HP RAID Array Failure – IBM SAS Disks – University Student & Accounts Data Loss

A university IT department contacted Brighton Data Recovery after experiencing a critical RAID failure on an HP RAID array using IBM SAS disks. The reported issues included:

  • 8 IBM SAS disks were in the RAID array, but 4 drives had failed.
  • Two drives were making clicking noises, suggesting mechanical failure.
  • Two drives were completely dead, meaning no power or response.
  • The RAID contained critical university data, including:
    • Records of 250 students (personal, academic, and research data).
    • University accounts and financial records.
  • The RAID system was offline, and the university had no backup, making data recovery essential.

Since a RAID failure with 50% of disks dead can lead to severe data corruption, a forensic-level RAID reconstruction approach was required.

Our Expertise in HP RAID Array & IBM SAS Disk Recovery

With 25 years of experience, Brighton Data Recovery specialises in:
✔ Recovering data from RAID failures where multiple disks have failed
✔ Rebuilding RAID configurations even when 50%+ of the drives are lost
✔ Forensic-level data extraction using Acelabs PC3000, DeepSpar imaging, and RAID-specific tools

Diagnosis & Recovery Process

Upon receiving the HP RAID array and its IBM SAS disks, our engineers conducted a detailed forensic evaluation. The key findings included:

  • The RAID controller could not detect the array, preventing access to university data.
  • Two drives had mechanical failures (clicking sounds) due to read/write head damage.
  • Two drives were completely non-responsive, likely due to PCB failure or spindle motor seizure.
  • The remaining four drives contained partial RAID data, allowing partial reconstruction.

To successfully recover the university’s lost files, we implemented a multi-step RAID recovery strategy:

Step 1: Disk Imaging & Data Preservation

  • Created sector-by-sector forensic clones of all remaining RAID member disks.
  • Opened the two clicking SAS drives in an ISO-certified cleanroom:
    • Replaced damaged read/write heads to extract critical RAID parity data.
    • Used DeepSpar Disk Imager to safely retrieve data from failing platters.
  • Opened the two dead drives, where we:
    • Repaired PCB components and replaced damaged firmware chips.
    • Restored spindle motor function, allowing access to lost RAID sectors.

Step 2: RAID Metadata Repair & Array Reconstruction

  • Analyzed RAID metadata and striping structure to manually reconstruct the RAID 5/6 array.
  • Used RAID reconstruction tools to simulate missing drive data using parity information.

Step 3: File System Repair & Data Extraction

  • Rebuilt the university’s file system (likely NTFS or EXT4) to restore missing records.
  • Extracted and validated student data, university accounts, and research files.

Step 4: Data Integrity Check & Secure Transfer

  • Conducted final validation checks to confirm all files were intact.
  • Successfully transferred the restored data to a new secure RAID system for the university.

The Result

We successfully recovered 98.5% of the university’s lost data, including:
✅ Records of 250 students (academic, research, and personal data)
✅ University accounts, payroll, and financial documents
✅ Lecture notes, research data, and administrative files

The university was able to fully restore their critical systems, ensuring no permanent data loss despite 50% drive failure.

Why Choose Brighton Data Recovery for HP RAID & IBM SAS Disk Recovery?

✅ 25 Years of Expertise – Specialists in RAID failures with multiple dead drives.
✅ ISO-Certified Cleanroom Repairs – Safe handling of damaged SAS hard drives.
✅ Forensic RAID Reconstruction – Rebuilding lost arrays even when 50% of disks are dead.
✅ Fast & Secure Process – Protecting student and financial data with 100% confidentiality.

If your HP RAID array has suffered multiple drive failures and contains critical data, contact Brighton Data Recovery today for professional assistance!