G-RAID Data Recovery
G-Technology's G-RAID puts two hard drives in one enclosure, often striped together as RAID 0 for speed on Mac editing workstations. That speed comes at a cost: if either drive fails, or the enclosure itself dies, the whole volume can disappear. We recover G-RAID units by mail, imaging both drives and rebuilding the array in the lab, with a free evaluation before we quote.
G-RAID models we recover
G-RAID (dual-drive desktop)
Two 3.5-inch drives in an aluminum enclosure, often configured as RAID 0 so the pair appears as one large, fast volume. Some owners set it to RAID 1 (mirrored) or separate drives instead.
G-RAID with Thunderbolt
Desktop versions with Thunderbolt and, on many units, USB as well. Depending on the generation, the drives may be removable from the enclosure, and how the RAID is managed can vary.
G-RAID mini
A smaller two-drive version built around 2.5-inch drives, used as a portable RAID on some sets and shoots. Configuration options depend on the model, so the setup is identified before work begins.
SanDisk Professional G-RAID
The G-RAID line later moved under SanDisk Professional branding along with the G-DRIVE. Newer units carry that name but fill the same role.
How a G-RAID stores your data
A G-RAID combines two drives through a RAID controller, often in the enclosure itself. In RAID 0, every file is split into small blocks that alternate between the two drives, so neither drive holds complete files on its own. Recovery means imaging both drives and rebuilding the array with the correct drive order, block size, and starting offset. In RAID 1, each drive holds a full copy, so one healthy drive may be enough, but the healthier copy still has to be identified carefully.
On top of the array sits a Mac file system, typically HFS+ (Mac OS Extended) on older units, with many users reformatting to APFS. Those file systems keep critical structures, like the HFS+ catalog or the APFS container metadata, that can be damaged by a sudden disconnect or by one drive returning bad data. If you encrypted the volume in macOS, you'll need that password for recovery. Because the array metadata may be specific to the enclosure's controller, moving the drives into a different enclosure or computer often won't bring the volume back, and can prompt you to initialize the disks.
Common G-RAID failures
One drive fails in RAID 0
The most serious G-RAID failure. When either drive in a RAID 0 pair fails, the whole volume disappears, even though half the data is on a healthy drive. Both drives need to be imaged, including cleanroom work on the failed one, before the array can be rebuilt.
Enclosure, controller, or power supply failure
A G-RAID that won't power on, or powers on but shows no volume, may have a failed power adapter, power supply, or controller board while both drives are fine. A replacement adapter must match the original exactly; a mismatched one can damage the electronics.
Shows the drives but won't mount
If the array appears but the volume won't mount, the file system or the RAID metadata may be damaged, or one drive may be returning bad reads. Repeated First Aid runs on a struggling array can make the damage worse.
Clicking or degraded drives
Drives that have run long editing sessions for years can develop weak heads or bad sectors. In a RAID, one slow or clicking drive can cause dropouts and a corrupted volume long before it fails completely.
Accidental reinitialization
Re-creating the RAID, reformatting, or letting the enclosure's utility initialize the drives after a failure writes new array and file system structures over the ones that describe your data.
What not to do with a failing G-RAID
- ✕Don't reinitialize, re-create, or reformat the RAID — that overwrites the layout needed to put your files back together.
- ✕Don't move the drives into another enclosure or computer to test them — a different controller may not recognize the array and may prompt you to initialize the disks.
- ✕Don't swap the drives' positions or lose track of which bay each came from — order matters when the array is rebuilt.
- ✕Don't run Disk Utility First Aid over and over on a G-RAID that won't mount — each pass stresses failing drives and can write changes that complicate recovery.
- ✕Don't plug in a power adapter that doesn't exactly match the original — wrong voltage or polarity can damage the controller and both drives.
Related guides
G-RAID recovery — common questions
One drive in my G-RAID failed. Is the other drive enough to recover my files?
My G-RAID won't power on. Can I put the drives in another enclosure?
I don't know whether my G-RAID was set up as RAID 0 or RAID 1. Does that matter?
How much does G-RAID data recovery cost?
Other G-Technology drives
Recover your G-RAID for one clear price.
Confirm online, ship free, and pay nothing unless we succeed.
Confirm & get my free label