Adaptec® RAID controllers are known for high performance, reliability, and a wide range of features. They offer various RAID levels and connectivity options, along with comprehensive management tools, and the company provides excellent legacy support.
Datarecovery.com provides extensive RAID data recovery services for all brands and models, including Adaptec® and Microchip Technology. With risk-free evaluations, real laboratories at every location, and our no data, no charge guarantee, we provide fast results — even in cases of failed rebuilds or other high-risk data loss scenarios.
To discuss RAID data recovery with an expert, call 1-800-237-4200 or submit a case online.
Adaptec® RAID Data Recovery: Common Causes of Data Loss
In our experience, Adaptec® RAID systems are reliable arrays. Data loss generally occurs due to failed rebuilds, logical issues (such as corruption or accidental deletion), or drive failures that push the system past its redundancy.
Common failure scenarios include:
- Multiple hard drive failures. Rebuilding an array can put stress on the remaining RAID members, and additional drives may fail during this process.
- RAID controller malfunctions. RAID controllers can also fail due to component failure, overheating, or power surges. A malfunctioning controller can render the entire RAID inaccessible.
- Power issues. Power surges or outages can damage RAID components, including hard drives and controllers, leading to data loss.
- RAID configuration errors. This includes incorrect RAID configurations, accidental deletion of arrays, or improper setup.
- Accidental deletion of data or RAID partitions. Users can accidentally delete critical data or RAID partitions, resulting in data loss. In many instances, these cases can be remediated remotely.
- Ransomware attacks. Datarecovery.com provides ransomware remediation and recovery solutions for addressing encryption caused by many widespread variants; learn more about ransomware recovery.
- Natural disasters. Events like fires, floods, or earthquakes can damage both storage media and components.
This is not a comprehensive list — and no two RAID failures are exactly the same. All data recovery cases begin with an extensive evaluation, which allows our engineers to generate an accurate price quote and turnaround estimate.
Support for All RAID Levels and Controller Cards
Common Adaptec® RAID controllers and devices include:
- Series 8 RAID controllers (e.g., 8805, 8405)
- Series 7 RAID controllers (e.g., 7805, 71605)
- Series 6 RAID controllers (e.g., 6805, 6405)
- ACB controllers (ACB-5585D, etc.)
- Adaptec® RAID 5405
- Adaptec® RAID 5805
- Adaptec® RAID 71605E
- Adaptec® SCSI RAID (AEC/AHA Series)
This is not an extensive list. Adaptec® is one of the longest tenured RAID manufacturers with dozens of models.
While the exact specifications vary between models and series, the Series 8 controllers represent Adaptec®’s latest generation as of November 2024, offering features like PCIe 4.0 support, increased bandwidth, and advanced RAID levels (RAID 50 and 60). Series 7 and 6 controllers, while older, are still common and provide reliable performance for various applications.
RAID systems offer a degree of protection against data loss due to hard drive and solid-state drive (SSD) failures. However, no storage system is perfect. Adaptec® systems have a reputation for reliability — but redundancy is not backup, and if the only important copy of data exists on a single system, data loss is always possible.
Understanding Adaptec® RAID Systems
Adaptec®, by Microchip Technology, has a long history in the data storage market. Founded in 1981, Adaptec® initially focused on hard drive controllers for the PC market before expanding into SCSI and RAID technologies. In 2010, PMC-Sierra acquired Adaptec, and subsequently, Microchip Technology acquired PMC-Sierra in 2016, bringing Adaptec® into its portfolio.
Adaptec® RAID controllers are designed to manage multiple hard drives or solid-state drives (SSDs) as a single logical unit, improving performance, redundancy, or both. These controllers support various RAID levels, each with its own configuration and characteristics:
- RAID 0 (Striping): Focuses on performance by spreading data across multiple drives, but offers no redundancy.
- RAID 1 (Mirroring): Prioritizes data protection by duplicating data across two drives.
- RAID 5 (Striping with Parity): Balances performance and redundancy by striping data and parity information across three or more drives.
- RAID 6 (Striping with Double Parity): Similar to RAID 5, but with an added layer of parity for increased fault tolerance.
- RAID 10 (Mirrored Striping): Combines RAID 1 and RAID 0, offering both performance and redundancy.
The Data Recovery Process for Adaptec® RAID Devices
In most failure scenarios, commercial data recovery software poses significant risks to RAID data. Adaptec® RAID configurations can be complex, and attempting recovery without the necessary expertise can exacerbate the situation; we strongly recommend working with a professional data recovery provider to maximize the chances of a successful case result.
Recovering data from a failed Adaptec® RAID system is a complex process that involves several steps:
1. Evaluation and Imaging
Our engineers carefully assess the failed RAID to determine the cause of failure, the extent of the damage, and the chances of successful recovery. We provide a price quote and turnaround estimate.
If the estimate is approved, bit-by-bit images are created for each functional drive in the RAID. Imaging ensures that the original drives are not further compromised during the recovery process.
2. Physical Data Recovery
If damaged storage media needs to be restored to allow for a complete recovery, physical repairs are performed in a certified clean room. Datarecovery.com maintains the industry’s most extensive library of hard drives, SSDs, and hardware components to reduce the turnaround time for physical data recovery procedures.
3. Logical RAID Reconstruction
Our technicians analyze the images and meticulously reconstruct the RAID configuration, including parameters like RAID level, stripe size, and block order.
Once the RAID is logically reconstructed, we extract the user data from the reconstructed array. The recovered data is thoroughly verified for integrity, then returned to you via an appropriate method.
A Professional Resource for Adaptec® RAID Data Recovery
At Datarecovery.com, we specialize in performing physical and logical repairs for advanced multi-drive systems. Our engineers have extensive experience in dealing with all Adaptec® RAID controllers and configurations, and we prioritize communication to help you plan effectively after a disaster.
Reasons to choose Datarecovery.com:
- On-Site Capabilities: Every Datarecovery.com location is equipped with state-of-the-art cleanrooms, firmware repair equipment, and a vast inventory of parts — including tens of thousands of hard drives, SSDs, and RAID controller cards. This allows us to treat RAID failures on-site and minimize turnaround times.
- Remote Options: In some cases, we can perform RAID recovery remotely, restoring essential data to a secondary system after resolving the underlying issues. Remote data recovery is not possible when systems have extensive physical damage, or when RAIDs have sustained media failures past their point of redundancy.
- Extensive Hardware Library: Our comprehensive hardware library, developed over three decades in the industry, enables us to handle legacy Adaptec® RAID devices.
- Flexible Service Options: We offer various service levels, including 24/7 emergency services, to provide data recovery solutions that meet your personal organizational needs.
- No Data, No Charge Guarantee: All our services are backed by a no data, no charge guarantee. If we cannot recover the data you identify as important, there is no charge for the failed attempt (evaluation fees may apply for high-priority cases).
When dealing with data loss on an Adaptec® RAID system, professional data recovery services are crucial. At Datarecovery.com, we have the expertise, tools, and experience to handle even the most complex Adaptec® RAID failures.
Call 1-800-237-4200 to get started or submit a case online.
