Supermicro RAID 5 systems are widely used by businesses and enterprises for high-performance and fault-tolerant data storage. However, if disks in a RAID 5 array are swapped in the wrong order, it can prevent proper RAID rebuilding, leading to data inaccessibility or loss.
This case study details how we successfully recovered business-critical data for a local estate agent, after their Supermicro RAID 5 array (8 disks) failed due to an incorrect disk swap.
As Leeds Data Recovery, with 25 years of RAID and enterprise data recovery experience, we used RAID parity reconstruction, manual disk order analysis, and deep file system repair techniques to restore lost data.
The Challenge: RAID 5 Disks Swapped in the Wrong Order, Preventing Rebuild
A local estate agent contacted us after their Supermicro RAID 5 system became inaccessible, with the following issues:
- One of the eight RAID 5 disks initially failed.
- During an attempted rebuild, multiple disks were swapped in the wrong order.
- The RAID array failed to initialise, leaving all business-critical data inaccessible.
- The array contained property listings, client databases, and financial records.
Since attempting to rebuild a RAID 5 array with incorrect disk order can overwrite valid parity data, an immediate professional recovery solution was required.
Diagnosis & Evaluation
When the Supermicro RAID 5 system (8 disks) arrived at our cleanroom facility, we conducted a full RAID-level diagnostic. Our findings:
- Incorrect disk sequence – The RAID controller could not determine the original array order.
- Parity inconsistencies – Due to the failed rebuild, some parity blocks were mismatched.
- No physical disk failure – Meaning data recovery was possible with manual RAID reconstruction.
Since forcing a RAID 5 rebuild could permanently overwrite data, we focused on manual disk order reconstruction and forensic-level recovery.
The Recovery Process
1. Cloning & Imaging All 8 RAID 5 Drives
To preserve original data and prevent corruption, we:
- Created forensic sector-by-sector clones of all eight disks.
- Isolated the original failed disk to avoid further errors.
2. Determining the Correct RAID 5 Disk Order
Since the incorrect disk swap disrupted RAID parity, we:
- Analysed RAID striping patterns to identify the correct disk sequence.
- Reconstructed the RAID metadata to restore missing parity calculations.
3. Manually Rebuilding the RAID 5 Array
After determining the correct disk order, we:
- Reassembled the RAID 5 array outside of the Supermicro controller.
- Recovered missing parity blocks to restore lost data.
4. Verifying & Restoring Business-Critical Data
Once the RAID array was rebuilt, we:
- Recovered property listings, contracts, and financial databases.
- Repaired damaged spreadsheets and customer records.
- Transferred the fully restored data to a new secure RAID system.
The Results: 100% Data Recovery Success
Thanks to our RAID disk order reconstruction and forensic-level recovery techniques, we successfully recovered 100% of the estate agent’s lost data, including:
✅ Property listings and transaction records
✅ Client databases and contact information
✅ Financial reports, invoices, and business documents
The estate agency was able to resume normal business operations without losing critical data.
Why Choose Us?
With 25 years of experience and tens of thousands of successful RAID recoveries, we are the leading RAID 5 and Supermicro data recovery specialists in Leeds and the UK. Our expertise includes:
✔ RAID 5 incorrect disk order recovery
✔ RAID metadata reconstruction & parity repair
✔ Business database and financial data retrieval
✔ Secure & confidential enterprise data recovery
If your RAID 5 array has failed due to incorrect disk swapping, missing data, or parity inconsistencies, stop all recovery attempts and contact us immediately for professional RAID data recovery.