Data Recovery is one such issue for which there are numerous solutions being bandied about on the web. Data is so crucial that when we lose this valuable entity, the losses can be huge. That’s possibly the reason Data Recovery is assuming such importance today.
Every computer user has been faced with the situation of losing data. The time when you fail to backup data will invariably be the time when data is lost. While recovery of data is available 90% of the time, there is that 10% chance of losing data completely. Therefore, when one chooses between DIY data recovery options and professional services, one must know the pros and the cons of each.
DIY Data Recovery
DIY data recovery options are easily available and can be downloaded from the internet. Just keying in key phrases using a search engine throws up enough and more options from which to choose from. Most DIY products have step by step instructions laid out to help a user recover software. DIY Recovery software is extremely cheap and the procedure can be carried out from the convenience of one’s home. Especially when we suddenly lose data and do not have time to lose, DIY software can be a blessing in disguise. The pros of using DIY recovery software are affordability, convenience and the saving of time.
That is however, where the advantages of DIY software end. When one is a novice and needs to recover data, using DIY software can be tricky. To use any kind of DIY software one has to be fairly informed and know which product will be best suited for the kind of data recovery that is necessary. While the description of the recovery process is fairly detailed, it presumes that the user is clued in on different technology terms. If one or two of the steps are missed, then it can result in overwriting of data which will lead to permanent data loss.
There is absolutely no DIY recovery software that can fix the physical damage causing data loss. DIY software can help resolve logical damages.
If strange noises emanate from the system, it is best not to attempt recovery yourself as the problem could just get worse and one could lose data altogether.
Data Recovery Professionals
Data Recovery is an extremely painstaking and delicate process. Professionals who work with companies offering Data Recovery services are trained and highly qualified. Companies have millions riding on data and can ill afford to take chances and therefore trust only professionals to recover data.
Large data recovery companies have special “clean rooms” where data recovery is carried out. These clean rooms are specially constructed to provide maximum hygiene and constant temperature. Considering how valuable the information is, they cannot risk losing data through the infiltration of dust particles or fluctuations in temperature.
If the data to be recovered doesn’t involve mission critical files, then the professionals may also carry out the recovery process on site. To maintain clean rooms and hire professionals is not cheap. Since the overhead cost is high, professional services are also relatively expensive.
Choosing Between the Two
One mustn’t write off professional services as being too expensive and therefore choose DIY recovery options. If the data that is lost is valuable it is wise to check what professional services are available. Some companies do a free assessment and do not charge if data is not recovered. One can check with a company that offers this free assessment and if the problem is fairly straight forward, DIY software may be a good choice.
If the assessment reveals that recovery is going to be long drawn and delicate, keeping in mind the value of the data, trusting a professional may be the best option.
If data loss is due to physical damage to the computer, there is no choice to make and one should head to the nearest professional or risk losing data permanently.
Conclusion
If a user is fairly knowledgeable about internet technology and is confident of being able to recover data using DIY software, then there are several products available online. For a user who is not too comfortable, there are professional recovery services that will not cost the earth and might help save money in the long run.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Data Recovery Methods
Sometimes, due to unforeseen occurrences, it may become necessary to recover information from your hard drive. For instance, you computer may encounter problems and you need to recover documents. In many cases such data retrieval is quite possible. So, how exactly does data recovery work?
Specialists in data recovery will take your hard drive and evaluate it. Skilled technicians will determine how much information can actually be retrieved from your hard drive and what will be necessary to retrieve the lost data. Once this evaluation is complete; the data recovery provider will advise you what needs to be done to retrieve your data and how much the work will cost you.
Lost data can be recovered successfully about 80 percent of the time. Bear in mind however, that the evaluation process can take several days to weeks, and it may or may not prove successful in determining what the problem with the computer is. Then, if you should decide to give the data recovery provider the go ahead, they will clone the system and begin attempting to retrieve the data that is on your hard drive. Laptops and notebooks can also have data recovered from them. Despite the fact that the procedures for doing so are different than those used on standard computers, data can still be recovered from these mini-computers. In essence, the primary difference is that these computers require smaller tools in order to recover the data on them because they are so much smaller. Specialists do not require your entire computer to recover your data. Rather, you can simply ship your hard drive to them and they will retrieve the data from it.
Nevertheless, as a hard drive is a sensitive piece of equipment it, needs to be shipped very carefully. The drive will have to be wrapped in material that will not produce static and you should avoid the use of Styrofoam peanuts at all costs - they create a significant amount of static and static can destroy a hard drive.
There are also some other things to be aware of if you want to attempt data recovery. For instance, if you hard drive is exposed to water, you should be quite careful when shipping it. It is advised that data can be retrieved better before the hard drive dries out, therefore it is suggested that you ship it with a damp cloth in a plastic bag to ensure that it stays wet until it can be evaluated. Finally, when you do ship your hard drive to a data recovery provider, be sure to place it in a cardboard box, wrapped in bubble wrap, where it will have very little room to move around.
Specialists in data recovery will take your hard drive and evaluate it. Skilled technicians will determine how much information can actually be retrieved from your hard drive and what will be necessary to retrieve the lost data. Once this evaluation is complete; the data recovery provider will advise you what needs to be done to retrieve your data and how much the work will cost you.
Lost data can be recovered successfully about 80 percent of the time. Bear in mind however, that the evaluation process can take several days to weeks, and it may or may not prove successful in determining what the problem with the computer is. Then, if you should decide to give the data recovery provider the go ahead, they will clone the system and begin attempting to retrieve the data that is on your hard drive. Laptops and notebooks can also have data recovered from them. Despite the fact that the procedures for doing so are different than those used on standard computers, data can still be recovered from these mini-computers. In essence, the primary difference is that these computers require smaller tools in order to recover the data on them because they are so much smaller. Specialists do not require your entire computer to recover your data. Rather, you can simply ship your hard drive to them and they will retrieve the data from it.
Nevertheless, as a hard drive is a sensitive piece of equipment it, needs to be shipped very carefully. The drive will have to be wrapped in material that will not produce static and you should avoid the use of Styrofoam peanuts at all costs - they create a significant amount of static and static can destroy a hard drive.
There are also some other things to be aware of if you want to attempt data recovery. For instance, if you hard drive is exposed to water, you should be quite careful when shipping it. It is advised that data can be retrieved better before the hard drive dries out, therefore it is suggested that you ship it with a damp cloth in a plastic bag to ensure that it stays wet until it can be evaluated. Finally, when you do ship your hard drive to a data recovery provider, be sure to place it in a cardboard box, wrapped in bubble wrap, where it will have very little room to move around.
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