system structures, using specialized recovery tools to recover your files.
• Deleted Partitions/Volumes: The RAID data is intact but the partition table or volume header was wiped. We search the disks for file signatures and rebuild the partition/volume table, then recover the files from the corrected volume.
• Hardware Controller Replacement: The original RAID card was replaced by a new one which doesn’t have the old configuration. We manually configure a matching controller or use software to emulate the original RAID logic and reconstruct the array on the new hardware.
• Hybrid RAID/NAS Issues: Proprietary RAID variants (Synology SHR, Drobo BeyondRAID, etc.) with mixed drive sizes. Our experts understand these layouts, disassembling and reassembling the unique mapping to restore your data.
• Drive Encryption: The RAID 5 volume was encrypted (e.g. BitLocker, hardware encryption). With the encryption key or password, we decrypt the cloned volume as part of recovery. If the key is unavailable, we can still recover the encrypted data so you can attempt decryption later.

Virtual RAID 5 Failure Types (Top 20)

• VMware VMFS Datastore Loss: The ESXi datastore on RAID 5 is inaccessible (for example, after a controller failure). We use VMFS recovery tools on the imaged disks to extract the VMDK files and rebuild the datastore structure so your virtual machines can be recovered.
• Corrupted VMDK Files: A virtual machine’s .vmdk file became corrupted (due to a crash or disk error). We mount the VMDK image, repair internal corruption when possible, or recover individual files by scanning the virtual disk image’s sectors.
• Hyper-V VHDX Corruption: A Hyper-V VHDX virtual disk is damaged. We perform a raw extraction of data from the VHDX file (treating it like a disk image), repair the virtual disk header if needed, and restore the guest file system data.
• Snapshot Chain Failure: A VM snapshot chain is broken or cannot consolidate (in VMware or Hyper-V). We manually merge and repair the snapshot deltas in our lab, then recover the current state of the virtual disk from the consolidated chain.
• Virtual SAN (vSAN) Issues: A VMware vSAN or Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct (virtual RAID) cluster is damaged. We break down the virtual layers, accessing underlying RAID members or storage slabs directly, and reconstruct the cluster’s data in our lab.
• Cluster Shared Volume Offline: A Windows or Hyper-V cluster volume on RAID 5 went offline. We extract the shared volume’s data by imaging the raw disks and rebuild the logical cluster volume, so the virtual machine files become accessible again.
• Lost Datastore Path: The RAID 5 LUN is not visible to the hypervisor (for example, due to zoning or LUN masking issues). We image the LUN from the SAN or NAS and manually locate and restore the VM data from the volume images.
• Failed VM Migration: A live migration to or from a RAID 5 datastore failed mid-transfer, leaving VM files incomplete. We recover the partially transferred VM files and piece together the original virtual disks from the RAID images.
• Thin-Provisioning Over-commit: A thin-provisioned VM on RAID 5 ran out of space, causing disk errors. We clone the VMDK and recover data from the filled-up areas by adjusting allocation and reading the “unwritten” blocks from the RAID image.
• VM Storage Controller Change: The virtual storage controller type was changed (e.g. from IDE to SCSI), making the VM unable to access its virtual disk. We detect the new controller settings and repair the virtual disk metadata to restore access.
• File Lock and Ownership Issues: Virtual disks locked by stale processes (common in clustered setups). We break the lock by mounting the volume offline and recover the contents without waiting for the original host to clear the lock.
• iSCSI/NAS Target Failure: VMFS or VHD volumes on an iSCSI LUN or NAS share (residing on RAID 5) became unavailable. We image the LUN or NAS drives and recover the VM data from the disk images.
• Deduplication/Compression Faults: A deduplicated or compressed VM datastore on RAID 5 became inconsistent. We temporarily disable dedupe/compression, rescue the raw data blocks from the RAID images, and reassemble the files outside the dedupe environment.
• Encrypted VM Disks: BitLocker or other encryption on VM disks stored on RAID 5. With the encryption key, we decrypt the cloned VMDK to allow file recovery; otherwise we return the encrypted image intact for decryption later.
• Failed RAID Rebuild on Host: The host’s underlying RAID 5 began a rebuild while VMs were running and then failed. We image the drives mid-rebuild, then combine partial rebuild data with parity to reconstruct the complete VM data set.
• Missing VM Configuration Files: The VM’s .vmx (VMware) or .vmconfig (Hyper-V) was deleted, leaving disks orphaned. We recover the VM’s virtual disk files and restore them to new or existing VM entries so the VMs can boot again.
• Corrupted Virtual Machine Cluster: A Hyper-V or VMware failover cluster configuration is damaged. We extract each VM individually as a standalone recovery, then guide you in reconfiguring the cluster.
• Snapshot/Checkpoint Overflow: Excessive snapshots or checkpoints exceeded the storage limits on RAID 5, causing failures. We carefully consolidate valid snapshots, discard any corrupt ones, and recover the resultant virtual disk state.
• Drive Signature/UID Mismatch: Changing storage controllers can alter disk identifiers, confusing the hypervisor. We correct the disk signature or metadata on the imaged disks to match the original, making the RAID volume reappear intact.
• Cloud/Hybrid Hypervisor Issue: A RAID 5 volume used by a cloud hypervisor (e.g. VMware Cloud or Azure Stack) fails. We treat it as a physical array failure: pulling the drives (or images) and recovering the data using our standard RAID 5 procedures.

Contact Us

Bracknell Data Recovery is based in Maidenhead (Berkshire) and serves customers across Bracknell, London and the UK. For expert RAID 5 data recovery help:

• Phone: 0800 689 0668 (UK toll-free, Mon–Fri 9am–6pm)

Our friendly RAID specialists are ready to provide a free evaluation and no-obligation quote. Call us any time for advice or immediate case support, or visit our website to use the online enquiry form.