Data Recovery Tips

Follow these guidelines to keep better chances for data recovery.

1. If your computer is on and you are experiencing problems, immediately backup all critical and accessible files.

2. Do not install a new software on the failing drive.

3. Shut down your computer right away if you have accidentally deleted files on your system disk. The computer's operating system can rewrite data, even if you are not actively using that drive.

4. Do not use data recovery software on physically failed hard drive. Data recovery software can be an effective option for logical issues, such as deleted files or lost partition, but it is not appropriate tool for physical damage.

5. Stop using a hard drive that emits unusual noises. Continued use can lead to serious damage, so it is important to immediately turn off the computer.

6. Do not try to fix physical problems. Opening a hard drive in a regular environment can cause platter contamination and create permanent data loss.

What to do to ensure successful recovery

It is crucial to not act in the heat of the moment when you experience data loss. The smallest of errors can worsen the problem and lead to a non-reversible loss of your files. Data recovery success greatly depends on the first steps taken after the drive fails.

There are two major failures that can occur to a drive:

1. Physical failure occurs when the drive has broken or its parts are degrading. Often it is noisy and there is some clicking, grinding or whirring sounds. Sometimes your system warns you about I/O errors and may be very slow. Modern drives are extremely fragile and any attempts to "push" them can lead to permanent data loss. Consequently, if you believe that your drive has physical failure and cannot be read, shut down your PC immediately.

2. Logical failure happens if files were lost after being accidentally deleted, formatted or due to system corruption. The general idea for this kind of failure is to not write anything on the drive. Writing a sector makes old content of that sector disappear for good. Even an idle OS can write on a disk. Shutting down the system is the best and safest choice in any case.

Call us for free consultation if you are unsure.