Ubuntu server RAID arrays are widely used for business-critical data storage, offering redundancy and improved performance. However, power failures can corrupt RAID configurations, cause disk failures, and lead to total data loss, especially if warnings from failing drives go unnoticed.
This case study details how we successfully recovered essential data from an Ubuntu server running a RAID array with 3 hard drives, after a power failure and drive failure left the system unreadable.
As Guildford Data Recovery, Surrey’s oldest and best data recovery company, we have 25 years of experience using RAID reconstruction, Linux file system repair, and forensic data extraction techniques to restore lost Ubuntu RAID data securely.
Ubuntu Server RAID Drive Failure After Power Surge
A Guildford-based client contacted us after their Ubuntu RAID server stopped working, with the following issues:
- One drive in the RAID array had been showing errors for some time before failure.
- The failed drive was removed and connected via SATA, but showed 0GB of files.
- BIOS detected the drive, but Ubuntu Linux could not mount or recognize it.
- When connected to a Windows 11 system, the drive showed as an “unknown file.”
- The RAID array contained business-critical files that needed urgent recovery.
Since attempting DIY RAID recovery can result in further data corruption, an immediate professional data recovery solution was required.
Diagnosis & Evaluation
When the Ubuntu RAID array (3-disk system) arrived at our cleanroom facility, we conducted a full RAID and file system diagnostic. Our findings:
- The failed drive had hardware degradation, preventing Ubuntu from recognizing it.
- RAID metadata corruption – The RAID array was out of sync due to drive failure.
- The XFS/EXT4 file system was partially recoverable, increasing the chances of data extraction.
Since Ubuntu RAID systems rely on RAID metadata and parity, continuing to use a degraded array can result in total data loss, so we prioritized RAID reconstruction and drive-level recovery.
The Recovery Process
1. Cloning & Imaging All RAID Disks to Prevent Further Data Loss
To preserve all recoverable data, we:
- Created forensic sector-by-sector clones of all three RAID drives.
- Used specialized Linux recovery tools to extract readable sectors while bypassing bad areas.
2. Rebuilding the RAID Array & Restoring Corrupt Metadata
Since RAID metadata was damaged, we:
- Reconstructed the RAID configuration outside the Ubuntu system.
- Repaired missing RAID headers and partition tables.
3. Extracting & Verifying Critical Data Files
Once the RAID array was successfully rebuilt, we:
- Recovered all business documents, databases, and operational files.
- Restored Linux XFS/EXT4 file system structures to regain access.
- Transferred the fully restored data to a secure external backup device.
The Results: 95% Data Recovery Success
Thanks to our RAID reconstruction and Linux file system repair techniques, we successfully recovered 95% of the client’s lost data, including:
✅ Business-critical documents, databases, and financial records
✅ Operational reports, project files, and security logs
✅ Organized file structures restored for easy access
The client was able to retrieve all essential files, allowing them to rebuild their Ubuntu RAID system without losing data.
Why Choose Us?
With 25 years of experience and tens of thousands of successful RAID recoveries, we are England’s leading Ubuntu RAID data recovery specialists. Our expertise includes:
✔ Ubuntu RAID failure recovery & metadata reconstruction
✔ RAID array rebuilding & degraded disk recovery
✔ Linux XFS/EXT4 file system repair & data extraction
✔ Secure & GDPR-compliant RAID data recovery services
If your Ubuntu RAID array has failed due to a power surge, drive failure, or system corruption, stop using it immediately and contact us for expert RAID data recovery.