Possibly the most common RAID configuration, RAID 5 provides excellent fault tolerance with only a marginal cost in performance and efficiency compared to other RAID levels. If one disk fails in a RAID 5 configuration, the rest of the array can continue to operate with no data loss, though performance will degrade severely and the entire array will become vulnerable. RAID 5 is one of the most versatile RAID configurations. All the various aspects such as performance, efficiency, and fault tolerance are fairly balanced, which makes it an attractive option for a wide variety of purposes.

RAID 5 is commonly used in web servers, file and application servers, e-mail and news servers, database servers, Intranet servers, and home use.

We treat server and RAID recovery jobs as high priority cases. We realize the importance that these platforms tend to have, and many businesses depend on their servers as they are an integral part of their operation.

Our RAID recovery services have been developed through many years of experience, innovative methods, and the high standards to which our clients have become accustomed.

We are proud to be the data recovery service of choice for many IT professionals and businesses. Our clients in the past include NASA, Hollywood.tv, and YMCA, feel free to take a look at our testimonials.

As one of the most common operations that we perform, hard drive data recovery is at the core of our expertise. Over our long history, we have successfully performed thousands of hard drive recoveries, saving an incredible amount of valuable data for clients ranging from private individuals to Fortune 500 corporations.

• After our free evaluation, we will provide you with a full diagnostic report detailing what we are able to recover. You will be fully aware of all your options before making a decision to proceed with the service.

All data recovery work is performed on-site in our secure facilities. Our expert recovery engineers work around the clock to recover your critical data. If your data cannot be recovered, we do not charge a recovery fee.

• Fast
  Most recovery jobs are completed within 2-5 business days. Need the data now? We offer 24/7 emergency services. Most emergency cases are completed the same day.
  
  
• Professional
  Our services have been used by some of the top companies in the world, and we consistently receive positive feedback from our clients.
  
  
• Secure
  We take your information security very seriously. Your data is kept strictly confidential every step of the way.

The RAID 5 Setup

RAID 5 Data Loss

• RAID Controller Failure
• Lost, Damaged, or Corrupted RAID Array Configuration
• Accidental Formatting
• Intermittent Drive Failure
• Incorrect Drive Marking
• Rebuild Errors
• Addition of an Incompatible Drive
• Hardware Conflict

What to Do If Your RAID 5 Array Fails?

• Do not reboot: Simply power down the server/computer and the array. Rebooting can cause serious damage when a RAID array fails.
  
  
• If you suspect mechanical failure, power down the array immediately: If a drive is making an unusual noise, such as clicking or grinding, power it off as soon as possible. Continuing to run a physically failed drive can cause irreparable damage to the platters where data is stored.
  
  
• Do not run defragment or volume repair utilities on suspected failed drives: Utilities such as chkdsk, scandisk, and fsck are generally not intended for RAID repair. They are designed to solve very specific problems relating to the filesystem, and unless you are sure you have these problems, you should avoid running them at all costs. These operations involve moving and writing a lot of data, which can make the damage far worse.
  
  
  • Furthermore, the kinds of problems that these utilities are meant to fix can often exhibit themselves in cases where the actual cause of the original problem is different. Running these operations can be very dangerous!
    
    
• Label the positions of all drives in the RAID array and mark the one that failed: People panic when they lose data, and in attempting to fix the situation, it happens surprisingly often that they will mix up the order of the drives or forget which ones failed. This is understandable - data loss can be highly stressful. But it can make data recovery more difficult when we lack such information, so please take care to label your drives as soon as you can.
  
  
  • Please note that drives in a RAID array are numbered starting from 0.
    
    
• Log the events you observed that led to the failure: This will provide valuable information that will make the data recovery effort more likely to succeed.
  
  
  • Also please log all attempts you have made, if any, to remedy the problem and any consequences you observed.
    
    
• Do not change the order of the drives in an array: When the situation is already dangerous, you run an extremely high risk of data loss if you alter the RAID configuration in any way.
  
  
• Do not swap another disk into the array: This can also become catastrophic if done incorrectly. New disks have to be completely zeroed out before insertion, and it is crucial to follow the manufacturer's instructions when swapping. It is highly advisable not to perform this operation in any potential data loss scenario.

RAID 5 Recovery

• Our recovery engineers have the most experience, the best tools, and the brightest minds - they have performed over 5,000 successful data recovery operations and have recovered terabytes of data in the process.
  Read our customer testimonials
  
  
• On average, we can perform the entire data recovery operation within 2 to 5 days of receiving your drive, and can complete it even faster on demand. We are available 24/7 all 365 days of the year. Throughout the operation, we strive to make our service as transparent to you as possible - we will keep you regularly informed of our progress and always aware of all your options.
  Read more about our service options
  
  
• Our service is risk-free: we do not charge for the evaluation. We make you aware of what we can or cannot recover first, and then give you the option to proceed.
  If you have any concerns, please contact us. Or, you can check our Frequently Asked Questions page.
  
  
• Above all, we take your privacy and information security very seriously. All of our personnel go through rigorous training in data security, and your data is always stored in a secure location. Our services have been patronized by well known companies and organizations like NASA, Hollywood.tv, YMCA and others. We are proud to feature their expressed gratification letters on our site.
  Read more about our confidentiality policy or see our recommendation letters