Friday, October 22, 2010

Data Loss, Scary

Losing your data can be a very scary experience and it can happen to anyone. The initial panic, the worry, the feeling of emptiness. Whether data is deleted by accident, or by something spilled on the keyboard it is not a pleasant experience. Common computer viruses and other forms of malware have evolved to the point that they can be very destructive. The important thing to remember that most of the time your data can be saved no matter what the cause was. There are the lucky few who are able to recover their data by themselves but that is not frequent. This is why data recovery specialists are a growing profession.

The importance of secure data is a growing concern. Businesses and home users alike store significant amounts of data on hard drives and other storage mediums. Documents, photos, music, financial data all converted into ones and zeroes and put into that 3.5" metal shell. Amazing how it can store so much. Just as easily as the data can be accumulated on a hard drive it can just as easily be lost in a few seconds.

Most experts who perform this service work on laptops, desktop computers, and even large scale servers. Data recovery offer their services around the world. While most computer repair technicians perform general repairs a data recovery specialist only performs data extraction. The service itself is very specialized and can be expensive. However difficult it may be to put a price on your data costs do not depend on the amount or type of data. So think twice before pressing that delete key.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Avoiding the problems

In the event of a hard drive problem a computer generally crashes. This means a trip to the local computer repair shop. Sure the computer is probably old but most people are more worried about the important data stored on the computer. Everyday are effected by access to user information from email, photos, and music. Understanding the next step to take can help you manage to keep your data safe in future.

It is a good idea to store backups on removable media and avoid the data recovery scenario altogether. However computers are usually devices we take for granted in addition to the security of our vital data. So how do you recover the data that gets deleted accidentally? Assuming your hard drive is problem free then try a free download recovery program. A scan will typically take a few hours and should give you a list of the files that are recoverable. It is generally recommended that you scan the drive using another computer.

It is important to remember that data can be lost in the event of a hard drive crash. If you make a conscious effort to avoid backing up your data you should get used to this idea. Larger storage capacities, mechanical failures, and other electronic defects make data recovery a difficult task. To give your hard drive its best chance of survival you should consult an experienced recovery company with years of service and a certified clean room.

If you can survive the day without your computer you should expect the problem to be resolved within a week. The immediate impact on day to day activities should be minimal. It can be a hassle but if you remember to make a point to backup your data you can avoid these situations altogether. Good luck!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Effective tools for recovery

When it comes to hardware data recovery the most effective tool is diagnosis. The minimum amount of time should be 2 hours of analysis. Hardware problems are not a quick fix. The drive size or capacity rarely comes into play. Identifying the areas which need attention is. Is it a BIOS problem? Seagate firmware? Physical head crash? Without knowing you cannot take the proper steps.

Bad sectors just need the right software and a spare computer to scan the problem drive. A physical recovery requires the proper tools and environment. This is why clean rooms are vital to this type of service. Unless it is a straight circuit board swap hard drive repairs are not possible. Donor parts will be used and rendered useless during the process. Mechanical problems are challenging and you need steady hands if you are attempting a platter swap.

Platter alignment is key. One accidental turn and you are done because data is stored vertically and an alignment off by fractions of an inch render your data unreadable. Getting the drive to operate at a stable stasis gets you to the next step of actually reading data from the drive. Maintaining the optimal cylinder conditions is an integral part of a multiple platter drive.

Consult a professional before attempting.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Plan for your recovery

When a data loss occurs it has different effects on users. Depending on the day to day factors the loss can be devastating. The overall replacement cost can be huge for programmers. Recreating unique code can be impossible. Deadlines come into play and have to be pushed back. The financial loss can force companies in bankruptcy. Simply getting the operating system back up and running is the starting point.

A solid disaster plan should involve a recovery plan that can be easily implemented by your support staff. Being able to identify mission critical data is the key to ensuring business continuity. Periodic revisiting and updating of your plan should become a regular discussion.

The cost savings alone will benefit your organization going forward. Avoiding even one data recovery incident is well worth the trouble. Data redundancy policies, processes, and storage options.

Some space will be wasted. Time and money limit your future acquisitions. Not all data is useless. Consider cloud storage and other latest technology trends. Continuous backup, automatic sync, and storage to protect vital data and corporate information. Regular testing functional and effective latitude synergize your company.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Data recovery, take your pick

Go ahead. Do a Google search for "data recovery" and see just how many companies turn up. Relying on a search algorithm to determine who you decide to choose as a service provider can be very dangerous. Do a bit of research on your own before sending your drive to a company. Call them. Talk to them. Ask questions. Don't make a decision purely on price because you will get burned. When it comes data recovery quality of service ranks ahead of price when it comes down to your data.

It doesn't mean that you pick the most expensive company either but more often that not the $299 recovery company is a bait-and-switch type of operation. They rely on you to send in and pay their revised price rather than shopping around. Clean room recoveries never end up costing $299. Any hardware engineer willing to perform a head change for $299 is not a true data recovery technician.

Be sure to have all costs identified before giving over your credit card. You don't want a surprise when you get your recovery bill at the end of the process. Is shipping included? How about the external hard drive? Taxes? Get a total in writing and hold them to it.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Software recovery to the rescue

The main function of recovery software is to retrieve your data. If your drive has been formatted your data is still safe. Partition problems? Repair it with a drive management tool or use recovery software. Virus? No problem. If you've lost pictures running a full raw recovery scan can be a life saver, but don't expect raw data to retain file names or dates or other properties. Depending on what email program you use not all deleted emails can be recovered, regardless of what a software company promises. Microsoft Word files and Excel spreadsheets can all come back intact.

Whether you've accidentally deleted, formatted, dropped your computer your data can be recovered most of the time. If it's stored on a hard drives (internal or external), usb flash drives, camera card (secure digital, compact flash, xd, etc), all media generally supported. File systems using FAT32 or NTFS are not a problem. Linux, Unix can be big problems.

Software recoveries are usually quick and easy and can be run right from your own computer. Make sure you try before you buy. Free trial can be a good thing when it comes to data recovery software.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Right software for the right problem

Plenty of recovery software claim to be free. Many on the market rely on the bait and switch tactic to get you to download and then buy it. You will read the same thing in the description. Recover data corrupt file systems or crashed hard drives and accidental deletions. These problems can be avoided by correcting user error. Simply being more careful gets you out of having to perform complicated data recovery on your hard drive. Professional recovery software can help you salvage your important data when mistakes occur.

Picking the right program can be tricky because of the number of tools available. Working with the most powerful utilities can resolve even the most difficult problems when in the right hands. Make sure you check out all of the features before putting down your credit card.

Logical or software problems create havoc with your operating system. Recovery software aims to root around the problems and pull out your bits of data safely. A virus or malware, an unexpected power off, and bad sectors causing boot files to become corrupted. When you cannot restore data check the BIOS settings to ensure hardware components are set correctly. Error messages can yield important clues as to why there are problems.