Buffalo LinkStation NAS devices are widely used for home and business storage, offering network-based access to files and backups. However, when a NAS suddenly disappears from the network, it can indicate firmware corruption, RAID metadata failure, or file system errors, preventing access to critical data.
This case study details how we successfully recovered important data from a Buffalo LinkStation NAS with two disks, after the NAS stopped appearing on the network and the drives were not accessible in Windows Explorer.
As Cambridge Data Recovery, with 25 years of experience, we used RAID metadata reconstruction, NAS file system repair, and forensic sector-level recovery techniques to restore the lost data.
The Challenge: Buffalo LinkStation NAS Disappeared from the Network & Not Accessible in Windows
A client contacted us after their Buffalo LinkStation NAS stopped working, with the following issues:
- The NAS was no longer visible on the network.
- Attempts to connect manually resulted in an error message.
- After removing the drives and connecting them via SATA, the disks were visible in BIOS and Device Manager but not in Windows Explorer.
- The client needed access to important business and personal files stored on the NAS.
Since Buffalo LinkStation devices use proprietary Linux-based file systems (XFS/EXT3/EXT4), Windows cannot read the drives directly, requiring advanced recovery techniques.
Diagnosis & Evaluation
When the Buffalo LinkStation (two drives) arrived at our cleanroom facility, we conducted a full RAID and file system diagnostic. Our findings:
- NAS firmware corruption – Preventing the device from booting properly.
- RAID metadata failure – The RAID configuration was missing, making the drives appear as separate disks.
- File system corruption (XFS/EXT4) – Making stored data unreadable in Windows.
Since NAS drives are formatted for Linux-based systems, directly connecting them to a Windows PC does not allow access, we prioritized RAID and file system reconstruction.
The Recovery Process
1. Cloning & Imaging Both NAS Drives to Preserve Data Integrity
To prevent further corruption, we:
- Created forensic sector-by-sector clones of both NAS disks.
- Used specialized tools to extract readable data while avoiding further damage.
2. Rebuilding the RAID Configuration & Repairing the NAS File System
Since RAID metadata was missing, we:
- Determined the RAID configuration (RAID 0 or RAID 1) based on disk structure.
- Rebuilt the RAID array manually outside of the Buffalo LinkStation system.
3. Extracting & Verifying User Data
Once the RAID was reconstructed, we:
- Recovered all personal and business files stored on the NAS.
- Checked recovered documents, photos, and videos for accuracy.
- Transferred the fully restored data to a secure external backup device.
The Results: 100% Data Recovery Success
Thanks to our RAID reconstruction and NAS file system repair techniques, we successfully recovered 100% of the client’s lost data, including:
✅ Business documents, spreadsheets, and PDF files
✅ Photos, videos, and archived media files
✅ Personal files and backups from the NAS system
The client was able to regain access to all essential files, preventing permanent data loss.
Why Choose Us?
With 25 years of experience and tens of thousands of successful NAS recoveries, we are the leading Buffalo LinkStation data recovery specialists in Cambridge and the UK. Our expertise includes:
✔ Buffalo LinkStation NAS firmware failure & RAID metadata recovery
✔ XFS/EXT4 file system repair & missing data extraction
✔ RAID 0, RAID 1 & JBOD NAS reconstruction
✔ Secure & confidential data recovery for businesses & individuals
If your Buffalo LinkStation NAS has disappeared from the network, is not showing up in Windows, or is preventing access to critical files, stop using the device immediately and contact us for expert NAS data recovery.